Best Natural Tan Leather Jacket
Y'2 Leather Kakishibu Persimmon Tanned Horsehide Type Jacket
Read More
Eastman Leather Flying Type A-2 Eastman
Read More
The Best Leather Jackets Money Can Buy
From faraway Japanese grails to US-born bespoke brands.
Courtesy
Like a lot of the clothing guys wear today, the leather jacket got its start as a utilitarian object. There was no need for a bomber jacket, a motorcycle jacket or a racing jacket before the inventions of the airplane, the motorcycle or the automobile. But leather jackets didn’t make their widespread style debut until after World War II, when the idea of leather for style, instead of purely for function, started seeping into popular culture.
To help shorten your list of candidates, we compiled our favorite makers across the four major categories, motorcycle, bomber, racing, and shearling jackets. We also spoke with experts about style, fit, quality, and care to better inform your big spend.
-
Schott NYC '50s Oil Tanned Cowhide Leather Moto Jacket Read More -
The Real McCoy's '30s Leather Sports Jacket Read More
-
Vanson Leathers Dominator-2 Leather Jacket Read More
-
Freenote Cloth Locklin Black Read More
-
Simmons Bilt Heartbreaker Leather Jacket Read More
Origins of the Leather Jacket
After skyrocketing in popularity by way of Marlon Brando in the film The Wild One, the motorcycle jacket became such a symbol of youth in revolt that it was banned in schools for an entire year in the mid-1950s. This helped place them on the backs of guys who wanted to telegraph "rebel cool," gaining popularity throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
“[For] everybody from Elvis to The Beatles, to The Stones, every psychedelic band from the Jefferson Airplane to the Grateful Dead, it was like a rite of passage,” said Michael Paradise, a former employee of North Beach Leathers who now owns The Stronghold, a heritage clothing boutique in Los Angeles. “You signed a recording contract, you got your first paycheck, you went to North Beach Leather.”
How to Wear a Leather Jacket
They’re now an indispensable part of a man’s wardrobe — and guys who work in more casual settings can get away with swapping a minimal black, brown or navy leather jacket for a blazer. It’s more durable, water-repellent, and looks just as good over jeans as it does with a pair of tailored trousers. With so many options on the market, finding the perfect one for you can take a lot of time and research — but it’s well worth slowing down to do so.
How to Clean a Leather Jacket
Unlike other clothing, buying a leather jacket is like buying a piece of furniture. Pick the right version and you’ll have it forever. Go with the wrong thing, or neglect the one you already own, and you'll end up making an expensive mistake.
“If you get a stain on it or a mark, you want to treat it right away before it penetrates into the pores of the skin and becomes permanent like a tattoo,” David Mesquita, co-owner and vice president of Leather Spa, says. “The best time for any type of care is when you get home just before putting it away in your closet. Look it over, and if you see a little spot or a blemish just rub it right off before it becomes permanent. Or use a little bit of a spot cleaner and then just rub it right off.”
The Best Leather Jackets Brands for Men
There are lots of leather jackets out there. However, it's best to buy yours from a trusted brand with a long-standing history of making fine leather goods. These are the ones you can trust — and a few to keep your eye on, even if they don't have the same sort of established legacy.
