If you’re looking to invest in a new leather jacket, you might be wondering which color to choose. Like most forms of outerwear, leather jackets are available in a wide range of colors. In fact, some styles even feature two or more colors. With so many different colors from which to choose, you may struggle to find the perfect one. With a little bit of planning, though, you’ll have an easier time choosing the right color for your needs. So, consider the following tips on choosing a leather jacket color.
Check Your Shoes
What do shoes matter when choosing a leather jacket color? Well, a good rule of thumb is to match the color of your jacket with that of your shoes (or any other footwear). If you’re wearing a black leather jacket with brown shoes, the two colors will clash while creating an unattractive appearance. A better solution is to wear black shoes with a black leather jacket. You don’t have to necessarily wear shoes in the same color as your leather jacket, but the colors should compliment each other. Therefore, you should consider your shoes when choosing a leather jacket color.
Classic Style
As you may already know, the two most traditional, classic colors in which leather jackets are made is brown and black. Some of the world’s first leather “bomber” jackets were designed exclusively in brown. This is because brown is the natural color of most cow hide, thus it’s easier for companies to produce brown leather than other colors. In the years to follow, however, black became a popular alternative, with many men and women preferring the modern appearance of black leather jackets over its brown counterpart. Since then, black and brown continue to rank as the two most popular colors for leather jackets. If you’re looking for a classic, traditional style that’s not going to fade from popularity anytime soon, you really can’t go wrong with either of these colors.
Conceal Stains
Some leather colors show stains more easily than others. Why does this matter? Well, if you plan to wear your jacket outdoors — riding a motorcycle, hiking, camping, etc. — you probably want a color that hides stains from dirt and mud. Not surprisingly, black and brown are both excellent choices in this regard. The dark tone of these colors helps to conceal stains more easily than lighter colors.
Casual vs Formal
Of course, you should also consider whether the color is casual, formal or somewhere in between. If you plan on wearing your leather jacket to a formal event, conventional wisdom should tell you to choose a formal color. On the other hand, if you plan on wearing it during casual occasions, you can opt for a casual color. Formal colors typically consist of dark tones like black, brown, navy and charcoal gray, while casual colors consist of lighter and brighter colors like red, yellow, sky blue and beige.
Two-Tone Jacket
Although there are a few exceptions, most leather jackets feature either one or two colors. The latter, known as a two-tone leather jacket for obvious reasons, is a popular alternative to traditional single-color jackets. Available exclusively here at LeatherCult, the Hybrid Leather Jacket is the perfect example of a two-tone leather jacket. Made of 100% Nappa sheepskin leather, it features two colors. The default color combination for this jacket is black with red stripes. Like all leather jackets offered here at LeatherCult, however, you can choose your own colors. Whether you prefer the black and red combination or any other colors, you can’t go wrong with the Hybrid Leather Jacket. It’s a fun and stylish alternative to traditional single-color jackets.
Avoid White After Labor Day
It’s recommended that you avoid wearing a white leather jacket — or other white garments — after Labor Day. As explained by Huffington Post, there are many reasons you shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day. Being the unofficial end of summer, white is generally too cool and lightweight for this time of year. Furthermore, there’s unwritten rule dating back more than a century stating that you shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day. For these reasons and others, it’s best to avoid wearing leather jackets in this color after Labor Day. You can still wear a white leather during other times of the year. Once Labor Day rolls around, though, you should choose a different color.
Red Leather Jacket
If you’re looking to differentiate yourself from the crowd, consider a red leather jacket. Contrary to what some people believe, black and brown aren’t the only colors in which leather jackets are made. Companies produce leather jackets in just about every color under the rainbow, including red. Red leather jackets have become increasingly popular over the years due to their versatility. A high-quality red leather jacket looks great with all outfit styles. You can dress it up, dress it down, and you can wear it with all colors in your outfit. This versatility is something you’ll find in many other colors, making red leather jackets an excellent alternative to traditional colors.
Consider Your Shirt
Of course, you should consider the shirt that you intend to wear with your leather jacket when choosing a color. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid wearing a leather jacket in the same color as your shirt. If your shirt is black and your jacket is also black, the two garments will blend together — and not in a good way. Instead, choose colors that contrast either other. A black leather jacket with a white shirt, for instance, is always a safe and effective choice to enhance your appearance.
Sun Exposure
Finally, consider sun exposure and how it will affect the appearance of your leather jacket. Certain colors are more susceptible to sun fading than others. This usually includes light colors like red and yellow, which tend to fade from long-term exposure to the sun. Dark colors, on the other hand, usually won’t fade. Or if they do fade, it’s minimal and doesn’t have any noticeable affect on the jacket’s appearance.