Winter is upon us again, and that means we're on the lookout for cosier apparel to keep us warm whilst looking good. Specifically, you're likely considering a leather jacket to see you through those chilly days, and since it's a big investment, it's important that you're careful in choosing what's right for you. However, in the midst of so many options, it can be hard to know what that is!
In this article, we guide you through making an easy choice and provide recommendations for every budget and every style, both for men and women. Whether it's a motorcycle, racer, or bomber jacket you prefer, or even if you'd rather go with a more affordable faux leather, we'll show you the best for your money from Amazon, John Lewis, and ASOS.
Quick List - Top Leather Jackets
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The perfect leather jacket is a powerful statement and a proper leather jacket should be durable and long-lasting, able to serve you for many years to come. It should also be versatile and adaptable to a number of different occasions. Here are some tips to help you with your search.
Let's briefly study up on style before you get started shopping, because this is probably the first consideration you'll make. We've rounded up the most common styles and analysed their features.
Biker jackets, also known as motorcycle jackets, have been popular since the first leather motorcycle jacket, the Perfecto, was produced in 1928 by American clothing company Schott NYC. They are the first such styled jacket to feature a zipper and were initially designed for motorcycle riders.
Biker jackets usually feature elaborate designs with great detailing. They're asymmetrical, often double-breasted, sometimes with two zips instead of one. These often zip off-center at an angle, and over a placket – a brilliant design element that keeps the wind from getting in.
They also have step lapels, some of which come with buttons, as well as epaulets and belts which, though they may seem like mere ornamental pieces today, initially served useful purposes for the riders. With all this in mind, it can be said that the biker is more of a statement pick.
Sometimes people may also refer to a racer jacket as a motorcycle jacket, but they're actually quite distinct from the classic biker jacket. Racing jackets are more plain and simple in their design, so they're easier to wear as they have a lot less going on.
They are the middle-zipped cousins of the biker, so with this jacket, you simply zip up the centre of the front. Racing jackets are characterised by the iconic mandarin collar. These rounded band collars commonly have button snaps that stand out in a subtle way, and can look quite smart in comparison to a biker.
Bomber jackets are also called flight, pilot, or aviator jackets. As you can probably guess, they get their name from the military. The original version was developed for the US air force in 1917, eventually appearing in Europe in the late 1950s, and it has formed part of our culture since then.
Some variations of this style have two large front flap pockets, while others have split pockets that may or may not be zipped. Also, most are cropped at the hips to make them easier to wear when sitting, and some have faux fur or Borg (faux sheepskin) collars which add a bit of interest.
One of the good things about bomber jackets is their resilience in modern fashion. They're always in style and these jackets are engrained into everyday pop culture. This is a wardrobe staple you can rely on that's got a cool history to it, too!
Since not everything termed 'leather' on the market is actually genuine leather, you want to check if it's authentic or just an imitation, because the quality of the material will determine how long and how well it will serve you.
If you love the look of a real leather jacket but are turned off by the thought of the production process, you might prefer faux leather because no animals are harmed in making it. Plus, not only is it more affordable, but the fabric also has a more even finish than real leather.
On the other hand, real leather tends to be of better quality. It does not peel, chip or flake, but is durable and timeless. It develops character as time goes by, conforming to your body without tearing. However, real leather comes with a price to match, so be prepared to spend a few extra quid for the best!
If you've decided that you want genuine leather, you may also be interested in the kind of hide your real leather jacket is made of. Below, we'll walk you through some of the most popular ones.
Cowhide comes from the processing and tanning of raw cow skin. It is the natural, unbleached skin of the cow and it usually retains all of the blemishes of the animal that it's obtained from. This results in a noticeably tough and extremely durable jacket texture.
It is the most common kind of leather, as the cow is widely used in the food industry and its skin is a waste material that has a relatively low price. It's also generally one of the cheapest of real leather types, although there are several finishes and grades that could significantly affect the price of the jacket.
Lamb leather tends to be naturally thin and is known for its very soft texture, as well as for being more elastic and therefore not as stiff as some leathers. Also, because a lamb is so much smaller than a cow, lambskin isn't as easily available and thus more valuable than cowhide.
Consequently, it tends to be much more expensive. Lambskin does also have the tendency to absorb a lot of stains, which you may have some trouble getting some out, so a bit of care is required to maintain it.
While sheepskin is very similar to lambskin, there is a subtle difference between the two. Due to its maturity, you'll find sheepskin to be slightly thicker than lambskin, although not as thick as cowhide. However, leather jackets made from sheepskin traditionally weigh less than cowhide jackets and they have a finer grain.
Further, not only age, but also the breed of sheep and its environment has an impact on the softness, smoothness, and general quality of the sheepskin. This is a great option if you want a jacket that is soft but at the same time relatively stiff and resilient.
Goat leather has a smooth, fine grain and a high lanolin content, which makes it quite supple, too. It is softer than cowhide but has a strength that slightly exceeds lambskin and sheepskin. Goat hide is also water-resistant and easy to clean.
Known for its insulating properties, goatskin keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather. It's also reasonably strong and resistant to wear and tear, so you'll notice that the highest stress areas of your goat leather jacket will wear only minimally as the years go by.
After considering all the outer details, you might want to dive deeply into the jacket to consider the inner construction. Go for an inner lining that is fitting for your lifestyle but more importantly, appropriate for the climate of where you live and the time of year you want to wear your jacket.
Generally, a rayon, polyester, or cotton lining will be perfect for most climates. Polyester and rayon both have a silk-like feel and make the jacket easier to slip on and off, while cotton helps you feel warmer and is a little more breathable. Wool or other thicker linings and collars will, of course, be ideal for the colder months.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Schott NYC A-2 Flight Jacket|LC5331X | ![]() | A Premium Choice With Detachable Aviator Collar | |
2 | D'Arienzo Nappa Lamb Leather Bomber Jacket|G155 | ![]() | The Best Italian Leather Jacket | |
3 | Y.A.S Sophie Leather Biker Jacket | ![]() | A Smart and Simple Take on the Biker | |
4 | Charlie London Sand Style Leather Jacket | ![]() | A Lightweight and Cost-Effective Genuine Leather | |
5 | Lab Leather Trench Coat in Black | ![]() | A Timeless Maximum Duty Trench Jacket | |
6 | Jack & Jones Faux Leather Racer Jacket | ![]() | The Best Imitation Leather for Men |
This expertly-crafted jacket is of superior quality and is made of cowhide, which is known for its thickness and strength. The build and craftsmanship are flexible and free, allowing for supreme comfort and mobility without the stiffness of some leather jackets. It also comes in a huge size range and has an elasticated hem and cuffs for the perfect fit.
To add to all this, there's also a detachable faux-fur aviator collar. The fur collar is really useful for cold weather, and it's great that you have the option to remove it when you don't need it. What a brilliant balance of a decent price alongside optimum functionality and versatility!
Not only do Italians know how to dress, but they also know how to make the best threads! The cleanly-cut details of this jacket reflect the love and labour that have gone into making it. The stitching, seams, and threading all enhance its look,
The length of the jacket is short enough to sit on the waistline effortlessly, and it's available in a good range of sizes from XS to XXL. The high-necked design is also really beautiful and distinctive, and the wool collar helps to keep your neck warm and protected from the elements. This piece is full of pure sass!
The soft and pliable goatskin texture of this jacket keeps you super comfy while its high-tensile strength ensures it is resistant to wear-and-tear. The step lapels feature buttons that can be opened, so you can either leave them hanging freely or fasten them in place securely.
Unlike the previous biker, this jacket has less going on and is thus best for women after less of a statement biker. It is not belted and has fewer zippers, which makes it err toward to smarter side of leather jackets. The Sophie discards gimmicky bits and superfluous details, keeping it simple and glamorous!
This product is warm and stylish and has a really smooth finish. It features a stand collar and waist slash pockets without zips, resulting in a modest design that makes for a noiseless and lightweight jacket. It's a good option if you want to avoid the bulky or puffy look that bombers can lead to.
This really does offer excellent quality for the price, and is probably the most budget-friendly real leather jacket on the market! Its snug fit will perfectly complement most wardrobes, so why not save yourself a couple of quid and opt for this great budget pick?
This trench-style jacket is quite loose-fitting but provides maximum protection from cold weather, with the excellent build ensuring it gets the job done. It's also got a belted waist, large slanted pockets, epaulettes, and straps with buckle closures at the cuffs. Despite all this, it doesn't look too fussy.
This is a timeless statement piece, but one that stands out uniquely – it's buttoned all over so no dealing with zippers at all! The long coat extends below the hips, and depending on your height, may even touch your knees. Though the length might be less flattering on petite women, this is a gorgeous option.
For guys not prepared to whip out hundreds of pounds for a real leather jacket but who would love to experience its look and feel, we've got you covered with this low-budget leather-look racer. It manages to maintain an expensive appearance and is also reasonably functional in keeping you warm.
The iconic collarless design and the adjustable hem at the bottom are interesting features that stick out with this piece. However, though more affordable for shorter-term wear, it won't be as durable as genuine leather and will last only a fraction of the time.
It's layering season, which means you may also be on the hunt for something to put underneath your new jacket, or to wear instead of it! Check out some of our related fashion articles to find the perfect jumper or shacket for your budget.
And that is how to choose a leather jacket in the UK! Looking into the craftsmanship of your jacket, considering the type of leather as well as the style most fitting for you is all you need to select a jacket that has been tailored to meet your needs. So what are you waiting for? Go on and make an excellent pick from our top 6!
Author: David Gbe
No. 1: Schott NYC|A-2 Flight Jacket|LC5331X
No. 2: D'Arienzo|Nappa Lamb Leather Bomber Jacket|G155
No. 3: Y.A.S|Sophie Leather Biker Jacket
No. 4: Charlie London|Sand Style Leather Jacket
No. 5: Lab|Leather Trench Coat in Black
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