Denim Jacket

Wednesday 4 June 2014


I was looking at Alex's Facebook page the other day where she was wearing her new J Crew denim jacket so I thought it was about time I had another stab at the whole denim jacket thing. What you might or might not know about me is I don't really do denim jackets. Funny coming from someone who wears jeans 90% of the time. I like them on other people but just not me. I feel kind of "butch" in them. Funny because I don't think anyone else looks butch in theirs. Just me :o(



Anyway, I pulled out my ten year old Antoni & Alison denim jacket, dusted it off and shrugged it on. It wasn't that great ... but it wasn't resoundingly bad.





Antoni & Alison Jacket, Cos Breton, Gap Mini Skimmer Khakis, Hobbs NW3 Sandals, Primark Tote


I do actually know why I don't like mine - it's a very stiff denim and it's too neat and tidy. I want it to be  nicely "aged" and "distressed but unfortunately it's not. Ten years ago, we weren't so in to the "pre-aged" and "pre-distressed" pieces like we are now and this jacket will never be like that because I've never given it any love to wear it in and soften it up. It's one of those chicken and egg things - it feels stiff, I don't want to wear it, it stays stiff so I still don't want to wear it. And repeat.

However to give it it's dues, I don't mind it worn like this!



Comfy and bum covering. 

I think I'll keep it a bit longer ... I'm sure that it won't be long until the perfect denim jacket turns up which I'll want to wear and doesn't make me look butch. 



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Last Note :

  • I actually wrote this post late on Monday night and went to bed before posting it. I have since procured another denim jacket which I think might just work on me. If you see it soon, then it is :o)

  • Do you have a favourite denim jacket? What do you think about them?




38 comments

  1. Is there a way to soften it? Repeated washing maybe?! Chuck some rocks in the machine with it?! Ha ha ;-) Definitely doesn't look butch though, denim & stripes is fab!

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    1. I honestly don't have the patience to try and wear it in and I really don't want to put any rocks in the washing machine! The Grumps would have my guts for garters - we only got a new washing machine just recently and how would I explain that I broke it by putting some rocks in? ;o)

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  2. I wouldn't part with this denim jacket Sue! I have 3 denim jackets and they all have their different uses! This one looks great on you but I think this season the styling of the denim jacket is a bit more oversized! I would never be able style the layers under any of mine the way Alex has made hers look. Perhaps I need to add another denim jacket to my collection too! xx

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    1. It will probably get put away again. I don't find it comfortable so I do think that sooner or later it might end up Ebay. There's no stretch in it like so many of the other ones I've tried on recently. I did try sizing up a little on one jacket that I tried on but it didn't seem to have the desired effect ... I really shouldn't have given the one away I gave to a friend because I thought it was too loose. Drat!

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  3. Hi Sue! Thank you so much for mentioning me - funnily enough, I have never owned a denim jacket previous to this...and there was one day on my hols when I felt a little like a 'trucker'! I hate the restricted arms of a shrunken denim jacket, so I bought this in a size Large (and it came pre-washed)!! Now, I'm addicted.

    PS love the check shirt in the post below ;)

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    1. Hi Alex - thanks for the inspiration! So you had a trucker moment did you? I think I have them all the time which is why I haven't got to grips with mine. And yes, mine are a little restrictive in the arms which is probably why I'm not wearing it. Time to move it on. However I did pick up another one whilst I was out and about. I'm mulling it over currently.

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  4. You need to give it a few washes, Sue, and get it loosened up a bit. Ideally wash it and let it dry in the sun and then wash it again. I think it is a pretty good denim jacket and you do not look butch! I do know what you mean, though, as in you would prefer it with a bit more room and slightly more distressed. I will be interested to see your' sneaky purchase. I have 2 denim jackets. My oldest is a fairly lightweight one, from Gap, that gets dragged out every year in summer and a heavier, winter weight, Claudia Strater one. H xx

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    1. The one I gave away to a friend was a GAP one and that was comfortable but I didn't like the look on me - I think it was because I was looking for a more fitted style at that time and it didn't fit the bill. The one I've picked up is a fitted one but again not one for fitting layers under. However ... I can put layers on top of it which is just as good. I've not heard of Claudia Strater - is that a label from your old shop?

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    2. Yes it is a label that we used to sell. V good quality. Similar to Marella and Gerard Darel. Mid to higher price point. xx

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  5. Can't wait to see your ideal one but I totally understand what you mean about wanting the softness. Denim jackets are the same as leather for me, too rigid in the shoulders to suit mine. It's really, really hard but I'd love to find the ONE :-) some day.

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    1. The softness has a lot to do with it. I can't do with wearing something which looks good but is so uncomfortable that it makes for a really bad day. And talking of leather jackets - I'm still looking for my holy grail leather jacket. I tried on Marlene's Rick Owens jacket and that was butter soft. Like wearing a cardigan.

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    2. That's great to know, but how are the sleeves, they look really long?

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    3. They were okay actually. I was quite surprised. Nearly all leather jackets that I try, the sleeves are too long and the alteration costs - been quoted between £30 - £50 have put me off. However if I did find a jacket which was perfect everywhere bar the sleeve length - I think I'd give it to my sister to take back to Hong Kong to do the alterations for me (significantly cheaper).

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  6. You look great in your denim jacket you and Alex could not look butch if you tried! Love it with the Breton and chinos. I have one I bought a few years ago from Warehouse that I bring out every now and again, I do love Alex's J Crew one, my little sister tried it on too and it looked great unfortunately I cannot rock one that bleached as I do bear resemblance to someone from a soft rock band! I so wish I could get away with it! X

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    1. I'm sure you can wear a pale coloured one! Infact I saw your Instagram pic and that looks quite light and you do not look like your in a soft rock band at all! You look fab!

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  7. Hi my dear! I think you look great and the good thing about denim jackets are they are classics so general don't tend to date much. I've 4 denim jackets which are all different denim hues and different gold or silver hardware too. I just get mine from the bootys but check out your charity shops for a cheap get out if you're hankering for another one xx

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    1. Wow - 4 denim jackets. You do like them! I don't think I have room for 4 denim jackets in my wardrobe! I've still got to get over my mental block that I don't look butch in them so I'm taking baby steps with this item. And I'm not going to spend a lot on it either.

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  8. I really like the jacket on you & your styling with the stripy top & trews are right up my street! I have one that's at least 15 years old that I drag out every Summer, it goes with everything & is great for throwing on during the usually unpredictable British weather! You definitely need to wear it in a bit to soften it up. Gap have some great denim jackets this season. x

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    1. Now you have a 15 year head start on me with your jacket! Yours should be fabulously worn in if you're wearing it every summer. I did have a look in Gap actually at some of their jackets but I'd already picked up one which I thought was good enough. If I change my mind, I'll be in Gap.

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  9. I love denim jackets - so much so that I have three. One years old from Miss Selfridge, a darker one from a couple of years ago from Peacocks and a vintage Wrangler which belonged to hubby as a teenager! I'd say stick with it, the more lived in they get, the better they look. I also love the versatility - they go with everything (except jeans! I can't do double denim!). Love mine with my Gap mini skimmer khakis (as you've styled them here) and also with dresses, maxi skirts and dresses, etc. I think this one is great on you anyway. Lynne x

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    1. Ah - denim jackets are your thing then! And oh to be able to borrow something other than a scarf from the Grumps! Everything of his is way too big. Think small child in far far too big clothes! I think they do go with a lot like you say but I've always had a problem with wearing them as I wore jeans such a lot and I'm not particularly keen on a denim jacket on denim jean look. Well not on me - it works on some but it's a tricky look to pull off. I'm keen to try mine with some dresses. Watch this space.

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  10. I love your denim but I know what you mean. Mine is a hard denim but I can't give it up, I love it so much!!!
    You look fab in yours (on you and around your waist)

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    1. It was definitely much comfier worn around the waist!

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  11. I have spoke to you about this whole denim jacket thing before, I purchased one from h&m last year and it is unworn with the tags still on. I purchased it to go over a white embroidery dress...... it didn't happen, the evening was too hot for the jacket and there it still hangs. I have tried it with a similar outfit to yours above, Breton and chinos but the jacket is cropped at the back and some how it doesn't look right...... I like yours around your waist.... I think you would suit one.....maybe a new one with the shape and feel you will feel comfortable in.

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    1. I have noticed that a number of denim jackets are cut shorter in the back. I would prefer something slightly longer too as it feels like I'm showing too much bum unless I'm in a skirt or dress but it's not easy finding something like that. Have you tried it again with the white dress or maybe your Mango Marant styled one which you got recently? I'm sure it would work with both of those. Maybe it's time to give it another whirl?

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  12. I do like a denim jacket, but you need to roughen yours up a bit, get tough with it! I did this many years ago, when I wanted sand washed jeans........Get some very fine grade sandpaper, and start to rub away on the areas that would normally show wear and tear, you can use coarser grade sandpaper if you want to create some really serious distressing though, maybe even a hole or two?? This is where I put in my disclaimer though......I don't want the Grumps to say that mad woman at NAD made you do what????!! xx

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    1. Ha ha! Do you know - I wouldn't need much encouragement to pick up some tools for the job but I think this jacket needs just a little too much work. You can put your disclaimer through but the Grumps reads this blog so he knows it will be all your fault when he comes home to find me sandpapering some garment or other of mine!

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  13. Oh, I have exactly the same jacket and I wear it exactly like you (never), while I am all the time in jeans. I think that someone should look into this phenomenon seriously and come up with a theory that women who wear jeans don't like denim jackets:)

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    1. Oh Ekaterina. You really did make LOL with that statement of how you wear it ... never! And do you know what - I think you should look a little more in to this theory of yours - I think there might be something in it!

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  14. Like you, I love them on others, but not on myself. I used to have one which I rarely wore and eventually gave away. I always felt faintly ridiculous and muttonish when I wore it. Just not a look that I wear with any comfort. Looking forward to seeing your new one though!

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    1. So I'm not the only one who is a bit weird about denim jackets! I'm determined to battle this one out and exorcise it from my system!

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  15. I'm kind of like you on this too - I have a grand total of 1 denim jacket which I've had for about twenty years.. the other one I chopped up to make a vest and eventually that went on ebay. I think you're totally right about the stiffness factor too. I never got round to wearing mine enough to wear it in. Can't wait to see the one you just got!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. It's funny how people either fully embrace or totally avoid the denim jacket. I think it's probably a matter of finding the perfect one - the one that is soft and worn and easy to slip on. I don't think I will ever get on with my existing one - maybe it's finally time to wave it off?

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  16. My denim jacket is also one from about 10 years ago - but I want one that is ready aged, the ageing process of storing under a bed has not had the desired effect!!

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  17. I love them - worn in the right way and you and Alex have nailed it. I mostly wear mine over maxi or summer dresses, to take the dressy look off them....so have been wearing mine a lot recently...if I could just get round to posting some pictures .... x

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Susie So So