> CD #64: Is there an age limit to jean jackets?

In which I answer a question from a reader (but not my reader)

A few days ago, I read this NYT style advice column and thought about what I would’ve given as my answer if Patricia from San Diego had sent me her question instead of submitting it to the Times’ fashion director and chief style critic Vanessa Friedman. Let’s see how I do at writing an advice column, hehe.

The question:

Seeing Sarah Palin in her denim jacket made me remember that the jean jacket has been a wardrobe staple. Increasingly, though, my choices to top an outfit are softer and less constructed, and my once ubiquitous denim jackets hang unworn in the back of my closet. Do you think this is because of the pandemic, or have I just outgrown them? Is there an age limit to jean jackets? Should I keep them, or let them go to make room for something else? — Patricia, San Diego

Dear Patricia,

This is a controversial opinion, but I’m not sure anyone should wear a jean jacket because, to me, it is the most non-functional jacket ever invented. Denim is neither waterproof nor windproof, which means a jean jacket is not designed to protect you from the elements. In fact, it only looks good unbuttoned, which is a special kind of insanity prevalent throughout fashion.

Jean jackets are thin, with no real insulating properties, while also being heavy. You know how they say you should pick a watermelon that’s heavy for its size? Well, that’s great for fruit, but ridiculous for outerwear. I say a good jacket should always be lighter than it looks because you have to carry it on your body—and your body, if it is at all like mine, is already bearing the weight of your unfulfilled potential. A heavy burden indeed.

Of course, you live in California, so many of my jean jacket complaints don’t apply much to your weather-free lifestyle (lucky), so I’ll also tell you if I think anyone is ever too old to wear anything.

Seeing Sarah Palin bopping around in a jean jacket probably triggered some sort of existential crisis in you. I understand. The photographs are disturbing. But I assure you, it’s not the jean jacket that is the problem: the level of cringe you feel seeing her dressed like that is because Sarah Palin exudes cringe from her pores. And anything she wears that isn’t a red skirt-suit is likely to elicit feelings of confusion and mild nausea.

See how much better the jean jacket looks with Sarah Palin removed?

The problem with Sarah Palin attempting a youthful fashion item is not her chronological age. The incongruity comes from her old-fashioned, outdated and regressive attitudes. But if you approach the modern world with openness—to new ideas and new ways of thinking—you’ll find that a jean jacket can work for you, no matter how old you are.

I think about writer Austin Kleon’s “curious elder,” defined as:

someone who manages to retain their curiosity as they age and stays interested in what young people are up to. The curious elder isn’t interested in judging youth, they’re interested in learning from them.

A curious elder would look amazing in a jean jacket.

Sarah Palin has probably never been curious because she thinks she’s got everything all figured out. But that’s not you, Patricia. Don’t let that be you.

So stay curious, and wear whatever you want.

:) Teresa

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