How to Choose the Perfect Leather Jacket
24Sep
A good leather jacket is one of the few things in your wardrobe that gets better with age. It softens, moulds to your shape and picks up character over time. But buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake. This guide walks you through the choices that matter, in the order you should make them.
Step 1: Choose the Style
Start with how you will wear it. Each classic cut has a different personality:
- Biker (asymmetric) jacket: off-centre zip, wide lapels, belt at the waist. Bold and rock-and-roll. Our biker jackets are the most popular cut for a reason.
- Café racer: clean front zip, small band collar, no lapels. Minimal and sharp, easy to dress up or down.
- Bomber: ribbed cuffs and waistband, a little more volume through the body. Relaxed and casual, often with a warm lining.
- Trucker / shirt jacket: button front, chest pockets, a straighter cut. Looks great over a hoodie.
- Long coat: mid-thigh or longer, for colder weather and smarter outfits. See our coats collection.
If this is your first leather jacket, a black café racer or biker is the safest choice. It goes with almost everything.
Step 2: Understand the Leather
The type of hide affects the look, weight and how long it lasts:
| Leather | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lambskin | Very soft, light, smooth | Fitted, dressier jackets |
| Cowhide | Thick, stiff at first, very tough | Biker and riding jackets |
| Goatskin | Durable with a pebbled grain | Bombers and flight jackets |
| Suede | Brushed, velvety | Casual looks in dry weather |
For everyday wear, a soft lambskin or a mid-weight cowhide gives the best balance of comfort and toughness.
Step 3: Get the Fit Right
Fit matters more than anything else. A leather jacket should feel snug when new because it will relax slightly as you wear it. Check these points:
- Shoulders: the seam should sit right at the edge of your shoulder, not hanging off it.
- Sleeves: they should end at your wrist bone with your arms by your sides, and not ride up much when you reach forward.
- Length: most styles should finish around your belt line. Too long and it looks borrowed.
- Chest: you should be able to zip it over a T-shirt or light sweater without pulling.
Measure yourself and compare with our size chart. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one only if you plan to layer heavy knitwear underneath.
Step 4: Check the Details
Small details tell you a lot about quality:
- Zips: heavy metal zips that run smoothly.
- Stitching: straight, tight and even, with no loose threads.
- Lining: polyester or satin for a light jacket; quilted or fur-style lining for winter.
- Pockets: an inner pocket is very handy for your phone and wallet.
Step 5: Pick a Colour
Black is the most versatile and the easiest to style. Brown and tan feel warmer and more vintage, and look great with denim. Burgundy, blue or green are statement pieces, perfect for a second jacket once you have the classics covered.
Caring for Your Jacket
- Hang it on a wide, padded hanger so the shoulders keep their shape.
- Wipe off dirt with a soft, damp cloth and let it dry naturally, away from heaters.
- Condition the leather once or twice a year to keep it soft and stop it cracking.
- Never store it in a plastic bag; leather needs to breathe.
The Bottom Line
Choose a style that suits your everyday life, a leather that matches how hard you will wear it, and a fit that is snug but comfortable. Get those three right and you will own a jacket you reach for every week for years.
Explore our full range of men’s leather jackets and women’s leather jackets to find yours.
