Leather jackets are one of the world’s oldest, most time-tested types of outerwear. They’ve been around since the turn of the 20th century, during which military pilots and crewmembers wore them to stay warm during high-altitude flights. While modern aircraft are now designed with climate control systems, the traditional “aviator” style leather jacket remains a popular choice of outerwear among men and women of all ages. But if you’re planning to buy and wear a leather jacket, there are a few unwritten rules you should follow.
Avoid Fake Leather
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should avoid jackets made of fake or faux leather. Jackets such as these typically contain synthetic materials like polyurethane or PVC. While cheaper, they lack the attractive characteristics and qualities that make leather such a prized textile. Therefore, it’s recommended that you spend the extra money and invest in a genuine leather jacket. It will cost more than a fake leather jacket, but this is one case in which the saying, “You get what you pay for” holds true.
Go Classic
When shopping for a new leather jacket, you may feel overwhelmed at the sheet amount of styles in which they are available. However, you really can’t go wrong with a classic style like the flight jacket. Also known as the bomber jacket, it offers a timeless style that’s synonymous with quality and comfort. The flight jacket features an all-leather construction and fur-lined collar for maximum warmth. As such, it’s the perfect choice of outerwear for the otherwise cold winter months.
Check the Leather
Don’t assume that all leather jackets are made of the same leather. There are many different types of leather, each of which has its own characteristic. For a leather jacket, Napa sheep skin is arguably the softest, highest quality type of leather. The term “Napa leather” was invented by leather worker Emanuel Manasse in the mid-to-late 1970s, during which he used it to describe high-quality leather with an exceptionally soft temper. Today, the term is still used for this purpose. Jackets made of Napa leather boasts an incredibly soft and supple texture that’s simply not found elsewhere.
Choose Matching Shoes
It’s important to choose matching shoes when wearing a leather jacket. Far too many people make the mistake of mismatching their shoes with their leather jacket. When this occurs, it creates an awkward, unflattering appearance that ultimately takes away from your outfit. To prevent this from happening, it’s recommended that you wear shoes (or boots) in the same color as your jacket. If your leather jacket is a traditional brown color, for instance, you should also wear brown shoes. Alternatively, if your jacket is black, you should wear black shoes.
Keep It Clean
Of course, you should also keep your leather jacket clean. One of the many great things about leather is that its naturally resistant to dust, dirt and debris. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can ignore regular cleaning and maintenance. Like all jackets, a leather jacket will accumulate dirt and debris over time. And failure to clean it could result in permanent stains that affect its appearance as well as your own appearance.
Off the Shoulders
A fun way for women to enhance their appearance when wearing a leather jacket is to wear it off the shoulders. In other words, don’t place your arms through the jacket, but instead drape the jacket over your shoulders. Wearing a leather off the shoulders in this manner is both comfortable and stylish. It will keep you warm while also enhancing your appearance in the process.
Accessorize Your Outfit
It’s recommended that you accessorize your outfit when wearing a leather jacket. So, what accessories should you wear with a leather jacket? Well, it really depends on your personal style and the look you are trying to achieve. With that said, some popular accessories for men include a leather band wristband and sunglasses, while popular accessories for women include a leather handbag, bracelet, necklace and earrings. It doesn’t matter which accessories you wear with a leather jacket as long as they flow together in a cohesive manner.
Match Your Belt
Don’t forget to wear a matching belt with your leather jacket. Although it seems harmless enough, wearing a belt in a different color or style than your leather jacket is a serious fashion mistake. It will create a messy, unflattering appearance that takes away from your outfit. Thankfully, this problem is easily avoided by wearing a belt in the same color or style as your jacket. As long as these two items match, you can rest assured knowing that your outfit is cohesive and complete.
Go Cropped
Women should consider wearing a cropped leather jacket to differentiate themselves from the crowd. As the name suggests, cropped leather jackets are characterized by a shorter design that usually stops several inches above the waistline. This is in stark contrast to traditional leather jackets, which typically stop around the waistline. What’s the benefit of wearing a cropped leather jacket? For starters, it’s a unique style that not everyone knows about. If you want to create an eye-catching appearance, a cropped leather jacket is the perfect choice for this reason. Additionally, cropped leather jackets are ideal for the summer and spring months, when the weather begins to warm.
Layer It
Finally, consider wearing multiple layers with your leather jacket. In other words, don’t just wear a single t-shirt under your jacket. Rather, try wearing a t-shirt with a button-up dress shirt for a deeper, more dynamic appearance. Knowing as layering, this is a simple yet effective way to enhance your appearance.
These are just a few unwritten rules to follow when wearing a leather jacket. By following these rules, you’ll create a more stylish and attractive appearance, which is the ultimate goal when putting together an outfit.