How to Wear a Leather Jacket: 7 Outfits You Haven't Thought of Yet
How do you wear your leather jacket? It’s certainly no longer jarring to see a dark leather biker paired with a soft chiffon shirt or a summery broderie anglaise dress; likewise for strappy heels or sporty pool slides. Chances are you own at least one classic black moto style, a piece that has become such a perennial staple that it can transcend almost any occasion.
But when it comes to the new generation of leather cover-ups, the goalposts have moved even further. Long, cropped, pastel, earthy… We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the endless iterations on offer now. There are colourways and cuts to see you through every day of the week and styles to match your mood and, rather conveniently, the weather. Which means a fresh heap of outfit formulas.
As always, we’ve decoded the looks of some of our favourite dressers to take your leather saviour into 2018. Think blousons and midi skirts didn’t mix or that you couldn’t rock that cropped biker to work? Think again. Scroll through the stylish looks below and hit up our head-to-toe styling tips in order to see how to wear a leather jacket now.
1. ladylike blouse + contrasting trousers + bold earrings
Style Notes: Here’s proof that you can pair a short, menswear-inspired leather with a typically ladylike piece. The contrasting blue and maroons work beautifully, but the high neck of the blouse and the earrings give it that feminine twist.
2. midi dress + pretty flats + oversized sunnies
Style Notes: If you’ve recently added a coloured style to your leather jacket arsenal, don’t assume that you have to wear it with block hues. Throwing in a print such as a check or stripe is perfect for adding an unexpected twist to your look; experimentation is key.
Key Buy:
Related: I'm a Fashion Expert—5 Leather-Jacket Styles That Will Always Be In
3. white shirt + patterned pants + brogues
Style Notes: This look is crisp and light thanks to the simple colour palette and neat lines. In spring, it can be hard to wear leather (for obvious, sweaty reasons), but if you throw it over your typical workwear ensemble, you’ll be ready for a night out.
Key Buy:
4. roll-neck + straight-leg jeans + kitten heels
Style Notes: Don’t shy away from longline iterations. A belted, longer-length jacket is perfect worn with cropped trousers and mules.
5. classic black trousers + retro sunnies
Style Notes: There's something so chic about a belted leather jacket. This fun pink version is ideally paired with chic black cropped trousers and heels or ankle boots. Anything added to this ensemble will detract from its greatness.
Related: Summer Is Back! 16 Chic Dresses That You Can Wear Now And Well Into Autumn
6. matching trousers + boots + oversized shirt
Style Notes: Want to lift a basic outfit? Grab a creased leather jacket, and wear with an oversized shirt and combats. We’re calling it the modern-day AllSaints.
7. wide-leg trousers + slouchy knit + floral boots
Style Notes: The weather likes to throw us curveballs all the time, so it’s always wise to have a leather trim bomber jacket in your wardrobe ready to throw on in case of an oncoming shower.
-
Summer Is Here! 4 Fun and Incredibly Chic Colour Combinations I've Spotted Fashion People Wearing
Perfect pairings.
-
I'm Heading to the South of France—15 Outfits I'm Re-Creating to Look Like a Local
Euro summer loading…
-
Forget a White T-Shirt—This Pretty Top Is the Hero of My Summer Wardrobe
And it looks so chic with jeans, shorts and skirts.
-
Sure, Black Dresses Are Timeless, But Everyone With Great Taste Is Wearing Chic Styles in These Pretty Colours This Summer
It's time to brighten up your wardrobe.
-
European Women Have Convinced Me That This Is Spring 2025's Most Elegant Jacket Trend
And it goes perfectly with jeans.
-
I've Done The Research—These 21 Trench Coats Are The Epitome Of Luxury
Spring into action.
-
Not a Blazer, Not a Coat—This Jacket Style Is All Anyone in Fashion Is Wearing or Talking About
I'm officially a fan.
-
Here's Everything Our Editors Wore to Paris Fashion Week
Straight from the streets of Paris.