15 Jean Jacket Outfits That Are Super Easy to Copy—Plus 1 You Should Probably Skip

Billowing floral dresses are a summertime staple, but if you don’t want to look like you’re testing out a Little Women Halloween costume, add a denim jacket. The look brings things back into the 21st century, and gives you a figure in a dress style that can oftentimes appear pretty shapeless.

We love a chic slip skirt, but they can look a little dressy for day, especially if you opt for an asymmetrical silhouette or a dainty floral print. All you need to tone down the inherent sexiness of a silk skirt, however, is your trusty denim jacket. Be sure to choose one with minimal detailing (i.e., no rivets or distressing) to keep the whole ‘fit from getting too busy.

For summer, we find it’s best to go for a jean jacket with a cropped cut so you won’t overheat under too much fabric. And as an added bonus, those smaller jackets look gorgeous with shorter hemlines, like minidresses or classic shorts. Wondering what length is best for your figure? Look for something that hits either right at your natural waist, at the top of your hips or somewhere in between those two points.

We love a good print mixing moment. But adding in one sleek, neutral piece, like an indigo- or dark-wash denim jacket, can help pull everything together no matter how bold or out-there your printed pieces may be.

Another wonderfully timeless combination, blue denim and white eyelet lace will always look gorgeous together. Try to find a jacket that hits within a three or so inches of your waist to avoid looking too frumpy with a maxi dress or oddly disproportionate with a mini.

Get double the use out of your workwear by pairing your trousers, pencil skirts and button-up blouses with a denim jacket for the weekend. To further differentiate between your Casual Friday getups and your brunch-ready attire, add a boho bag (complete with bandana adornment) or some colorful statement earrings.

Have yourself a ‘70s moment with flared cords and a denim jacket in that OG true blue wash. A ladylike bag and pointy-toe pumps will give your look a more modern vibe, but we’re not opposed to slipping into a pair of Birkenstocks either.

Button your jacket up all the way, add a belt at your waist and voilà! You’ve got yourself a brand-new top to pair with anything from a classic black pencil skirt to faux-leather joggers.

When we think of jean jackets, we immediately imagine a classic trucker style. But there are tons of other silhouettes to consider, like a tailored blazer, for example. Lean into the mix of professional and weekend-ready with a leg-baring pencil skirt or printed trouser.

No need to break out the tired peacoat (again). Instead, pair two jackets, one denim and one patterned trench, for a fashion-week ready look that’s just as warm.

As demonstrated by this list, a denim jacket is supremely versatile, which also makes it a great item for bridging the style gap between two seemingly disparate aesthetics. For instance, super-sporty track pants and a crisp button-down shirt don’t share much in common, but the addition of a denim jacket—which harkens to the structure of the shirt and the casual vibes of the pants—suddenly makes this look for cohesive.

The trick to not looking like a lost cowboy is to opt for extras with a bit more polish. Think pointy-toe shoes, Steve Jobs-esque turtlenecks, flirty blouses and colorful leather handbags.

If a monochrome denim suit isn’t really your style, try mixing things up with two different washes. It doesn’t matter if you do the lighter shade on top or on bottom, as long as there’s a distinct and obvious difference between the two shades.

A denim jacket with classic jeans can read very western, while a matching jacket and mini skirt veers deep into prep-school territory. But a dark-wash denim set? Now that’s what I’m all about—the indigo wash helps elevate the typically casual material, while the skirt keeps things feels fresh and fun.

Yes, you could throw an oversize sweatshirt on over your leggings, but a jean jacket looks more put together. So when you inevitably run into your coworker/kid’s teacher/book club frenemy, you won’t feel quite so underdressed.

Layering your denim jacket under a longer coat, like a trench or wool peacoat, can create a fun layered look that provides extra warmth. But if you swap those pieces around and wear your cropped denim over a longer silhouette, the proportions just don’t work and you wind up looking disheveled. Stick with the outfit formula you know works—shorter layers on the inside, longer layers on the outside—for a foolproof, totally chic outerwear combination.