The word ‘staple’ is thrown around a lot in the fashion industry. It has taken on a life of its own to the point where it almost feels meaningless. But, without trying to add more fuel to the fire, a leather jacket is a staple.
Faux or real - no matter your preference - it is a key part of a capsule wardrobe for its timelessness, the ability to pair it with anything (really anything) and the way it brings an edge to any ensemble.
Trends come and go (in circles mostly - will this 90s revival ever end?) but a leather jacket is forever. Buy now and you will wear it for years to come. Invest in a well-made, hard-wearing and durable option and it will stand the test of time in your wardrobe, held in equal perennial importance alongside your trench coat, leather boots, well-fitting jeans and a white t-shirt. As we all look to make more considered purchases to combat fast fashion, you really can’t go wrong with a leather jacket.
Biker styles are generally what most people are looking for. Design details come in the form of hardware and whether it is fitted or oversized, but brands do get creative too with longer silhouettes that will make you feel like you stepped out of the Matrix or tailored blazer creations that ooze sophistication and nod to the nostalgic Nineties.
For some labels - AllSaints and Acne Studios to name but a few - leather jackets have become stalwarts in their collections, becoming synonymous with the brand’s identity as their core and most coveted product.
Shop the best leather jackets below.
AllSaints Cargo Leather Biker Jacket
AllSaints has long been the destination on the high street to secure your leather jacket. The brand has many different styles on offer but for that edgy grunge feel, the Cargo Leather Biker Jacket is on hand. There’s a reason why this is one of the bestsellers. It has a vintage aesthetic with diamond quilting at the shoulders for a unique design detail. The piece comes distressed to give you a head start on that beautifully aged look.
Buy now £299.00, John Lewis
Acne Studios leather biker jacket
The Scandinavian label has an effortlessly cool aesthetic that is perfectly encapsulated by this biker jacket that has a luxe edge. It has button poppers, pockets and zips aplenty that make a statement, and yet the style is neutral enough to pair with any ensemble.
Buy now £1350.00, Selfridges
Saks Potts Black Foxy Shearling Coat
Danish label Saks Potts is beloved for its playful outwear and use of fluffy shearling so it should come as no surprise that its leather jacket offering includes this signature at the cuffs and lapels. Elevating the elegance of the style, it has a glossy finish and finishes just below the knees.
Buy now £1255.00, SSENSE
Mango Leather jacket with worn effect
Slip into this retro-inspired faded leather jacket knowing it will last a lifetime. Not only is it made from 100 per cent, buttery soft nappa leather, but it comes complete with a Y2K-like faded design and two welt pockets for extra practicality. Pair yours with a black longline skirt or jeans and you have a look that just gets better and better.
Buy now £299.99, Mango
Reiss Allie Leather Collarless Biker Jacket
Sleek and elegant, this jacket from Reiss forgoes the traditional collar for a style that is oozing with sophistication. It is made from soft leather and is fitted for that Cat Woman-worthy aesthetic.
Buy now £325.00, Reiss
RE/DONE Racer Textured-leather Biker Jacket
Shop sustainably with RE/DONE. As the name suggests, the brand upcycles discarded fashion items. The East London-born label will hand-pick and rework vintage denim into luxury one-of-a-kind, distinctive pieces. We love the label’s leather jacket, which will play a recurring role in your clothing rotation during the transitional seasons.
Buy now £1380.00, Net-A-Porter
Nanushka Hathi single-breasted vegan-leather blazer
Nanushka specialises in vegan-friendly pieces and so this jacket is made from faux leather without sacrificing quality or durability. Instead, it is buttery soft yet simultaneously still sharp with impeccable tailoring. It has a fitted waist for a sleek, flattering look.
Buy now £624.00, MyTheresa
Superdry Vintage Fringe Leather Jacket
Biker meets rodeo with this fringed jacket from Superdry. This piece is actually brown, standing out from the rest of the black offering in this list. With its vintage feel, it’s a hybrid of rock and bohemian design, and you really can’t go wrong with this style. It is crafted from goat leather.
Buy now £140.00, Superdry
ba&sh Milo Jacket
Tap into the ongoing chocolate colour trend with ba&sh’s Milo jacket in a covetable mocha hue. Featuring a cropped silhouette and a sweet Peter Pan collar, the piece is both retro and glam in equal measure.
Buy now £430.00, ba&sh
Jigsaw Oversized Leather Blazer
Leave it to Jigsaw to quench our thirst for leather. The label’s leather blazer boasts an oversized fit which is ideal for layering up with chunky knits and turtlenecks during the winter months.
Buy now £350.00, Jigsaw
L’AGENCE Teo Belted Leather Jacket
You can never go wrong with a belted biker jacket in 100 per cent pure black leather. The supple design of this L’AGENCE layer skims the hip and features zip detailing, an asymmetrical closure and a buttery finish.
Buy now £1520.00, L’AGENCE
Sandro Distressed leather jacket
Inject Sixties style into your wardrobe with Sandro’s distressed staple piece. The brand practices responsible leather manufacturing via the Leather Working Group, which certifies tanneries based on their environmental performance, so it’s also a great choice for mindful shoppers.
Buy now £659.00, Selfridges
Topshop faux leather oversized moto jacket
Motocross jackets have boomed in popularity during the past year, no thanks due to their presence on social media It-girls and celebrities. Topshop’s version is super easy to style and thankfully won’t break the bank.
Buy now £70.00, ASOS
Arket Racer Leather Jacket
Arket is a never-ending treasure trove of leather jacket inspiration. The brand offers a versatile range of leather styles to consider and this unique racer silhouette caught our eye. A boxy fit is enhanced by zip sleeves and a cropped cut.
Buy now £629.00, Arket
Tibi Distressed leather jacket
New York-based label Tibi made our dressing dreams a reality with this divinely supple piece. The loose fit embraces a retro style, while a flap collar and pockets exude a utilitarian touch.
Buy now £1605.00, Net-A-Porter
Diesel Foxi cropped leather biker jacket
The 90s grunge revival is front and centre of the fashion agenda, just look to Diesel to confirm it. The brand’s shorter silhouette not only lengthens the legs but is a nod to the decade’s nostalgia with its clasp collar and zip detailing.
Buy now £732.00, Matches
H&M oversized biker jacket
Leather jackets are somewhat exclusive due to their high price tags, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to secure a lookalike. H&M’s affordable faux leather jacket is great for everyday use, whether dashing to the office or layering over your best party dress.
Buy now £54.99, H&M
