There are a few things on the Wardrobe Essentials Checklist that I absolutely can not live out! You all know my love for the chambray shirt, my stripe v-neck tee, and my cargo jacket. You may have also noticed that my denim jacket is a staple that I wear multiple times a week. This jacket is by far the single most important jacket on the WEC. You can wear this layer year round, with blouses, knits, dresses, skirts, and any bottom. You’ve seen me dress the denim jacket up and wear it with knit jogger pants. The possibilities of how you can style and wear the denim jacket are limitless, hence why it’s a top favorite of mine.

To help you navigate the shopping options for a denim jacket I went to The Mall America and tried on various styles from a few of our favorite retailers. In my review you’ll find a good mix of missy and plus size options!

A couple fit and style points I want to draw your attention to. I typically suggest shopping down a size when it comes to layers like this. I will never style a denim jacket on my self or client with the buttons closed, so not being able to close the jacket is no big deal. I’d much rather have a flattering fit through the shoulder and under the arm, even if that means it’s too small around the midsection. You will also notice that in every picture I have the collar popped and sleeves cuffed. This is a style tip I recommend to help reduce a boxy or ‘masculine’ look when wearing such a structured jacket.

MADEWELL

This is a brand that runs the most true to size. I always recommend to shop down a size when it comes to layers like this. By shopping this way you eliminate bulky fabric under the arm and reduce any boxy feeling across the shoulders. The first size I tried on was a L and there was no way I could make this work, the XL (my true size) was a better fit. This brand has a lot of structure with little stretch, so if you need more movement one of the other options might be a better fit for you.

Fit: fitted

Fabric: structured

Length: top of the hips

Wash: medium

Lane Bryant

I shop Lane Bryant a lot with my plus size clients. It’s a place I like to go for layers, special occasion dresses, and work wear. I was very excited when I happened to pop into this store just as they were setting this brand new denim jacket out on the floor, literally I took it off a backroom rolling rack! Because it’s so new the wash I have on (dark) isn’t available on-line yet, you can however find the medium wash. The best feature of this jacket is the stretch. If you are curvy through the top and need more movement you will get that with this jacket. Shop down a size! I am a 16/18, in the picture I have on a 14, and if it were available I would order a 12!

Fit: straight/loose

Fabric: stretch

Length: at hips

Wash: medium on-line, dark in store

Christopher & Banks

This might be the most surprising location I shopped during this live shopping try-on session. This is another store I frequent with my clients because they offer sizes a great size range in store, petite and plus! If you were lucky enough to watch this try-on live you saw that I also picked up a cute cardigan that came home with me that day. You can see it here ! I loved the fit through the body, the wash, and the fabric. The only downside to this jacket option is that it fits short. If you are petite or have a short torso this might be a great option for you. I will also mention that I couldn’t find the missy size on-line, only plus. In the picture I have on a size L, and I have no idea if it was pleated in the back. If it was I didn’t notice so I guess it doesn’t mater, ha!

Fit: straight

Fabric: stretch

Length: at waist

Wash: medium

Gap

I knew when I went shopping for this wardrobe staple I would find the most classic option here at the Gap. I mean come on, denim is what made them famous in the first place right! You can always count on the Gap to offer you great variety in classic layers, bottoms, and knits. They had all their denim jackets front and center when I walked into the store, it was beautiful. Of all the denim jackets I tried on this was the darkest wash by far, and the darkest I would recommend. Because the jacket here was so classic and tradition the one thing missing was any stretch in the fabric. So if you like a very structured and true fit this is the one for you. It will soften and give over time as you wear. I tried on the L and it was just how I like my layers to fit.

Fit: straight

Fabric: structured

Length: at hips

Wash: dark

Old Navy

I had been waiting to get to Old Navy the whole night. The denim jacket I currently have in my wardrobe from Old Navy, and it’s by far the best budget option that I tried on. This was the only store that offered a denim jacket in 2 washes, both available in store and on-line. This jacket is also another option that has some stretch through the fit, which gives you room to move and tons of comfort. The fit of this jacket is the loosest as well, having more room through the body. For the price and style, you can’t beat it. That’s why this hangs in my closet! In the pictures I’m wearing a L medium wash, and an XL dark wash.

Fit: loose

Fabric: stretch

Length: at hips

Wash: dark + medium

Costco

This jacket is getting an honorable mention, although it was not one I tried on during this live shopping try-on session. It is one that flooded my DMs. We are all big fans of Costco fashion around here, and when you saw I was hunting for good denim jackets you sent me to find and try this one on as well. At first I thought I wasn’t going to like it because it’s actually what I call faux denim. It’s a knit denim fabric that is very soft and stretchy. It is not a structured textured fabric like a traditional denim jacket, think jegging infomercials! However, the fit and wash were spot on and when I saw my self in the mirror I couldn’t tell the difference in the fabric. It got my stamp of approval!

Fit: straight

Fabric: faux denim

Length: top of hips

Wash: dark

Maurices

This was the last stop on try-on train. Maurices is another store I love shopping at and featuring product from because they offer tons of styles in missy and plus, in-store and on-line! This was another one where I was a little surprised that it fit on the shorter side, but all the other details and fit points were great. This was another fabric blend with some stretch to it. I am wearing a L in the picture. I was unable to try-on the plus size because they had so few sizes left in stock there wasn’t one that would fit me. The plus size and missy are EXACTLY the same!

Fit: straight

Fabric: stretch

Length: top of hips

Wash: medium

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