Styling Guide: How to Style a Men’s Leather Jacket
Some items of clothing are a safe bet. Like a good pair of trousers — unless you’re going swimming or running a marathon, you’re never going to look daft in a good pair of trousers. Leather jackets are not a safe bet. Leather jackets require you to know what you’re doing or risk looking like a bit of a sausage. Let’s figure out how to style a men’s leather jacket together, shall we?
What is a leather jacket?
What are you talking about Perci? Has your brain gone brittle? A leather jacket is a jacket made of leather.
You’re right—of course you are—but unlike some other clothes, a leather jacket is a statement. There’s a certain cultural association attached to a leather jacket. In the 50s you were a greaser, in the 60s you were a rocker, in the 70s you were a punk, in the 80s you were a leather daddy or potentially in a hair metal band, in the 90s you were a Top Gear presenter… You see what we’re getting at? Depending on what era you’re living in, a leather jacket can serve as a projection of a particular niche to which you belong.
That doesn’t have to be the case, though. A leather jacket can be for everyone, you just need to know how to style it properly so that it has the desired effect. Let’s delve into that, shall we?
What to wear a leather jacket with?
Just don’t wear one with a shirt and tie or you’ll give off big Max & Paddy vibes. You don’t want that. Or maybe you do. Remember Tommy Dickfingers? They found him in a wheelie bin, two snooker balls for eyes!
You can go casual or smart-casual with a leather jacket, and we’ll get into that below, but you’ll need to match the vibe of the jacket itself. A big biker jacket is unlikely to fly with smart trousers.
How should a leather jacket fit?
Ideally, a men’s leather jacket should be snug across the shoulders and chest, and cut to just above the beltline. You need room to move, so we’re not talking skin-tight here — snug but comfortably mobile is what you’re going for.
What leather jackets are most popular in 2025?
Leather jackets are enjoying a cultural resurgence in 2025. Bombers, flight jackets, long jackets—all well and truly back in. Let’s take a look at some of the outstanding candidates, shall we?
Brown suede zip jacket
Smart as a brown suede carrot but with a slightly more relaxed, boxy fit, this one is ideal for just about any autumnal or wintrous occasion. Pair of smart trousers and a pair of loafers? Perfection.
What is caprine suede?
You know how Capricorn is the goat in astrology? Well, caprine suede is made from goatskin. It’s supple and durable and soft, even more so than standard suede. The good stuff.
Black flight leather jacket
Flight leather is made from the skin of bats’ wings—that thin webbing that stretches across their finger bones to get them airborne, hence ‘flight leather’. Just kidding. We’ve designed a Black Leather Flight Jacket. That’s probably what we should call it, really, so we don’t get sued by bats. Imagine a bat lawyer… No, thanks.
Green suede western jacket
Tired: Rhinestone Cowboy
Wired: Saying ‘howdy, cowboys’, when you join the Teams meeting.
Inspired: Mint Green Suede Cowboy.
5 questions to ask yourself before buying a leather jacket
A leather jacket is an investment. Bit like getting a puppy. Here are some questions you need to be asking yourself before you choose the right jacket for you.
1. Which colour is best: black, brown or green?
No single colour is better than any other colour. Remember that. That goes for everything. Well, if there’s red in your poo, that’s generally pretty bad, but in terms of clothes, it’s all about the overall combination of colour and tones. Black goes with just about anything, browns and greens can be a little trickier, but sometimes great risk brings great reward.
2. Does genuine leather matter?
It does! Genuine leather will react to your body temperature and keep you warmer in the cold, and cooler in the heat than artificial leathers.
3. What type of leather jacket suits my style?
More of a preppy or formal style? Go for a bomber jacket. Something like the Raceway Bomber gives you the rebellious nature of a proper leather jacket whilst maintaining a sharp silhouette and clean lines. For a more casual look, go for something a little longer and a little looser.
4. Can you wear a leather jacket all year round?
Listen, if it’s 40°C, maybe just stick to a linen shirt or as close to the air conditioning as possible. Otherwise, a looser-fitting suede jacket will get you through the warm months, and a leather jacket will see you through autumn and winter with aplomb.
5. Is a leather jacket worth the investment?
Definitely. They’re tough and durable, and they’re only going to get better with age. More supple, more aligned to your body, and with a patina unique to your lifestyle and movement. Well worth the investment.
How to style a leather jacket
Looking good in a leather jacket is 40% pure confidence and attitude, 60% what you wear it with. Let class commence.
What to wear with a black jacket?
Can’t go wrong with a White T-shirt and a pair of Jeans. Your choice of shoe will determine how formal or informal the fit is. Easy.
What to wear with a brown jacket?
A black or white T-shirt as your base layer will once again serve you well. On your bottom half, go for lighter jeans or Trousers and Loafers.
Which denim pairs best with leather Jackets?
All depends on the colour. Lighter denim pairs well with brown leather, whilst mid wash or black denim goes well with black leather.
Different types of men’s leather jackets
Not all leather jackets are alike. There are various species of leather jacket, each adapted to its own style and purpose.
Leather flight jackets
Flight Jackets are modelled on the bomber jackets worn by pilots during World War II. Designed for flying headlong into almost certain death in a tin can full of bullets, adapted for looking stylish around town. A classic.
Leather moto jacket
Cropped for mobility and all of your essential biker needs, but just as useful at making you look a touch dangerous in a good way.
Leather racer jacket
Pretty much nothing as stylish as a Raceway Bomber complete with Ford logo and extremely poppable collar. People will think you’re prepared for a feud-settling drag race with a bad guy at a moment’s notice, they don’t need to know you’re just after a flat white and a slice of banana bread.
Oversized leather jackets
Very Y2K, very in, very fashionable in the mid 2020s. Fashion is an ever-spiralling cycle, time is relentless, and we shall all be wormfood or stardust before we know it.
When to wear a leather jacket?
Can you wear a leather jacket in the winter?
Can you wear a leather jacket in winter? We insist that you do, actually. Leather jackets are very good at keeping the wind off your chest and the water off your back. Depending on the fit, they can be useful in layering. A looser fitting leather jacket can be a great outer layer in a winter fit, provided that the inner layers aren’t dangling below the waist of the jacket.
Can you wear a leather jacket in the summer?
Listen, we’re trying to sell jackets here, but if you’re reading this from Southern Italy in August, you might be better off going with something a little cooler. In cooler climes, though, you’ll be just fine as long as you pair your leather jacket with the appropriate clothes — a quality tee and jeans, perhaps. Let’s curate some looks.
Leather Jacket Casual Looks
For a more casual style, match your Leather Jacket with a nice, high-quality T-shirt (go for a white tee, trust us on this one), and a pair of Straight Leg Denim Jeans. Classic, clean, easy, perfect. One of your mates might make a Grease joke, “Alright, Danny Zuko! Where are the other T-Birds?” But you’ll look class and his partner hates him so hit the Greased Lightning pose and have a good laugh when his life falls apart.
Smart-Casual Leather Jacket Looks
Leather Jacket with Knitted Polo & Trousers
For something a little smarter, ditch the white tee and jeans, and go for a Knitted Polo under your leather jacket, paired with a nice smart pair of Program Pleated Trousers. A timeless look. Sort of thing your grandad might’ve rocked down the snooker club back in the day. Perfect for the pub or a restaurant date. Nice.
