17 Jean Jacket Outfits That Are Super Easy to Copy—Plus 1 You Should Probably Skip

Billowing floral dresses are a summertime staple, but if you don’t want to look like you’re testing out a Little Women Halloween costume, add a denim jacket. The look brings things back into the 21st century, and gives you a figure in a dress that can otherwise look shapeless.

We love a chic slip skirt, but they can look a little dressy for day, especially if you opt for an asymmetrical silhouette or a dainty floral print. All you need to tone down the inherent sexiness of a silk skirt, however, is your trusty denim jacket. Be sure to choose one with minimal detailing (i.e., no rivets or distressing) to keep the whole ‘fit from getting too busy.

For summer, we find it’s best to go for a jean jacket with a cropped cut so you won’t overheat under too much fabric. And as an added bonus, those smaller jackets look gorgeous with shorter hemlines, like minidresses or classic shorts. Wondering what length is best for your figure? Look for something that hits either right at your natural waist, at the top of your hips or somewhere in between those two points.

We love a good print mixing moment. But adding in one sleek, neutral piece, like this cropped dark-wash denim jacket, can help pull everything together no matter how wild or colorful your printed pieces may be.

Another wonderfully timeless combination, blue denim and white eyelet lace will always look gorgeous together. Try to find a jacket that hits within a three or so inches of your waist to avoid looking too frumpy with a maxi dress or oddly disproportionate with a mini.

Get double the use out of your workwear by pairing your trousers, pencil skirts and button-up blouses with a denim jacket for the weekend. To further differentiate between your Casual Friday getups and your brunch-ready attire, add a boho bag (complete with bandana adornment) or some colorful statement earrings.

Have yourself a ‘70s moment with flared cords and a denim jacket in that OG true blue wash. A ladylike bag and pointy-toe pumps will give your look a more modern vibe, but we’re not opposed to slipping into a pair of Birkenstocks either.

Button your jacket up all the way, add a belt at your waist and voilà! You’ve got yourself a brand-new top to pair with anything from a classic black pencil skirt to faux-leather joggers.

When we think of jean jackets, we immediately imagine a classic trucker style. But there are tons of other silhouettes to consider, like a tailored blazer, for example. Lean into the mix of professional and weekend-ready with a leg-baring pencil skirt or printed trouser.

No need to break out the tired peacoat (again). Instead, pair two jackets, one denim and one patterned trench, for a fashion-week ready look that’s just as warm.

Mint green, bright winter white and other cool pastel hues are trending big right now, so why not add in a touch of ice blue too? Or, if you want to think outside the blue wash-box, look for pastel-hued denim to wear over a pale blue dress or light-wash jeans.

The trick to not looking like a lost cowboy is to opt for extras with a bit more polish. Think pointy-toe shoes, Steve Jobs-esque turtlenecks, flirty blouses and colorful leather handbags.

If a monochrome denim suit isn’t really your style, try mixing things up with two different washes. It doesn’t matter if you do the lighter shade on top or on bottom, as long as there’s a distinct and obvious difference between the two shades.

How much denim is too much denim? If you ask Britney Spears, the limit does not exist, so why not go ham and wear a chambray shirt with skinny jeans and a denim handbag? Just be sure to add in at least one, fairly large, non-denim, non-blue item (like a beige trench coat or stand-out scarf) to help add some depth to your ensemble.

Red, pink, white or yellow all feel fresh and fashion forward and are still as comfortable and easy to wear as their blue-wash counterparts. As for tops and accessories, neutral hues will give your denim pieces room to truly shine, while brighter colors or patterns will give a trendy Y2K vibe that’s definitely worth a try.

The ‘90s revival is still going strong, so go forth and pull out all the best Rachel Green-inspired wardrobe staples you can find. A slim-fit midi or maxi skirt, a sleek shoulder bag, rosette accessories—basically anything that might have graced the small screen on Friends or Sex and the City is a win in our book.

Yes, you could throw an oversize sweatshirt on over your leggings, but a jean jacket looks more put together. So when you inevitably run into your coworker/kid’s teacher/book club frenemy, you won’t feel quite so underdressed.

Layering your denim jacket under a longer coat, like a trench or wool peacoat, can create a fun layered look that provides extra warmth. But if you swap those pieces around and wear your cropped denim over a longer silhouette, the proportions just don’t work and you wind up looking disheveled. Stick with the outfit formula you know works—shorter layers on the inside, longer layers on the outside—for a foolproof, totally chic outerwear combination.