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InStyle

19 Best Oversized Denim Jackets for Every Style and Budget

Bianca Kratky
18 min read

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Boxy fits and exaggerated sleeves galore.

<p>InStyle / Alli Waataja</p>

InStyle / Alli Waataja

Remember when it took the stars aligning and being in the fashion gods' good graces to come across the perfect oversized denim jacket? One that kind of looked like you found it for $5 at a thrift store without also swallowing you whole? Thankfully, times have changed. Now you can easily find oversized denim jackets that help you achieve the quintessential model off-duty look á la Hailey Bieber.

To help us scout out the best jackets, we tapped fashion personalities like Alyssa Beltempo, who calls an oversized denim jacket the perfect layering piece. As she explains, “The extra room lets you layer hoodies and chunky knits underneath, and it balances out the heavy footwear we’re seeing this season.”

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Related: The 19 Best Jeans for Women That Are Actually Worth Buying in 2023

Best Overall : Levi’s XL Trucker Jacket

Buy at Levi.com



What We Love: This jacket has a true oversized cut, from the sleeves to the hem.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t come with an extensive size range.



Being the pioneers of denim, Levi’s creates the best oversized denim jackets. This I-borrowed-it-from-my-dad jacket features slightly washed-out denim fabric with extended sleeves and a hem that reaches past your hips — it truly is oversized. Because of that, you should shop for your actual size instead of sizing up for a larger fit. Although the style only goes up to an XL, plus-size women can find similar (just as oversized) styles, like the 90s Trucker Jacket, which is cut for the same look.

Price at time of publish: $118

Material: Cotton, lyocell | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 2

Best Budget: Canyonwalker Loose Denim Jean

Buy at Amazon.com



What We Love: Shoppers claim that the product looks exactly like the one pictured.

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What We Don’t Love: It’s very oversized, so finding the perfect fit might be difficult to do online.



Hundreds of shoppers say they love this style from Amazon for its laid-back appeal and array of wash options. It's cut from non-stretch denim for a truly boxy, trucker-style (long) fit, so be sure to check out the detailed measurements listed in the description before committing to a size. Material-wise, reviewers offer conflicting perspectives on thickness, but you’re just looking to win style points, then we feel confident that this is a great option.

Price at time of publish: $44

Material: Cotton | Size Range: S–XL | Colors: 6

Best Splurge: Agolde Wayne Jacket

Buy at Agolde.com

Buy at Revolve.com



What We Love: Thanks to the pockets being oversized as well, you can actually use them for storage.

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What We Don’t Love: The sleeves may feel a little too long for some.



We’re not surprised that this Agolde jacket is one of Revolve’s best-selling items. If we had to describe the perfect oversized denim jacket, it would be exactly this — slouched shoulders, boxy cut, long sleeves and all. Even the chest pockets are nicely oversized. The 100 percent cotton fabric will actually keep you warm and only get softer through the years. Although it only comes in one color, we’re happy it's this vintage-inspired wash, which has been (and will always be) the quintessential denim jacket hue.

Price at time of publish: $328

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 1

Best Plus-Size: Universal Standard Kelsey Denim Jacket

Buy at Universalstandard.com



What We Love: The contrast stitching adds a subtle yet elegant design element.

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What We Don’t Love: It’s lightweight, so it may not be the warmest option.



We always appreciate Universal Standard size inclusivity. This lightweight denim jacket offers a size range of 4XS–4XL, which is a rare yet welcoming option in the market. It also comes in four classic denim colors with contrast stitching that adds an elegant feel. We noticed that the hem is on the shorter side, falling right at your hips, but the sleeves elegantly go down past your palms, and it’s made of stretch denim that comfortably moves with you. That being said, because of the added elastane, it is a lightweight option, so make sure to bring an extra jacket in the winter months.

Price at time of publish: $138

Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Size Range: 4X–4XL | Colors: 4

Best for Petites: Whistles Collared Button Down Jacket

Buy at Bloomingdales.com



What We Love: The ruffled collar adds a cute touch.

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What We Don’t Love: You may need to size up for a true oversized fit.



We love the endearing collar detail on this jacket, as well as the loose-fitted arms and body. This jacket borders between oversized and form-fitting, making it excellent for petite women, who are more prone to drowning in fabric. Still, it comes with elongated sleeves and a loose cut, offering a laid-back appeal. But generally, since it's not as baggy as some of the others on this list, it may be difficult to squeeze in thick layers. Though, a simple shirt or crew neck sweater will pair well with this option.

Price at time of publish: $199

Material: Cotton | Size Range: 0–14 | Colors: 1

Best Distressed: Saukiee Oversized Denim Jacket

Buy at Amazon.com



What We Love: It has a worn-in feel to it that looks natural.

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What We Don’t Love: The other color options are not all the same cut and style.



A lot of brands offer distressed denim jackets, like the Free People option mentioned above, but we like the subtly of this one we found from Amazon. With only a few distressed features around the hem, the jacket looks quite natural. You can even machine wash it on cold. Onlookers would never believe that you snagged it for under $40.

Price at time of publish: $36

Material: Cotton | Size Range: S–XXL | Colors: 7

Best Embroidered: Sofia Marino Zodiac Embroidered Denim Jacket

Buy at Sofiamarino.co.uk

Calling all astrology followers, this zodiac-embroidered denim jacket is going to be a conversation starter. Each piece has a whopping 44,100 stitchings to create this zodiac design with beads hand-sewn into the design to mimic the sparkling stars. You can even add a custom message on the inside lining. Because each piece is made to order, it's vital that you order the correct size. Once purchased, you won’t be able to amend your order.

Price at time of publish: $206

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 2

Best Sherpa: AG Jeans Kendrix Jacket

Buy at Agjeans.com



What We Love: The sherpa collar adds an extra cozy appeal to this jacket.

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What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have any reviews yet.



Take a close look, and you’ll notice that the collar is lined in sherpa with quilted batting in the sleeves. So, not only is it effortlessly cool, but it will actually keep you warm, too. It has all the best features of an oversized denim jacket, like dropped shoulders and extended sleeves. The brand also happens to be a favorite of sustainable fashion expert Beltempo. Give this option a go and be the first to leave a review.

Price at time of publish: $318

Material: Cotton, polyester | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 1

Best Unisex: Bandit Studioz G21 Jacket

Buy at Banditstudioz.com



What We Love: The two-tiered color on this jacket adds a fun design element.

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What We Don’t Love: It’s thinner in material and won’t keep you very warm.



Leave it to up-and-coming designer Jachuku Howard (who, by the way, was in Beyonce’s Black is King film) to create a unisex denim jacket that looks flattering on all body types. It comes with geometric mesh paneling and is handmade by the designer himself. It sports two denim colors in one jacket, adding an eye-catching detail that is missing in other jackets. It should be noted however that the exact color of the denim may differ slightly from piece to piece. Stylist Ashleigh Ashton, who personally works with Jachuku, would style this piece with a mini dress and some Valentino boots. However, it does lean on the lightweight side, so make sure to layer accordingly.

Price at time of publish: $300

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 1

Best Cropped: Reformation Jori Cropped Denim Jacket

Buy at Shopbop.com

Buy at Thereformation.com



What We Love: The hem is slightly cinched in, accentuating the waist ever so slightly.

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What We Don’t Love: It may be difficult to find the right size.



Reformation may be known for its silky dresses and feminine silhouettes, but it has a wide range of ready-to-wear items that are made with the same high-quality sustainability practices as well. This cropped denim jacket is reminiscent of the jacket that the one cool biker mom wore in the 80s. Despite having a boxy cut around the chest and shoulders, the hemline has a tighter circumference, shaping into the waist a little more. The sleeves crop right at the wrists as well, making it look less slouchy and more clean-cut. In true Reformation fashion, the cotton used to make this jacket is 80 percent regeneratively grown and 20 percent recycled, doing good for both earth and fashion. From our experience, it can be difficult to find the right size at Reformation. It may not hurt to order two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.

Price at time of publish: $168

Material: Regenerative cotton, recycled cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 5

Best Black: Free People We The Free Opal Swing Denim Jacket

Buy at Nordstrom.com

Buy at Freepeople.com



What We Love: It will be easy to layer thick sweaters underneath thanks to its loose fit.

What We Don’t Love: The chest pockets don’t have any closure buttons.



For anyone loyal to their completely monochromatic closet, this black denim jacket will pair wonderfully with the rest of your clothing. The oversized jacket has some very faint distressing throughout its body, but fear not, no loose strings will make the jacket come undone. Long sleeves and a boxy cut will make it easy to layer thick sweaters underneath as well. Just be aware that the front pockets don’t come with a button closure like most standard denim jackets do. If you leave something in there, try not to bend over as things will fall out. And for anybody who loves this cut but not the color, it’s available in some fun hues (like bright red and orange) and classic blues as well.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 9

Best White: Luvamia Oversized Boyfriend Trucker Denim Jacket

Buy at Amazon.com



What We Love: The bit of polyester blended into the fabric softens the jacket.

What We Don’t Love: It’s a little thin and lightweight and may not be the warmest option.



White is another great neutral color to opt for, especially when pairing it with lighter-hued outfits. Believe us when we say it’s not that easy to find an oversized white denim jacket. While there were plenty of off-white and ecru options, it took us a while to land on this pure-white one. We’re happy we did, though, as it seems it’s making a lot of shoppers happy with a near-perfect five-star rating. While most denim jackets are made entirely of cotton, this style has a bit of polyester woven into the fabric, which will help it retain its shape over time and not become shrunken after an accidental encounter with your dryer. Still, some reviewers complain that the jacket is on the thinner and lightweight side, and may not be the best option for extra cold days.

Price at time of publish: $43

Material: Cotton, polyester | Size Range: S–XXL | Colors: 5

Best Long: Dissh Kallen Indigo Denim Shacket

Buy at Dissh.com



What We Love: You’ll never have to deal with sweaters showing from underneath the hem.

What We Don’t Love: The first wash needs to be done separately from other clothing, as the indigo color may seep into other fabrics.



We love wearing cozy knits underneath denim jackets, but sometimes they awkwardly poke out from the bottom because they’re longer than the jacket itself. In order to avoid this fashion faux-pas, we recommend opting for a long denim jacket such as this one from Dissh. Although technically a shacket, the all-cotton item is described as medium-weight and feels sturdy enough to keep you warm. We love the row of bronzed buttons, contrasting the indigo color tastefully. Just be aware of the label's instructions to wash the jacket separately from other clothes the first time around, as the color may seep into other fabrics.

Price at time of publish: $140

Material: Cotton | Size Range: 2–12 | Colors: 1

Best Light Wash: Marcella Rio Denim Jacket

Buy at Marcellanyc.com



What We Love: It has a very wide size range going up to XXXL.

What We Don’t Love: There is some distressing along the collar, which may not be to everyone’s liking.



A light wash is possibly the most commonly sought-after tone in the denim jacket category, so we made sure to pick one that felt universally likable. This jacket has a longer hem, reaching to your thighs. And while it still has that slouched appeal of an oversized jacket, the sleeves aren’t exaggerated in length. The back features an interesting asymmetrical stitch pattern that subtly sets this piece apart from the rest. Most of all, we love that it comes in such a wide range of sizes, offering fits from extra small to three times extra large.

Price at time of publish: $195

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XXXL | Colors: 1

Best Dark Wash : Gozoloma Womens Casual Loose Oversized Denim Jacket

Buy at Amazon.com



What We Love: White contrast stitchings on the dark wash jacket make it pop a little more.

What We Don’t Love: Customers complain that the buttons can’t be closed due to poor stitching on the buttonhole.



If a dark wash is more your cup of tea, then here’s a lovely option from Gozoloma. The fit has dropped shoulders and spacious sleeves, with a hem reaching your butt. White contrast stitchings throughout the body give it a unique leg up from other similar styles. The baggy look is already oversized, so try not to size up for an even slouchier fit — it may feel overwhelmingly too large if you do so. And while reviewers love how stylish, comfortable, and warm this cotton jacket is, they've also let us know that the buttons are not functional. It seems that the buttonholes aren’t stitched right and don’t open up wide enough for the button to pass through.

Price at time of publish: $38

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XXL | Colors: 4

Best Color Options: Los Angeles Apparel Garment Dye Cropped Bull Denim Jacket

Buy at Losangelesapparel.net



What We Love: The various pastel colors look unique and are less easy to find.

What We Don’t Love: It’s slightly less oversized than some of the other mentioned options.



Now let’s forget about the blues and the grays for a moment to appreciate some of the alternatives. Beyond the typical neutrals, this jacket comes in army green turquoise, blue, pink, and purple. It has a cropped hem, which would look good with any high-waisted bottoms and dresses and is slightly less oversized than many of the other options on this list. Though, you’ll still have your relaxed dropped shoulders and plenty of space inside to layer some sweaters.

Price at time of publish: $120

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 7

Best Patchwork: Levi’s Patchwork 90s Denim Trucker Jacket

Buy at Nordstrom.com



What We Love: Despite the various hues and patterns, the overall look feels fluent and seamless.

What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in one color.



Patchwork is yet another classic style that people adore and it comes stitched onto a classic trucker jacket here. While the hem has a straight cut, you can have it cinched in slightly by tightening the sides with the provided buttons. We love that despite there being various hues and patterns lined up next to each other, it all comes together seamlessly and doesn’t clash. Having a dark wash option would have been a nice perk as well, but unfortunately, it’s only available in this one color. And of course, you can always rely on Levi’s where denim is concerned. You’ll probably find yourself wearing this for decades to come and the old-school aesthetic will always feel relevant through trends.

Price at time of publish: $148

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 1

Best Cobalt: By.Dyln Cooper Jacket

Buy at Revolve.com



What We Love: It’s a one-of-a-kind piece that will surely make a statement.

What We Don’t Love: It may be more difficult to style the jacket.



We think this jacket speaks for itself, but just to reiterate its message, here’s a jacket that’s not afraid to leave a statement. The trendy color pops out and is only complemented by its white contrast stitchings. It’s probably the baggiest option on this list, with extra low dropped shoulders and large sleeves that go well past your palms. And if you’re unsure how to style this, don’t worry, it comes with a matching skirt. Otherwise, pair it with a white silk skirt or baggy jeans.

Price at time of publish: $160

Material: Cotton, elastane | Size Range: XS–XL | Colors: 2

Best Ecru: Anthropologie Pilcro Boyfriend Denim Jacket

Buy at Anthropologie.com



What We Love: It’s machine washable.

What We Don’t Love: On top of being oversized, it runs a little large.



If the bright hue of classic white is a little too much (or you simply don’t trust yourself not to get it immediately dirty), then an ecru color may be better for you. The creamy alternative is slightly more forgiving to dirt smudges, and even if it does get a tad bit dirty, it's machine washable. And while a blue denim jacket is consistently casual, this ecru color can round out a more elevated look — think champagne skirts and even wedding guest looks for, say, a backyard affair. Shoppers do say that it runs a bit large, even for something that's meant to be oversized, so you may want to size down.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XXS–XL | Colors: 2

What to Keep in Mind

Color

Denim comes in a variety of colors, typically dark blue, light blue, gray, and dark gray. More recently, you can find black and white denim, as well as colored ones, like the Los Angeles Apparel Garment Dye Cropped Bull Denim Jacket. While the biggest decision maker should be your taste, we recommend taking a trip to your closet before making a purchase. If you mostly see whites and light colors, then we recommend going for denim with a blue hue. The Agolde Wayne Jacket or Marcella Rio Denim Jacket, for example, would suit such styles. If you find yourself standing in front of a row of blacks and grays, then opt for a dark denim style, such as Free People We The Free Opal Swing Denim Jacket.

Tailoring

Just because it’s oversized, doesn’t mean your jacket should be without tailoring. Ashleigh Ashton looks for “simplicity in details, hardware, geometric lines or shapes, and intentional tailoring.” You still want the jacket to look flattering, so look for dropped shoulders, form around the waist, and a collar framing the face. Most denim jackets will have two chest pockets with stitchings lined down the front. Some denim jackets come cropped, like the Reformation Jori Cropped Denim Jacket, while others have a longer hem reaching past your butt, like the Dissh Kallen Indigo Denim Shacket.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you style an oversized denim jacket?

The beauty of denim jackets lies in their versatility throughout the seasons, though it's important to factor in proportions. Beltempo recommends using a denim jacket to top off a chunky knit and leggings outfit in the cold weather months. And of course, denim jackets can also be worn in warmer weather, too, with a slip dress and boots, per Ashton’s recommendation, or go full denim-on-denim. If the sleeves feel a little too long, just roll or push them up to keep them out of your hand's range of motion.

How do I clean my denim jacket?

Each brand will give you specific instructions on how to clean its denim jacket. However, much like your favorite jeans, you should refrain from overwashing them. It’s the fastest way to break down the fabric and wash out the color. No, your denim won't lose its color entirely, but it will change the texture and wash over time. If you simply want to get a stain out, then opt for spot cleaning with a wet cloth. If you need to give your jacket a deep clean, then throw it in the laundry on its own (or with other denim pieces) and machine wash it cold.

Are oversized denim jackets in style?

Since at least the 1980s, there has never been a time when denim jackets didn’t have a place in fashion. For something reliable, choose a more timeless style, like Agolde's Wayne Jacket and Reformation's Jori Cropped Denim Jacket, rather than a trendier option. However, if you are inclined to spice things up a bit, Levi’s Patchwork 90s Denim Trucker Jacket and By.Dyln's Cooper Jacket will do the trick.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer for InStyle with two years of experience covering fashion and lifestyle products. Her style is very laid back, featuring tons of oversized jackets and pants. For this article, she consulted Ashleigh Ashton and Alyssa Beltempo for their takes on what to consider when shopping for oversized denim jackets and how to style them.

Related: The 18 Best High-Waisted Jeans of 2023

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