Jean jackets are the Britney Spears of the fashion world— we were obsessed—then we overdosed, but now we’re at a place where our nostalgic memories beckon us to try it again. In light of this comeback, I’d like to take some time to rank and score some of the best and the worst jean jackets that have been seen in film or TV over the past 20 years. A highly scientific rubric was created judging the five contestants on the following criteria on a scale of 1-5: style of jean jacket, overall outfit, attitude of wearer, and my own personal whim. With that, let the Jean-Jacket-Off begin.
1. Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
You’ve seen the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 poster, right? Harry is front and center and Hermione is just behind him to the left— looking totally bad ass but also a little confused. Is she pondering whether or not her jacket is better than Harry’s? Whatever she’s pondering, I’m right there with her.
Style of jacket: 4, a total classic; Overall Outfit: 3; Attitude: 5, like I said, she looks bad ass; My own whim: 4; Total Score: 16/20
2. Zac Efron in High School Musical
It’s a tale as old as time: boy meets girl, boy wants to dance, boy’s friends want him to play basketball, boy pretends not to care about girl, boy shows up to girl’s house wearing a jean jacket.
Style of jacket: 5, Zac could wear a paper bag and it’d be a 5; Overall Outfit: 4, totally pulls off jean on jean look; Attitude: 3, self-pity doesn’t look good on you Efron; My own whim: 3; Total Score: 15/20
3. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the MTV Music Awards
Speaking of Britney Spears, how much did we all hope that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake would get married and have a whole litter of denim clad Mickey Mouse Club babies?
Style of jacket (actually entire body suits): 2, so much denim; Overall Outfit: 3.5, I actually love the jean dress; Attitude: 4, I loved them together!; My own whim: 5, JT and Britney Spears 4-Ever; Total Score: 14.5/20
4. The Monkey in The Hangover II
I know what you’re thinking: “you had me at monkey.”
Style of jacket: 4, I considered docking points since it’s a vest…but it’s a monkey!; Overall outfit: 2, not wearing any pants…; Attitude: 5, this monkey makes Hermione look like a kitten; My own whim: 4, it’s a monkey!; Total Score: 15/20
5. Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future
Thank you, Michael J. Fox for bringing us Marty McFly. If it wasn’t for him and Doc’s mantra of “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything” I never would have thought about quitting my job and spending 40 hours a week training my flea circus. Thanks Marty!
Style of jacket: 3, points docked as the jacket is obstructed by a vest; Overall outfit: 5, I kind of want it; Attitude: 4, come on! I STILL have a crush on Marty McFly; My own whim: 5; Total score: 17/20
With a solid score of 17 out of 20, Marty McFly has won the Jean-Jacket-Off. It wasn’t really a fair fight, though. After all, even his own mother had the hots for him.
Suzanne is a blogging Seattlile with an affinity for fashion and a healthy obsession with jeans. She loves helping others find their personal style and believes that every day is an opportunity to shine.
