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A great leather motorcycle or biker-style jacket is a must-have in any well-rounded wardrobe and can be a great daily go-to piece due to its versatility. These jackets will immediately upgrade any outfit as well, whether it’s during your morning coffee run in joggers and sneakers to a fun night out with the girls in your favorite jeans, crop top, and heels.
Even better than a leather biker jacket is a faux leather one as they are not only ethical in nature but tend to be much more affordable than their leather counterparts and are great for year-round wear.
We have checked out and found some great leather jackets of 2024 options below that will make great additions to your wardrobe. One choice we found is a detachable hoodie-style jacket that is super stylish and gives you two different looks in one single jacket. All of our options also come in a bunch of fun color options, including the requisite black, and have flattering cinched-in waist detailing for a sleek silhouette.
Our Picks of the Hottest Leather Jacket
Made By Johnny Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket — Best Overall
Made by Johnny’s Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket is similar to the option above with a few stylistic differences. This is a medium-weight moto jacket featuring a removable knit hood with an adjustable drawstring and detail stitching on the front and back. Two side zip pockets are a constant on all the moto jackets, but this version gives you the option of a clean pocket front up top or one with a brass button flap. This jacket has a slim-fitting silhouette and hits slightly higher than the waistline.
Pros
- This moto jacket comes in 18+ color options
Cons
- Hand wash only and do not dry clean
Tanming Faux Leather Biker Jacket — Runner Up
For a full-on, authentic biker jacket experience Tanming’s faux leather one hits the spot. This is a slim-fitting biker-style jacket that comes with all the accessories unique to a biker-style jacket including a notched lapel with four silver rivets and slanted, full-sized zip side pockets that are ideal for smaller items like a phone or keys. Also included is a real button flap pocket on the lower right for extra small items including any change you tend to carry.
Pros
- This jacket is fully lined
Cons
- It is advised to consult the size chart prior to buying
Chouyatou Faux Leather Biker Jacket — Honorable Mention
If you already have a few motorcycle-inspired jackets and want to change it up a bit, this faux leather one by Chouyatou is on point. This jacket has a bit more stylish embellishment than our other options with its decorative studs on both shoulders, waist, and cuffs and has unique removable side bottoms with zippers. This jacket also has a slim-fitting designed waist that will flatter most figures and is suitable for any occasion. Upgrade your basic t-shirt and jeans outfit or layer over a slip dress for more formal-type affairs.
Pros
- The double-layered zipper closure keeps you looking modern, casual, and cool
Cons
- This jacket has no functioning pockets
Artfasion Faux Leather Biker Jacket — Contender
Another unique take on the authentic biker jacket is this option from Artfasion. Made from high-quality faux leather, this is a perfect year-round jacket that pairs with almost everything in your wardrobe. This jacket is lightweight and will look great layered with a hoodie or simple t-shirt for a casual day of errands and, for a fun night out, you can jazz up a dress or skinny jeans. This moto-style jacket also has nice tailoring and features a full zip down the front and small side pockets for convenience.
Pros
- This jacket is fully lined
Cons
- This jacket runs a size small
Buying Guide: Leather Jackets
We all know John Travolta’s killer performance wouldn’t have been the same without his classic leather ensemble. Among the never-ending variety of clothes you can adorn yourself in, a leather jacket never gets old. This trend has been and is truly here to stay, after all, it has passed the test of time over and over again. Back in the 80s when there was no one way to describe fashion, people on the streets could be seen flaunting this staple. Four decades later, nothing has changed, except that leather jackets are now available in various styles. Instead of the traditional black, fast fashion stores like H&M and Zara offer a variety of colors within the category. From rock stars to business moguls, leather jackets have been worn by all sorts of people in history which is why it makes perfect sense for you to continue the trend.
What Makes a Great Leather Jacket
Texture
Those into fashion know that there is ample diversity within leather jackets and the most subtle difference is made by texture. Although this isn’t the first thing you’ll notice, it’s worth the attention. From sleek smooth and mattified exteriors to grainy leather, there’s pretty much an endless array out there to confuse you. While textures are vast and plenty, the vibe they give off can be separated into two groups: shiny leather jackets are best suited for a typical edgy look whereas matte options can be perceived as slightly formal.
Embellishments
All black or with a little zing added to the mix. Even the tiniest embellishments can make all the difference. More often than not, you will find a silver zip running through the middle with small circular metal around the shoulders and the pockets. Embellishments and fancier versions can have anything from PVC patches to ruffles!
Color
Getting the shade right has everything to do with how expensive the leather looks. Even faux versions can look great if the color is sleek and muted. At the same time, a $3000 jacket can seem lackluster if it’s ‘too in the face’.
Fit
Baggy leather jackets aside, getting the wrong fit is simply money down the drain. Unfortunately, buying online can be a doozy sometimes. It’s not like you can try stuff on before it’s delivered to you, hence, you should scrutinize picture reviews to get a better idea. To be on the safe side, stick to slim fits with a shoulder size complementary to yours. However, if you’re more fond of slouchy fits, choose a size bigger or the same according to your preferences.
All Out or Budget-Friendly - Are Pricey Leather Jackets the Superior Choice?
As unfortunate as it is, leather isn’t cheap. While original leather can cost you as much as thousands of dollars, faux varieties have taken over the market due to their modest price. In all honesty, these do look just as great. Fashion retailer Vero Moda is one of the most adored brands for leather jackets within the UK and even they use imitation material. Not only does it let manufacturers retain the cruelty-free label but also saves them a pretty penny. However, even then, leather jackets aren’t necessarily affordable. Popular fast fashion brands tend to charge for their goodwill and reliability of service on top of the actual material. In many cases, extremely cheap leather jackets are just black plastic stitched on a fabric lining.
Why Your Wardrobe Needs a Leather Jacket
Suitable all year round
Leather jackets are mostly worn to look trendy, not to keep one warm, unless there is an inner lining of fur! As long as we’re talking about a classic thin leather jacket, it goes without saying this piece of clothing will last you throughout the year. No matter the weather, leather jackets look great. In the winter, you can pair it with a chunky sweater whereas in the summer it can be worn as a wind stopper!
Never goes out of fashion
Ten years from now, people will still be wearing leather jackets and we can say that with confidence. There’s just something about leather that simply never gets old. While colorful jacket styles might not be all the rage next season, the classic black will remain a coveted piece in your closet forever.
Complements various outfits
If you have Pinterest and you’re into clothes, this will seem like a no-brainer. From models walking the ramp in bodycon dresses covered with leather jackets to influencers wearing the latter with tank tops, you have an endless styling palette at your disposal. So, let your creativity run wild and embrace every look in confidence. A leather jacket is just as versatile as it is timeless!
Is Polyurethane Faux Leather (PU) the Best?
Yes, yes, and a hundred times yes. Polyurethane faux leathers (PU) is an irrefutable royalty within the faux leather kingdom. People love it because it looks real and doesn’t give off a cheap sheen. However, other varieties resemble plastic, albeit, to varying extents. While most customers can’t make out the difference in appearance by such a technical name, it’s always a good idea to check the label. This isn’t only because PU is better looking, but because it is considered the holy grail of faux leather, manufacturers put in more effort to improve its quality.
