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Brighten Up Your Summer Style with a White Denim Jacket

Whenever I write a Summer Wardrobe Essentials post, a white denim jacket always makes the list. It’s so crisp and fresh, and it works with dresses and jeans and everything in between.

I love a white denim jacket in the summertime. It's so crisp and fresh, and it works with dresses and jeans and everything in between.

My all-time favorite denim jacket is this one from Kut from the Kloth. The fit is fantastic, and it has such nice shaping through the waist. Plus I love the lightweight denim — it’s not too hot even in warmer weather.

I mean, obviously, I wouldn’t wear it to sit outside on a sunny 90-degree day, but it’s not heavy enough to add a lot of extra warmth either. It’s the perfect light layer for wearing inside when the A/C is cranked — which seems to be almost everywhere anymore. I’m always freezing in restaurants and grocery stores.

I love a white denim jacket in the summertime. It's so crisp and fresh, and it works with dresses and jeans and everything in between.

This jacket washes and wears well too. I’ve had it for… I don’t know… three years? Four, maybe. When it gets dirty, I wash it and hang it to dry, and sometimes hit it with an iron if I’m really trying to look sharp, but you can also toss it in the dryer for 10 minutes on low heat to loosen it up.

The silver hardware blends into the white and keeps it all fairly neutral, but I do usually wear silver jewelry when I wear it, or I wear some mixed metal pieces to warm it up.

For size reference, my jacket is a medium. If in doubt about sizing, I’d go with the larger.

I love a white denim jacket in the summertime. It's so crisp and fresh, and it works with dresses and jeans and everything in between.

For this look, I wore my white denim jacket over a black and white printed top with black jeans and black sandals for a dressed-up casual, girls’ lunch out look. This is also the type of outfit I’d wear to a social media conference or business casual event.

This bar hardware printed top is from White House Black Market. I always love their selection of summer tops, and this one does not disappoint.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing White House Black Market Bar Hardware Printed Top with AG The Legging Ankle Jeans in Super Black

It’s fully lined so it’s not see-through at all, and it has a flattering ruching detail the sides. It’s also on sale for 25% off!

I have the small, but I’m kind of in between sizes at White House Black Market at the moment, thanks to my summer diet which often includes too many munchies and too few salads… and let’s not talk about the mojitos.

All that to say, it might look better if I’d sized up. Then again, that’s where the denim jacket comes in handy!

White House Black Market Bar Hardware Printed Top

These are the AG legging ankle jeans — my all-time favorite style — in Super Black. They’re such a good deep shade of black, and they don’t fade. At least, I haven’t had an issue with that, and I’ve worn and washed them multiple times. I’m wearing my usual AG size 28, for reference.

I got mine at Amazon, but they’re currently 25% off at Nordstrom although sizes are limited. I can’t figure out which retailer they’re price-matching, but I found a couple of options on sale at Bloomingdale’s — this pair is 30% off, and this pair is 44%off — the material is a bit different, but they’re all the same style, and I’ve never been disappointed with any AG legging ankle jeans. My favorite blue denim pair is 30% off too!

I’ve worn these shoes plenty of times before, and I particularly like them with black jeans.

If you’re a sucker for a really good quality pair of shoes, I can’t recommend these highly enough. They are so gorgeous and understated, plus they’re incredibly comfortable, and they’re 3-season shoes here in the northeast so there’s lots of opportunity to wear them.

Stuart Weitzman NearlyNude Block Heel Sandals in Black Nappa

I have the black Nappa leather, but they also come in a black patent, as well as nude patent and nude Nappa leather and a slew of other colors. FYI, the Mojave Suede is on sale, and it’s a great neutral. They run true to size; I have my usual size 8.

A great option for a less expensive but still good quality leather shoe is the Sam Edelman Yaro. They have a slightly higher heel than these, but they’re also very comfortable and look great; I have them in oatmeal suede and the jute fabric. And there are plenty of other similar styles around at various price points. Target even has a pair in a faux suede that looks pretty good.

Stuart Weitzman NearlyNude Block Heel Sandals in Black Nappa

Because the buttons on my denim jacket are silver, I accessorized with mostly silver jewelry, and I carried a black bag with silver hardware. This satchel is old, but it’s still going strong! It’s so roomy and has just a hint of that edgy vibe that I like so much.

I realize this look may be a bit heavy for some areas of the country this time of year, but it works here in the northeast, and I like the way the white denim jacket lightens up the black jeans.

You may also like my post, 5 Ways to Wear Black Jeans for Summer, and here you can see more ways I’ve worn my white denim jacket.

I love a white denim jacket in the summertime. It's so crisp and fresh, and it works with dresses and jeans and everything in between.

printed top // denim jacket // jeans/option/option (budget option) // shoes (less $$ option/budget option) // satchel (budget option)

photo credit: Alison Cornell

Be sure to visit Cyndi and see the outfit she’s styling today!

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20 Responses

  1. How funny you posted this Jo-Lynne!! For the last couple of years, I’ve been vacillating on whether to get a white denim jacket. You know—do I really need it? Because I have a white denim vest, a blue denim jacket, and SO many other clothes. But finally I broke down a couple of months ago, and I’ve been wearing it non stop. It just seems like the perfect topper for the summer. Especially when we go in stores or restaurants and it’s freezing inside!!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  2. I just spend half of yesterday shopping for a white denim jacket for my daughter’s birthday.   She loved it!  Headed back to grab one for myself as well after seeing your outfit today!  

  3. Such a cute and versatile outfit and I have a very similar top, white jean jacket and black jeans so I think I will wear this combination to work today ☺️ Because we are getting a little break from the Texas heat with some recent rains the last few days. Plus like you said, we are always in the AC and I always wear a lite jacket or carigan. Thanks for the inspiration. 

  4. I bought a white denim jacket this Spring, but I’m finding that when I wear it over a blouse, the blouse looks too long and disproportionate. Can you recommend how long a blouse should hang out of the bottom of a jacket without looking frumpy? Is it better to wear a more form fitting blouse under the jacket? 

    1. I think it works best when the blouse has some structure or at least isn’t really flowy – but I do see women wearing denim jackets over longer flowy tops and it works – it’s more of a boho vibe, though. I prefer a more tailored look but that’s because that suits my overall style aesthetic. Ideally, the to would be an inch or two longer than the jacket. I feel like mine is just about right in this outfit.

  5. I’m so glad I took my white denim jacket out of the give away bin. LOL. Love the white and black and its so versatile with jeans, pants and dresses. I agree about the a/c it was so cold in some in Florida I had a hard time eating.
    Have a great day…

  6. This is a very classy outfit Jo-Lynne!  Our weather is definitely way too hot here for jackets.  When I walk into air conditioned buildings, I breathe a sigh of relief.  I guess I can wear them this Fall.  I got a colored denim jacket that I ordered from Nordstrom Rack that is lose fitting, but I think I will be able to wear a lot, once it cools off.  Have a great day!

  7. Two thumbs up from me on today’s outfit. I love the white denim jacket. I’m with you, even though it’s summer I usually have a lightweight sweater or jacket with me when I’m going to a restaurant or movie. What’s with the A/C??? Thanks for a great post today.

  8. Gorgeous outfit today, Jolynne. I don’t think you need to size up in the blouse. You have such a cute figure. It’s ok to show it off a little. Does this jean jacket come in a blue?  I been looking forever for a lightweight denim or tencel jacket that I can wear in the summer but haven’t had much luck. 

  9. Love the look. Too hot here for jacket though. Hope all goes well with move. You are right about when it gets to the end. I just feel like things multiply then.

  10. Every year I look at white jackets and consider purchasing one. You’ve got me wanting one again! It does seem like such a good investment. And I like that this one is light. I”m checking it out! Beautiful black and white outfit!
    I was a little confused about the neckline detailing as I looked at the photos. I couldn’t tell if you had a necklace close to the neckline or what. When I looked up the shirt, I realized it’s the “bars” on the shirt. Do these bother you? Irritate? Just wondering because i really like this shirt, but I am pretty finicky about things that flutter against my skin. But it looks LOVELY on you!

  11. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to kick myself…I found a Kut white denim jacket at Marshall’s (before I started blogging and knew what Kut was). I bought it, but then returned it. It was such a nice stretchy fabric. I found one at ON for less than half and that’s what made me return it. Hindsight is 20/20. Love the black and white!

  12. How funny you comment “this may be a bit heavy” … black denim is my go to, no matter what the season! Love this look, Jo-Lynne. You continue to kill it!

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