Able Merly Jacket Review: Why This Denim Jacket Deserves A Spot In Your Closet

ABLE has once again managed to combine quality and sustainability with timeless style. The Merly Jacket just might be the perfect denim jacket (yes, I said it). Made from ultra-soft, non-stretch denim, this jacket provides an effortless fit that’s equal parts relaxed and tailored. Handcrafted in Mexico by ABLE’s talented team of female artisans, The Merly was clearly made with women in mind, providing a flattering silhouette and promising a year-round wardrobe essential.

The Merly Jacket has long been on my radar, popping up on some of my favorite (and most trusted) bloggers’ feeds and tempting me with its promise of “supple denim” and “ultra-wearable” style, but admittedly, its price tag of $148 kept it confined to my closet hunt list for “some other time.” After finally snagging it for myself this fall, I can say it’s a worthy (and, might I add, dreamy) investment piece.

The jacket’s most obvious – and yet, most unexpected – characteristic is its softness. Seriously. The cotton-lyocell blend of this fabric is truly as heavenly as it gets, with a feel that’s more reminiscent of a well-worn coat or sweatshirt than a denim jacket. The result is an easy, relaxed fit that’s comfortable enough for all-day wear, yet looks freshly styled — all day. With a faded, lightly-distressed, light/medium vintage wash, it’s like putting on a hug – for yourself – wear after wear.

Ultra-soft and perfectly relaxed, The Merly still holds her own as a structured, well put-together denim jacket that retains her shape beautifully. This jacket has achieved that effortless, stylish look I love: tomboy meets feminine, with a timeless vintage flair.

The Merly has a slightly dropped shoulder and slim arms, and is made of non-stretch denim (so, if you have more athletic arms like mine, you’ll want to go up a size). Unlike my vintage Levi’s® denim trucker jacket, which is boxy and oversized throughout, The Merly has a seemingly tailored fit, creating an easy, light, flattering-yet-relaxed silhouette that doesn’t swallow you whole. I am, admittedly, obsessed.

I didn’t think a denim jacket could actually look this feminine! Not to mention, with functional waist pockets and a truly easy fit, it’s a versatile piece that works in any season. In just a couple of months, it has become one of my few go-to closet essentials, and I’m excited to experiment with it in various looks as the seasons change.

Speaking of versatility, The Merly’s faded vintage wash is a light/medium color that makes it perfect for layering in with any outfit. I have to admit that before ordering it, I was a bit torn about the ripped distressing, but ABLE has managed to make it look artfully classic and feminine – lovingly worn-in, but not any less polished. I’ve paired it with leggings and maxi dresses and with black jeans and midi skirts, and it works just as beautifully every time.

In my opinion, ABLE has managed to create the perfect denim jacket. The Merly is a testament to the brand’s continued commitment to quality and timeless style. This isn’t just another jacket, but one you’re bound to keep for a very long time, and (if its softness is any indication) one that’s surely to get even more comfortable and beautiful with time.

Even better than its good looks and versatility is this jacket’s transparent commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for women. ABLE offers thousands of women around the world with training, stability, independence, confidence, and livable wages by employing them to handcraft the brand’s thoughtfully created items. In fact, The Merly Jacket is made by women in Mexico, and I am honored and proud to wear their craftsmanship.

Beyond its mission to help end poverty and empower women around the world, ABLE also takes its impact on the environment seriously – enacting recycling-and-repurposing practices throughout their packaging and shipping operations; using sustainably sourced fabrics (like the supple cotton this jacket is made of), all-natural fibers, and leather; working with tanneries to ensure local water sources remain safe for their communities; repurposing leather wastage into small, leather goods; and hand-making its jewelry from scrap metal in Nashville, Tn.

Not only do I feel stylish wearing my new ABLE jacket, I feel good about supporting a brand that stands for something far greater than itself.