How to Choose a Leather jacket : A comprehensive guide

Desired Design

Leather Selection

Correct Measurement

Weather Conditions

Fashion

Comfortability

How to choose a leather jacket: The comprehensive guide


A wardrobe is a burden: most clothes wear out over time and need to be replaced. A beautiful men's leather jacket is the exception to this rule, an investment that will last a lifetime and beyond – it's a statement piece to pass down to your children or even grandchildren.

With rare exceptions, a leather jacket looks fabulous paired with just about anything, a quality that gives it a versatility that few other garments in your wardrobe can claim. And it only gets better with age. But knowing how to choose the best leather jacket for your specific budget and wardrobe takes some effort on your part, and looking good in it isn't as simple as throwing it on your back. We bet the effort is worth it, and to help you get started, we've answered some essential questions about this classic piece of outerwear, the men's leather jacket.

Why choose a leather jacket?

 Leather is durable. You will be hard-pressed to find a stronger material for a coat or jacket. A quality leather jacket will last for decades, and if you take good care of it, it will outlive you. It may show a nick or scratch, but the garment itself will remain intact despite its character-building bumps and bruises. And while an exceptional leather jacket or coat can be expensive, when viewed through the lens of longevity, it can actually cost less than any other garment in your wardrobe.

Your skin will protect you. Its penchant for acting like a tough second skin has long made it the biker's top choice; it can't save anyone from the worst scratches, but it puts a respectable barrier between your own skin and the pavement. It also provides windproof, highly waterproof protection from the elements, even without a waterproofing treatment.
Leather is timeless. As durable as leather is, it is also durable: your leather jacket will never go out of style. And it's extraordinarily masculine. The single best reason to own a standout leather jacket may finally be its transformative, rugged demeanor: it gives you the freedom to feel like a tough guy without being flashy. It's the one thing every man should have in his wardrobe.


Types of Leather Jackets: A Guide to Popular Styles

If there's one style that defines the genre, it's most certainly the leather motorcycle jacket, known in the clothing industry as a "rider" or "double rider": belted, zipped and zipped, the original has wide lapels and a flared collar with snaps for fastening against the wind. He was and remains the champion of Harley-riding biker gangs and teen idols, but Marlon Brando brought him to the forefront of pop fashion. Regardless of the genuine article, others are borrowing pieces of this archetypal garment to make it a new, fashionable piece that is still classic.
Hot on his heels is a bomber or flight jacket, sometimes called the A2's official moniker. Originally designed for Army Air Force pilots on the eve of World War II, this is a military leather jacket with a center front zipper, ribbed cuffs and hem, and two large front pockets with flaps; The G-1 is its naval variant. This jacket was made for serious work: it was cut at the side so the pilot could sit comfortably for long hours, and most of them were lined with shear fabric for warmth in the cockpit. Fleece, flannel and corduroy are popular lining materials today, and the cutting effect remains in the modern descendants of the bomber. The bomber jacket has changed very little over the decades, a true example of style utility.
The motocross, or racing, jacket is a slimmed down, seemingly more aerodynamic version of the "rider". It usually has a symmetrical front zip, tape collar, zip pockets and otherwise minimal design details. The moto jacket has a tighter fit than its popular sibling; efficient and simple, it is probably the most versatile leather jacket.
The cattle jacket is a thigh-length leather jacket made for the horse's back; it often spills slightly from the waist, a detail that betrays her equestrian intentions.
Variations are leather fatigues, a field coat and a blazer. Just like its fabric cousin, the fatigue is cut loose, with a soft collar and large flap pockets, sometimes cinched at the waist, sometimes belted. Many jackets have some or all of these details, each of which belies an actual style category.


What is the best type of leather for a jacket?

If you think of a leather jacket and think of cowhide or cowhide, you're in the right place: this type of leather is the skin of an adult ox or cow, which is often used to make jackets. It's strong and durable, but takes a long time to break in, so it's generally reserved for more practical outerwear.
Buckskin is lighter, traditionally yellow or orange in color and more suitable for use in warm weather jackets; it doesn't resist damage like thicker leather, but it's still durable and stretches well.
Goatskin is still lighter than deerskin, wears well and has a distinctive pebbled appearance.
Lambskin is the softest, silkiest and most luxurious leather, but not as durable as others. It is still increasingly popular for use in leather jackets precisely because of its softness. But because the raw skins are smaller, more are needed to make a single jacket; its price tag reflects that and a premium for softness.
Calfskin is a nice compromise between cowhide and lambskin because it has the softness of the former but the durability of the latter.


How to choose a leather jacket

Focus on style first. The bomber is made for warmth and practicality, so if that's what you're after, it's a great choice. Featuring moto-inspired details, the jacket is more fitted and as such less conforming to the layers worn underneath. If you want length, opt for a fatigue-style jacket. And while you might be able to find something longer—such as a duster—your wearing options will be severely limited by this highly stylized leather coat.
Also think about the type of leather you need: choose calf, goat or lamb if you want a soft and light jacket. But in general, the lighter the leather, the more prone it is to tearing: don't choose lambskin if you plan on tearing down the highway in it.
Remember, by its very nature, a leather jacket is a casual garment; it won't work in every situation, although it will in most. But if your work environment isn't casual, it won't work as business attire, and it definitely looks out of place in a boardroom. In some casual work environments, a biker-inspired jacket or bomber jacket paired with a shirt, wool trousers and black leather boots can get away with it. Stick to brown or black leather and remember this basic rule: the more "decorations" on the jacket, the more casual it is.

How to put on a leather jacket

If it doesn't fit like the proverbial glove, then it doesn't:

There should be enough "play" so it doesn't pinch or bind, but that's about it.
A leather jacket should hang close to the body, snug but not tight, with room for a sweater underneath if you need the warmth of additional layers.
If you plan to wear a hoodie under your jacket, wear a hoodie when you try it on. If you don't, you'll almost certainly end up feeling uncomfortable in the jacket later as you try to stack layers.
Oversized jackets hang badly and should be avoided.
A leather jacket should bend and mold to you. You should also be able to move your arms freely; the sleeves should not extend past the wrists and the rest of the jacket should stop at the waist unless you choose a longer style. A jacket needs to fit well from day one to look good afterwards; Leather can't be changed like other materials (at least not easily), so it's important that you get it right from the start.

How to spot quality in a leather jacket

It's the thought that counts - well thought out details. The best quality leather jackets will own them in spades. Here's what to look for:

Leather Grain: This is the single biggest factor in determining the price of a leather jacket. Full grain refers to leather made from the entire skin of an animal, including the outer layer of skin; it does not change and retains the natural pattern of the animal's skin. It also shows the natural irregularities - abrasions, scars and blemishes - that occurred during the life of its original wearer. This is what gives full grain leather so much appeal.
For leather jackets, the top grain is best; the outer skin is separated from the lower layers of full-grain leather and smoothed to create a flat surface. The result is thinner, more supple and probably more comfortable skin.
Stitching: visible stitching on the top or "right" side of the jacket. Beautiful stitching sets this exceptional leather jacket apart from its cheaper counterparts.
Lining: cheaper jackets use low-quality synthetics. They don't breathe well and are usually the first thing to fall apart over time. The best quality leather jackets have separate lining materials in the sleeves and body, and you will often see higher quality insulation material especially in the body.
Armholes: look for armholes set higher on the jacket. This allows for easy movement and a better overall fit. Armholes located lower on the jacket will limit the movement of the arms.
Zippers: A cheap zipper is a dead giveaway of a cheaply made leather jacket.
You get what you pay for - it's one of life's greatest truths. A beautiful leather jacket gets better with age and will last a lifetime and beyond.