15 oz Raw Selvedge Denim Trucker Jacket Review

A denim jacket can have the familiar Type III shape and still feel quite different to wear. This 15 oz raw selvedge trucker has a slim body, a little more length and a surprisingly soft feel. The neat seams inside are one of its strongest points.

I've made a full video review to show you the fabric, construction and fit. I also cover two details worth knowing before you buy: the internal pockets are open along parts of the bottom, and the rear tabs do not adjust the waist.

Watch my Type III selvedge denim jacket review

I'm Mark, the owner of Hidden Stitch Supply, where I sell this jacket. In the review, I explain what I like about it and the compromises, so you can decide whether it suits you.

Watch the full review on YouTube.

15 oz denim with a soft starting feel

The fabric is 100% cotton raw selvedge denim. At 15 oz, or about 509 grams per square metre, it has enough substance to hold the shape of the collar and chest pocket flaps. The weight describes the cloth, not the whole jacket.

Despite that weight, the denim feels soft. It does not have the stiff starting feel you might expect from raw denim. Dark indigo and orange stitching give it a clear contrast, especially around the chest pockets and front panels.

The pointed chest pockets and shaped front seams give it the familiar Type III trucker look. The body is slightly longer than a standard Levi's Trucker Jacket, which may suit you if you find shorter denim jackets too cropped.

Look beyond the selvedge edge

Selvedge is the finished edge made as denim is woven on a shuttle loom. On this jacket, you can see a narrow white edge with a red line inside the buttonhole placket, the strip at the front that holds the buttonholes.

That red line is a nice detail, but it does not tell the whole story. I find the seam finishing more useful to look at.

The seams joining the sleeves to the body, and the horizontal chest seams, are bound. This means another strip of fabric wraps around the cut edges to help protect them from fraying. Elsewhere, flat-felled seams fold the cut edges inside and stitch them down. Both methods keep the inside neat.

Pockets and rear tabs

There are two buttoned chest pockets and two side-entry hand pockets. Inside, the hand pocket bags also form two large open pockets.

The lower edges of those internal pockets are not fully sealed. Coins and other small loose items can fall through, so I would not use them as secure pockets for valuables.

The front and cuffs use metal shank buttons. The small stem behind each button gives the thick denim room when it is fastened.

At the back, each hem tab has only one button position. These tabs add to the traditional look, but they do not give you useful waist adjustment. Choose the body fit from the measurements rather than expecting the tabs to pull it in.

A slim fit with a little more length

This jacket is slim through the chest and body. In the video, I'm wearing S (US), which has L on the sewn label. I'm 173 cm tall, weigh about 73 kg and have a 98 cm chest.

That size works for me over a T-shirt or flannel. A bulky hoodie would be more of a squeeze. The sleeves look long on me because my arms are short for my height, so keep my proportions in mind when watching the fit section.

For your own size, compare the chest, shoulders, sleeves and back length with a jacket you already enjoy wearing. Allow room for your usual layers and for reaching forward. A jacket needs to feel comfortable when you move, as well as when you stand still.

Our website sizes differ from the original garment labels. M plus (US) sits between M and L, but the measurements matter more than the letter. The jacket size guide shows the measurements and label mapping. My Chinese vs Western clothing size guide explains this in more detail.

Who this jacket suits

I like this jacket for its substantial cotton denim, neat internal seams and slightly longer Type III shape. It is worth a look if you want a slim denim jacket with a soft starting feel and traditional details.

If you need secure internal pockets, adjustable rear tabs or plenty of room for thick layers, those are reasons to look carefully at the fit and construction before deciding.

See the 15 oz Selvedge Denim Type III Trucker Jacket and check your size.