8 Different Types of Leather Jackets

A leather jacket exudes style and durability, serving as a timeless and protective outerwear choice. Explore various styles to suit your preferences and practical needs.

Can you appear any more stylish than in a leather jacket? Our research suggests not. Beyond fashion, leather jackets offer practicality. Leather, a natural material, is robust, enduring, and insulating. Considering adding one to your wardrobe?

With a multitude of styles available, the choices may seem daunting. Here, we spotlight some popular leather jacket styles to help you find the perfect match for your taste and requirements.

History of Leather Jackets

Though leather has ancient roots, the iconic leather jacket emerged relatively recently. Initially, worn by ancient societies and Native Americans, it served practicality, warmth, and durability, utilizing all parts of the animal hide.

The leather jacket's true allure blossomed in the 1900s when airmen adopted it for flight, first by Germans in WWI and later by Americans. During the World Wars, it transitioned from utility to fashion, evolving into stylish leather blazers from the 1920s to the 1940s.

By the 1950s and 1960s, leather jackets gained traction, especially with the rise of motorcycles. Durable and weather-resistant, they epitomized coolness. The biker jacket was born, followed by trend-setting moto jackets.

As time passed, the leather jacket retained its status, combining fashion with versatility. Its longevity and timeless styles make it an enduring investment. Today, faux leather offers a cruelty-free alternative without sacrificing style.

Types of Leather Jackets

Biker Jacket

The iconic biker jacket oozes style and an unmistakable coolness factor. It's not limited to motorcycle enthusiasts and offers various color and feature options for customization.

Crafted from robust and durable leather, it serves both fashion and function. Originally designed for bikers, it shields riders from the elements and possible accidents. Its thickness repels rain and wind, providing warmth and protection in case of a tumble.

Biker jackets typically sport a shorter length, extending just above the hips, with a non-form-fitting, straight-cut torso. They often feature a large, foldable leather collar that adds to their distinctive look. Additional details like pockets, zippers, snaps, and buckles enhance their trendy appeal.

Available in different leather types like cowhide and bison, these jackets prioritize safety with thicker, firmer materials. While black is the classic choice, you can also find biker jackets in brown, white, or red leather for added variety.

Bomber Jacket

The classic bomber jacket, originally worn by pilots, combines practicality, warmth, and durability. Suitable for both men and women, it's a timeless style dating back to the 1800s, available as a vintage piece or a contemporary fashion statement.

This leather bomber jacket boasts a full-bodied shape that tapers towards the waist. Its design is straightforward, typically featuring a central zipper for closure and a traditional collar that gently folds at the collarbone.

While the jacket's body is leather, you'll often find fabric additions at the sleeve cuffs and bottom, along with an elasticized waistband to keep it snug and warm. Various leather options, such as Nappa, goat, or lamb leather, offer different textures, enhancing its appeal.

This jacket comes in a range of colors, from classic black and brown to more daring choices like white, red, or even navy, making it a versatile addition to your winter or fall wardrobe.

Racer Jacket

The racer leather jacket offers a contemporary twist on the classic biker jacket, retaining its core design principles but focusing more on style than function. Suitable for individuals of all ages and genders, it boasts a modern fit with custom touches that carry a distinct European flair.

Resembling other biking jackets, the racer leather jacket maintains straight, sleek lines and a shorter length, grazing just above the hips. It maintains a clean, unadorned silhouette from shoulders to waist, lacking any tapering or cinching at the waist and sleeves.

In contrast to the biker jacket, the racer jacket ditches the folded collar with lapels, favoring a short, straight collar often secured with a single snap or buckle. It emphasizes a minimalist approach with a straight zipper and minimal decorative features, occasionally featuring subtle piping or stitching along the seams for added detail.

As the racer jacket is primarily a fashion statement rather than performance gear, it often incorporates softer leather options like lamb's leather or Nappa leather. In some cases, it's even fashioned into a suede jacket. Available in a variety of colors, including classic brown and black, as well as red, white, cream, or blue, it offers versatile style choices.

This jacket pairs exceptionally well with an added hooded layer, such as a hooded sweatshirt or sweater, providing rain protection while maintaining the sleek, cool look of a leather jacket.

Flight Jacket

The flight jacket, an evolution of the bomber jacket, incorporates practical enhancements catering to aviators. While it existed before, it gained popularity in 1917 when the United States Army issued it to pilots. A century later, it remains a favored and functional choice for both men and women.

This jacket boasts a simple and utilitarian design, featuring a straight fit through the body without tapering at the waist or wrists. It incorporates a single front zipper for closure and stands out with a larger-than-average collar and lapel.

What sets the flight jacket apart is the addition of insulating warmth on the interior, often crafted from sheepskin, seen in shearling jackets. This plush and thick insulation effectively keeps pilots warm. The ample lapel and collar allow wearers to bundle up, keeping the cozy sheepskin close.

While not all flight jackets share this feature, many sport warm insulation at the collar, along the jacket's bottom, and around the wrists. Depending on the style, they may include extra pockets, patches, pulls, and stitching for added functionality.

This versatile coat suits individuals of all ages and is a reliable fall and winter wardrobe staple. It comes in various leather materials, from robust cowhide to supple lambskin. Although available in different colors, the traditional dark brown leather jacket, reminiscent of the US Army's version, is a common choice.

Moto Jacket

The moto jacket offers a playful twist on the classic motorcycle jacket, prioritizing style over function, making it a trendy addition to any wardrobe. Available for both men and women, this jacket boasts a close-fitting silhouette and stylish elements that amp up your coolness quotient.

Originally designed for motorcycle enthusiasts, the moto jacket featured thick, durable leather to shield riders from the elements and potential accidents. The modern version retains many of these stylized protective features, including additional padding and reinforcing stitching.

This jacket hugs the body, accentuating the waist's contours, typically ending just at the top of the hips. Look for a single main zipper on the front, often offset to create an intriguing form factor. The moto jacket stands out with its large collars and lapels that drape well below the collarbone.

One distinctive design element is the detailed stitching and leatherwork around the sleeve cuffs, often extending upward to the elbow or even over the shoulders. While the jacket prioritizes form over function, you'll find it in various leather materials, including buttery-soft options that conform gracefully to the body's curves.

Expect additional stylish features like buckles, zippers, and pockets to enhance the overall aesthetic. The moto jacket comes in a wide array of colors, from vibrant red and bold blue to classic black and more, offering plenty of choices to suit your personal style.

Leather Blazer

Elevate your style with the sophisticated leather blazer, a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Ideal for fall and winter, it can be layered under or over a traditional coat. Suitable for both men and women, the leather blazer adds warmth and texture while turning heads.

The cut of the leather blazer may vary by manufacturer, ranging from a traditional blazer length, around mid-hip, to longer or shorter styles based on fashion preferences.

Typically, leather blazers feature a longer, moderately fitted design with classic lapels. They often sport three to four buttons for closure and functional pockets on both sides.

As it's primarily a fashion piece, leather blazers are crafted from soft leather options like lambskin, goatskin, or suede. You'll find them in various colors, including brown, black, beige, white, or red, offering plenty of choices to suit your taste.

Some leather blazers incorporate unique elements, such as a fur collar, fur cuffs, or additional buckles, snaps, or zippers, creating distinctive looks.

What sets the leather blazer apart is its versatility. It can be worn as a standalone piece or layered under a traditional overcoat. Dress it up with a collared shirt and tie or keep it casual with a well-fitted sweater. Pair your leather blazer with dress slacks or jeans and complement the look with stylish leather ankle boots.

Leather Coat

Introducing a leather coat into your collection means embracing both style and substance. Offering ample coverage and a striking appearance, leather coats are a durable, warm, and sleek addition to your wardrobe. With various lengths available, you can select a style that suits your preferences.

Long leather coats, suitable for both men and women, provide excellent protection from winter weather. They often extend past the hips, reaching down to the knees or even brushing the floor. These coats typically offer a form-fitting silhouette, gently tapering at the waist. You can choose between a classic collar and lapel or opt for a trendy mock collar, depending on your style.

These long leather coats typically feature a button closure down the center, with additional buttons as the coat lengthens. Many of them come equipped with convenient pockets stitched into the sides.

Crafted from luxurious leathers like lambskin or goatskin, these coats offer a buttery-smooth texture that drapes elegantly over the body. Available in a range of colors, including brown, black, tan, light beige, and even white, they offer versatile choices to match your taste. To complete the look, consider adding matching leather gloves in a similar style or a complementary color.

Faux Leather Jacket

Leather, derived from animal hide through a tanning process, is a natural material. However, not everyone finds it necessary, and some prioritize sustainable resources over animal-derived products. Vegans and vegetarians often opt for leather alternatives, such as faux leather, to achieve the same look and feel without harming animals.

Faux leather is typically crafted from a plastic base, combining plastics with wax, polyurethane, and dye to replicate the appearance of leather. Much like genuine leather, faux leather items offer durability, weather resistance, and warmth. Moreover, they tend to be more budget-friendly due to a faster production process.

Whether you're into traditional biker jackets, motorcycle jackets, varsity jackets, or field jackets, faux leather offers a wide range of style options, allowing you to maintain your ethical values while still enjoying the aesthetic and performance of a stylish and trendy jacket.

FAQs

Selecting the perfect leather jacket can indeed be a daunting task, given the multitude of options on the market. Choosing the right type of leather alone can be challenging, and when you factor in the different styles and performance features, the process can become quite overwhelming.

In the following sections, we'll address some frequently asked questions about leather jackets. Armed with the right information and insights, our aim is to assist you in confidently navigating the world of leather jackets, ensuring that your purchase aligns seamlessly with your preferences and requirements.

What type of leather jacket is right for you?

Choosing the right leather jacket requires considering your comfort and style preferences. Start by thinking about the length you prefer. Do you want a shorter, cropped jacket or something longer? If a shorter style appeals to you, options like the biker jacket, bomber jacket, or flight jacket are ideal, typically hitting just above or at the hip. If you prefer a longer silhouette, explore leather blazers or leather coats, which often extend past the hips, providing more coverage.

Next, consider your intended use and warmth requirements. If you need a jacket for exterior wear only, an insulated biker jacket or a warm flight jacket with soft sheepskin insulation can be great choices. Alternatively, a tight-waisted bomber jacket helps keep cold air at bay. If you plan to layer a heavy overcoat on top of your leather jacket, a lightweight leather blazer can be a suitable option, allowing for layering without bulk.

Lastly, factor in your personal style. Leather blazers and sleek bomber jackets tend to be simpler with clean lines and minimal adornments. On the other hand, biker and moto jackets are often busier, featuring added zippers, buckles, snaps, and studs. The choice of additional decorations and features ultimately comes down to your taste and preferences.

What season do you wear leather jackets?

Leather jackets are versatile and can be worn in various seasons. In some regions, traditional leather jackets may be too warm for the summer, but cropped or lightweight leather jackets are perfect for cool summer evenings. In other climates, leather jackets work well in spring and summer, providing adequate insulation against mild chills. Certain leather jackets, especially those with extra insulation, are excellent winter options, suitable for all temperatures and weather conditions.

Why choose a leather jacket?

Leather jackets offer several practical advantages, making them a valuable addition to your wardrobe. Firstly, leather is a natural material known for its desirable properties. It's thick, durable, and provides essential protection against weather, wind, and potential accidents, offering resistance to punctures, tears, scrapes, and brush burns.

Leather is also incredibly durable, thanks to its natural oils, which keep the material in great condition for years. Many types of leather maintain their softness and durability with minimal upkeep. Properly cared for, a leather jacket can easily last for 20 years or more.

Lastly, leather simply looks fantastic. It offers a sleek, versatile style that can come in various textures, finishes, and colors. Leather is easily customizable, allowing you to personalize your style to match your tastes and preferences.

Should a leather jacket be tight or loose?

The fit of your leather jacket depends on the style you choose. Moto jackets and leather blazers tend to be more form-fitting, with a close fit that tapers toward the waist. These jackets are designed for both men and women and typically have a fitted style.

Other jackets, such as biker jackets or flight jackets, are typically loose-fitting. They fit at the shoulders and extend straight down to the waist without much contouring or tapering. These jackets also have loose-fitting sleeves that don't tighten around the wrists, allowing for free movement.

A bomber jacket strikes a balance between tight and loose. It's often loose through the body but offers a snugger fit around the waist and wrists. Flexible materials are used at the waist and wrists to allow the jacket to cinch inward, keeping out cold air and providing extra warmth in cold conditions.

How can you tell if a leather jacket is of good quality?

Leather comes in various types, and quality can vary significantly. A good way to assess leather quality is by feeling how soft it is. Leather jackets made with tighter leather grain tend to be of higher quality. The tighter grain helps maintain softness and retains natural oils within the leather, keeping it looking and feeling great for years.

Regardless of leather quality, all leather coats require regular upkeep and maintenance. Be sure to clean and treat your leather coat with a leather conditioner to protect the finish and restore softness. A leather conditioner can also help prevent cracking and flaking by replenishing natural oils within the leather fibers, allowing for movement without internal friction and maintaining a soft, beautiful finish.