The best leather jackets are ones that never go out of style. They’re so classic and so versatile that they’re primed to become mainstays in your closet for years, regardless of what’s happening in the fashion zeitgeist. In short: They’re above trends.
None of this is to say there’s any one specific version of a leather jacket that fits this description. Take, for example, an oversized bomber, which is sure to give any look a city-chic slant. As a fall jacket, it can be styled in myriad ways: layered over a miniskirt with tights and knee-high boots, alongside a button-down shirt and sharp slacks, or with platform loafers and baggy pants. Then there’s the perennially cool moto silhouette, which makes everything in your rotation a little edgier. Both routes are timeless, but they cater to different sensibilities.
For anyone trying to step up their winter outerwear, you’ll find buys from these categories as well as three others below, where we’ve gathered the options Glamour editors are obsessed with right now. Find something that speaks to your personal style ahead.
The best leather jackets, at a glance
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Best leather moto jackets
Maybe it’s the exposed hardware or the extra-angular silhouette, but there’s something inherently edgy about a leather moto jacket. Still, for having such a specific look, the style is surprisingly easy to wear. You can just as seamlessly layer one with a T-shirt and jeans as with, say, a feminine silk skirt (a combination that’s so wrong it’s right). Really, the toughest part about deciding to buy one is settling on which type to invest in: a rocker-girl design with an asymmetrical zipper, or something sleeker and racetrack-inspired.
Best leather bomber jackets
Defined by its slouchy upper fit and gathered hem, a bomber jacket is ideal for those who want to layer something thicker underneath—or to merely contrast the loose shape with a tight top or bottoms. That said, there’s a lot of variation within the category. Want an edgier vibe? Go for an extra-long baggy fit. Looking for a more sophisticated take on the style? Consider a cropped cut. Another pro tip: Aim for unexpected touches, like cargo pockets or a shearling collar, to modernize the look.
Best zip-front leather jackets
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a streamlined and simple piece with a zipper down the front. This criterion essentially sets the gold standard for what a classic leather jacket should be: understated enough to go with 99% of your wardrobe, but still really special. Thanks to its timeless nature, this is a selection that fully transcends the trend cycle—so don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on it. You want something that’ll last for a very long time.
Best leather shirt jackets
In flannel, the humble shacket feels like something you’d wear on a long weekend in the countryside. But take that same shape and cut it from leather, and you’ve got outerwear worthy of a sceney Saturday-night dinner. That’s not to say this item can’t be worn casually, though. For off-duty moments, try mixing it with a rib-knit tank, track pants, and your go-to pair of sneakers.
Best faux-leather jackets
Once upon a time, imitation leather looked and felt like plastic. But these days, the cow-free options out there are almost dead-ringers for the real deal, just far lighter and easier to care for. You’ll probably end up wearing your purchase more months out of the year. All these factors, of course, are just bonuses: The real benefit of these pieces is how incredibly good they’ll look with most any outfit. (They don’t last as long as the real stuff, though, hence the generally lower price point.)
