Yes, you read it right. Pairing a suit jacket with a pair of jeans can be done. While some men’s fashion gurus may say otherwise, they can wear a great suit jacket with jeans. And if pulled off correctly, it can elevate your casual look to a much higher level. To achieve this, there are rules that one needs to apply when trying to get this look and do it successfully.
It is a mix of common fashion sense and some style inputs, so read on.
Suit Jacket, Blazer, Sports Jacket – What’s the Difference?
Before we dive into it, it would be good to know some basics. Such as the difference between the three types of upper wear that men usually encounter: the suit jacket, the blazer, and the sports jacket.
A suit jacket and trousers are usually made of the same cloth that makes up a suit. For most men, having a suit in their fashion arsenal is a must, especially for those formal occasions where one needs to dress up. A blazer is also a type of jacket, but it does not come with a matching pair of pants, unlike the suit. Blazers usually come in solid colors, and the cut is usually more casual than a suit jacket. Sports jackets are the most casual of the lot, primarily because they were originally designed for more casual endeavors such as sporting events.
Got an Extra Suit?
Most men only have one suit in their wardrobe because owning one is like an investment. A good suit will go a long way, especially if you know how to take care of it.
However, if this is the case, it is not advisable to try and match your only suit jacket with jeans or any other trousers. Why? Because if you do so, you may end up not having that one good suit when you need it. So, it is best if you have an extra suit lying around if you want to experiment with this new pairing.
Check for a Good Fit
More often than not, suits are usually a good fit for their owners. Bespoke suits, for example, although expensive, are fitted according to the wearer’s measurements.
In some cases, when it has been a while since the suit jacket was worn, it is best to see whether the jacket still fits you. Among the things to watch out for is wrinkling over the shoulders and whether it looks loose or baggy. This means it is not a good fit, and it would not be good to pair it with anything else. If you happen to shop online at sites like Zalora, you can always look at the measurements or the size detail to check out if the sizes are a good fit for you off-the-rack.
Solid Colors, Not Pin-Stripes
If you have an orphaned suit jacket that perfectly fits you, consider its fabric first before choosing to wear it with jeans. Most suits are made of fabric patterns that do not suit dark denim. Pin-stripes, for example, will not look good with jeans.
Aside from patterns, also take note that solid colors such as navy blue, light gray, medium gray work well with this new pairing. Tweeds and flannels also good options. Black, on the other hand, will be a little more difficult to pull off.
Style and Cut Matters
If you happen to have found an orphaned suit jacket at a thrift store or gotten one as a hand-me-down, it might be good to see if its style and cut is either current or can be considered timeless.
This means that there should be no over padding on the shoulders and no wide lapels – styles that died out with disco fever in the ‘70s. Other things to look at would be the placement of the vents and pockets and the types of buttons used. The suit jacket’s length should also be suitable to the wearer.
Don’t Go Crazy with the Denim
Now that you have your perfectly fitted suit jacket, it is time to choose the right denim to use with it. Don’t go crazy and think that any pair of jeans will do.
Most fashion experts would say stick with the classic dark blue or indigo jeans. Black jeans can also be a good choice, as they look a little bit formal than the classic blue. In any case, the suit jacket’s purpose is to make your casual look a little bit dressier than usual.
Jeans that come in distressed colors or stonewashed are too casual to pair with a suit jacket. Worn-out jeans, which can be a fashion statement on their own, will also not look good in this pairing. It may provide too much of a contrast, so you should not consider it.
Regarding how your jeans fit, most would recommend jeans that are slightly tapered at the bottom, cut just below the ankles, and hemmed properly. These would look better when worn with dress shoes. Baggy and loose-fitting jeans are a big no.
Consider these rules to live by if you are looking to do the old’ jeans and suit jacket look, and you are fortunate enough to have an extra suit jacket or find one that fits you off-the-rack from offline or even online stores like ASOS.
