What DO I Wear?!?! The Denim Jacket

“I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes.” ~ Yves Saint Laurent

Denim has made a big comeback in the last year. And nothing screams classic more (except maybe jeans) then a denim jacket. EVERYONE needs to own a denim jacket. Heck everyone probably has at some point.

// Jacket: J-Crew // Shirt: Anthropologie // Scarf: Lord and Taylor // Leggings: Lululemon // Flip-flops: Reefs// Sunglasses: Tory Burch // Tote: Alaina Marie Bait Bags //

It seems like a throwback to the eighties and nineties and while my opinion is still out on the resurgence of denim on denim (really it is a case by case bases at this point), I love the bohemian vibes a good denim jacket can offer.

I bought mine eight years ago from J-Crew. Yes. Eight years ago! It has been a solid companion, especially during the warmer months, for so long now, it is like a fashionable safety blanket. I always pack it when I travel. I can dress it up or dress it down.

The Attraction

I actually hadn’t been looking for a jacket. In fact I was a little anti denim bringing back memories of black Steve Madden slides and embroidered acid wash jeans of the nineties. Oh and let’s not forget those butterfly clips! The horror!

The fashion pain! HOW was any of that a good look?

Yet, as I was shopping with my sister-in-law and being styled by a clerk she brought me over a denim jacket and miraculously I fell in love with it.

// Jacket: J-Crew // Scarf: Lord and Taylor// Shirt: Anthropologie // Leggings: Lululemon// Boots: American Rag// Sunglasses: Tory Burch// Cuff: Light House Studio Designs// 

The Appeal

Still suffering from fashion nightmares, I very quickly noted the color and cringed. For years, I had shied away from any denim that could be misconstrued as bleach blue.

// Jacket: J-Crew // Skirt: LJC Designs //

While the jacket was lighter in color then most denim I wore, it did not scream I did laundry and threw bleach instead of detergent in and whitened all my clothes. No it was a pretty light blue that could have been made into a tea dress for royalty if not for the denim. My eyes slowly started to adjust to it.

The over all design of the jacket is simple, hitting at my waist, with buttons on the front and the sleeves making cuffing and rolling them up simple easy and chic.

The Rips

While the design might have been classic, this was a jacket that had character. No it wasn’t gaudy with embroidery or had a thousand different colors going on. The denim was distressed not in an “I need new clothes” way, but artfully, gently, done in a way no one would be offering me money, because my jacket was ripped.

The Versatility 

Ripped denim does not encourage much confidence that it can be versatile unless you are going to a Throwback Thursday Party. But I have worn this jacket over dresses, with leggings and tunics, even nights out.

// Jacket: J-Crew // Dress: Express // Necklace: SeaMilligan Designs // Booties: Aldo // 

Now is it worthy for the Oscars? No. But for a fun, even business casual night out with a dressy skirt or dress is perfection.

// Jacket: J-Crew // Dress: Anthropologie // Booties: Nordstrom //

Leggings, even to throw on over work-out wear after a yoga session it is the perfect outerwear piece to pull an outfit together and give it that extra va-va-voom.

Denim on Denim

I have yet to try it denim on denim.

I take that back. I have yet to try it blue on blue. I have paired it with my white jeans for cool summer nights, but that is as daring as I have gone in my denim on denim journey.

I will never say never though.

What do you think of the denim jacket? Do you do denim on denim? As always I love to hear from you guys!