The best leather jacket for you depends on what the rest of your wardrobe looks like, not on what is currently in fashion. A biker jacket in a wardrobe of tailoring will sit unworn. A soft fashion jacket in a wardrobe of denim and boots will feel like it is missing something.
Here are the six styles worth knowing, what each actually does, and how to work out which one belongs in your wardrobe first.
1. The Biker Jacket
What it is: asymmetric zip, wide folding lapels, belted waist, close cropped fit ending at the hip.
What it does: adds edge to anything soft. It is the jacket that makes a floral dress look considered rather than sweet, and it is the most recognisable leather jacket there is.
Buy it if your wardrobe leans feminine or soft and you want contrast. Skip it if you already dress in a hard edged way, since it will double down rather than balance.
Fit: close. Size down if between sizes. See Women Biker Jackets.
2. The Bomber Jacket
What it is: ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, roomy body, short length.
What it does: the most relaxed leather jacket. Works over a hoodie or a jumper, and reads casual rather than sharp.
Buy it if you want something easy that layers well. Skip it if you want a jacket that works with tailoring, since the rib fights a structured line.
Fit: roomy. Size up if between sizes, because the rib does the shaping. See Womens Bomber Jackets.
3. The Soft Fashion Jacket
What it is: a clean, minimal jacket in soft lambskin. No heavy hardware, no strong lapels.
What it does: the most wearable of all of them, and the one that goes with the widest range of clothes. Quiet rather than statement.
Buy it if this is your first leather jacket and you want maximum versatility. Skip it if you specifically want presence.
Fit: true to size. See Women Leather Jackets.
4. The Shearling Jacket
What it is: sheepskin with the wool left on the inside. Heavy, bulky and genuinely warm.
What it does: replaces a winter coat. This is outerwear rather than a style piece.
Buy it if your winter is properly cold and you want leather that actually works in it. Skip it if you live somewhere mild, because it will be too warm most of the year.
Fit: size up. The wool takes up real space and you need room for a jumper. See Womens Shearling Jackets.
5. The Leather Coat
What it is: longer length, cut to go over other clothes including tailoring.
What it does: creates a long vertical line rather than breaking at the waist. The only option that works properly over a blazer.
Buy it if you wear tailoring, or you already own a leather jacket and want something different. Skip it if you want something casual and quick.
Fit: size up, since it is a layering piece. See Womens Leather Coats.
6. The Leather Shirt
What it is: technically not a jacket, which is exactly why it is here.
What it does: three jobs at once. A top, a light layer, or a warm mid layer under a coat. It is the piece you actually wear all day rather than taking off indoors.
Buy it if you already own a leather jacket. It adds far more than a second jacket would. See Womens Leather Shirts.
Choosing Your First
Ask what the rest of your wardrobe is doing.
- Mostly dresses and soft fabrics: a biker jacket, for contrast.
- Mostly jeans and knitwear: a soft fashion jacket or a bomber.
- Mostly tailoring: a leather coat, or a leather shirt under a blazer.
- You already own one leather jacket: a leather shirt or a coat, not another jacket.
Colour
Black is the sharpest and the most versatile, and it is the right first choice for most people. But if you already own a black leather jacket, going black again limits what you gain.
- Brown and tan. Warmer and more relaxed. Better with cream, olive and denim.
- Burgundy and oxblood. Colour without noise. Strong against grey and navy.
- Cream and off white. Striking in spring and summer, needs more careful care.
The Fit Rules That Matter
Shoulders decide the size. The seam should sit on the edge of your shoulder. This is the one thing that cannot be altered afterwards.
Buy firm, not comfortable. Leather relaxes about half a size over the first month. A jacket that feels perfect on day one will feel loose by winter.
Do not size up for a jumper. Size for what you wear most days, and layer with a fine rollneck instead.
Our full guide on how a leather jacket should fit covers every checkpoint, and the numbers go against our Size Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best leather jacket style for women?
It depends on your wardrobe. A biker jacket for contrast against soft clothes, a soft fashion jacket for maximum versatility, a bomber for a relaxed look, and a coat if you wear tailoring.
What leather jacket should I buy first?
A soft black lambskin jacket in a simple cut. It goes with the widest range of clothes and you will reach for it most often.
Should a womens leather jacket be tight?
Close fitting but not tight. You should zip it over a t-shirt with a flat hand of room at the chest. It should feel slightly firm when new, since leather relaxes about half a size.
What colour leather jacket is most versatile?
Black. If you already own black, brown or burgundy will add more range and pair better with cream, olive and denim.
Which womens leather jacket is warmest?
Shearling, by a wide margin, because the wool is part of the hide rather than a lining. It is genuinely a winter coat rather than a style piece.
Should I buy a second leather jacket?
A leather shirt or a leather coat will usually add more to your wardrobe than a second jacket, because they do things a jacket cannot.
How do I know what size to order?
Measure your chest, shoulder, sleeve, waist and body length over a t-shirt and check them against the size guide. Prioritise the shoulder measurement if two sizes conflict.
Finding Yours
Start with what your wardrobe is missing rather than what is trending, get the shoulders right, and buy firm rather than comfortable. Browse Women Leather Jackets at Leather Outlet, and check the Size Guide before ordering. Made to order in real leather, XS to 5XL, free worldwide shipping.
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