A leather blazer offers the perfect combination of timeless style, comfort and durability. Assuming it’s made of genuine leather, you can rest assured knowing that it will withstand the hands of time for countless years to come. In fact, it’s not uncommon for leather blazers to last for decades or even generations. If you want to look your best when wearing one, however, there are a few things you should know. For some helpful tips on how to rock a leather blazer in style, keep reading.
Stick with Traditional Colors
Leather blazers are available in dozens of colors, ranging from black and brown to yellow and red. However, it’s usually best to stick with traditional colors; otherwise, you’ll only be able to wear it on certain occasions. Traditional brown and black leather blazers are an excellent choice. You can easily match with your other clothes and accessories to create a stunning appearance. On the other hand, a red leather blazer may force you to wear certain clothes to achieve a cohesive appearance.
Single or Double-Breasted Leather Blazers
When shopping for a leather blazer, you’ll probably find that most feature a single-breasted design. As the name suggests, this style is characterized by a narrow overlap with only a single column of buttons. There are also double-breasted leather blazers, however, which are characterized by two symmetrical columns of buttons. So, which style should you choose? It really depends on your personal preference. Some men prefer the slimming appearance of single-breasted blazers, whereas others prefer the more formal appearance of double-breasted blazers.
Choose High-Quality Leather
Not all leather blazers are made of the same quality leather. Some companies use cheap, low-quality leather in the construction of their blazers. Unfortunately, thus results in a sub-par garment with visible imperfections. To prevent this from happening, it’s recommended that you choose a blazer made of high-quality, such as Napa leather. In case this is your first time hearing about it, let me explain. Napa leather is a term first coined by Emanual Manasse in the mid-to-late 1800s, during which he worked at the Sawyer Tanning Company in Napa, California. Napa leather is characterized by its soft temper, which is usually achieved through the use of alum salts with vegetable tanning ingredients. Technical jargon aside, it’s a softer and higher quality leather than traditional non-Napa leather.
Leave it Open
Unless you are cold, there’s really no need to button or zip up your leather blazer. On the contrary, leaving it open allows you to create a more stylish appearance. If your leather blazer is open, for instance, you can show off your shirt. This can either help or hurt your appearance depending on how it’s done. The key thing to remember is that you should choose a shirt color that flows cohesively with the rest of your outfit. This means avoiding shirt colors in the same color as your leather blazer and instead choosing a different color that matches. If you’re wearing a brown or black leather blazer, you can always compliment your appearance with a white shirt.
Stick with Genuine Leather
If you’re going to wear a leather blazer, make sure it’s made of 100% genuine leather. Just because a blazer says “made of leather” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s made of real, genuine leather. Like selling low-quality leather, some companies use fake leather to cut costs and increase their profits. It’s the consumer who loses, however, as fake leather blazers lack the attractive qualities of their genuine counterparts. You can expect to pay more for a genuine leather blazer than a fake leather blazer, but most people will agree that it’s well worth the investment.
Keep it Casual
Leather blazers undoubtedly look “dressy,” but you should still wear them in a casual manner. Leather blazers are less formal than suit jackets; therefore, it’s best to wear them in a casual or semi-casual way. You can still wear them with a button-up dress shirt and even a necktie. However, don’t try to create a strictly formal look with a leather blazer. If you’re dressing for a black-tie even or similar formal occasion, stick with a traditional suit jacket instead of a blazer.
Wear Matching Shoes… or Boots
Another fashion tip to follow when wearing a leather blazer is to pair it with matching footwear. If you’re wearing a black leather blazer, for example, pair it with black shoes or boots. On the other hand, if you’re wearing a brown leather blazer, you should pair it with brown shoes or boots. The general idea is to create a more cohesive appearance in which your blazer matches your footwear.
Choose a Blazer with Pockets
Why should you choose a leather blazer with pockets? Well, pockets offer both functional and aesthetic benefits. They add a unique visual element to the blazer while also allowing you to store small items like car keys, cash, your phone, etc.
Get the Right fit
If you’re going to wear a leather blazer, make sure it fits your body. Unfortunately, finding the right size isn’t always an easy task. Even if you normally wear a size “large,” this same size in a leather blazer may be too small or too big. Different companies use different methods to construct their blazers. As a result, sizes can differ from one brand to the next.
Maintain it
Finally, be sure to maintain your leather blazer. Assuming it’s made of genuine leather, there are a few steps you should take to preserve its appearance and integrity, beginning with conditioning it. Using a leather conditioning product like saddle soap, rub the conditioner into the surface of your blazer at least once every few months. This will moisturize your blazer to protect against dehydration, cracking and other problems. Additionally, you should store your leather blazer in a climate-controlled environment that’s not too dry or humid.