Whether it’s a crisp fall evening or a brisk spring morning, one piece that has your back is a leather jacket. Men’s leather jackets are a three-season essential, and work for most any dress code.
All it takes is having the right one at your side.
So what makes a great leather jacket for men? Fantastic durability, fit, and versatility.
The right leather layer should be something you can throw on over outfits for years to come. It shouldn’t just be something that lasts you a season and ends up in your Goodwill donation pile.
That means you need to make sure you’re picking jackets from trustworthy brands that put quality over quantity.
(No more buying the first thing you see in the sale section just to get shopping over with.)
But on top of that, you need to find the right style. You don’t want to pick out something too trendy or that doesn’t go with the rest of your closet.
Not sure where to start? Our stylists have you covered.
They’ve put together the four types of men’s leather jackets worth owning. Keep scrolling to hear why these brands and styles made the grade along with outfit advice.
Table of Contents
1. A Men’s Black Leather Jacket
Product by Mr. P, shop here.
First things first, every man should have a black leather jacket in their closet. It’s the most mix-and-match friendly of the leather jacket styles, and possibly of jackets altogether.
Why?
For one, the color. Black goes with everything. From other neutral core colors like white, navy, and grey, to bright bold accents and patterns.
If you’re unsure how to finish or start an outfit, reach for one black piece to anchor it all together.
For another, a men’s black leather jacket is a staple. You can wear it in most seasons just by switching up your underlayers. If you’re interested in building a capsule wardrobe, this is one item you shouldn’t skip.
Take the low-key coach jacket we picked out from Mr. P. The minimalist profile means it won’t distract from the rest of your outfit. You can wear it over a Tee, button-up, or cozy cashmere sweater.
2. A Men’s Leather Bomber Jacket
Product by LOEWE, shop here.
A men’s leather bomber jacket has been a guy’s best friend pretty much since the start of modern dressing.
Originating in World War 1 aviation (hence the name “bomber” jacket), these jackets are now a semi-casual and casual staple.
Leather bomber jackets (men’s or women’s) typically feature a collar, elastic waistband, cuffs, and a boxier shape.
(Though you’ll likely see longer styles these days thanks to the popularity of the oversized trend.)
We like them because they’ve got a classic sort of look and they’re relatively simple. You can find a no-fuss men’s bomber with ease. Plus if you do like a little definition or styling, the cuffs and banded hem do the job.
The leather bomber jacket for men we picked out is this textured style from LOEWE. The subtle grained calfskin gives it a more lived-in look, as does the slightly slouchy fit.
Style it with a grey tee, chinos, and white sneakers for a men’s power casual look that works for desk duty or dining out.
3. A Men’s Brown Leather Jacket
Product by Cole Haan, shop here.
One common mistake we see people make with their jackets is that they buy them all in the same color.
Don’t get us wrong, we love black. We just listed all the reasons it’s the foundation of a great closet. But another important part of having a functional, stylish wardrobe is variety. That means introducing other colors into the mix.
You don’t have to go for a leather jacket in a wild shade of plum or olive. But we do recommend trying one out in another core color: brown.
What’s great about brown is that it feels more approachable than black. Black leather might feel too severe for some occasions. For those moments, having a rich brown jacket for men is a must.
For our men’s brown leather jacket, we have this effortlessly cool option from Cole Haan.
It’s lightly lined to keep you warm without burning up and features simple pockets, a collar, and a zip-up front.
Wear this brown leather jacket for men with black jeans, chukkas, and a sweater during the colder months. Or lighten up with navy blue jeans and a white shirt for the start of spring.
4. A Men’s Leather Motorcycle Jackets
Product by Tom Ford, shop here.
Last but not least, we have to give a shout-out to the motorcycle jacket.
It has just as much style history tied up in it as the bomber jacket. Just the phrase “men’s leather motorcycle jacket” brings to mind fashion icons like James Dean or Elvis Presley.
There’s no denying it’s stylish. But how do you wear it without looking like you’re cosplaying Dean, Presley, or one of the Thunderbirds?
The answer: pair back the details. Step away from excessive grommets, zippers, and all things studs. We also vote to skip styles with large lapels or belted waistlines.
These pieces aren’t that versatile and look more like a costume than something you could wear day to day.
A great example of this is the leather motorcycle jacket for men by Tom Ford you see above.
You can wear this layer season after season because it doesn’t overdo it. You get the nod to the classic Moto style with the zipper pockets and buttons on the sides and collar. But you don’t feel like a cartoon character.
Dress this jacket up with trousers and boots or strike a happy medium with a turtleneck sweater and jeans.
Looking for a wardrobe to go with your new men’s leather jackets? Apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s men’s styling services. Our team of experts is ready to makeover your closet, change your shopping mindset, and simplify outfit building for good.
No more wasting time in the morning getting dressed or dreading shopping trips. Just great style made easy.
