How Should A Denim Jacket Fit On A Woman?

A denim jacket is a timeless piece of fashion that never goes out of style. You can wear a denim jacket year round and it’s highly versatile. You can create a multitude of different looks with a denim jacket making it an item that should be a staple that every woman (and man!) should have in their wardrobe.

Like a good handbag or pair of shoes that can go with a variety of different outfits, a denim jacket is one of the most reliable and practical clothing items you can invest in.

There are lots of different styles of denim jackets and they come in a wide variety of colors, but how should a denim jacket fit on a woman?

There are essentially two basic fits – fitted and oversized.

In this article we are going to go over each type and explain how they should fit. We are also going to look at 8 of our favourite denim jacket styles, so keep reading!

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How Should A Denim Jacket Fit On A Woman?

It depends on the size and design of the jacket!

As we mentioned before, there are two basic fits – fitted and oversized. Let’s go over each in detail now.

1. How A Fitted Denim Jacket Should Fit

When looking for a classic fitted denim jacket, the shoulder seams should line up exactly with the corner of your shoulder bone. If the shoulder seam drops down your arm, it’s too big. If it sits higher than your shoulder, closer to your neck, then it’s too small.

The length of the sleeves should hit the bottom of your wrists.

You should be able to fasten the buttons without them tugging or pulling. Even though most denim jackets nowadays come with a bit of a stretch factor to them, it’s more for comfort – not because you are supposed to be stretching it to get it buttoned up.

Despite a fitted jacket having more of a slim fit, it should never be tight.

The bottom of a classic fitted jacket should rest right at your hip bone.

2. How An Oversized Denim Jacket Should Fit

Despite often being called the ‘oversized boyfriend denim jacket’, it’s not supposed to actually be THAT big. The shoulder seams should still line up with your shoulders or just slightly below (depending on the jacket).

But it should not look like you are wearing a man’s jacket.

The arm length should still be right at your wrist. Most oversized jackets should also sit at your hip bone, but depending on the style, some may go a few inches below, but it shouldn’t be halfway down your thigh.

Denim is a stiff fabric. And if there is too much fabric, it will just be really bulky and look like one of two things: either you are someone’s crazy-ex who stole their clothes, or you want everyone to know you have a boyfriend. 

If there is too much fabric, it will just be really bulky and look like one of two things: either you are someone’s crazy-ex who stole their clothes, or you want everyone to know you have a boyfriend. 

If you really want people to measure your worth by your dating status, looking silly in a jacket that’s way too big for you should be the least of your concerns.

But don’t worry, coming up we have some examples of how both fitted and oversized denim jackets should look when you are wearing them.

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Should I Size Up Or Down For A Denim Jacket?

Make sure whichever denim jacket you choose fits you properly as per the above. 

You also want to consider what you are planning to wear with the jacket. Different styles will be easier to layer thicker garments underneath in the colder weather, while other styles are more slim-fitting.

Choose the style according to how you’re going to wear it and buy the size that fits – don’t size up from that. If you don’t think a fitted jacket gives you enough room, then go for the oversized fit which should still fit you the same, except be a little roomier in the sleeves and torso.

When it comes to denim jackets, it’s usually better to try them on to see how they fit before buying. That said, a lot of people are buying things online these days and you can’t really try it on.

If you are buying online, first of all, use the size guide provided.

Then, read the reviews from people who have already bought the denim jacket you want to buy to find out if the sizing on the product is accurate. They will tell you if they are usually a size XXL, but they should have bought the L because it’s bigger than they’d expected. Or “I’m usually an M, so I bought a medium, but I couldn’t get my arm in the sleeve”.

If you read multiple reviews that say “size up” and it’ll be perfect, do that. And vice versa, if you read multiple reviews with people saying it was larger than expected, order a size down.

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Eight Of Our Favorite Styles Of Denim Jackets

1.Riders by Lee Indigo Women's Denim Jacket 

Riders by Lee Indigo Women’s Denim Jacket is a classic fitted jacket in weathered denim. With over 17,000 5-star reviews, this jacket is Amazon’s #1 best-selling denim jacket and it’s easy to see why.

Made with a blend of different materials to make it super comfy and provide a little stretch, it’s everything you want in a fitted denim jacket.

It also comes in 2 other different blue denim washes, plus an additional six colors!

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ROSKIKI Women’s Boyfriend Washed Denim Jean Jacket is a perfect example of an oversized fit. Notice how the shoulder seams are still at her shoulders, the bottom still comes down to her hips.

It’s ‘oversized’ in that there is more room in the torso area with a wider (not longer) sleeve. This makes it perfect for layering in the colder months, or for those who just want a roomier fit. 

This is a distressed denim jacket so it comes ‘pre-scuffed’ with rips and frayed edges for a little bit of a worn-in look. This denim jacket comes in 7 great colors.

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3.Levi's Women's Original Trucker Jacket 

If you are looking for a really slim fit with stiffer denim, Levi’s Women’s Original Trucker Jacket is a perfect choice. This is definitely one of the more slim-fitting jackets that we have on this list, so don’t expect to get too much layering under this one.

We love this extra faded wash, but it also comes in 5 other denim washes and 3 more colors.

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4. Luvamia Oversized Boyfriend Trucker Denim Jacket 

Luvamia Oversized Boyfriend Trucker Denim Jacketreally is oversized with drop shoulders and the bottom that sits just below the hip. If you are looking for a very roomy fit, this is a good choice. Even though this is supposed to be a little longer and have an exaggerated oversized look, the model wearing the jacket doesn’t look like she’s swimming in it – and neither should you.

Note that the material on this jacket is thinner than your standard denim, but it is very soft, which makes it great for layering without being too bulky, or great for warmer weather over your favorite summer dress. 

We featured the brown version because we love the color and it’s perfect for fall. If you love it too, but are not sure what to wear with brown, make sure you check out our article: What to wear with brown leggings.

This jacket also comes in white (perfect for spring & summer!), two shades of blue and black.

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5. Grabsa Women's Cropped Denim Jacket 

Grabsa Women’s Cropped Denim Jacket is a super cropped jacket, so if you are looking for an über short ‘bolero jacket’ length, then this is it. (Don’t let the really high-waisted skirt in the photo fool you).

If you are petite, have a pear-shaped figure, or have a short torso, and regular-length cropped tops and jackets never fit right and just end up sitting at your waist – this length will be the perfect cropped jacket for you!

This jacket, although fitted and (very) cropped, has roomier sleeves..

It comes in weathered blue denim, two different washes of distressed blue denim, and nine other colors, including off-white pictured here.

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6.AG Adriano Goldschmied Women's Robyn Fitted Stretch Denim Jacket 

AG Adriano Goldschmied Women’s Robyn Fitted Stretch Denim Jacket is made of super soft, stretch denim that has a little give, yet is still a sturdy fabric. A 71% 5-star rating on Amazon has reviewers raving and declaring it their favorite jacket ever!

Just note that almost everyone was quick to comment that they found the fit small and required a size up from their regular size. 

We love this utilitarian color called ‘Lacquered Dark Bayou’ that will go with just about everything, but it also comes in black and 5 other blue denim washes.

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7. PEIQI Women’s Cropped Jean Denim Jacket 

If the previous cropped jacket we featured at #5 is a little shorter than you were looking for, then the PEIQI Women’s Cropped Jean Denim Jacket will be perfect.

With loads of ecstatic Amazon reviewers saying they loved this jacket so much that they’re getting it in different colors, to those commenting on its soft texture and true-to-size fit, it’s everything you want a cropped denim jacket to be. 

While most denim jackets we have featured on our list are a blend of different materials that offer a little stretch, this jacket is made of 100% cotton, so there is no stretch. 

This jacket comes in 8 amazing colors, including this lighter blue and a darker blue denim.

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8. Wrangler Women's Authentics Denim Jacket 

The Wrangler Women’s Authentics Denim Jacket is a fitted style made from a soft cotton blend designed to flex and give a little stretch. It’s a softer, thinner denim that has Amazon reviewers raving about its comfort and true-to-size fit. 

It should be noted that it is quite a slim fit, especially in the sleeves, so you’re unlikely to be able to layer much underneath. But if you were looking for a slim-fitting denim jacket that is perfect for warmer temperatures, this just might be the one for you. It comes in 8 great colors.

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Conclusion

How should a denim jacket fit on a woman?

Both a fitted denim jacket and an oversized denim jacket should essentially fit the same way. The sleeves should come down to your wrist, the bottom should end at the hip and the shoulder seams should be right at the top of your shoulder bone.

However, there are a few styles of oversized fit that can be a little longer in the bottom hem, and even have a drop shoulder, but the sleeves should always end at your wrist.

A fitted denim jacket should never be tight and an oversized denim jacket should never look like you are wearing some big guy’s jacket.