There are different types of leather outerwear, the two most common being leather jackets and leather blazers. From an outsider’s perspective, these two garments look the same. They are both are made of leather, and they both feature a similar style. While they certainly share some characteristics, though, leather jackets and leather blazers aren’t the same. They are two unique types of leather outerwear with their own respective features. What’s the difference between a leather jacket and a leather blazer exactly?
Material
In terms of material, there isn’t much of a difference between a leather jacket and a leather blazer. You can find both of them available in various types of genuine leather. There are leather jackets and leather blazers made of napa leather, for instance. Originating in Napa, California, napa leather is known as one of the world’s highest-quality types of leather. It has a finer grain than nearly all other types of leather, allowing for a smooth and soft texture.
You can also find leather jackets and leather blazers available in stretch leather. Stretch leather is a blended material consisting of leather and an elastic textile. Jackets and blazers made of stretch leather are able to stretch without breaking or otherwise sustaining permanent damage. Some men and women prefer stretch leather over pure leather because it’s softer and, therefore, more comfortable to wear. Regardless, you can find leather jackets and leather blazers in both pure leather and stretch leather.
Lapels
A key difference between leather jackets and leather blazers is that the latter typically features lapels, whereas the former does not. If you compare these two garments up close, you’ll notice that leather blazers have a small band of overlapping running down each side of the collar. Known as lapels, they are commonly found on suit jackets.
The presence of lapels makes leather blazers more former than leather jackets. As previously mentioned, lapels are found on suit jackets. They add a unique visual element that lifts the formality of this classic type of outerwear. When used on a leather blazer, lapels have a similar effect by boosting the blazer’s formality.
Fasteners
Another difference between leather jackets and leather blazers lies in their fasteners. Although there are exceptions, most leather jackets and leather blazers have fasteners. Fasteners are used to secure the front of a leather jacket or leather blazer, making them useful for the winter months. When it’s cold outside, you can secure the front of your leather jacket or leather blazer to protect your body from the cold weather.
With that said, leather jackets are available with either a zipper or buttons on the front. Leather blazers, on the other hand, typically only use buttons as fasteners. In most cases, you won’t find leather blazers with a zipper. They only use buttons as fasteners, which you can find on the front of the leather blazer.
Style
Leather jackets and leather blazers have a similar style. Most people, in fact, can’t tell the difference between these two types of leather outerwear. With that said, leather blazers tend to have a slightly dressier style than leather jackets. This is partly because they feature lapels, whereas leather jackets omit this feature. With lapels, leather blazers are dressier and more formal. Therefore, you can easily include a leather blazer in formal outfits. Some people even wear leather blazers with suits.
Warmth
Both leather jackets are leather blazers are warm. They are made of genuine leather, which is naturally warm. When the weather gets cold, you can toss on either of these garments to protect your body from the cold weather. For additional warmth and protection from the elements, though, you may want to choose a quilted style.
There are quilted leather jackets as well as quilted leather blazers. The term “quilted” refers to the use of a patchwork-based lining. The individual patches essentially add insulation to the leather jacket or leather blazer. With a quilted leather jacket or leather blazer, less heat will escape your body. The patchwork-based lining will trap your body heat so that you stay warm and comfortable all winter long.
Longevity
Leather jackets and leather blazers can last for a very long time. Neither of these garments suffers from premature degradation — an otherwise common problem with other types of outerwear. Rather, you’ll be able to enjoy your leather jacket or leather blazer for many years to come.
It’s not uncommon for leather jackets and leather blazers to last for decades. Some people have owned and worn the same leather jacket or leather blazer for nearly a half-century. Both leather jackets and leather blazers are long-lasting, so there’s no clear distinction between them regarding longevity.
Colors
You can find leather jackets and leather blazers available in a multitude of colors. Brown, as well as shared thereof, is a popular color in which leather jackets and leather blazers are made. Some of the world’s first leather jackets and blazers were made in brown. Since then, brown has become synonymous with leather.
Of course, brown isn’t the only color in which leather jackets and leather blazers are made. You’ll find these two garments available in many other colors. While not quite as popular brown, black isn’t far behind. Black leather jackets and blazers have become a popular alternative to their brown counterparts.
Maintenance
Because they are made of the same genuine leather material, leather jackets and leather blazers require the same work to maintain. You don’t need to clean them in the washing machine. Whether you choose a leather jacket or a leather blazer, you can clean it with a damp washcloth and some liquid dish soap.
Aside from occasionally cleaning your leather jacket or leather blazer, you should consider conditioning it. Conditioning is a regular step to maintaining a leather jacket or leather blazer. There are leather conditioning creams and lotions that are designed to hydrate leather garments. When used, they’ll supplement with your leather jacket or leather blazer with additional moisture so that it doesn’t dry out.