The classic fashion combination of a denim jacket and jeans, also known as the “Canadian tuxedo,” never goes out of style.
You typically reach for a pair of blue jeans when you need to get dressed quickly, whether it’s to run out to the store or throw something on very quickly. Almost everyone has or has had, a pair of blue jeans. Indeed, the average person’s closet is stocked to the gills with denim. It’s safe to say that everyone has a soft spot for them. If so, does it mean you may wear your denim jeans with denim on denim?
Is it possible to match a denim jacket with jeans, or is this a catastrophic fashion faux pas? The denim-on-denim aesthetic is divisive among fashionistas, onlookers, and regular folks. Where do you stand in one of the most heated debates about fashion?
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What Is A Denim Jacket And Jeans?
Wearing nothing but denim from head to toe should strike a chord with fans of early 2000s pop stars like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. A pair of blue denim jeans and a blazer is a timeless combination.
While blue is the most common color choice, other dyes, and patterns, such as black, pink, or even cow print, are acceptable.
A Brief Overview of the History of Denim
Contrary to popular belief, the Canadian tuxedo didn’t actually originate in Canada. This highly sought-after ensemble is so ubiquitous in the United States that it is practically a national symbol. Denim jeans were first created in the 1870s, and the jean jacket appeared a decade later.
Levi Strauss pioneered the use of denim as a workwear fabric, and his creation quickly became the standard issue uniform for blue-collar workers like railroad engineers and miners.
Denim jackets and jeans became fashionable in the ’50s and ’60s.
James Dean and Marilyn Munroe helped popularise this look, which became a symbol of the counterculture and teen revolt of the 1960s.
With that in mind, I’ve often wondered: why is it called a “Canadian tuxedo?” Thanks to his instantly recognizable style, Bing Crosby was an instant hit in Vancouver the year he arrived, in 1951.
Denim jackets and jeans, which are now regarded as a classic, are extremely popular around the globe.
Modern Denim Fashion
Popular denim garments like jeans and jackets shot to prominence in the 1950s, and celebrities like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe are sometimes credited with sparking the trend. They were dressed similarly in denim jeans and denim jackets. The two sex icons set the denim scene on fire with their effortless, beautiful ensembles. Everybody all of a sudden needed to have a denim jacket and jeans to go with them.
Since the dawn of denim, this style has persisted and has rarely been out of fashion. Denim jackets and jeans have stood the test of time, regardless of the ebb and flow of fashion trends. And if this pairing feels so right, how could it possibly be flawed?
For the record, no, it is not. Simply put, it’s difficult to accomplish. Denim jeans and a leather jacket are a classic combination that will never go out of style, provided you know how to wear them properly to complement your figure and sense of style.
Which Occasions Call for a Denim Jacket and Jeans?
There’s a legend about how Bing Crosby was turned away from a motel in Vancouver because he was dressed in denim.
This particular fabric blend was viewed as the antithesis of sophistication, therefore it was deemed inappropriate for the Fairmont. Interestingly, the name “Canadian tuxedo” originated from this period of historical significance.
These days, it is unusual to find a business that has a strict dress code. Fairmont Hotel policy permits jean jackets and jeans.
Nonetheless, it’s probably not the finest suit to go to Notch8 Restaurant & Bar. After all, the Canadian tuxedo is still regarded as informal attire.
Denim jackets and jeans are more commonly seen in the fall and winter months. Because this fabric isn’t recognized for its breathability, I wouldn’t suggest wearing this outfit during the dog days of heat.
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Tips to Wear a Denim Jacket With Jeans
Here are the six “rules” (more like guidelines, in the words of Captain Barbossa) we’re following in 2021 to get the most wear out of our denim coats and jackets.
1) Oversized Silhouettes Benefit From Rolled-Up Sleeves
While a baggy denim jacket is quite comfortable, long sleeves can make you look like a child playing dress up, especially if you’re on the shorter side. The answer is as easy as rolling up the cuffs so the sleeves terminate between the wrist and three inches above the hands. This will prevent you from being engulfed by your coat while yet allowing you to enjoy the brisk autumn air.
2) Contrast Baggy Tops With Skinny Pants
If you want to avoid looking like a denim blob, choose trousers that fit near to the leg but not so close that they cut off circulation. This may be anything from slim jeans to leggings. You can’t go wrong with a cropped jacket and a pair of skinny jeans or straight legs, but you should probably skip the Boyfriend jeans, flares, and ’90s skater styles. P.S. Heeled booties are a great way to lengthen your legs and counteract the volume of an oversized jacket.
3) Opt For Shorter Hemlines And Cropped Silhouettes
If you wear a loose, long jacket over a short dress or shorts, you may end up appearing like an apple perched on two popsicle sticks. Your proportions will look more put together when your jacket falls just above or at your natural waist.
4) Put on Several Blue Washes at Once
Wearing identical washes from head to toe is boring, so if you’re striving for a whole denim look, mix and match washes instead. You can confidently combine different denim washes, denim distressing techniques, and chambray shirts in any way you see fit. You could even throw in a pair of dark or light wash jeans, but reserve the patterned or bright ones for another outfit.
5) Pick a Matching Set in a Color Other Than Blue
Alternatively, if you want to stick to a monochromatic theme, choose items that are of the same brand and have a very similar color or wash. The traditional blue jean is out, and we’re all about bold colors, fun prints, and clean black and white washes. They give off a more trendy, up-to-date vibe and won’t make you look like a ranch hand lost in the city.
6) Wear Your Jacket As a Mid-Layer Within Another Layer
Adding dimension to your outfit and getting more wear out of lighter coats is a lot of fun when you layer them. And while our traditional denim cuts are dear to our hearts, we admit they aren’t exactly eye candy. Because of this, you should wear them underneath your printed trench coat or plaid blazer. The extra warmth and splash of color from the blue are retained, but the overall effect is considerably more stylish than that of a traditional denim jacket.
Final Thoughts
Wearing a denim jacket with pants manages to be both classic and divisive in an odd way. It’s a controversial look since it makes such a bold statement. However, genuine style is considered a topic of conversation.
As a type of communication, fashion is meant to elicit an emotional response. The only thing that wearing a Canadian tuxedo says about you is that you like the classic style or have an unhealthy obsession with matching ensembles.
This ‘how to wear a denim jacket with jeans’ guide has done its best to give you the newest looks, whether you’re looking for a grunge-inspired getup or a more updated take on the classic.