Here at Brooklyn Denim Co., we strongly feel that a reliable denim jacket is an essential article in any man’s wardrobe. As we began to expand our private label collection from basic offerings of jeans and t-shirts over recent months, the decision to design our own take on this menswear staple seemed natural. This proved to be a difficult undertaking though, as Levi Strauss and Co undoubtedly perfected the garment in the early 1960s with their iconic Type III 557XX trucker. Acknowledging the ubiquity of the classic Levi’s jacket and its numerous imitators on the market, we sought to create something a little different. After scouring the racks of several New York City vintage stores, we began to draw inspiration through lesser-known offerings from brands like Wrangler and Maverick. The result was a design that we feel is equal parts contemporary and traditional. It features classic breast pockets with flap closures, as well as two modern front slit pockets.

It’s slightly cropped and somewhat boxy, but maintains a slim silhouette through its high arm-holes, narrow sleeves, and a tailored body. Once we had cut a pattern we were proud of, we began to consider fabric, hardware, and construction: decisions that were ultimately informed by our men’s jeans. Like our jeans, we made a variety of options in the jackets with two different weights, colors and vest options. Our denim jacket utilizes a 100% cotton in either a 14.75oz raw selvedge fabric from Greensboro North Carolina’s historic Cone Mills or an 11.5oz black resin finish. Both weights and colors are also offered in vests. They feature custom aged copper hardware, two-tone stitching, and a leather patch that’s hand-cut and hand-stamped right here in Williamsburg.

Like all of the pieces in our private label collection, the jacket is cut and sewn in the USA, specifically a small production facility in nearby New Jersey. We hope that owners of this jacket will enjoy it for many years and appreciate the unique evolution it will undergo. The rigid fabric will soften, the shape will contour to the wearer’s body, and the indigo dye will fade at points of stress. We’re incredibly proud to welcome this jacket to our private label collection and can’t wait to see how it looks after some heavy wear.