The Return of Denim Jackets Is Upon Us—Here's What's Different This Time

Full disclosure: I own at least 10 denim jackets. It's probably about eight more than I need, but they were so popular for such a long time (a basic even), so I just stocked up over the years. Then, people started wearing them less and less, which I never predicted would've happened, but fashion can be a bit unpredictable. 

Some time has passed since denim jackets took a back burner to other jacket styles, so I'm not surprised that they're starting to crawl their way back into the spotlight. I'm also kind of thrilled. The denim jackets we're used to seeing were always a bit plain and, well, boring. The 2021 versions are bedazzled, adorned with cool collars, extra oversize, colored, spliced, and brilliantly reworked. I've been so overwhelmed by the number of interesting denim jackets I've come across as of late that I had to put them all in one place for your shopping convenience.

Scroll on to shop my favorite interesting denim jackets on the market—fall will be here before you know it.

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

This two-tone denim jacket is a perfect example of how cool colored denim can be.

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(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

The blazer collar and puffed sleeves on this jacket make it feel a bit '80s, which makes so much sense in 2021 (because, as you know, all things '80s are still trending).

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(Image credit: @louloudesaison)

This fancy Levi's x Miu Miu jacket is adorned with jewels and a pretty lace collar. It's a statement piece that can also be worn casually.

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

The easiest way to make a basic denim jacket feel fresh these days is to pair it with more denim.

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

You might initially think to wear this extra-oversize option with something slim (like skinny jeans or a body-con dress), but fashion people are wearing it with equally baggy pieces.

Next up, 11 Outfits Fashion People Will Wear With Classic Jeans This Fall

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.