15 Celebrity-Inspired Denim Jackets for Spring You Won't Want to Take Off

Some may associate buying jeans with fall after years of back-to-school shopping, but we’re here to talk about denim jackets as a spring staple. 

Like jeans, denim jackets are a seasonless “wardrobe staple that never goes out of style,” celebrity wardrobe stylist Jasmine Caccamo tells PEOPLE. She adds that they are "an attainable look no matter your style or body shape” and are made to be worn for years to come. But what keeps them feeling new? The constant reimagining of washes, silhouettes, and how trendsetters like Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Rowland, and Taylor Swift wear them.

Whether you’re in the market for your first jacket or simply in the middle of a closet refresh, keep reading to find the best denim jackets of 2024, inspired by some of our favorite celebrities.

Our Top Picks

• Old Navy Classic Jean Jacket, $27.99 (orig. $39.99); oldnavy.com
• J.Crew New Classic Denim Jacket, $79.50 (orig. $138); jcrew.com
• Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket, $89.50; levi.com
• Universal Thread Medium Wash Cropped Denim Jacket, $40; target.com
• Chico’s Cropped Denim Jacket, $69.99 (orig. $109); chicos.com
• Abercrombie & Fitch Drapey Cropped Denim Jacket, $80 (orig. $100); abercrombie.com
• Free People Suzy Denim Jacket, $148; freepeople.com
• Omoone Oversized Mid Long Denim Jacket, $40; amazon.com
• Banana Republic The 90s Denim Trucker Jacket, $150; bananarepublic.gap.com
• Old Navy Cropped Utility Jean Jacket, $36.99 (orig. $49.99); oldnavy.com

Classic Denim Jackets

A classic denim jacket is arguably the most wearable silhouette. Its indigo dye and just-right proportions offer a casual American style we all know and love. Reese Witherspoon styled hers with a sun dress and peep-toe heels. Caccamo says the key to finding your best classic fit is “making sure it hits right at the hip.” 

Get the Look:

• Old Navy Classic Jean Jacket, $27.99 (orig. $39.99); oldnavy.com
• J.Crew New Classic Denim Jacket, $79.50 (orig. $138); jcrew.com
• Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket, $60 (orig. $89.50); levi.com
  

Old Navy Classic Jean Jacket 

This Old Navy non-stretch denim jacket is on sale and has nearly 3,000 five-star ratings. Most reviewers say it overall fits true to size including the chest and length. It also claims to hit just below the waist for Caccamo's ideal classic fit. Opt for the dark or black wash for a dressier take, or spend a few more dollars for the distressed light wash, which is suitable for warmer months.

Material: 95% cotton, 5% recycled cotton | Sizes: XS-4X | Colors: 5 | Fit: Regular, tall, petite | Machine Washable: Yes

J.Crew New Classic Denim Jacket

J.Crew is synonymous with timeless yet modern classics crafted of quality materials — without costing a fortune. That’s why we love this top-rated denim jacket on sale in its Alicia wash with gold hardware (similar to Witherspoon’s) and lighter Bianca wash with silver buttons. It has fewer stitching details than other classic styles, meaning it could be a good choice for self-described minimalists. It hits slightly above the hips, so while it's considered true to size, it works great if you have a shorter torso or petite frame.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XXXS-3X | Colors: 2 | Machine Washable: Yes

Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket

We can’t discuss classic denim without mentioning Levi’s (a.k.a. the inventor of blue jeans). The iconic San Francisco brand has been rooted in function and durability since 1873. Today, its Original Trucker Jacket is beloved for its slim fit, deep inside pockets, and medium weight. Whether you prefer this solid light wash or something more unique, like the blue-to-white ombre style called “snowmelt,” this is a wear-anywhere jacket meant to last a lifetime.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XXS-XL | Fit: Regular and plus | Colors: 9 | Machine Washable: Yes, wash cold

Cropped Denim Jackets

Something as simple as shortening the length of a denim jacket makes it feel revived. “I love Selena Gomez’s oversized, cropped denim jacket — it feels cool without [being] overpowering,” wardrobe stylist Jamie Frankel tells PEOPLE. It’s also a figure-flattering way to accentuate your midline, especially when worn with high-waisted trousers or jeans that elongate your legs, as the Rare Beauty founder did. 

To find your best fit, Caccamo advises those with curvier frames to look for styles that hit “at your waist or higher” and those with a more athletic build to opt for one that falls “right above the waist.” 

Get the Look:

• Universal Thread Medium Wash Cropped Denim Jacket, $40; target.com
• Chico’s Cropped Denim Jacket, $69.99 (orig. $109); chicos.com
• Abercrombie & Fitch Drapey Cropped Denim Jacket, $80 (orig. $100); abercrombie.com

Universal Thread Medium Wash Cropped Denim Jacket

Target’s size-inclusive Universal Thread not-so-secretly offers affordable denim, like this medium wash cropped style that reads laid back yet polished. It features the paneled construction of a classic denim jacket but falls right below the waist, making it a great in-between point if you’re nervous about having too much of a crop. 

Material: 100% recycled cotton | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes

Chico’s Cropped Denim Jacket

Reviewers of all shapes love this Chico’s jacket for its lightweight, flattering fit. The fabric is unlined, soft, and slightly stretchy, allowing you to move freely and pack light when traveling. Its shirttail hem curves down in the front and back, and princess seams along the sides and back create a slimming, contoured effect. Some petite wearers also mention the sleeves being too long but suggest rolling them up as an easy fix. 

Material: 75% cotton, 10% polyester, 10% lycra, 4% lyocell, 1% spandex | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes

Abercrombie & Fitch Drapey Cropped Denim Jacket

Thanks to its unique two-tone wash, this cropped jacket from Abercrombie & Fitch easily transforms an outfit from simple to interesting. The fabric makeup contains lyocell, a plant-based fabric that lends softness and breathability.

Material: 78% cotton, 22% lyocell | Sizes: XXS-XL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes, wash separately with cold water

Oversized Denim Jackets

Another denim jacket silhouette loved by celebs is the oversized ‘90s fit, seen on none other than one of the decade’s musical legends Kelly Rowland, who paired hers with equally loose jeans, a classic white T-shirt, sunglasses, and a fedora hat. While stepping out in New York City earlier this month, Sydney Sweeney sported a similar outfit with an oversized denim-inspired velvet jacket, matching wide-leg pants, and a T-shirt.

“This is my favorite among the jacket silhouettes,” says Caccamo, who wears hers over leggings and a cropped top or sports bra, proving it can be dressed up or down for an effortlessly cool look.

Get the Look:

• Free People Suzy Denim Jacket, $148; freepeople.com
• Omoone Oversized Mid Long Denim Jacket, $40; amazon.com
• Banana Republic The 90s Denim Trucker Jacket, $150; bananarepublic.gap.com

Free People Suzy Denim Jacket

From the button snap closure and long cuffed sleeves to the oversized front pockets and extra side ones for hands, the Free People Suzy Denim Jacket has many functional details to love. Reviewers say it’s an overall loose fit with a touch of structure and rave that it’s “lightweight” and “so soft.” We personally love the lived-in wash that slightly fades around the shoulders, adding to the easygoing chic vibe.

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes

Omoone Oversized Mid Long Denim Jacket

If you’re looking for a denim jacket that feels classic but is evenly scaled to fit oversized everywhere, this is your match. The traditional panel stitching of this Amazon denim jacket has an elongating effect that helps balance the overall larger fit.

As one of the more affordable picks on our list at around $40, this is a great value for an easy style destined to be worn on repeat. Frankel especially loves an oversized black denim jacket, saying it looks “extra cool” in a darker wash. 

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XS-L | Colors: 2 | Machine Washable: Yes

Banana Republic The ‘90s Denim Trucker Jacket

Banana Republic’s best-selling ‘90s denim trucker jacket falls right at the hip as a classic would but comes alive as a true oversize in the slouchy bishop sleeves — artfully contrasted by front and back pleats that nip in the waist. The light wash fabric is non-stretch and unlined, giving it a rugged yet lightweight feel suitable for warmer months. It fits true to size, so we recommend getting your usual and preparing for an influx of compliments. 

Material: 93% cotton, 7% recycled cotton | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes

Colorful Denim Jackets

You may think colorful denim jackets don't belong in your wardrobe, but we’re here to surprise you — and maybe even offer a dopamine boost in the process. Caccamo says the trick is to go entirely monochromatic like Margot Robbie did with her allover bubblegum-pink look at last year's Barbie screening. “This makes it easy and quick to assemble an outfit for brunch or a girls’ night out!” she explains.

Another option is letting your brightly-hued topper be the focal point and pair it with low-key neutrals, like your favorite pair of jeans and some spring-approved espadrilles. With this trend, you can be as creative as you want, even contrasting it with other of-the-moment spring hues you might already have in your closet. It’s a great way to re-energize your wardrobe, particularly as we part ways with winter’s subdued palette.

Get the Look:

• Old Navy Cropped Utility Jean Jacket, $36.99 (orig. $49.99); oldnavy.com 
• Longbida Button Up Cropped Denim Jacket, $34.99; amazon.com
• Rails Mulholland Jacket, $163.50 (orig. $218); rails.com

Old Navy Cropped Utility Jean Jacket

Imagine wearing this peach-sherbet jacket to happy hour with friends on a summer Friday and not feeling instant joy. This Old Navy pastel utility style exudes the spirit of warm-weather season with its relaxed, cropped shape and lightweight blend of cotton and lyocell. It’s currently on sale in a wide range of sizes and fits, and we think it’d look great with crisp summer whites, light-wash denim, and opposing shades of blue. 

Material: 60% cotton, 40% lyocell | Sizes: XS-4X | Colors: 1 | Fit: Regular, tall, petite | Machine Washable: Yes

Longbida Frayed Washed Button Up Cropped Denim Jacket with Pockets

Our most affordable denim jacket pick from Amazon also offers the widest variety of colors, including this punchy pink style, plus other standouts like a camouflage print and a two-toned acid wash. There are slight cost and style variations among the colors, but they all feature a raw-edge fray along the bottom hem that’s fitting for casual weekend outings.

Material: 65% cotton, 35% polyester | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 17 | Machine Washable: No, hand wash only

Rails Mulholland Jacket

Rails masterfully blends its West Coast sensibility with European craftsmanship, breeding contemporary wardrobe staples of both comfort and high quality. We have the Mulholland trucker jacket in our shopping cart and wish we could buy it in every hue: lilac, bright aqua, hibiscus pink, emerald green, and what Frankel says is spring’s emerging color trend: this “butter” yellow.

A few come in traditional indigo, while others feature a laser-printed star pattern or a quilted patchwork design on the back, which we can’t help but covet, too. Whichever you choose, the brand recommends washing it inside out to help preserve its color.

Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: XXS-XL | Colors: 14 | Machine Washable: Yes, wash inside-out in cold water

Long Denim Jackets

The last denim jacket silhouette we’ll visit takes the opposite direction of Selena Gomez’s cropped fit: the elongated style worn by Taylor Swift as she infamously walked arm-in-arm with Sophie Turner after news broke of the actress’ break-up from Joe Jonas. The Eras Tour superstar dawned her longline jacket over a short T-shirt dress, layered necklaces, and knee-high boots, each balancing the other’s texture and proportions. Caccamo calls this a great “alternative to the classic trench coat,” being equally as transitional and easy to throw over anything. 

Get the Look:

• Gap Longline Icon Denim Jacket, $102 (orig. $128); gap.com
• Avec Les Filles Denim Trench Coat, $189; nordstrom.com
• Pistola Mandy Oversized Shacket, $248; nordstrom.com

Gap Longline Icon Denim Jacket

The most similar to Taylor Swift’s jacket on our list is the non-stretch Longline Icon from Gap, which comes in a darker medium wash than hers but hits below the knees and features similar paneled stitching and button clasps. There’s also a nifty slit at the back hem for easier movement. Because of its lengthy coverage, it quickly becomes the centerpiece of a look, making it easy to style over everyday pieces or even button up and style as a denim dress. 

Material: 95% cotton, 5% recycled cotton | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 1 | Fit: Regular, tall, petite | Machine Washable: Yes

Avec Les Filles Denim Trench Coat

As Caccamo said, the longline denim jacket is a great alternative to a trench coat, but this unique hybrid from Avec Les Filles combines denim’s indigo wash with a trench coat silhouette and water-resistant polyester. It comes with a coordinating removable belt that’s figure-flattering and lends style versatility. Pair this with comfy ballet flats and a trusted umbrella to face spring showers in a refined fashion. 

Material: 62% cotton, 33% polyester, 5% rayon | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes

Pistola Mandy Oversized Shacket

This shacket is a great in-between option if you’re looking for something long but not too long. Denim expert and Pistola founder and creative director Grace Na says, "The Mandy Shacket is truly the most versatile piece in my closet.” It’s also her trusted travel companion as she “always packs this to wear over a dress when the evenings get a little chilly or even during the day over a bathing suit."

Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes, wash with cold water

How to Pick the Best Denim Jackets

Material vs. Price

Denim comes from cotton, one of the most inexpensive and accessible textile fibers, but depending on its source and how it’s made or blended with other textiles impacts the cost. “There are endless possibilities in creating new washes with combinations of different dry processes,” says Na, whose Pistola Mandy Oversized Shacket is among the most splurge-worthy options on our list behind Rails Mulholland Jacket, each a reflection of the brands’ innovation and craftsmanship in creating these investment pieces. 

However, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a great-looking, long-lasting denim jacket: Nearly two-thirds of our top picks are under $100. The Old Navy Classic Jean Jacket is our most affordable style and is on sale for $28 with over 3,000 five-star ratings. Frankel says she always has the cost-effective Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket on her fitting rack for clients. 

Look and Feel

How a denim jacket’s fabrication is woven and washed determines the overall look, weight, and feel. It’s tricky because material labels “can be misleading,” Na says. “You can have an open-weave 100 percent cotton that feels nice and drapey, and you can also have a 100 percent cotton that is woven tightly with thick yarns and feels stiff and sturdy.” If possible, she recommends feeling denim jackets in real life, but if you can’t, we suggest reading customer reviews.

Care Instructions

Whether your denim jacket is 100 percent cotton or blended with other durable but shrinkable fabrics like lyocell (featured in the Abercrombie & Fitch Drapey Cropped Denim Jacket and the Old Navy Cropped Utility Jean Jacket) Na says to wash it “as little as possible” and recommends “spot-treating stains.” If you must, “turn the piece inside out to preserve the indigo, wash it in cold water on a delicate cycle, and hang to dry," she advises.

Complete the Look

To help inspire your denim jacket ensembles for spring, we’ve included a few styling pieces that pair well together and can be styled effortlessly with other basics in your wardrobe.

Cariuma OCA Low Off-White Canvas Sneakers

In our minds, a classic pair of canvas lace-ups is the shoe world’s denim jacket: They’re comfortable, durable, and go with everything. Cariuma is a celebrity-worn sneaker brand that offers relatively affordable styles, such as these $85 handcrafted OCA Low sneakers with 100 percent vegan insoles made from mamona oil and cork.

EyeBuyDirect Safari Round Sunglasses

Just as Kelly Rowland styled her oversized denim jacket with sunglasses, a pair of shades adds to a jacket’s effortlessly cool factor and a practical necessity for sunny weather. The best sunglasses we’ve found for all face shapes are these round frames from EyeBuyDirect, available in dark tortoise, black, tortoise, clear melon, and clear blue.

The Drop Britt Tiered Maxi Tent Dress in Black Eyelet 

A warm-weather outfit formula you can trust (Reese Witherspoon does!) is the sundress and denim jacket combo. Along with being functional and easy to style, the two balance each other’s structured and free-flowing silhouettes. This maxi dress from Amazon is a favorite among PEOPLE writers and comes in 18 variations. We love this black eyelet style, which is currently on sale for $48.

Take Our Word for It

Kate Watson is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE with seven years of experience writing fashion content. She jokingly attributes her denim expertise to her middle name, Jean, though it more accurately lies in her enthusiasm for sensible comfort and decade-long pursuit to establish her go-to denim brands, like Frame. For this story, she studied how celebrities wear denim jackets and researched comparable styles, selecting each for its affordability, size inclusivity, aesthetic, material, and more. She also interviewed two stylists and a denim expert for their takes on styling and finding the best denim jacket for your spring wardrobe.