Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Best men’s denim jackets: Handpicked for you

Add one these classics to your wardrobe

Man in denim jeans and jacket
K.C. Stone / The Manual

Few things are cooler in a man’s wardrobe than a denim jacket. Whether you love the look that James Dean made famous or the Marlon Brando legend, denim jackets have been a mainstay in menswear for a century. While they were always used as workwear since Levi’s started outfitting men in denim for the Gold Rush, they have now jumped from the goldmines to fashion when men began working against the grain and rebelling. Of course, since there are dozens of types and hundreds of brands to choose from, we make it our business to help you figure out what the best men’s denim jackets.

Check out these choices for the best jean jackets to channel the Dean or the Brando.

Recommended Videos

DEVIL DOG DUNGAREES Thunderhead Trucker

DEVIL DOG DUNGAREES Thunderhead Denim Trucker
DEVIL DOG DUNGAREES

DEVIL DOG DUNGAREES is one of the premier denim brands on the market. While it doesn’t have the brand name like some of the others on this list, it is, without a doubt, the best of the bunch. After decades of having the best jeans and looking fantastic in all its fits, you can now put the same quality on top as well. The Thunderhead is a classic that comes back every year and never goes out of style.

This is the most classic look: Throw it on with complementing jeans and rugged boots with a tee for the ultimate in masculine look.

Specifications
Soft hand feel with a hint of stretch
One button-flap chest pocket
Welt side pockets
Side hem adjusters
Devil Dog bandana lining inside pocket bags

Levi’s Relaxed Trucker

Levi's Relaxed Trucker
Levi's

When it comes to the biggest names on the list, there is no bigger than Levi’s. The original jeans have been around since the literal beginning, and they are still going strong today. While there are a host of choices you can choose from, the best bet is to go with something in a different color than the rest. This black version is perfect for nighttime outings.

If you want to keep the black look going, opt for a black tee and black jeans.

Specifications
The original jean jacket since 1967
Relaxed fit
100% cotton
Levi’s branded metal buttons and tapered “V” stitches make it instantly recognizable
Machine wash in cold

Wrangler Corduroy Collar

Wrangler Corduroy Collar
Wrangler

Wrangler is the leader in Western wear, and it has been that way since it first opened its doors. Whether you are roping cattle in Texas, riding horses in Colorado, or walking the streets of New York, this denim jacket goes with you. A corduroy collar is unique among denim jackets, making this jacket stand out.

Go with workwear with this jacket by pairing it with chinos and a henley.

Specifications
Corduroy collar
Blanket lining
Two front chest pockets with snap-flap closure and two lower pockets with no closure
Prewashed indigo
100% cotton, heavyweight broken twill denim

Todd Snyder Selvedge

Todd Snyder Selvedge
Todd Snyder

Tastes are never the same. Sometimes, you want something upscale like duck a l’orange, but other times, you want a simple burger. Sometimes, you need a 10-year port, but other times, you could really go for a beer. The point is, you could go with a regular run-of-the-mill denim jacket, or you could go with one of the more luxurious options on our list, this selvedge denim jacket from Todd Snyder.

This jacket is going to look great with brown pants to complement the contrasted stitching.

Specifications
100% American cotton
Woven at the Vidalia Mill in Louisiana
On a vintage shuttle looms reclaimed from the famed White Oak Plant
Trapunto stitching at the neck
Mercerized yarn to minimize shrinkage (recommend buying true size and breaking in over time)

Lucky Brand Cole Hauser Shearling

Lucky Brand Cole Hauser Shearling
Lucky Brand

When looking for inspiration on how to dress a little Western, there is no better example in today’s world than Cole Hauser. When Rip goes to do the dirty work of the Yellowstone Ranch, he always looks masculine and intimidating. In his collaboration with Lucky Brand jeans, he makes it possible to dress like him. Just don’t go out and do the same kind of work.

When styling this jacket, you should double down on the Western look and go with jeans and a pearl snap button-up.

Specifications
100% cotton
Button front
Button-flap chest pockets
Side pockets
Button cuffs

Now that you have some of the best denim jackets on the market, you can put together a stellar outfit to maintain your masculine style and get all the attention. Don’t forget to pick up some stellar jeans and a denim shirt to complete the look.

Nick Hilden
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Hilden is a lifestyle and culture writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Afar…
Hockerty adds Italian icon fabric mills to a deepening suit collection
Hockerty adds Loro Piana and Cerruti to their suit line up
Hockerty suits on two men

Hockerty is one of the leaders in the ever-widening online suit business. While we as a society have developed a firm grasp on online shopping over the last few decades, suits have always been a business struggling to keep up with the increasingly low brick-and-mortar turnout due to the in-depth process of getting just the right suit. Thanks to innovations in their process, Hockerty has become one of the best in getting as close to perfection in this field as we can expect. Recently, they expanded to an Italian Suits collection, bringing in the best of the best fabrics from mills all over the beloved country. They have added to the collection as you can now pick up Hockerty suits with fabrics from iconic Italian mills, Loro Piana and Cerruti.
Iconic mills Loro Piana and Cerruti

Cerruti began when Nico Cerruti's grandfather started a spinning mill. In 1950, before Nico even hit two decades on the planet, he took over and began building what we know now as Cerruti 1881. Being one of the top 5 drapers in all of Italy, they are a fantastic addition to the Hockerty line. For Loro Piana, it is a pop culture moment for the century-old brand. It is the go-to for billionaires everywhere, and it cemented that reputation with the appearance of Kendal Roy's (Jeremy Strong) kind of style in Succession. Now, we're not talking about Hockerty pushing a $25,000 car coat like Loro Piana is, but having fabric from their mill in the collection allows those of us not heir to a billionaire fortune to look and feel like we are.
Hockerty Suits

Read more
You’ll love the diamonds on the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu All Black Pavé
The Spirit of Big Bang Sang has a new look
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu All Black Pavé

Hublot and Sang Blue have been partners for years, and the two brands always drop iconic pieces into the market. The new Bing Sang Blue All Black Pavé is as stylish as its predecessors. It is characterized by a unique geometrical pattern, a signature of Big Bang x Sang Blue watches.

According to Maxime Plescia-Büchi, Sang Blue’s founder, “A feature of Sang Bleu and Hublot is the principle of 'fusion,; in their manner of building bridges between materials, techniques, and cultures. As a watch lover, I have always dreamed of such a collaboration.”

Read more
The best celebrity watch collaborations: Our top picks
G-Shock John Mayer watch

There’s no denying that celebrities know a thing or two about what it takes to look like an A-list star. More often than not, these individuals are gifted some of the finest clothing and accessories in the world to show off. However, a select few are also truly interested in the art of luxury pieces. When it comes to those who have taken a special interest in watches, that list grows even shorter. While there are great watch collectors like Silvester Stallone, some celebrities have taken that love one step further. 

Besides having spectacular watch collections, these celebrities have also released their unique timepieces. These timepieces contain a mixture of luxury and individuality, making them even rarer. By merging luxury watch companies and creative minds, these celebrity watch collaborations are a must-have for any fan. 
G-SHOCK Ref. 6900-PT1 by John Mayer

Read more