How to style a denim jacket - just in time for spring

Give the wardrobe staple a stylish refresh this season

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Content Writer

March 9, 2023Mar 9, 2023, 5:45 PM GMT

When it comes to outerwear classics, there is possibly no style more universally adored than the denim jacket. The casual piece is infused with a certain timeless spirit, and no jacket collection is complete without one.

Classic flap pockets and the super strong twill weave required to create denim means that the style is perfect utilitarian trend devotees.

Fitting, considering denim jackets were originally worn by manual labourers because of their unrivalled durability.

German businessman Levi Strauss (ring any bells?) pioneered the style in the 1880s, around a decade after he had invented jeans.

Since then, denim jackets have earned a placed in virtually everyone's wardrobe, and now that spring is just a stone's throw away, we're contemplating how to refresh the style for 2023.

READ: How to style double denim

MORE: Bomber jackets: the 12 best styles to amp up your outerwear collection

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Marilyn Monroe in the 1961 picture The Misfits

Throughout fashion history, the denim jacket has cropped up constantly – from Marilyn Monroe's collar contrast piece in The Mistfits and Tina Turner's upturned collars to Justin Timberlake's noughties blazer version (though perhaps the less said about that one, the better).

Givenchy SS23

Gigi Hadid revived our interest in the denim jacket at Givenchy's SS23 Paris Fashion Week show when she graced the runway in an XXL light wash piece with faded logo detailing. Gigi's version was styled with a frayed knee-length skirt and white strappy pointed heels – proving that double denim is still relevant in 2023.

What do I wear with a denim jacket?

On our current wishlist is Aligne's light wash oversized version (classic vibes) and Ganni's dark denim fitted style with neon green topstitching which would look amazing cinched in with a gold hardware belt. If you're looking to invest in a slightly smarter piece, Loulou Studio's off-white collarless design is a minimalist's dream – pair with a slinky black midaxi and mules for the perfect spring style moment.

Hello! Fashion shares the best ways to style a denim jacket:

With a gilded belt

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With a maxi denim skirt

With a pleated midi dress

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With wide-leg trousers

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With colour pop accessories

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With jean-inspired boots

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With logomania accessories

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With relaxed-fit cargo pants

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With double-waistband jeans

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With opera gloves

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With festival-ready wellies

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With frayed jeans