The Rock 'n' Roll Comeback of Denim Jackets.

As modeled by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Okay, lets talk about the "bad ass-ery" of the denim jacket. See, I first developed this obsession when I rekindled my love with The Strokes and watched the music video for "Someday". It's full of "behind the scenes" footage (hanging out in a bar, drinking and smoking- activities you would expect rock stars like The Strokes to participate in), as well as an episode of Family Feud with some pretty hilarious dialogue. ALSO, there was a lot of denim jacket-wearing going on. (By Julian Casablancas & Nick Valensi, specifically.) Now, Julian Casablancas is the definition of a rock star to me. He looks like he never gives a damn, has amazing musical talent, a perfect shaggy haircut, and great personal style. So why would we not want to be like him? He always looks careless and confident: words I now associate with the denim jacket. 

However, before I realized how awesome the denim jacket is, I did not associate them with great things. I thought of the jean jackets of the 80s-90s, with patches and baggy sleeves, uncomfortable, and difficult to move my arms in. But now I've realized that during the past 11 years that I've ignored them, they have reinvented themselves. Slim-fitted, flattering, with a variety of shades and distressing, and full of unique quirks. After seeing the Strokes video I wanted a denim jacket. After seeing the J. Crew jacket below (the PERFECT female version of a rocker's jacket) I am dying for one. 

J. Crew denim jacket: special due to the sleeves and diagonal angling of the pockets. 

A Gap ad for their jacket, with plenty of distressing. Love the idea of adding
small buttons to it.

Some girl denim jacket street style...

And guy denim style. Adam Levine's jackets totally defines his new style and status after helping The Voice explode onto the reality music show scene. The perfect way to look put together and classy, yet still be a rock music star. (The black jeans & shoes were a perfect choice). Also the layering on the right photo is very interesting. An original choice to wear it with a shirt and tie.

Plenty of celebrities have used denim jackets in their personal style. So many different styles to chose from! Included are Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Nicole Richie, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West with Amber Rose, Keira Knightley, and Miranda Kerr.  

Love the discoloring and patches on this jacket. Reminds me of 1950's greaser style.

Hello handsome! British musician and Burberry model George Craig Wearing his own dark-denim, clean-cut jacket with perhaps nothing underneath?... Just like Adam Levine, dark bottom half to the outfit is perfect.

Lovely jacket made by Amsterdam couture fashion brand, Scotch & Soda. The layering is fantastic.

And in my small tribute to the end of Harry Potter, (Yes, I am a big fan),
here is Malfoy (aka Tom Felton) in a denim jacket, matched with a band tee.

So, what makes a denim jacket successful? What makes it look totally rocker/rock 'n' roll? Because we want to avoid looking like an 80s/90s jean nightmare. Well, looking back at these wonderful photos in the post what do a lot of them have in common?

1) The collar is raised. It's "popped." Even if it's not completely UP, it has movement, it isn't stiff.
2) The sleeves are rolled up or pushed up, in a dishevelled way. Kind of like when you try to give yourself a bedhead/beachy hair style, nothing should look too forced.
3) The jacket fits properly. You should be able to button it up all the way, halfway button it, no buttons, every combination possible. Like all clothes, it should feel right.
4) It has character. Add buttons or patches, get a jacket with diagonal pockets like the J. Crew one, or  super distressed like the Scotch & Soda one. Get a really dark one like George Craig's, or a light one like Keira Knightley. It all depends on what you like and your own personal style.
5) Layer it over things or under things, even clothes you wouldn't expect. Such as a dress shirt, band tee, dress, or windbreaker like Brandon Flowers. Or wear a winter peacoat over it like Kanye West.
6) And of course, be careful what you wear on the bottom of the outfit. We all know the horrors of jean on jean. If they are the same shade or close but not quite the same, you are choosing the wrong thing to wear. Follow Adam's and George's lead-- wear black jeans underneath with black oxfords or sneaks, follow what the musicians do. It just has to contrast heavily in color/shade from top to bottom. Look at Justin Timberlake, Brandon Flowers, and the Gap ad. One half of the outfit is light, the other is dark- simple as that.

To me, the denim jacket is associated with confidence, a worry-free, chill attitude, and dare I say swagger? All things people admire in their favorite musicians and rockers who wear the jean jacket so well. 

Never be afraid to find your own version of your perfect jean jacket, and wear the hell out of it.

So long from me & and The Strokes! x

UPDATE: One of my favorite blogs, Unabashedly Prep, just did a post on the denim jacket this morning! Check it out..