I would consider a denim jacket to be a staple in anyone’s closet, yet I didn’t own one that I loved and consistently wore. And I happen to be a denim editor.
I attribute this to a number of things: I don’t wear a lot of denim (ironic, I know), I’m very picky when it comes to fit, and, in an ideal world, I need everything in my closet to be versatile enough for a variety of occasions. Plus, I tend to favor oversized, more masculine pieces, and the denim jackets available on the market for women don’t exactly cater to this—always too fitted or cropped for my liking.
If I ever felt the need for a denim jacket, I would reach for my husband’s black Levi’s trucker jacket. Even though I liked that it was too big for me, the proportions felt inherently off—it was cut differently, the shoulders and torso not aligning with my shape. I would push up the sleeves, turn up the cuffs, pull down the shoulders… But still. It wasn’t a viable solution. My husband and I also have a dog and love being active outdoors—translation: Fur, slobber, and dirt are pretty much always on our clothes.
PHOTO: Michelle Sulcov
Because this fabric is considered the workhorse of clothing, denim jackets and jeans should, theoretically be able to transition from an everyday wardrobe to an active one. In my experience, that hasn’t always been the case, though. A denim jacket can be a great as an add-on to an fitness outfit, to style up performance fabrics and tone down the overall active look—but getting a muddy paw print or soaking up in sweat usually means it goes straight into the wash.
So, when Proof Collective promised a trucker jacket made with water- and stain-repellent, odor-resistant technical fabric in the very silhouette I’d been hunting for—oversized, but cropped so it reads cool and effortless, while still being flattering—at an affordable price point? Well, I was intrigued.
Retailing at $195 (currently, it’s available for pre-order), Proof Collective’s signature jacket comes in light blue, dark blue, and faded black. And its fabric delivers on its promises: Water rolls off of the denim almost like a raincoat, and it dries quicker than a regular jacket; stains as heavy as oil or as sticky as wine can be rinsed off with water, or, if dried, removed in the wash. It’s also treated with an antimicrobial that protects against odor-causing bacteria. On top of all of that, the fabric is Bluesign-approved, meaning it’s certified environmentally-friendly and non-toxic.
I wore this jacket consistently for two weeks in the midst of summer in New York: to and from my workout classes (reluctantly putting it on while still dripping sweat); while walking my dog in sunny 90º weather (wiping the sweat from my brow with the sleeves); during one of those sporadic, torrential downpours (hesitantly sticking my arm out from under my umbrella, and watching in disbelief as the rain rolled right off); to the office and on the weekend. The jacket came out on the other side—without a hint of odor, sweat, or stain to show what it had been through.
PHOTO: Michelle Sulcov
More importantly to me, though, is that it proved to be the perfect hero item to bridge different gaps in my closet. My work wardrobe and weekend wardrobe are completely different—if I have any errands in the evening, I’ll always have to go home to change first—but this jacket is one of the only pieces I own that works for both work and leisure, morning and evening, without ever looking out of place.
After this summer—i.e. extreme weather—wear-test, I can foresee this jacket being a staple for me year-round. I love that I finally have a piece that has performance qualities while not looking like activewear and that I can wear in almost every situation without worrying about getting it wet or dirty. It might not seem like a huge deal but being as knowing the denim market is part of my job yet I myself didn’t have a tried and true jacket I could vouch for because of fit, color, style, or versatility, this discovery is an incredible addition to my wardrobe. The best part: I no longer have to share my clothes.
