Denim jackets - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Denim jackets

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

On Lisa's thread there were many suggestions on an "edgy" denim jacket. I meant to follow up later but work got in the way. And her jacket ended up in the donation bag anyways.
Now in my opinion...and this is entirely MY opinion, shredded, distressed, faded, moto, etc, it's the mainstream version of edgy. It's not really new. I'm trying to carefully choose my words...but I'm a bit reminded of "cool mom".
Anyways I started a separate denim pinterest board. This is only stuff I collected in 1/2 hour of denim jacket looks that seemed interesting to me. Some are guys. I tried to stay away from the shredded looks.
I will try to add more to it later.

https://www.pinterest.com/annagybe/denim-stuff/

31 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Joy

Veteran

When I click on the link, Pinterest won't let me see your pins unless I get an app, which I don't want.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I get what you mean, Anna, and I hadn't even thought of this kind of distinction, so I appreciate it. Personally, I feel I am doing well to approximate "cool mom," and I think that's pretty much where I'm comfortable. But it's really intriguing to contemplate the differences in edgy denim style and more mainstream takes on what is (or has been) cool or tough looking.

Sal

Veteran

I like the mens looks. Denim jackets can read dated/western for men sometimes.

In most of the pins the jacket is fairly simple but something else makes it look fashion. There are some cool looks.

I am not really a denim jacket person - I have owned one in my life, and quite liked it for a while.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Joy, If you're using an iPad then yes Pinterest forces you into their app. Regular computer, no.
I don't have time or energy to create and parse out separate links. I only did this because a few people were curious about my thinking.

Anonymous

I'm on my phone so not seeing the Pinterest board right now , but you can be sure I will. And I know exactly what you mean about the "cool mom" look. And that's another thing I am wary of .Others will roll their eyes but I get the humor of this . My friends and I have a pact re: the cool mom thing . That's all I'll say to that . Denim is such a hotbed of design activity and trend labels that I can't deal with it anymore . Hipster , normcore , minivan majority , music festival cool, it goes on and on.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Thanks, Anna, I found your thoughts helpful and pins interesting.

Personally I'm very lacking in toppers and have never had a denim jacket so I plan to thrift one and see what you all think.

catgirl

Veteran

I get what you mean, but I also think at some point we have to define ourselves for ourselves, if that makes sense. I mean, I'm no longer focused (if I ever was) on whether other people see me as edgy or interesting or cool mom or trying too hard - I'm struggling with how I see myself and wearing what speaks to my heart, and a classic dark wash jean jacket has never done that for me, much as I enjoy them on others. Does that make sense?

I wore leather skinnies to work today because I love them and they make me feel like I can face the day in my own way. If someone thinks I'm too bold/MDAL/cliched/out there/ _____ (insert whatever adjective suits), so be it - I can barely handle my own self-judgment right now as it is.

Anonymous

It does, Una, it does. Thank you for articulating it better than I ever could. Sort of what I meant by being sick of it all.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I see such a traditional style of denim jackets here. You are so 2040 stylish or a fashion master to me. I like your sense of Clasic. It's a great balance. I fall in the mom category. I love bells and whistles.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

thanks for this Anna, it's interesting that many of them are pretty classic, yet styled in a current way.

WRT to what Una/Lisa said, I think if you are true to yourself, a lot of these labels fall away.

BrieN

Veteran

Thank you alaskagirl -- well said. These labels have a lot of judgement packed into a couple of words.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing that board, Anna. I agree that heavily distressed denim is starting to look a little played out now, depending on how it is styled. My holey AG jeans are probably about to become either ranch jeans or cutoffs -- the knee holes have grown anyway, and I think I might get more wear out of them as shorts/clamdiggers.

I agree with Una about sticking with what works, if something feels right, despite the trends -- as long as it's styled in a modern way. There are some styles I loved before they trended (the mixed media thing, for one), and continue to wear after the trend has died down.

One thing I notice is that many of those Pinterest outfits include buttoned-up jackets. I like the look but rarely do it in my day-to-day life (hot flashes are not helping my style aspirations). In fact, I took a couple of pics yesterday with my jackets closed out of curiosity. I kinda liked it. (Oops attached the wrong second pic and now it's not removing)

So I agree that when it comes to a relatively classic item like a jean jacket, styling makes a big difference. That said, I'm ok with letting go of overly distressed and ripped styles!

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Jaime

I am wondering what is meant by "cool mom"? I am close to being offended by this. I am a mom-and I like to think I am cool. Am I who you are talking about?? At what point do we give moms a break I wonder?

lindalu

I don't get the humor of the "cool mom" remark either!

Astrid

Veteran

I like your board. I rediscovered my short lightwash denim jacket recently which I have been wearing a lot. The current styles are all longer and boxy, but I don't really care. But, I'm not attempting to be "edgy".

Below is a pic of a friend of mine wearing an oversized denim bomber parka hybrid last year.

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shiny

Veteran

I could barely see your board before Pinterest demanded I sign up, but from what brief glimpse I got, I can assure you I'd look like your dreaded "cool mom" if I wore any of those styles.

My versions are more like Janet's. On me, these are much more flattering than the boxy, longer styles.

But I might be misunderstanding what is meant by "cool mom." To me, this means looking like I borrowed my teenage daughter's outfit. My teens are now in their early 20s. Ironically DD21 and I bought identical jean jackets a year or two ago. I don't know if that says my tastes are too young, or hers have matured! She's the daughter who's pretty conservative and sporty dresser, who has never been all that into fashion, unlike her older sister who experiments a lot.

ma

Veteran

Shiny's definition of cool mom is what I assumed, too - that is, Amy Poehler in Mean Girls. Your board was fun to look at but I couldn't pull off these looks either. I still like wearing my light colored (but not distressed) short, fitted Levis jacket.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

As I stated this is entirely my opinion. These are styles that currently appeal to me.
Marble got the right reference, Amy Poehler from "Mean Girls". I was not trying to be derisive of mothers, & honestly that could open up a whole nother can of worms about identity.
So yes you need to find what works for you.

JAileen

Veteran

Re: cool mom, I thought of Mean Girls, too. Amy Poehler was great in that role. I mean, pink velour track suit, come on. Anyway, as a mother, I wasn't offended. I can't think of anyone who thinks I'm cool..

I have a lightly distressed Gap denim jacket with a western yoke. I'm not sure how old it is, since I thrifted it. I love it. I just bought a white denim jacket, but for some reason I don't like it as much. It might be the wrong size.

viva

Veteran

I think it's interesting that virtually all of the jackets I saw on your board Anna are really classic, basic denim jackets. Some are shrunken and buttoned, some are oversized. But most are very classic. You could buy a denim jacket at Target and replicate many of these looks. So interesting.

I am one of those for whom a denim jacket has always spoken to me. I came of age in the 70s, was very much a teen tomboy, and all my crushes wore them and so did I. They are in my DNA. And always the classic, never the trendy. No matter what way the fashion winds blow, that's where my heart is going to be.

Anonymous

I think the oversized jackets are the edgiest!
I agree with Janet: Done up looks a little different as well.

Anonymous

I ordered a dark denim cropped vest, and it's out for delivery today. I haven't found a new denim jacket that I like better than the one I bought on clearance from jcp.com years ago. I supposedly can't wear denim to work, but I hope the vest will be okay, as it is a classic style and not distressed in any way.

I certainly admire women who can rock the edgy stuff. I can't, and just have to accept it.

Jaime

Thank you for clarifying. I do agree that a whole can of worms could easily be opened up on identity- the more I thought about it I realized that I know more women who are NOT moms who dress and act like this. But you could never joke about a "'cool' middle aged divorcee" look. I guess what gets me is that moms are always fair game for stereotyping.

shiny

Veteran

I'd like to stereotype my hubby! He's clung to the same oversized, baggy, jean jacket for decades... much to my chagrin. But now he is suddenly edgy! Especially when he pairs it with his hipster skinny jeans.

Anonymous

I've had the same one for 20 years and have never thought about getting another one. To me, it's a classic item rather than a trendy one, like a navy blazer, and when you find the right one you should be able to wear it forever. I don't need any bells and whistles with mine, just a good fit and a wash I like.

I really like all the ones shown on your Pinterest page, annagybe. The look with harem shorts was one of my faves.

rachylou

Veteran

I missed the conversation so I'm not exactly sure what's what. Cool Mom is a style and so is Edgy, and they're not 100% synonymous. Also I note, a piece can be edgy by itself, but not necessarily lend that edge to a whole outfit. Right now I'm conflicted as to whether or not anything but a black jean jacket can be edgy, lol. Today, to me, edgy means you look ready to take down crazy...hehe

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Ha, if my denim jacket looks are considered edgy I would assume it was because I was aiming for something all together different and missed the mark.

I'm too much of a clutz to ever embrace edge.

Thanks Anna, for taking the time to pin some looks, I'm going to look over them at leisure when I have the chance.

Runcarla

Veteran

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always thought jean jacket boxiness has a lot in common with the Channel suit jacket. Like the Channel, in a classic fit the JJ is iconic. Edginess, or whatever, comes from how you style your whole look.

FWIW, I was just musing on how 'mom on the go' style most aptly describes my future retirement outfit style. Has anyone come across a descriptor for 'retiree on the go'?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Aha! I didn't get the reference, either, but now I see (looked up Amy Poehler's character in Mean Girls on IMDB).

When I wrote my response above, I thought "cool mom" was something akin to today's version of "Mom jeans"--something very dated (or worn in a way that it looks dated) worn by someone who thinks it's very current.

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