A leather jacket is an essential wardrobe item that is versatile, stylish and perfect for all seasons. Simply throw on a leather jacket over a t-shirt with jeans and boots and you have a cool, day-to-day look or substitute a leather jacket for a blazer and you've elevated your casual outfit. There are a number of styles from which to choose as well as different types of leather to consider. Pricing can range from a few hundred bucks to several thousand dollars depending on brand and quality of leather. Investing in a leather jacket is a good style move besides you'll get a lot of use from it. Save this post to use when you go shopping for your leather jacket.

Material

Full-grain, suede, or shearling. Full-grain leather is the most common type of leather jacket, the quality will improve based on your budget. You can still find great options at lower price points under $500. Suede is a brushed leather mainly sourced from lambs. Suede is slightly heavier than leather but is still a great option. Suede isn't ideal for rainy weather but you may be able to treat it to make it water resistance, check the label before applying any product to prevent damaging the suede. Shearling is the skin from a recently sheared sheep, the wool is worn on the inside and the leather worn outside. There are even exotic leathers like alligator or ostrich, which are more expensive.

Style

The three most popular leather jacket styles are racer, bomber and biker. Each has its own appeal and are all stylish options. Racer jackets are the newest style of leather jackets and feature a banded collar and minimal details. Bomber jackets feature a fitted hem, cuffs and collar that are usually made from a non-leather material. Bombers are a sporty option and look best with jeans. Biker jackets have the classic lapel collar and the slightly askew zipper, these details really set this jacket apart. There are also leather varsity jackets (which look similar to bomber jackets) and western jackets (similar style as denim jacket) that amp up your style. A leather jacket looks good dressed up or down and will add sophistication to your daily dress.

Color

Black and brown are the suggested colors for leather jackets as they are versatile, classic and will work with most color schemes. You'll get more use out of brown or black leather jackets. Other color options to consider include grey or navy. Avoid bold colors and patterns unless you have several leather jackets.

Fit

Your leather jacket should fit snug, end at the waist and hug your armpits closely. There shouldn't be any more that 3 inches of excess fabric in any one place. If you wear a size medium shirt, your jacket should be a size medium. Leather stretches so it's not necessary to buy one that is really large. However, you may need to size up based on style or brand. Try a few different brands to find one that will have the best fit.

How to wear

There are many ways to wear your leather jacket. However, avoid baggy or low-rise jeans, they will look unflattering with a waist-length, fitted jacket. Instead, opt for straight or slim pants. For a dressier look, wear a turtleneck underneath a racer jacket for a sophisticated vibe. When it comes to footwear, your leather shoes and leather jacket don’t have to match perfectly. Honestly, they shouldn't—it’ll look like you’re trying too hard. Feel free to mix black and brown leathers. Stick to dark colors and you’ll never go wrong. Leather looks better over time, don't worry about the nicks and scratches your jacket will get as you wear it, they add character to your jacket. Also, use leather conditioner to prevent cracking, just follow the product instructions to apply.

Lastly, and this may be unpopular but, I think you should avoid faux leather. It looks good from a distance but upon closer inspection, it looks and feels fake. I haven't encountered a faux leather jacket that seemed passable. If you're considering a faux leather jacket because of the lower cost, I suggest you wait until your budget allows you to get a genuine leather jacket. You'll enjoy it more and it'll last longer. Let me know if you'll be getting a leather jacket soon and which material you prefer.

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