The Best Black Denim Jackets for Every Occassion - Men's health UK

Most people today would concede that a world without denim would be a pretty strange place. No other fabric has managed to cross both gender, social and political barriers quite the same way, having been worn by everyone from working-class heroes to actors, politicians, royalty and of course a rebel or two.

But this now universal fabric came from somewhat humble beginnings. It was first developed for the hard-working navvies and miners who built modern America, to solve the issue of their regular clothes becoming knackered by the toil of manual labour. A number of brands contest to ‘inventing’ jeans, but it is widely accepted that Levi Strauss provided the blueprint for the modern jeans we all know and love today. Shortly after the first jeans came off the production line, manufacturers realised that an equally hardy jacket could be made from the same material – and the rest, they say, is history.

As versatile and hard-wearing as the denim jacket is, there’s no getting away from the fact that it is an inherently casual design, which given its workwear origins, isn’t much of a surprise. But, if you’re after that same practicality and comfort but in a slightly smarter package, the black denim jacket is your answer. Not only does it look sharper, but it comes with an air of rebellious cool.

This darker, dressier hue makes it a more versatile option and it can be easily paired with chinos, tailored trousers and even your favourite jeans, too. And you might initially think that the double denim look is risky territory, but by pairing a black denim jacket with jeans, there’s a clear colour contrast between your top and bottom half, so you’ll avoid looking like you’re wearing poorly matched twin set.

So how do you identify a good denim jacket? Well, the first place to start as you’d expect, is the fabric. You want to feel a weightiness and heft to it – don’t forget, they were made for men wielding picks and shovels, so the fabric should feel like it's hardy enough to withstand that. Selvedge denims are even hardier, so if your budget stretches to it, you’ll get back your initial outlay over the years of wear.

The wash is also important – the best shades to opt for are the darker, richer ones, which will develop a seasoned patina overtime. Lighter washes tend to show up dirt and take on a more worn-out appearance earlier on – but if the rugged look is your thing, consider a lighter wash.

Fit is key with any denim jacket – the best cut is something middling in between extremes. Not too close-fitting, while also not too baggy. You want just enough room to layer a tee or a thin jumper beneath, but you don’t want it so oversized that it looks sloppy. Sleeves should sit just beyond your wrist bone – otherwise you run the risk looking like your jacket has shrunk in the wash, while the hem should finish at the bottom of your hips. Any shorter and you run the risk of looking like you’ve nicked your girlfriend’s.

But with so many styles on offer, we thought we’d give you a helping hand by rounding up seven of the best to get you started on your search for the perfect one.

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