While many of our favourite fashion items fall in and out of favour over the years depending on the season's trends, jackets and coats have a slower cycle and many styles will stay put season after season, the sartorial stalwarts of our wardrobes. One such jacket is of course the trusty leather jacket, which although goes through a reimagining each season, is never far from our grasp as we head out the door. This year it’s no different, a favourite of endless celebrities and influencers, all have been reaching for chic leather jackets in recent weeks.
This season however, while leather jacket shapes and styles may vary, there’s one thing they all have in common and it may not be what you expect. As if in defiance of the polished aesthetics that took hold last year, this season the best leather jackets are showing their wear. They’re distressed and worn-in in shades of washed black and chocolate brown giving off a vintage feel (even if they were bought just last week).
If you don’t have a pre-loved leather jacket hanging in the back of your wardrobe, don’t worry because designers and high street stores alike have sat up and taken notice of the trend, doing the hard work for you to create styles that look like you’ve loved them for years.
Most notably, is Saint Laurent’s textured style, which Hailey Bieber donned while out in Beverly Hills last week, which gives the illusion of soft, worn in leather in an 80’s inspired oversized fit. On the high street, Massimo Dutti have embraced a similar textured finish while Reformation and Zara have given all shapes and styles a worn in wash so everyone will believe you found them hiding at the back of a vintage store.
Want to see for yourself? Keep scrolling for my edit of the best leather jackets to shop now. I won’t tell anyone they’re new if you won’t.
Shop new season leather jackets
I love the funnel neck and silver detailing on this Massimo Dutti jacket which combine to give it a nostalgic look.
The more tailored cut of this reformation leather jacket works in contrast to the worn in edges for an interesting take.
If you can't be parted from a boxy biker, make sure it has a much loved appearance like this one from John Lewis.
Cropped cuts pair perfectly with summer dresses and jeans alike for a more elevated feel.
If you want to keep things relaxed a distressed bomber jacket like this one from Zara is the way to go.
The leather jacket dreams are made of, from the puffed sleeves to the textured finish, this leather jacket is SO good.
Whistles leather jacket may not have the worn-in look but it still gives a vintage feel thanks to the chocolate brown tone and quilted finish.
For those who'd rather opt for faux leather, I love Free People's vegan style.
