The 8 Very Best Jean Jackets for Women

Sizes: XS to 4X | Fabric: 79% cotton, 21% Tencel | Fit: Relaxed fit

Levi’s jeans are the overwhelming favorite in both our guides to the best jeans for women and the best high-waisted jeans for women, so I knew I needed to test a jean jacket from the brand. A previous version of this story recommended their Ex-Boyfriend Trucker Jacket, but the brand more recently released this ’90s-inspired style with a similar boxy fit. After just a few wears, it was obvious to me that the ’90s Trucker Jacket is everything I want in a jean jacket: It’s a mix of sturdy and slouchy with a mid-weight feel that’s ideal for every season — and it’s under $100 — which is why I’ve crowned it our best overall jean jacket.

The ’90s Trucker Jacket is made from 79 percent cotton and 21 percent Tencel, so it has more softness and stretch than rigid denim, typically 100 percent cotton. The blended fabric makes it super wearable and gives it a nice lived-in feel, like a jean jacket you might have thrifted. The roomy cut and long sleeves work well for layering over a hoodie or sweater, and the two exterior pockets are deep enough to hold my iPhone Pro Max. Along with two chest pockets with button closures, there are two internal pockets for safely stashing my wallet. It’s available in a range of sizes (including plus sizes) and four washes. (If you want more insulation, there’s even a version of the ’90s Trucker Jacket lined with sherpa.)

Sizes: XS to XL | Fabric: 100% cotton | Fit: Straight fit

If $98 for the Levi’s jacket above is more than you’d like to spend, then try this Quince style, which is the “Goldilocks of denim jackets,” according to fashion and e-commerce editor Megan McCarty. Though she’s only owned it for a few months, McCarty says, “It’s thick and durable yet soft and definitely not stiff,” adding, “It’s not too oversize and not too cropped either. It’s just right.” And for only $50, McCarty swears you can’t beat the price of this 100 percent cotton jacket: “You’ll be throwing this on over sundresses, jeans and a tee, or pajamas for early morning dog walks,” she says.

Sizes: 4XS to 4XL | Fabric: 69.7% cotton, 26% polyester, 3% rayon, and 1.3% elastane | Fit: Straight fit

L.A.-based stylist Charline Zeroual recommends this denim jacket from Universal Standard because of the brand’s focus on quality and size inclusivity. Along with the fact that it ranges from size 4XS to 4XL, Zeroual likes that it’s lightweight, stretchy, and available in six different washes, including white, black, and dark blue. I’ve only been testing the Kelsey Denim Jacket for a short period, but I love how soft and smooth the denim material feels and that the light-blue color wash has some distressing, which gives it a vintage-inspired look. It hits right at my waistline, and the sleeves have enough length for my longer arms, ending past my wrists. Also worth noting: When we polled a panel of 1,000 seniors age 65 and over, we learned that the especially stylish older crowd loves Universal Standard, too. Like Zeroual, some in that group appreciated the brand’s size inclusivity: “Their whole stance seemed right to me. They understand that the average American woman is a size 14 or 16,” says Carol, who feels “like a million bucks” in her Kelsey denim jacket, which has a straight fit.

Sizes: XXS to XXL | Fabric: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Fit: Straight fit

For petite women under five feet tall, consider this slightly stretchy trucker jacket. Our newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang has owned hers since 2015. “I’m 4-foot-11, so it’s sometimes hard to find jackets that don’t overwhelm my frame without sneaking into the kids’ section,” Wolfgang told me. But this Loft number is perfectly slouchy yet flattering, and the arms aren’t too long either for Wolfgang. She adds that the light shade of denim is great for all seasons, and the fabric has only gotten softer — without looking worn — over the years.

Sizes: XXS to XXL | Fabric: 94% cotton, 5% recycled cotton, 1% elastane | Fit: Straight fit

As the name suggests, Gap’s Icon jacket is a straight-fit style as classic as they come. The fabric is mostly cotton but contains 1 percent elastane, which gives it a bit of stretch. Although it’s not as soft as the best overall Levi’s jean jacket above, the fabric does have a similar smoothness. While I was testing jackets for this story, I gravitated toward this one frequently because the design hugged my upper body comfortably, plus I liked the summery shade of light denim. I did notice that the sleeves are fitted, so you may need to size up if you plan to layer this jacket over thicker tops.

Sizes: XXS to XL | Fabric: 100% cotton | Fit: Oversize fit

If you’re looking for a loose-fitting jean jacket, this Denim Forum style is my pick because it features a perfectly oversize silhouette. Made from 100 percent cotton, it’s one of the sturdier options on this list — much stiffer than our best overall pick from Levi’s. I like that the Ali Vintage Denim Jacket is baggy without looking sloppy and hits right below my waistline. Other features I loved include the durable fabric that kept me warm in cooler weather and six total pockets (at the hips, chest, and interior). I own the medium indigo wash, but it’s also available in a lighter shade. Instead of sizing up, I recommend going with your usual size since the Ali Vintage Denim Jacket is meant to fit loosely.

Sizes: XXS to XXL | Fabric: 100% cotton | Fit: Cropped

I’m a big fan of cropped jean jackets, specifically those that aren’t too cropped, like this Madewell one. The fit ticks all my boxes: It hits right at my waist with a boxy yet non-bulky torso and features drop-shoulder seams plus wide sleeves. The denim is thicker but not so heavy that I overheat when wearing it on warmer days. It’s available in Madewell’s Grenhart, a mid-tone blue that’s incredibly versatile and easy to dress up or down. I like to wear it over maxi dresses or pair it with high-waisted trousers, and I also appreciate the brass buttons.

Sizes: XS to L | Fabric: 100% cotton | Fit: Cropped

David Lesage, a personal stylist based in Montreal, admits this jean jacket is not cheap, but he says you can’t go wrong with the “very Khaite silhouette,” pointing to the fitted body plus the loose and long sleeves. “I tried it on a client once, and right now, I’ve sold maybe ten this season so far,” Lesage says, adding that denim is thick and sturdy, “so it will last for your life.”

For a longer jean jacket, consider the Grizzo Jacket from Khaite, which writer and the Love List editor Jess Graves recommends. “It’s super oversize and hits me right at the top of my thigh, so it looks great thrown on over shorts or leggings for a bodega run,” she says. The heavy silver studs at the bottom give the jacket some heft, which “lets it drape really nicely,” and the mid-blue wash that “doesn’t overcommit to dark or light” makes her feel like she’ll be able to get many seasons of wear out of it.