Who says you can’t wear a leather jacket during the summer? Because of the superior warmth and insulation offered by leather, some people assume that leather jackets are only suitable for the winter. While you can certainly wear a leather jacket during the cooler months of the year, you can always wear one during the warmer months. However, you should follow these do’s and don’ts to take full advantage of your leather jacket during the summer.
Do Choose a Button-Up Style
Leather jackets are typically designed in one of two styles: button up or a zipper front. Of those two styles, the former offers the highest level of versatility for the summer months. A button-up leather jacket will naturally feel cooler and more comfortable to wear because of its increased airflow. Air will flow through the front of the jacket, thereby keeping you cool even during the hot summer months.
Don’t Wear Too Many Undershirts or Layers
If you’re planning to wear a leather jacket this summer, use caution to ensure that you don’t wear too many undershirts or other layers with it. Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that the more layers you wear, the warmer you’ll be. Each layer acts as insulation that traps your body heat. In the hot summer weather, this can leave you feeling uncomfortable and clammy. The good news is that you can stay cool and comfortable, however, by limiting the number of undershirts and layers you wear with a leather jacket. In most cases, just a single undershirt or layer will suffice during the summer.
Do Get the Right Size
Remember to get the right size when shopping for a summertime leather jacket. If your leather jacket doesn’t fit, it won’t be comfortable to wear, regardless of the season. During the summer, however, wearing an undersized leather jacket may cause you to overheat. If your leather jacket is too small for your body, it will constrict and compress against your body, all while making you feel uncomfortably hot. You can avoid this headache by getting the right size. Regardless of what style or design you prefer, make sure your leather jacket fits your body. If it’s too small or too big, you’ll need to swap it for a different design. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take full advantage of this classic form of outerwear this summer.
Don’t Wear a Faux Leather Jacket
Although they look similar to the real deal, faux leather jackets are generally a poor choice. The only real advantage they offer is the price, with faux leather jackets typically costing about 20% to 30% less than real leather jacket jackets. But if you’re searching for a versatile and comfortable jacket to wear this summer, you’ll find genuine leather is well worth the investment. It will help you create a more attractive appearance while also offering increased coolness and comfort.
Do Choose a Light Color
Another tip to keep cool and comfortable this summer when wearing a leather jacket is to choose a light color. A white leather jacket, for instance, will reflect more sunlight than a black or dark brown leather jacket. As a result, it will keep you cooler during the summer. You can find leather jackets in a myriad of different colors. Here at LeatherCult, we offer over 50 different colors. And while you can experiment with different colors, it’s usually best to stick with a light color if you intend to wear your leather jacket during the warm summer weather.
Don’t Wear a Hooded Leather Jacket
While perfectly fine to wear during the fall and winter months, hooded leather jackets are usually too warm to wear during the summer months. The presence of a hood will insulate your head and protect it from the elements. Of course, during the summer, you probably won’t need any additional insulation for your head, in which case a hooded leather jacket may leave you feeling uncomfortably hot.
Do Choose a Standard-Length Leather Jacket
What is a standard-length leather jacket exactly? Not all leather jackets are designed with the same length. Some extend farther than others. And while the length of the leather jacket may sound like an insignificant element, it can affect the jacket’s comfort when worn. During the summer, you’ll find that a standard-length leather jacket is cooler and more comfortable to wear than a long-length leather jacket. Standard-length leather jackets are designed to stop right at your waistline. In comparison, long-length leather jackets, also known as long coats, are designed to stop at your thighs or knees.
Don’t Choose a Thin Leather Jacket
Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that thick leather jackets are ideal for the winter, whereas thin leather jackets are ideal for the summer. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose a relatively thin leather jacket to wear during the summer. It shouldn’t be paper thin, but it should be thinner than other, winter styles of leather jackets. By choosing a relatively thin leather jacket, you’ll be able to comfortably wear it all summer long without fear of overheating. And if you discover that it doesn’t offer a substantial amount of warmth during the latter half of the year, you can always wear extra layers with it.
Do Roll Up Your Sleeves
Finally, you can keep cool when wearing a leather jacket during the summer by rolling up the sleeves. Although there are exceptions, most high-quality, genuine leather jackets have sleeves that extend all the way to your wrists. If you leave them rolled down — the default position — the jacket will provide you with greater warmth and insulation. During the summer, though, this may leave you feeling uncomfortably hot, which is why it’s a good idea to roll up the sleeves. Along with the other tips outlined in this blog post, rolling up the sleeves will allow you to comfortably wear your leather jacket all summer long.