I've been fascinated and overjoyed in equal measure to discover that we've had a surprisingly warm summer so far. Given that London had been grey for approximately 98% of the time for the first half of 2025, I have been happy to welcome blue skies and sunshine, even with multiple heatwaves. But naturally, the UK's weather has returned to form this week and suddenly, the very thought of walking out of the house without some sort of jacket on has me shivering (literally). So I've been happy to see that the style set clearly shares my feelings, and many have dug out that most reliable of rainy summer staples: the denim jacket.
I have always thought of the denim jacket as an optimistic piece of clothing. It signifies freedom from big coats, but still offers protection against the wind. It suits everyone, regardless of shape or size, and finding one you like is a much more enjoyable process than shopping for our denim overlord: jeans.
At recent fashion weeks, I noticed that some of the best outfits on other guests incorporated a jean jacket in some way or another. Mostly, this involved clever layering over summer dresses and maxi skirts, often worn with jeans for a fresh take on double denim.
The best denim jackets 2025, at a glance:
Best overall denim jacket: Free People, Sidney Denim Jacket, £88
Best M&S denim jacket: M&S, Pure Cotton Denim Jacket, £39.50
Best oversized denim jacket: Levi's, Trucker Jacket, £120
Best cropped denim jacket: Reformation, Jori Cropped Denim Jacket, £198
Best designer denim jacket: Loewe, Leather-Trimmed Denim Jacket, £1,200
Best affordable denim jacket: H&M, Corduroy Collar Denim Jacket, £44.99
While summer continues to be hot this year with plenty of muggy, rain-soaked days, you'll find you probably need to channel the street style crowd and employ some canny layering right now. For an easy on-trend outfit, try a sleek tank top underneath your jacket with jeans and trainers, or wear over breezy dresses with ballet flats.
Shop: The Best Denim Jackets For 2025
www.marksandspencer.com
The high street is studded with brilliant affordable denim jackets. The one I've had my eye on is this £39.50 option from M&S that's a great simple style that goes with literally everything in your wardrobe..
www.freepeople.com
If you're after a denim jacket with a classic fit, this is the one. It's available in a darker wash, too, if lighter denim isn't your vibe.
www.levi.com
Naturally, Levi's has one of the best selection of denim jackets. This Trucker style is one of the best, thanks to its perfectly oversized fit.
www.thereformation.com
This cropped style looks far more expensive than its high street price tag – wear with high waisted trousers for a chic spin on workwear.
50% off
www.meandem.com
ME+EM's quilted take on the denim jacket lends it a smart polish. Try buttoned up over midi skirts with boots.
www2.hm.com
The cord collar and boxy fit of this nod to worker jackets, which are currently trending. Wear with wide leg jeans for a modern take on double denim.
www.net-a-porter.com
Oversized without being baggy, Loewe's jacket is unsurprisingly selling rapidly. It's an investment which will pay off – you'll wear this every season.
aligne.co
Denim is one of ALIGNE's specialities and I particularly like this jacket for its longer length. If you sometimes find denim jackets to be too cropped, this is the solution.
www.ganni.com
For a Ganni spin on a classic, opt for this leopard print style and wear with everything from blue jeans to your favourite dresses. If you're feeling bold, you could even match with M&S's viral leopard jeans.
www.net-a-porter.com
Acne's hooded jacket will look particularly good over skirts and dresses to give them an edge. Throw over your classic LBD and add heels for a night out.
On sale
damsonmadder.com
Damson Madder's longline jacket is made for layering – wear over your favourite mini dress right now and with a cashmere jumper, mini skirt and tights while it's still cold.
www.uniqlo.com
A bit of a legend in fashion circles, Uniqlo's zip-up short jacket is equal parts roomy and chic without being oversized. Buy now and wear for years to come.
www.nobodyschild.com
For an incredibly sweet take, this Nobody's Child Denim Jacket comes with a scallop hem and patch pockets that'll elevate even the simplest of outfits. Plus, it comes with a matching skirt for an easy co ord look.
Main image credits: ©Getty Images/Edward Berthelot/Jeremy Moeller
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.