Jeans are the most-worn items in our wardrobe in the colder weather. Why? Because no matter your favourite style – barrel, straight leg, wide leg – they are guaranteed to go with pretty much anything. From button-down shirts or jumpers to trainers and boots, your jeans act as the foundation to any good outfit, IMO.
While they do work with pretty much everything, there's no denying that specific jeans silhouettes and washes can look better with certain coats than others. Be it the proportions, length or just general vibe, finding the perfect jacket and jeans pairing can take a simple outfit to the next level.
To save you from trying on endless combinations in front of the mirror to find the right look, we've rounded up the chicest ensembles from the street style set, featuring some of autumn's biggest jacket trends ready for you to copy and paste into your own wardrobe.
Oversized jacket + flared jeans
The secret to pulling off this look is all about balancing out proportions. As an oversized jacket (like a bomber jacket) makes your top half look bigger, you can't go wrong with a flared or bootcut jean that keeps your silhouette narrow through the thighs before widening below the knee to mirror the volume on top.
Cropped jacket + wide leg jeans
Wide-leg jeans have volume throughout the entirety of the leg. They're almost the same width at the top of your thigh as they are at your ankle. To make the most of this silhouette – and the same goes for baggy jeans and barrel leg jeans – wear yours with a jacket that finishes at or above the top of your hips. Basically, any cropped or shorter-length jacket that won't interrupt the line of your jeans.
Blazer + straight-leg jeans
When you wear a longline jacket like a blazer or anything that finishes at the mid-thigh, we'd recommend wearing straight-leg jeans or other narrow-leg silhouettes like cigarette jeans. This combo promises the most flattering finish, but it's not a hard and fast rule (nothing in fashion is, tbh).
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Trench coat + baggy jeans
Okay, trench coats look great with almost every denim silhouette, but our favourite way to wear a trench RN is with baggy jeans. The longer hem and structured feel work well with the relaxed jeans to create a polished outfit that is equal parts comfortable and sophisticated. Consider this our new weekend uniform.
Denim jacket + jeans
When it comes to double denim, the general rule of thumb is to make sure your jacket and jeans are the exact same wash. Or at least close enough a colour match to be indistinguishable at just a glance. That's not to say mixing different coloured denim can't work, but there's no question a coordinating two-piece works every time, regardless of style, cut or fit.
Tailored jacket + distressed jeans
One of our favourite style hacks is clashing vibes. It's an instant cheat code for making an outfit look more expensive. Sure, a tailored tweed collared jacket would look great with dark wash, straight-leg jeans. But how cool does it look worn with light-wash distressed baggy jeans?! The ballet flats, top handle bag and slicked back hair emphasise the prim and proper aesthetic, leaving just the jeans as the one contrasting element and making this outfit a style success.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
