Real Men Wear Leather: A Man’s Guide to Choosing a Leather Jacket

man wearing leather jacket

By 2020, the men’s fashion sector will outsell women’s. And because fashion has been traditionally seen as a “women’s thing,” this is a huge step forward with the industry.

In this article, we’ll talk about choosing the perfect leather jacket for yourself or the man in your life. A durable item and fashion staple, a leather jacket can carry you from day to night and works well during transitional season months.

If you invest in a good quality leather jacket, you’ll use it for many years to come. So choose wisely, and choose well.

Leather vs. Leather Alternatives

In today’s world, veganism and animal rights are a hot topic. Because of that, many people are opting for non-leather alternatives to replace their leather goods. And if you care about animals rights, you may be wondering if you should buy a leather jacket.

Leather jackets are durable and can last for season after season. It’s versatile, as well as not as prone to wear as cheaper clothing. As such, leather jackets won’t make as much of an impact on the environment, as you might keep your jacket for 10, 20 or possibly even 30 years.

One leather alternative is PVC. If you purchase a PVC product, this is essentially made of plastic. Some people choose not to purchase PVC products because they see them as more of a strain on the environment than leather.

Others, however, do buy them because they generally have a lower price point and are ethical, at least in the sense that it doesn’t exploit animals.

The demand for well-crafted leather alternatives has increased, so you can also find faux-leather products that are as durable as leather. Many of them will even have the same expensive price tag as a leather item.

Some of the alternatives include pineapple leather and leather made from recycled plastic bottles.

Read more here about assessing the quality of the jacket.

Choosing the Right Fit

A leather jacket should be snug against your body, but not too tight. However, it’s up to you if you’d rather have your jacket fit tightly or a little bit loose.

When considering the fit, think about what time of year you’ll most likely wear the jacket in and what the weather is like where you’ll be. If you live in Southern California, for example, the transitional weather, or the winters even, won’t be that harsh. As such, you won’t need to layer to stay warm.

If you live in Finland, the transitional time period and even the early spring can still be rather chilly. As such, you may want to wear a sweater or a thick long-sleeved shirt underneath your leather jacket.

Consider this when purchasing your jacket so that you get something you feel confident in.

You also want to make sure you can lift your arms comfortably in the jacket without restriction. You’ll want to make sure you can do everything you intend to in the jacket without any issues. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself not reaching for the jacket at all.

The Right Leather Jacket Style

When you think of leather jackets, you’ll most likely think of a motorcycle jacket. Made popular in the 1950s, and worn by the greaser gang in the classic hit, Grease, they’re still a modern staple.

A motorcycle jacket is by far the most common type of leather jacket and can be worn even if you’re not a motorcycle rider. However, a motorcycle jacket is often more fitted to the body. Therefore, if you want to add some layers for warmth, it might not be the best option for you.

Also popular are bomber style jackets, which are often lined with fleece or another similar material. These jackets also often give you space to fit an extra layer underneath so that you can keep warm during the transitional months, or even wear it as a winter jacket.

While these are the most popular styles, they’re by far not the only types. You can also find the cattleman, which is similar to a trench coat but made of leather or in a leather-like material. This jacket was originally intended for cowboys to wear on horseback.

You can also find leather jackets in the same style as blazers and fatigues.

The Price Point

While you do tend to get what you pay for, you don’t necessarily need to buy a $3,000 designer leather jacket for it to last you several seasons.

When buying a leather jacket, you do often get what you pay for. If you purchase a leather jacket that is inexpensive, you may find it doesn’t last as long as you want it to. Inexpensive items are also often not made of real leather, even if they claim they are.

A good leather jacket should be an investment, and you should be willing to splurge a little on the coat. But, make sure it is durable and well-made before setting down your hard-earned cash. Check for good quality zippers and well-made lining.

Selecting the Right Leather Jacket

Choosing the right leather jacket is a personal decision and not one you can read a guide on and then know what to choose right away. It will likely involve some trial and error, as well as incorporating some of your own personal style and tastes.

If you’re in the mood to continue upgrading your style, check out our article on choosing the best watches on the market.

Author: IzzyWeb