Stylish Ways to Wear a Jean Jacket

Street style woman in jean jacket and gingham maxi skirt
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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How to Wear the Must-Have Jean Jacket

Woman wearing denim jacket and striped jeans
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

For many of us, warmer weather means a switch to more casual outfits. When you want to look laid back and fashionable, layering with a cute denim jacket is one of the best ways to add style to any basic outfit. Worn over a dress or shorts, a jean jacket can elevate your summer outfit, without sacrificing its easy, breezy vibe. On cool summer nights, it also makes a great, cozy top layer, whether you're dressing for a date, or going out with girlfriends. Here are our favorite ways to wear the wardrobe essential this summer, as inspired by street style fashion.

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Denim Jacket and Little White Dress

Street style denim jacket and summer dress
Wear a jean jacket over your little white dress this summer. Timur Emek/Getty Images

Steal the easy vibe of this low-key outfit that matches a summery, little white dress with a denim jacket. A vintage-inspired denim jacket in a faded wash looks effortlessly cool layered over your LWD. It's also a great way to cover up when you're moving from the hot outdoors into air-conditioned inside spaces, such as the mall or a restaurant.

How to Style It: Wear this cute summer outfit with ankle boots, as pictured here, for a cool, daytime casual vibe. For date night, or to create a more feminine look anytime, swap out the booties for strappy high heel sandals. 

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Denim Jacket and Maxi Skirt

Street style fashion woman in jean jacket and pleated pink maxi skirt
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

You're going to see this fashionable outfit everywhere this summer. Pleated maxi skirts are still going strong in women's fashion, and look fresh now combined with an easy jean jacket. Choose a casual, oversized jacket, as seen here, for an easy, summery vibe.

How to Style It: Tuck in your top to highlight your waist and show off your shape in this look. You can also wear a cute hat, or a statement necklace, to draw attention upward, and balance your overall look. Any flat shoes will do with this outfit combo, but we're partial to basic sneakers, as worn by this street style influencer.

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Track Pants and Denim Jacket

Woman wearing a jean jacket and track pants
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Want to try the athleisure trend that's so huge in street style fashion right now? A little denim jacket makes a great top layer for those stretchy track pants in your closet.

How to Style It: Choose easy sneakers to wear with this dressed down weekend outfit. On cooler days, a hoodie sweatshirt layered under your denim jacket looks fashionable, and keeps you cozy warm. Warmer days call for easy tees and tank tops.

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Jean Jacket and Denim Shorts

Street style jean jacket and shorts
Wear a jean jacket with dark denim shorts this summer. Merilyn Smith/Getty Images

Want to instantly dress up a casual denim shorts outfit, so you can wear it out for cocktails in the summer? Create a fashionable double denim look, by pairing well-fitting, dark denim shorts with a roomy jean jacket. This is also a great way to add a dose of girl-next-door style, to an otherwise sexy look in jean cut-offs.

How to Style It: You can vary the colors of denim in this outfit, as pictured here, or go for a more streamlined look in similar shades of denim. Add a stylish purse, and strappy sandals, for added style.

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Jean Jacket and Maxi Dress

Street style jean jacket and maxi dress
Layer a denim jacket over a summery maxi dress. Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

This outfit with a jean jacket is great to wear on a summer date or shopping with friends. A classic denim jacket is a stylish counterpoint to the essential printed maxi dress.

How to Style It: You can wear this outfit with casual sneakers, as pictured here, for a trendy look, or keep your outfit more classic in easy thong sandals. Delicate jewelry, such as rhinestone stud earrings or a pile of slim silver bracelets, adds a feminine touch that works well with this look.

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Jean Jacket and Soft Summer Pants

Street style fashion woman in jean jacket and floral scarf and flowered pants
Matthew Sperzel/Getty Images

For a fresh look on summer weekends this year, pair a relaxed, oversized  jean jacket with comfortable soft pants in a pretty floral pattern, for an easy, slouchy silhouette.

How to Style It: Play up the prettiness of summer florals in this easy outfit, by adding a colorful scarf in a pretty flowered pattern.

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Denim Jacket and Summery Floral Dress

Street style denim jacket and floral dress
Wear a denim jacket and floral dress for a cute summer style. Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

Here's an easy outfit you can wear to all your summer concerts and music festivals, or try it for a casual daytime date. Layer a vintage-inspired denim vest over a pretty floral dress.

How to Style It: Add a cross-body bag, sandals and fabulous sunglasses, and you're looking good to go.

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Dressy Skirt and Jean Jacket

Woman wearing denim jacket and pleather skirt
Hanna Lassen

Jean jackets are a reliable way to dress down those fancier clothing items in your closet, so you can wear them out in daytime. Check out how wearing a basic denim jacket makes this shiny evening skirt look suddenly suitable for weekend shopping trips or even a client meeting.

How to Style It: For this look, choose a shorter denim jacket that hits your body at the waist, to mimic the look of a top. Wear it with your prettiest high heels, a classic bag, and neat hair.

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Boyfriend Jean Jacket and Denim Skirt

Street style denim jacket and skirt
Denim jacket and skirt for summertime style. Timur Emek/Getty Images

Here's a look that's perfect for wearing from casual days at the office, to meeting friends for brunch, or weekend antiquing. Layer a boyfriend-style denim jacket over a stylish button-front denim skirt, such as the one pictured here. For the most flattering look, choose a jacket in a lighter denim wash than your bottom layer, which will help you look leaner below the waist.

How to Style It: Unbuttoning your skirt for a glimpse of knee adds flirty interest to your outfit and helps make legs look long and lean. Keep accessories simple if you're going to be walking around outdoors — think a great pair of sunglasses and a designer (or designer look) handbag).

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Cropped Denim Jacket and Black Jeans

Street style jean jacket outfit
Wear a cropped jean jacket over skinny black jeans. Melodie Jeng/Getty Images

Want to strike a notice-me pose in denim while looking like you didn't try too hard? Pair the essential cropped denim jacket with a pair of form-fitting, skinny black jeans, for an outfit that's surprisingly right.

How to Style It: Wear this easy fashion combo with a slim white tank top, black ankle boots and unfussy hair.