Strategizing my packing for summer vacation always involves some sort of lightweight jacket that must be stylish, layerable and versatile enough to give some warmth while also be a topper for dresses and skirts. In past years I’ve taken a white jean jacket and last year my khaki army jacket worked. I’ve noticed the oversized jean jacket has been popping up all over and looks great with dresses as well as a chic layering piece with sweaters, tops and all shapes of pants.
LOVE this! My summer dressing inspiration photo.
It also has made me nostalgic for the late 80’s and early 90’s when those oversized jackets looked great and were worn by my boyfriends as well as myself. The ultimate look was with the collar up and your wayfarers on. I can still hear that Don Henley tune- Boy’s of Summer was it? Well you can’t go back, but this is one trend I think we can wear again. In California though the denim jacket is never really out of style it just morphs into different permutations of itself, no?
Below a few inspirations of the length and shapes seen out and about interspersed with some great vintage pics too. The look is longer and a bit roomier..
It’s okay to mix your denim.
Remember this trend with all the pins? An extreme version in Vogue.
You can still go for a more sculpted jacket shape if you prefer, but buy it in a larger size than normal.
This is still such a great look- collar up and cuffs too. Balanced with a skinnier pant I love it.
A ‘real’ boyfriend size with a shortened sleeve.
A vintage shot of Drew Barrymore wearing the look.
Vintage Vogue.
I like the idea of the jacket worn cape like over the shoulders for a night out.
This look is what you’ll get if you shop the men’s department- roomier and slightly covering the backside.
I bought this men’s denim jacket in small from Uniqlo and it has the perfect fullness and length to layer over sweaters and dresses.
This oversized jacket from Topshop is the perfect shape for that boyfriend jacket look..It comes in black and a darker denim as well.
I also like this ruffled version , this one by Madewell, and this also by them without cuffs, this version with rose embroidery from Allsaints, a color-blocked look, and this one with a pretty wash from Joe’s .
Other sources for this great look may be in the your husband’s closet or your nearest charity shop. Keep and eye out and find something unique and cool to complete your summer look!
By the way, if you are getting this post via Bloglovin’ I suggest you instead sign up for it via email on the box at the right. Bloglovin’ has not been consistent about delivering new posts this year and is not reliable. Signing up to get it in your inbox just is a single email when the blog is published and always works. Nothing else is ever sent to you. Facebook gives you the blog posts and other fun tidbits I share, but the Facebook feed can be tricky and you may not always see new posts on your feed. Just FYI for those asking about getting the blog regularly.
Thanks so much for reading!
Kim
Oh my gosh, I love jean jackets. It makes me nostalgic for the two that I used to have. I had a Levi’s and an Esprit, but unfortunately, both were stolen over the years. I did used to put pins on them and changed out the pins according to where I was going. 🙂 Fun!
Kelley, That brings me back. I was crazy about Esprit. I think I had one from there also and would drool over the catalogs! I do remember all the pins. I hope pins come back as I still have a few special ones and I also have my grandmother’s collection. I hate seeing them sit in a drawer. SO would you wear one of these jackets now? xo Kim
I absolutely would. Hard to find one that doesn’t make me look larger than I feel. lol
This post brought back such fond memories of my Levi’s jacket that I purchased at Miller’s Outpost when I was 18 yrs old. I still have the jacket 36 yrs later! Well, my teen daughter has “adopted” it into her closet. It is well loved. I was fortunate to get her Levi’s light wash jacket. The denim jacket is perfect for layering while living in the SF Bay Area. I have a collection of pins from years ago as well! Perhaps I will pull them out to wear on my denim jacket! Thanks for the inspiration!
Years ago I used to love to go to SF with my mom to the Esprit outlet. I was so sad when Susie Tompkins and her business partner husband split and sold the business. The outlet closed. 🙁
Leigh I had totally forgotten about Miller’s Outpost! That really brings me back. How wonderful you and your daughter can swap clothes. I love that! The jean jacket is so timeless and anyone can wear it and look great. The Esprit outlet was a fun day out. I think I went a few times. I was so surprised to see Esprit in shops when I was in Switzerland last summer, so they must have sold the brand when they split, but it’s not in America as far as I know!
Love this post Kim and it’s so funny, my BFF in Oakland texted me last night she was at Old Navy and found a really cute denim jacket embroidered with ‘California’ that is so cute so I had her buy me one. I love the men’s style though how it’s oversized and you’ve inspired me to wear it again (I have my dad’s Levi jacket from when he was in college) and it’s this exact style! Just have to wait until I’m in CA since it’s already 100 degrees everyday in Dallas now lol.
Have a great weekend!
xoDale