Adding the best men's jean jacket to your closet is like drafting Lebron to your rec league team: you’ll end up with a ‘ship no matter how bad the rest of the squad is. Whatever you want to call ’em—jean jackets, denim jackets, trucker jackets—the all-American stalwarts are the layering MVPs of every outfit on the brink of an L. Makes sense considering blue jeans, the jacket’s southern equivalent, can do the exact same thing for your wardrobe. Workwear roots bestow the humble piece of outerwear with utilitarian features, durability, and classic proportions—a surefire formula that churns out menswear icons like double-knee pants and chore coats.
What started out as a work jacket to accompany the blue jeans made from the same burly denim material, jean jackets have grown out of their pragmatic uniform and are more of a fashion statement these days. Be it a luxurious runway riff, an upgraded take, or a down-home workhorse, every flavor of denim jacket has the potential to make every outfit pop. Of course, the trucker jacket is what comes to mind first. But denim jackets come in many forms and aren’t limited to the Levi’s version you likely have in your mind’s eye. Denim’s enduring appeal and boundless applications have seen it merge with chore coats, trenches, Harringtons and more, expanding the scope of jean jackets. That’s great news for anyone looking to find one that truly speaks to themselves, but terrible news for anyone attempting to wade through all the options.
So we did the denim digging for you. We went out and scraped the market for the absolute best men’s jean jacket, from the tried-and-true to the new-age startups and everything in-between.
The Best Jean Jackets for Men, According to GQ
Featured in this article
The Best OverallLevi's Trucker JacketRead moreLevi's
The Best for WorkAlex Mill Work JacketRead more$225
Alex Mill
The Best UpgradeLee 101 101 Rider Trucker JacketRead more$300
Nordstrom
The Best for Grail-SeekersKapital Boro Distressed Patchwork JacketRead more$2,695
Mr Porter
The Best for Fashion GuysAcne Studios Denim JacketRead more$1,550
Acne Studios
In This Guide
- More Jean Jackets We Love
- What to Look for in a Great Denim Jacket
- How We Test and Review Products
- How We Make These Picks
Best Denim Jacket Overall: Levi’s Trucker Jacket
- Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Levi's
Trucker Jacket
$90 $63 (30% off)
Levi's
$90 $80 (11% off)
Amazon
Pros & ConsPros
- Timeless design
- Quality materials
- Good value
Cons
- Red tab branding may bother some people
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. And if it is, as this company’s self-proclaimed Denim Guy, it’s definitely my fault for not teaching you. Levi's is the grand daddy of all jeans which puts them on a rarified level few others could ever hope to approach. The brand’s iconic 501 jean gets most of the (deserved) praise, but the Levi's trucker jacket also warrants recognition.
The very first iteration of the Levi's trucker jacket debuted in 1905 and has since gotten several updates, but the one most ubiquitous today is known as the Type III. It's the picture you have in your head when you think of a trucker jacket and it's great for so many reasons. The midweight denim is ideal for year-round wear, the trim and cropped silhouette has transcended trends for decades and, like the five-pocket blue jean, pairs with just about everything (and looks better the more you wear it). If you only have a hundred bucks to spare and enough room for just one denim jacket in your rotation, it had better be this one.
| Material | 100% Cotton |
| Fit | Slightly slim |
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
Best Denim Work Jacket: Alex Mill Work Jacket
- Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Alex Mill
Work Jacket
$225
Alex Mill
Pros & ConsPros
- Premium denim
- Quality construction
Cons
- Only available in one wash
A chore coat isn’t what most people think of as a ‘jean jacket’. But I’m proposing this as a more practical, no-less stylish alternative to the usual trucker jackets you’re used to seeing. And if you’re taking the term ‘denim jacket’ liberally, any outerwear made of denim would count. Anyway. Chore coats are more commonly made of a sturdy canvas or heavy moleskin cotton fabric, but denim's resilience make it another reliable option for the workwear genre. It doesn't get much better than this one from Alex Mill.
The brand's range of modern menswear staples is no slouch when it comes to fabric and construction and its line of chore coats is among the best out there, even compared to the multi-generational stalwarts like Carhartt and Dickies. This one’s made with sturdy, yet broken-in 100% cotton Japanese denim and comes with dual chest pockets and hand pockets, not to mention a stealthy phone pocket. The relaxed fit borders on boxy and is roomy enough to layer over a sweater or thick hoody once the temps drop. But if you're not the denim type (why are you even here?) Alex Mill makes its work jacket in a range of different fabrics, too.
To me, Alex Mill’s chore coats are nearly perfect. They fit like a dream and come with just the right vintage details that make guys like me swoon. I’ve compared it with my vintage French chore coat and not only are the details almost identical, the craftsmanship is virtually the same. So you could search for hours for a vintage one, or you could save the time and money and just get Alex Mill’s.
| Material | 100% cotton, Japanese denim |
| Fit | Relaxed fit |
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
Best Upgrade Denim Jacket: Lee 101 Rider Jacket
- Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Lee 101
101 Rider Trucker Jacket
$300
Nordstrom
$300
Lee
Pros & ConsPros
- Ultra-high quality Japanese raw denim
- Classic vintage fit
Cons
- Stiff, starchy feel requires breaking in
- Limited stock and retailers
Levi’s may be the dominant denim trucker jacket, but they aren’t the only ones with a classic trucker jacket etched into the annals of menswear history. Lee’s left an indelible mark on the American denim landscape and is rightfully considered one of the so-called Big Three along with Levi’s and Wrangler. Lee’s famed Rider jacket was first introduced in 1948 and is considered one of the best denim jackets of all time.
Today’s modern reproduction is made by the brand’s retro sub-label, Lee 101, and features the same left-hand twill denim the brand is famous for, this time woven by a storied Japanese denim mill. The signature zig-zag stitching details at the collar and front placket still remain, as do the cateye buttons at the waist, and the slim, hip-length silhouette. If you’re hardcore, I’d recommend you go with the raw denim version and earn those fades yourself. But if you can’t be bothered to put in the work for five years straight, then stick with the light wash version.
| Material | Heavyweight 100% cotton selvedge denim |
| Fit | Slim Fit |
| Sizes | S-XXL |
Best Grail-Worthy Denim Jacket: Kapital Boro Jacket
- Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Bowen Fernie
Kapital
Boro Distressed Patchwork Jacket
$2,695
Mr Porter
Pros & ConsPros
- Superior craftsmanship
- Silk lining
Cons
- Low pocket-to-price ratio
- Confusing sizing system
Fans of the Japanese brand Kapital are quick to point out the brand's head-spinning takes on denim. From painstaking boro patchwork stitched by hand to far-out interpretations of blue jeans, the cult-loved label is a true innovator in the denim space. Its catalog is chock full of certified grails, but if you’re focusing in on jackets, it doesn’t get any crazier than its boro jacket. From the outset, it looks more like an antique pile of fabric than a jacket—and that’s kind of the point. The jacket is made of dozens and dozens of fabric scraps, each one meticulously distressed—and then repaired— to look like worn-out vintage textiles before sewn back together as a single garment.
As you can imagine, the process is extraordinarily time-consuming. That immense dedication results in a jacket that’s truly not for the faint of heart or those with shallow pockets. This particular jacket takes inspiration from Type I denim jackets and features a single flap pocket, rear cinch, and a boxy cropped fit. It may look shredded, but putting it on feels like absolute butter thanks to the custom, boro-printed satin interior.
| Material | 100% Cotton |
| Fit | Boxy, cropped |
| Sizes | 2-5 |
Best Denim Jacket for Fashion Guys: Acne Studios Denim Jacket
Acne Studios
Denim Jacket
$1,550
Acne Studios
Pros & ConsPros
- Modern silhouette
- Luxurious feel
- Warm
Cons
- Better for cooler months
- One colorway
Acne Studios has long been known for its boundary-pushing takes on denim. From trompe l’oeil printed jeans to far-out acid-dipped jackets and denim bombers with insane proportions, the Scandi brand is an OG leader of the denim avant garde and a fashion lover’s kryptonite. This workwear-inspired jacket is somewhat tame compared to Acne’s more recent seasons, but is no less eye-catching. With its football-player-like silhouette, raw broken twill denim, luscious leather collar, and ultra-warm puffy insulation, it pulls at the heartstrings of every fashion bro out there.
| Material | 100% Japanese denim twill, lamb leather collar, and polyester fill |
| Fit | Oversized |
| Sizes | 44-54 |
Best Denim Jacket for Vintage Fiends: The Real McCoy’s Lot. 001XXJ Denim Jacket
The Real McCoy's
Lot. 001XXJ Denim Jacket
$430
The Real McCoy's
Pros & ConsPros
- Classic ‘50s fit
- Second-to-none craftsmanship
Cons
- Very difficult to find
The circle of iconic denim jackets is small. Even so, there’s one that doesn’t get as much attention it ought, and that’s the Type II trucker jacket. Levi’s introduced the Type II in 1953, the long-awaited follow up to the Type I. The features were much the same, but the main difference was the addition of a symmetry-imposing second pocket and adjustable waist tabs instead of a cinch back. The result is one of the most geometrically pleasing jackets ever. The boxy fit and spare details are very much in line with workwear designs, but there’s something also very minimalist about it, too. No wonder it still gets referenced and duped by modern designers.
Levi’s will always be the OG when it comes to the Type II, but if you really want to get one, The Real McCoy’s is the one to get. The Japanese brand is known for going insane lengths to reproduce the most coveted and iconic pieces of vintage menswear and their rendition of the Type II is a prime example. The denim was designed from the ground up, using a specifically sourced vintage loom that was able to deliver the kind of slubby character of ‘50s denim at a consistent clip. The result is one of the most accurate reproductions you can get. That is, if you can even find it. Thanks to the limited fabric production and high demand, the jacket is so sought after that it’s been sold out for ages.
| Material | Custom-milled 100% cotton selvedge denim |
| Fit | Relaxed |
| Sizes | 36-44 |
More Jean Jackets We Love
GAP
Classic Icon Denim Jacket
$80 $48 (40% off)
GAP
Don’t let Gap’s iconic khakis ads make you forget that the iconic brand got its start in denim. That DNA is still prevalent today as Gap’s stable of denim offerings is as strong as ever. Case in point, this faithful take on the famous Type II trucker jacket featuring knife pleats, dual chest flap pockets, and a boxy cropped fit—all done in a hearty all-cotton denim.
Bottega Veneta
Printed Leather Jacket
$8,800
Mr Porter
If we didn’t tell you, would you be able to tell that this isn’t denim? Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta has been taking trompe l’oeil to the next level with leather pants and jackets made to look like denim. While most attempts would easily fall flat in the uncanny valley, Bottega’s result is scarily convincing.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cropped Denim Trucker Jacket
$250
Mr Porter
Before Ralph launched his western-inflected RRL line, Polo was still making workwear hits. And denimheads could easily miss this pitch-perfect take on the Type II trucker jacket with its impeccable cut and spot-on vintage wash.
J.Crew
Trucker Jacket In Selvedge Japanese Denim
$248
J.Crew
Made from tasty raw Japanese selvedge denim, J.Crew’s iteration on the trucker jacket is a sleeper hit and features a mix of details from different historical jean jackets like the angled hand pockets, the single flap chest pocket, and curved back yoke.
What to Look for in a Great Denim Jacket
Material and construction: With denim jackets and jean jackets, the most important factor will be the denim itself. Make sure that the denim feels substantial and weighty. Good quality denim shouldn’t be too thin or loosely woven. Though I personally prefer denim without any sort of elastane, you may want to consider opting for a jacket with some stretch built into it for ease of movement. Even then, I’d advise you to limit the percentage of stretch to no more than 2%. Selvedge denim and Japanese denim are often a good sign of a high-quality fabric, but non-selvedge and non-Japanese denim can be well-made too, so don’t put all your trust in provenance.
Fit: Fit is subjective, but most trucker jackets follow a tried-and-true formula with a hem that hits right at the hips. They may have a leaner silhouette or a boxier cut, but a hallmark of trucker jackets is truly the cropped length which helps emphasize your natural proportions and lengthens your legs (without having to spend tens of thousands of dollars and months of agony). Denim jackets with hand pockets are often a little longer than those without, so if you may want to factor that into your decision.
Silhouette: Sizing is key, as well. Most denim jackets are cut on the more tailored end and around hip length. Make sure that the shoulder seams line up with your shoulder bones if not a little past. Keep in mind that you may want to layer underneath, since that will affect how snug the jacket will feel. With time, the sleeves of a trucker jacket will tend to get shorter as the elbow creases set in so if the sleeves are a tad long, you’re probably in a good place.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
