The jean jacket: Replacement is a chore

There are absolute wardrobe granite monuments, and one is the jean jacket. Since at least age sixteen, I've slipped one over a dress, trousers, or—back in the day—shorts. Shove it in a backpack, throw it in the washer‚ only looks better as it ages. The soft blue is imbued with memories of backyard bar-be-ques, outdoor concerts, and walks home from the pub. 

Originally designed as ranch wear (the waist length is meant for riding and driving), the jean jacket is only slightly less ubiquitous than denim jeans, and, despite efforts at embellishments like a faux-fur collar or floral lining, looks best with no adornment other than chest pockets.

During my spring-prep cleanout, I pulled out three:

Left: By Façonnable, bought in NYC during the blackout of August 2003 when my luggage never arrived. With a nipped waist and no band on cuff or hem, it's more feminine than the traditional Western version. I have always loved it, but it has only ever fit over a tee.

Top right: A classic jean or Western jacket by Parasuco, bought in 2023 from a thrift, in perfect shape. Thrifts always seem to have these, in all states of wear. (A "Western" is the classic jean style but can be made of denim, other fabrics, or leather; a "trucker" is a similar waist-length style, but not denim.)

Bottom right: A lime-green Talbot's that survived many culls because a coloured-denim jacket can be worn with blue jeans. The blue denim jacket-plus-jeans is not, despite its candidacy as a national costume (the Canadian Tuxedo), my thing.   

Still made and loved

Like jeans, the classic jacket is eternal, cherished, and offered in price points from modest to gasping:

Left: The best choice is the one that fits you, and if conscientious about manufacturing, made as locally as possible, such as this from Canadian makers The Loop (Thunder Bay, Ontario), of organic and recycled cotton; price, $CDN 155.

Top right: Yikes! Stella MacCartney denim jacket (Netaporter); price, $US 1, 015—but hey, you get chains along the hem. 

Bottom right: Budget star: Old Navy classic jean jacket; sale price, $CDN 45.

Denim, take two

I found Vanessa Friedman's counsel—she says the question is not whether a grown woman should wear one, but how—useful (New York Times article here), but I doubt she has three and that's not counting two denim shirts. 

Trying the trio, I realized the jean is the only jacket I've ever worn that's structured, boxy and waist-length, and thought, I should try a better proportion, though I've seen all shapes of women wear these.

I ordered a different denim, Seasalt's Reading Rocks: the length is longer (27in. versus 22-23in); price, about $CDN 180. They call it "workwear inspired"; other vendors call them chore jackets. 

Seasalt Reading Rocks jacket

Once I slide past some ditsy florals and pinafore dresses, there are some similar pieces to my beloved Toast, but lower-priced.  

Toast's Japanese denim chore jacket certainly appealed, but paying $CDN 490 before duties stopped me. 

Toast Japanese denim chore jacket

Patagonia makes a hemp-denim chore coat, but I didn't like the contrast stitching. It was on sale for $CDN 159:

Patagonia chore coat

The verdict:

I'm keeping the Seasalt— I like the length and it's well-made—but also plucked the Façonnable out of the donation bag, because a jean jacket is part of my permanent collection, like other women always have a white button-down or pair of red shoes at hand.  

The new jacket's mood is austere; I'm wearing a scarf to add a little interest:

Taking it out for a spin

A Western cut carries a Rick Wheeler rakishness, the romance of the ranch, big skies and yes ma'am, cowboys. There's a certain promise in it. I mean, who looks forward to "chores"? We'll see.