Fashion Tips: Guide for Buying a New Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is a must-have garment in every wardrobe because it’s stylish throughout the year and looks amazing on everyone. But buying a leather jacket isn’t as simple as going to the store and picking out the one you like most. Leather can last a lifetime if you maintain it, so you’ll want to buy a piece that fits your definition of perfection. Our guide for buying a new leather jacket will make shopping feel effortless.

Know Your Style

Every jacket style has different key characteristics, and each will appeal to slightly different types. When it comes to leather coats, you’ll typically choose between bomber jackets, flight jackets, and biker jackets, but these aren’t the only styles. You can also shop for a leather trench coat or windbreaker. Decide what type you like most and which jacket aligns with the kind of clothes you usually wear so that you know what to look for before you begin shopping.

Shop for Quality

When you buy a leather jacket, it’s always best to purchase something high in quality, specifically when you want authentic leather. For example, you should know that the main difference between full-grain and top-grain leather is that full-grain leather shows all the skin’s characteristics. You’ll see grains, scars, and other imperfections on it. Full-grain leather is the highest quality you can buy. After that (in descending order), it’s top-grain, corrected, split-grain, then bonded leather.

Shopping Tip

Full grain and top grain leather come at a higher price than split-grain or bonded leather because the first two are the best quality. This means pieces made with these materials will last longer, making them investment purchases.

Evaluate Accessories and Construction

Do you want a jacket solely for comfort, style, or a bit of both? Some leather jackets include zipper pockets on the outside to make them stand out more. Plenty of fashionistas love accessories like this. As you inspect a jacket, you should also decide whether you want an inner lining. A lined jacket will help keep you warmer on a cold day, but it may add a bit of weight depending on the lining fabric.

Buy the Right Size

Our final fashion tip in this guide for buying a new leather jacket is to make sure you purchase the correct size. Leather isn’t like other fabrics, and when you first buy your jacket, it should feel a bit snug. When you hit the shops, dress how you normally would when wearing it to find the best fit for that attire. Hoodies and sweaters are thicker than t-shirts, and you want to account for that if you plan to layer them underneath the jacket. Once you’ve found your style and size, you can show off the newest addition to your wardrobe.