Elevate Your Look With a Leather Jacket
Hello my fashionable friends,
Fall is in full swing, temperatures are cooler, and the days are getting shorter. One of the great things about this season is fall fashion—the rich autumnal colors like pumpkin, mustard, and jewel tones. I also love the richer textures like wool, suede, fur, and leather. And one of my favorite fall pieces is a leather jacket, because by simply throwing one on you can add instant edginess and personality to your look.
I have pulled together a collection of four classic styles of leather jackets along with my favorite styling tips.
Motorcycle Jackets
Leather Trench Coats
Leather Blazers
Leather Bomber Jackets
Click each picture for more details and to add your favorites to your wardrobe.
MOTORCYCLE JACKETS
Let’s face it—motorcycle (moto) jackets are cool. They were introduced by Schott NYC in the late 1920’s, and since then they have been reinterpreted and tweaked by brands far and wide. Do you remember that iconic scene in Grease when Sandy made her transformation from innocent schoolgirl to smokin’ hot vixen in the movie Grease? She was wearing a leather motorcycle jacket at the time.
Motorcyle jackets are available in numerous styles, colors, and fabrics, and there is something for every taste, including vegan options.
Shoppable Options
Styling a Motorcycle Jacket
You can wear moto jackets in many ways—including with jeans, shorts, dresses, and skirts. The casual ease of moto jackets makes outfits look effortless and cool.
A metallic moto jacket with jeans and loafers.
Throw a moto jacket over a maxi dress.
A moto jacket with jeans, a t-shirt, and boots is a classic and timeless look.
Throw a moto jacket over a tulle skirt. The toughness of the leather provides a nice counterbalance to the softness of the tulle.
TRENCH COATS
Trench coats were popularized during World War I to provide soldiers, who were down in trenches of the battlefields, with protection against the elements. These coats were lightweight, waterproof, and functional—with features that provided storage for their tools and instruments.
Trench coats evolved since then and have earned a permanent position in the “fashion classic” hall of fame. Trench coats have been reinterpreted each season with variations in color, texture, fabric, patterns, and details. Leather trench coats are even more special because they add an element of lux to a wardrobe staple.
Styling a Leather Trench Coat
You can throw a leather trench over just about anything and you’ll look good. However, when styling a trench be mindful of proportions. You want to ensure that the length of the trench doesn’t compete with the length of your garments, so you want to wear pieces that are either shorter or at least several inches longer than the length of the coat.
Shoppable Options
1. Michael Kors Patent Leather Trench
Trench coats that stop mid-thigh look great with full length jeans, pants, leggings, and culottes.
2. Leith Faux Patent Leather Trench Coat
Midi-length trench coats look great with leggings or skinny jeans.
3. Karen Millen Leather Trench Coat
Culottes hang several inches below this trench coat and look great, because of the contrasting lengths.
4. Eloquii Crocodile Trench Dress
This trench dress hits right below the knees, and looks great with leggings, tights, or a great pair of over the knee boots.
5. Stand Studio Zebra-Print Faux Leather Trench Coat
This black midi length dress stops a few inches above the length of the trench, letting the coat take center stage.
LEATHER BLAZERS
Swap out a fabric blazer for leather and you will immediately transform your outfit into a cool, edgy, and chic look. Recently, when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer attended a press conference wearing a leather jacket, I was delighted. I love the way female professionals, including politicians, are rewriting the rules on how we show up in the world. It’s okay to be stylish, competent, and powerful. Those characteristics are not mutually exclusive.
Check out these fashionable options.
Shoppable Options
Styling a Leather Blazer
Leather blazers are versatile and can be worn many ways—from pairing with jeans and a t-shirt, leather on leather, or pairing with a dress or skirt.
Try a leather blazer over a t-shirt and jeans.
A leather blazer over leather pants or leggings makes a statement.
When wearing a leather blazer over shorts, keep the length of the shorts at least a little longer than the blazer for a nice contrast.
A leather blazer over a skirt or dress is a great look.
BOMBER JACKETS
Bomber jackets are another style with military roots. Pilots wore leather jackets to protect them from cold weather in high altitudes during World Wars I and II. They evolved over the years to include fur collars, zip pockets on the sleeves, and other details to provide more utility. Like many classics, bomber jackets were developed for a specific purpose and were adopted by the mainstream to become a fashion staple.
Bomber jackets, like other types of leather jackets are versatile and can be styled with many things from jeans, to skirts, and dresses.
Shoppable Options
Ottolie Cross Stitch Leather Bomber Jacket
Pair a dressier bomber with a midi skirt.
Guess Faux Fur Collar Bomber Faux Leather Jacket
Bomber jackets look great with jeans. Pair with your favorite sneakers or boots.
This leather bomber looks great with an A-line leather skirt. Try an A-line denim skirt, if double leather is too much for you.
Which style is your favorite? I love them all. Consider adding a leather jacket to your style repertoire if you haven’t already. Or if you’re looking to add to your existing collection, shop the styles I included above.
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Find Your Fabulous: The Fearless Fashionista Approach to Developing and Owning Your Style
Thank you for reading, and please visit me again soon.
