When I saw this cute black jean jacket with puff sleeves on Gap’s site earlier this month, I knew it would be a winner. I’ve eyed the popular Retrofête puff-sleeve jacket for years and even tried it on once. It’s so soft and cute, but it runs pretty small, and the price point is whoa.
Thankfully, this Gap jacket is everything I wanted and more! The price is right, the fit is right, and honestly, I like the more classic, less-stretchy denim myself (this just has 1% elastane).
Not into puffed sleeves? I’m glad I have this black Free People Rumors denim jacket in rotation, for when I’m feeling a little less poofy. This jacket is somehow really phenomenal for such a simple piece. It’s the details, like the cool seam on the sleeve and the great fit.
7 Tough-But-Chic Fall Outfits, Ft. This Black Puff-Sleeve Jean Jacket
As much as I love pretty much all denim, there’s just something badass about black denim. It just always reads as tough and chic at the same time. If I’m gonna wear a puffed-sleeve jacket, black feels more my vibe than other shades, so I fell in love with this one from Gap!
I had fun pulling together some looks, which were honestly a little trickier than I thought they’d be — to keep the sporty/feminine/not-too-girlie balance I like best. I tried to include a mix of outfits to wear now and as the weather cools a bit, and mix it up with both dresses, jeans and pants.
Shop The Gap Puff-Sleeve Jean Jacket + A Few Cute Alternatives
Everyone else loves this Gap jacket too, and it’s selling quickly. So, I’m rounding up a few alternatives below that could easily be styled in the seven ways I’ve styled this one, plus a few places to snag the jackets I mentioned above.
1. With A Faux-Leather Skirt + Knee-High Boots
OK, hi. Let’s just have the cooler weather get here already, please. I am digging this look, friends. This Treasure & Bond faux-leather skirt is amazing. It runs a little small in the waist and doesn’t have much stretch, so I had to order a medium (but I’m wearing a small here). I love wearing it with these Analeah knee-high heeled boots.
Can’t wait to try it with my taupe suede knee boots, which I think would also look killer in this combo. Plus, I can’t not mention this bag. This See by Chloe bag is my new absolute fave. The details are just stunning!
2. With Plaid Pants + A Bright Pop of Color
This is a way you might be able to get away with wearing a jean jacket at work! Obviously, it depends on your office sitch, but if it’s pretty flexible, I find dark-black denim is much more chic and dressy than all other washes.
Still loving these plaid Theory straight-leg pants (size 8) I got and the gorgeous (and walkable!) Veronica Beard kitten-heel Chelsea boots (TTS). There is little I love more too right now than a nice pop of red in an outfit (you’ll see a theme here lol.) This Coach bag is the most fun for adding some brightness to all my neutrals, with summer and fall pieces! Cost per wear is quickly going down on this baby.
3. With A Black Knit Dress + White High-Tops
This is a fun way to wear this jacket right now, and you know I love a high-tops-and-dress moment. You’ll see an example below too, but I’m all about adding a tougher shoe choice to outfits with more feminine details (hello, puff sleeves) to make them feel more me.
Jacket | Similar Dress | Sneakers
My favorite black knit-dress style these days is a polo V-neck (nice and sporty but also chic!). The exact dress I have is still available in a longer version, but this Calvin Klein alternative is pretty cute and looks very similar to my Helmut Lang.
4. With A Red Midi Dress + Lug-Sole Boots (Or Sneakers Or Pillow Slides)
I wanted to come up with another transitional summer-to-fall outfit. This one features my favorite red midi dress from Amazon (I’ve easily worn this twice a week this summer!) and a choose-your-own-adventure with three shoe options: lug-sole boots (my fave look!), adidas Stan Smith sneakers or the super-cushiony, understatedly wacky pillow slides.
Jacket | Dress | Sneakers | Slides
5. With Red Wide-Leg Pants + Vans Slip-Ons
I can’t quit with these red wide-leg crop pants from Athleta. I’ve been wearing them a ton because they’re so comfy and fun. TTS but size up if between. I’m 5’4″ and am wearing a 6R. They come in a wide variety of sizes, as well as petite and tall! (Plus, they’re available in a stone color and black as well.)
Jacket | Tank | Pants | Sneakers
6. With Black Full-Length Jeans + A Graphic Tee
This look feels a little heavy to me, but I wanted to try it anyway. I’m not typically one to be this matching with my denim. I like some contrast, but idk, maybe this is fun! Regardless, these BlankNYC wide-leg jeans are so rad. Soft and a cool silhouette.
Jacket | Jeans | Similar Tee | Boots | Bag
I love a graphic tee always, the incredibly lightweight lug-sole boots from FRAME, and of course the pop of red from that Coach bag. I honestly like the outfit better(-ish) without the jacket, but that’s not what we’re covering here. 😂
7. With Straight-Leg Jeans + Nike Dunks
Nothing too crazy or mind-blowing here (besides how much I love my Nike Dunks), but this outfit is an easy go-to look for early fall! These Vervet by Flying Monkey jeans are SO soft. They have a ton of stretch, so, yes, they ride down a little during the day, but gosh — you know, some days you just need a stretchy jean to get you through.
Jacket | Jeans (similar, same brand) | Sneakers (similar styles here)
I’ll admit I was in a little clothing slump before I got back to my favorite thing ever…styling up one piece a bunch of ways! It has rejuvenated my fashion game for the upcoming season.
What jackets are you loving for this fall? I also just got a chore duster at a local boutique (really similar to this one at Anthro) and am excited to see how I can style it. Stay tuned! And happy almost September!
xo,
L
Want to keep up with everything else I’m into? Pop over to my Instagram @laurajansenstyle, where there are mostly odes to snacks, OOTDs, travel and everyday mom-life-stuff in Portland, Oregon. xoxo
