You are very cool. You have great taste in music, detailed knowledge of many things, maybe even a nice car. But no matter how cool you already think you are, if you don’t own a denim jacket, I hate to inform you that you are not as cool as you could be. You could look at that as an insult. You could also look at it as an opportunity.
Jean jackets are essential because they’re easily paired with just about everything. They look great new, and they look even better when they’re worn in, beat up, torn and stained. A great jean jacket can take you from day to night and from summer to fall (don’t worry, they make ‘em fleece-lined). Wear jeans on your bottom half often? Get a black jean jacket for your top half, or rock a Canadian tuxedo. Either way, we promise you need a jean jacket. Become the coolest iteration of yourself with one of our favorite 13.
Faux Shearling Lined Denim Trucker Jacket
Levi’s
nordstrom.com
$64.00
If blue denim isn’t your scene, a black denim jacket is just as essential, and more suited for nighttime. This is also faux shearling lined, so it’ll keep you warm on your walk home from the bar.
Blue Denim Jacket
Topman’s well-priced denim jacket selection is a good way to dip your toe in the water.
Faux Shearling Lined Denim Trucker Jacket
Levi’s
nordstrom.com
$63.98
If you’re a really committed denim jacket wearer, you must own a winterized version of the classic style.
Core Denim Trucker Jacket
BDG
urbanoutfitters.com
$79.00
This solid option from BDG comes in two classic washes. You can’t go wrong with either (or both).
The Denim Jacket
Everlane
everlane.com
$88.00
Everlane goes hard on basics, and its denim jacket is no different. It’s called the Uniform jacket for a reason—it is everything you could want out of the style and you can wear it on the regular.
Trucker Jacket
This is the O.G. jean jacket. That is not a figure of speech. Levi Strauss invented the jean jacket in 1880, ten years after he invented jeans. So, we can pretty much guarantee you this option will stand the test of time.
Grey Quilted Chore Jacket
Topman
topman.com
$100.00
There’s nothing standard about this gray denim jacket, but it still goes with everything in your wardrobe.
Western Selvedge Denim Jacket
GAP’s Selvedge Denim Jacket is slightly dressier than your average beat-up light wash option, and the multicolored stitching makes for a subtle but cool detail.
Danby Denim Jacket
Allsaints
us.allsaints.com
$138.00
Allsaints makes the perfect edgy wash—just the right amount of distressed.
Scout Denim Jacket
Paige
verishop.com
$239.00
Paige’s black denim jacket is high-quality and timeless. It’s an investment that will pay for itself in years of wear.
Japanese Stretch Selvedge Denim Jacket
Todd Snyder
toddsnyder.com
$288.00
This stretchy Todd Snyder selvedge jean jacket is lighter weight than some of the other options. The perfect wash for the first day of spring.
Definitive Jean Jacket
Rag & Bone
rag-bone.com
$350.00
If comfort is your top priority, Rag & Bone has you covered. This jacket is made from Italian stretch denim. Go ahead an dress it up.
Denim Jacket
Lanvin
lanvin.com
$990.00
If you want to splurge (or better yet, invest), this is your best bet. Lanvin’s jean jacket is classically structured and ‘90s nostalgia blue.
Lauren Kranc
Lauren Kranc is an editorial assistant at Esquire and Masters student at New York University.