11 best denim jackets for women that you can wear with anything

Massimo Dutti is known for simple style with a premium feel about it, which has certainly been achieved here. Everything from the fit of this jacket to the colour of the denim and how it felt to wear ensured it shot straight to the top of our edit. Not stiff in the slightest, we found the buttons really easy to undo, while the denim is markedly supple and supremely comfortable.

The colour of the denim is a chic, deep indigo hue with a little flair owing to the contrasting top stitching. We noted the fit of the sleeves and cuffs, which were looser than you might expect from a regular fit jacket, but not baggy nor oversized. Because of the endless versatility of this darker shade, we can see Massimo Dutti’s buy becoming an outwear mainstay for us – we’ll be pairing it with fitted jeans and denim mini skirts. What’s more, 30 per cent of cotton used to make the jacket has been recycled.

Marks and Spencer is a reliable port of call when it comes to quality basics, so it’s perhaps no surprise its denim jacket delivered, ticking our boxes when it came to quality, fit and affordability. The colour and level of fade is great and the jacket has a vintage feel to it, while the design is classic with a regular (leaning towards slim-fitting) silhouette. There are two internal pockets which were roomy enough to house an iPhone 13, while the hemline skimmed just above our hips, making it a versatile pick – it won’t swamp you, or pose the problems a cropped fit might when it comes to outfit pairings.

In terms of the environmental impact of the denim itself, it’s a blend of Better Cotton Initiative (which aims to make cotton farming more sustainable) cotton and responsibly sourced Tencel lyocell, which is considered better for the environment than some other commonly used fabrics. It’s a classic, well-made piece that’ll serve your wardrobe well.

If you’re looking for a toughened up take on the denim trend, Mango’s biker-style jacket could be just the ticket. It does feel slightly more heavy weight than the other jackets we tried but only by a shade, lending it to transitional wardrobes. With a hemline that sat just above our hips, it has slightly raised shoulder pads, which give an ultra structured shape that’s sure to turn heads. The rest of the fit is straight but roomy and pulled together by a stand-up collar and zip, and press-stud fastening.

In a light blue, acid wash finish, there’s definitely a vintage feel about this jacket, while 25 per cent of the cotton blend is recycled. It fitted us true to size, though you might want to size up for more impact, or if you’re thinking ahead to layering during the winter. We’d team it with floaty dresses and biker or cowboy boots.

Finished with frilly pockets and a pop of red across the chest, this oversized jacket from sustainably minded Damson Madder is everything we love about the brand’s playful and fashion-forward aesthetic. Made in a mid-blue wash, we were instantly taken by the whimsical feel of the chunky frills and slightly ruched sleeves, which together create a nice contrast to the fit, which is slouchy and casual.

With an oversized fit, there was more than enough room underneath to layer a mid-weight jumper, so we’ll be reaching for this on repeat year-round. Plus, the brand is making an effort to consider its impact on the planet by using organic cotton and incorporating recycled materials into some of its designs, with a portion of its frilly fin jacket made with recycled cotton.

For trend-led vintage style, look to the BDG range from Urban Outfitters. This Western-style oversized jacket from the collection boasts a bleached, worn-in finish and dropped shoulders. Casual and comfortable and with plenty of roomy pockets (including deep interior pockets) it’s one for the festival checklist. The denim is supple and made with 20 per cent recycled cotton, and when compared with similar styles elsewhere, we think the price is pretty decent. When thinking ahead to our perennial wardrobe, we often find ourselves warming to oversized styles that can be easily layered over thicker knits, and this jacket fits the bill nicely.

The ideal lightweight layer for the warmer months, this effortless denim jacket from Mango has fast become one of the most worn items in our wardrobe. Cut into a laid-back oversized silhouette, the vintage washed finish and boxy structure adds to its appeal. Made from denim-style cotton fabric, it’s breathable enough for balmy days while the shirt-style collar and buttoned cuffs are smart touches. Endlessly versatile, embrace double denim and wear buttoned up with matching jeans or throw over a floaty frock as the weather cools on summer evenings.

Seventy + Mochi is one of the hottest names in sustainable denim right now, with the label using certified organic and recycled cotton as well as eco-made elastane in its dresses, jackets and more. Thoughtfully made and trend-led yet still timeless, we’re smitten with the Pablo waistcoat in ecru denim. Thanks to its sleeveless design, it will carry you through the summer months and right into autumn, whether worn buttoned up for a structured fit or undone for a more laid-back look. Featuring patch pockets and sweet frill detailing at the collar and sleeves, it’s finished with the brand’s signature hand stitching. The Pablo jacket fits true to size, so we’d suggest sizing up for a more oversized silhouette.

If you’re looking for a denim jacket to inject some fun into your wardrobe, this one from Lucy & Yak – a brand brimming with bold, retro bold pieces – needs to be on your radar. Brightened up with embroidered flowers, fruits, rainbows and other butter-wouldn’t-melt designs, it’s exactly what springs to mind when we think of dopamine dressing. The fit is cropped and relatively snug, so best worn with lightweight layers. If you were hoping to plump for double denim, you could pair it with the matching Chrissy embroidered skirt. As with everything from Lucy & Yak, the Roxy is billed as using sustainably focused materials, and is made with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton, which is coloured with low-impact Oeko-Tex approved dyes.

Exemplified in its opal swing jacket, Free People is a name to know when it comes to effortless cool. Cut into a loose, slightly A-line fit, it features pleated detailing and a dropped hemline around the back, with large open pockets on the chest, side and interior.

The sleeves are oversized and were slighty long on us, but they look their best when rolled up, while the super-dropped shoulders further ramp up the casual appeal. Also affording the jacket a slightly lived-in finish, there are small patches of distressed fabric (so small, we almost didn’t notice them). Made with 100 per cent cotton fabric, there’s quite a selection of colourways to choose from. Tempting brights, such as orange and green, would provide a pop of colour for summer, while softer shades, such as the off-white hue we tried, provide versatile options.

Oversized but smart, and designed to suit all genders, with an inclusive sizing system, Everlane’s jacket is a new firm favourite of ours. Produced with organic cotton, the denim feels smooth and high in quality, while the fit and the way the jacket falls ensures it looks and feels exceptionally well made. Just one pocket below the chest, paired with the smooth silver-hued buttons, feeds into the pleasingly simple aesthetic that feels both classic and fashion-forward at the same time.

On us, the sleeves are fairly long and loose, which we find only adds to the effortless, oversized appeal. There are two huge interior pockets, paired with those on the side of the jacket, lending practicality, and it’s heftier than most of those we tried – we can see it coming into its own through spring, autumn and winter months. We loved the faded finish of the “broken-in blue” colourway but, for a brighter hue, it’s also available in azure.