Illustration by Chandler Bondurant
While not quite as ubiquitous as a pair of jeans, the denim jacket is just slightly younger, having been introduced by Levi Strauss only a few years after the business introduced its most famous product in 1873. But what we’d recognize today as a denim jacket came about in 1905 when Levi’s released its “Type 1” jacket, recognizable by its boxy cut, single chest pocket, and a rear buckle cinch to adjust the fit. This was followed by the “Type 2” in 1953, which reworked the original design by adding another chest pocket and replacing the buckle cinch with side adjusters. It was the “Type III,” rolled out in 1962, that gave us the trucker style identified by its closer cut and welted side-entry hand pockets.
These three designs have served as templates for countless brands and designers over the past 100 years, who have either reinterpreted them or sought to recreate the originals. Along the way, the denim jacket has become among the most recognizable American contributions to global style, symbolizing the young nation’s elevation of workwear and casual dress.
Whether you pair it with jeans below—aka the “Canadian tuxedo”—remains a matter of considerable debate. While you ponder that question, take a look at the listing of denim jackets from OrSlow, Todd Snyder, Polo Ralph Lauren, and more below.
Mamnick Barbrook Field Jacket
Image Credit: Mamnick Inspired by vintage workwear, Mamnick’s Barbrook jacket is made from sturdy, 14 oz denim and features reinforced elbow patches and rear size adjusters. It looks good now, and will certainly look better once it’s sufficiently broken in.
Drake’s Stone Wash Selvedge Denim Welder Jacket
Image Credit: Drake’s With its reinforced pockets, triple-needle stitching and brass hardware, this Drake’s welder jacket certainly looks heavy-duty. But it’s a touch lighter than you might imagine, as it’s made from a cotton-linen blend selvedge denim.
Polo Ralph Lauren Denim Corduroy-Collar Trucker Jacket
Image Credit: Polo Ralph Lauren This Polo trucker is based on a jacket Ralph was famously photographed wearing in 1983. It also has a very ‘80s boxy fit and a corduroy collar.
Todd Snyder Boxy Denim Jacket
Image Credit: Todd Snyder Todd Snyder’s washed denim jacket features an oversized fit, dropped shoulders, and a cropped length, making it a great match for higher-rise trousers.
OrSlow Type 1 1940’s Denim Jacket Used Wash
Image Credit: OrSlow A recreation of the iconic Levi’s design, OrSlow’s Type 1 features authentic details, including a dropped yoke, a double-pleated placket, a generous fit, and a single chest pocket. The indigo-dyed Japanese denim used to construct it has been finished with the label’s proprietary “used wash” treatment that gives it a faded look from the start.
Umit Benan Kevin Faded Denim Jacket
Image Credit: Umit Benan Achieving that perfect fade level for a denim jacket can take years of washing and wear. Or you can simply place an order for the masterfully pre-faded Kevin jacket by Umit Benan.
A.P.C. Jean Work Jacket
Image Credit: A.P.C. A.P.C.—the brand that helped convinced men to wear raw selvedge jeans in the first place—also offers a work jacket made from the same fabric. In keeping with the label’s minimalist styling, it features two patch-flap pockets at the chest and little else.
Billy Reid Waxed Denim Harrington Jacket
Image Credit: Billy Reid Billy Reid tapped the 162-year-old Scottish mill Halley Stevensons to produce the waxed denim for this water-resistant style. Cut like a classic Harrington jacket, with a zipper closure, side-entry pockets, and a set-in collar, it’s a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous trucker jacket.
Nili Lotan Chester Denim Jacket
Image Credit: Nili Lotan Nili Lotan used a crosshatch Japanese denim to construct its Chester jacket, which also features a generous corduroy collar and patch pockets. Its gentle distressing at the shoulders and elbows only adds to its charm.
Wythe Blanket-Lined Denim Buckaroo Jacket
Image Credit: Wythe Inspired by vintage examples, Wythe custom-developed a striped wool blanket lining for its Buckaroo jacket. Made in Los Angeles from lighter-weight denim, its design includes shank cuffs and workwear-style pockets.
Oliver Spencer Hardwick Denim Jacket
Image Credit: Oliver Spencer Marked by the clean, architectural design that’s become the British label’s hallmark, Oliver Spencer’s Hardwick jacket is made from dark indigo-dyed denim. It sports a two-way zip and a single patch-flap pocket at the chest.
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