<p>With so many <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g61763662/best-jacket-brands-for-men/” target=”_blank”>denim jackets</a> on the market, finding the right one can be tough, unless you’re a menswear editor whose job is literally to find the right denim <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a63496651/quince-leather-jacket-review/” target=”_blank”>jacket</a>. And that’s me! You’ve come to the right place, because below are 8 essential denim jackets that I (alongside my fellow Esquire editors) tried, tested, and fully love for the season. They’re comfortable, and more importantly, they’re fashionable—doesn’t matter whether you prefer chic selvedge or a rugged light wash, ’cause there’s a <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a45709651/banana-republic-suede-trucker-jacket-review/” target=”_blank”>jacket</a> here for your tastes. Get to shoppin’, ’cause you’re going to need one ASAP.</p>” data-next-head/>
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Florence Sullivan for Esquire
best classic denim jacket
Levi’s Trucker Jacket
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
What’s more classic than a denim jacket from Levi’s? The iconic denim purveyor holds up when it comes to outerwear. For under 100 bucks, this is a denim jacket that’s no-frills, no-fuss, but total easy, versatile style. We love the fit, which isn’t cropped, but isn’t too long, either—it hits nicely just at your waistline, and doesn’t swallow you up in fabric. Plus, it’s durable AF, and will stand the test of time no matter what you throw at it.
Colors
5
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Fit
Classic
best lightweight denim jacket
Wrangler Unlined Denim Jacket
Now 13% Off
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Wrangler is an Esquire editor favorite, ’cause it makes cowboy-core so approachable, all while staying true to the authenticity of Westernwear. This denim jacket, for example, is tough and cool, but the unlined design makes it lightweight enough for you to wear this spring. The double-reinforced construction accounts for its durability, and the four pockets on the front (two flap, two side-entry) offer even more funcitonality.
Colors
2
Sizes
S-6XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Fit
Classic
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best modern denim jacket
Todd Snyder Denim Engineer Coat
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
For a denim jacket that deviates from tradition, Todd Snyder’s modern, minimalist design is a standout piece for your wardrobe. It’s as easy to wear and style as any other denim jacket, but offers a sophisticated, workwear-inspired look that takes after vintage railroad jackets. There are plenty of pockets, and they’re all deep, so don’t be afraid to keep your valuables close, either. Plus, the soft, chambray fabric is thinner and more flexible than other denim jackets, so this moves with you as easily as a blazer does.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Fit
Slightly Oversized
best high-end denim jacket
Calvin Klein Studio Selvedge Denim Jacket
Now 40% Off
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
From CK Studio comes a universally-flattering, endlessly-cool denim jacket. The selvedge fabric is a premium heavyweight that’ll last for years and years to come—which is good, ’cause we don’t see this going out of style anytime soon. It’s timeless, from the classic silhouette to the topstitched details. You can still throw this in the washer for easy cleaning, which is great, but honestly, we kind of prefer the rugged look.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Fit
Classic
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best rugged denim jacket
Polo Ralph Lauren Faded Denim Trucker Jacket
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Good news: If you love the broken-in look of a denim jacket but can’t be bothered to break-in a brand-new one yourself, Polo Ralph Lauren’s done the hard work for you. This ruggedly handsome style has a lightly-faded, lightly-worn look, with a classic trucker design. It’s comfortable, like everything from Polo Ralph Lauren is, and it’s endlessly stylish, too, whether you dress it down with jeans or dress it up with pleated pants.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Cotton
Fit
Classic
best chic denim jacket
Bonobos Gramercy Denim Jacket
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Clean, simple, and chic—that’s the Bonobos way. Our editors raved about this denim jacket, crafted from super-lightweight, dark wash, organic cotton. It’s breathable and it’s cool, with crisp lines and a straight, tailored silhouette. Bonobos’ denim jacket is for looking like you’re dressed up, even if all you’re wearing is a white tee and black pants. This is your new date night jacket, your new fancy dinner jacket, your new “I want to look like I tried hard when I really didn’t” jacket.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
99% Organic Cotton, 1% Spandex
Fit
Classic
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best workwear denim jacket
Everlane Denim Ranch Jacket
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Everlane has a barn jacket that’s tough enough for you to actually do barn work in, but stylish enough for you to go to the bar in, too. With a contrast corduroy collar, deep pockets, patch detailing on the elbows and shoulders, this is as versatile, comfortable, and cool as they come.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
100% Organic Cotton
Fit
Relaxed, Slightly Oversized
best utilitarian denim jacket
Faherty Denim Studio Jacket
Credit: Florence Sullivan for Esquire
Function and fashion go hand-in-hand with Faherty’s denim jacket, which is equal parts cool and practical. This style has three deep patch pockets on the front, a dark-wash fabric that’s perfect for seamless day-to-night wear, and a soft, flexible fabric that you can wear for work or play. The workwear-inspired cut is a classic, whether you’re actually working or not.
Colors
1
Sizes
XS-2XL
Materials
98% Organic Cotton, 2% Lyrca Spandex
Fit
Relaxed
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How to Style Your Denim Jacket
There are three main ways to pull off a denim jacket with undisputed style and ease. I wrote about them all in-depth here, but if you want a very quick refresher, you can dress your jacket down with a classic tee and sneakers, dress it up with a button-down, tie, and leather shoes (my favorite option), or lean into the Westernwear trend of 2025 and go cowboy-core with a double-denim look.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
Here at Esquire, we’re big denim jacket people. But we’re also menswear experts, which means our standards are pretty high.
The 8 denim jackets you see above exceed our standards in terms of comfort and style—we would (and do) wear them ourselves, so we know they’re good enough to recommend to you, too. These are denim jackets that our editors have tried, tested, and actually worn (but the guy you see wearing them above is our good friend Joey), and they’re the jackets that we keep in our own wardrobes, too. We’ve put ’em to the test—and they passed with flying colors.