Few clothing pieces encapsulate timeless style like a leather jacket. First rising to popularity in the 1950s, leather jackets have been a wardrobe essential that transcends trends for decades. Giving any outfit that rugged charm and effortlessly cool look, no matter how you choose to style it, a leather jacket can be a great way to let your personality shine through. Whether you’re looking for a casual weekend vibe or a more sophisticated look with an urban edge, we’re here to give you inspiration on a variety of ways to style this iconic piece.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to wear a leather jacket all-year-round, keep reading as we dive into the different ways to style this versatile outerwear essential for a variety of seasons and occasions.
How to style a leather jacket for winter
A leather jacket for winter is a great choice for those who prioritise style when it comes to outerwear. Offering both water-resistance and warmth without the bulkiness of a parka or waterproof winter coat, styling a leather jacket in winter is simple when you add the right layers. Bridging the gap between fashion and function, when styled thoughtfully, the right leather jacket can be the perfect outerwear option for any occasion in winter.
The style of leather jacket you choose is up to personal preference however, we recommend opting for an aviator style with a fur collar like this Schott Leather Flight Jacket to match the winter vibe. To ensure ultimate warmth, we suggest layering this style with your favourite knitwear piece. For a more sophisticated look, opt for a fitted turtleneck jumper tucked into chinos or for a more casual, urban style, go for a trend-focused knit like this Tommy Hilfiger Essential Cotton Zip Knit in a seasonal colourway with a pair of black jeans.
Schott Leather Flight Jacket, Tommy Hilfiger Essential Cotton Zip Knit and Palladium Pallarider Cuff WPA Boots
Whether you go for a cable-knit, chunky wool or fine knit sweater, any knitwear piece that adds texture and warmth is perfect for pairing with your leather jacket to battle the chill without sacrificing style. To top off the winter look, pair your outfit with a sturdy pair of boots built to endure the varying winter weather conditions. Balancing functionality with modern trends, a pair of combat-style boots such as these Palladium Pallarider Cuff WPA Boots are ideal for this time of year when battling snow, ice and rain. Made from waterproof materials with Vibram grip soles, this pair of boots are ideal for taking you from urban settings to rugged terrains and tie together the edginess of the leather jacket into one cohesive look effortlessly.
How to style a leather jacket for autumn
Autumn is the perfect season to showcase a leather jacket, thanks to its transitional weather and lean toward a more earthy colour palette. A brown leather jacket is perfect for this season, especially when layered with a cardigan or checked flannel shirt to tie in the autumnal trends. No matter the style of leather jacket you choose, whether you opt for a classic motorcycle style or a vintage bomber look, there are many ways you can style this outerwear piece in the autumn that makes it a foolproof choice for any occasion.
One of our top recommendations for an autumnal leather jacket is this Schott Flight Leather Jacket that boasts a unique embroidered patch design on a rich brown leather canvas with a faux fur collar. The key to styling a leather jacket in the autumn is to play with layers and colour palettes that complement the jacket. For this jacket in particular, we suggest layering with a light-wash jumper or cardigan like this beige Solid Hamed Cardigan to offset the dark tones of the brown leather and make the jacket a feature piece of your look. A cardigan is a great option for layering under a leather jacket as it is lightweight enough to cater to the varying temperatures throughout the season.
Schott Flight Leather Jacket, Solid Hamed Cardigan and Clarks Solsbury Leather Boots
For your bottom half, a pair of classic blue denim jeans is a timeless choice that will pair well with any style leather jacket and cardigan, specifically in a deep vintage-blue colour that compliments the brown tones of this jacket in particular. To finish off the look, a pair of boots draws together the autumn style perfectly and caters to both casual and semi-formal occasions. This pair of Clarks Solsbury Leather Boots offer a sophisticated style whilst the contoured cushioned footbed ensures long-lasting comfort to support you throughout autumnal walks and everyday activities.
How to style a leather jacket for spring
Just like autumn, the transitional weather of spring brings unpredictability that a leather jacket is ideal for. Protecting you from potential spring showers whilst providing a light layer of warmth and keeping you looking effortlessly on-trend, a leather jacket is the perfect versatile outerwear piece for the spring season. Styling a leather jacket for spring is all about balancing the structure of the jacket with lighter, more colourful elements that reflect the season’s energy. By incorporating fresh colours and lightweight fabrics with the edginess of the leather, you can create looks that are unique and in-tune with modern fashion trends.
A shacket style leather jacket is a great transitional outerwear option as the structure is more lightweight with a laidback flair that can be worn for a variety of occasions. This HUGO Larston Leather Jacket boasts an effortlessly cool urban design with a high-end edge with this simple, all-black modern shacket design. To bring a pop of colour attune to the season, we recommend pairing the jacket with a bright hoodie such as this Carhartt WIP Vista Pullover Hoodie in a contrasting blueish-purple hue.
HUGO Larston Leather Jacket, Carhartt WIP Vista Pullover Hoodie and Flower Mountain Tiger Hill Suede Trainers
This hoodie not only brightens up the look but also provides an additional lightweight layer for colder spring days. To bring the whole look together we recommend drawing on the colour of the hoodie and matching a fun footwear choice with it. In this instance, this pair of Flower Mountain Tiger Hill Suede Trainers in light blue combine a unique design that reflects the popular chunky-trainer design that is so popular at the moment with practicality. Ideal for a laidback weekend outfit to take you from running errands to drinks with friends, the addition of a leather jacket to this otherwise casual look transforms the outfit to a more smart-casual vibe.
How to style a leather jacket for summer
Now although the idea of leather in the summer may not seem appealing during the day, when the temperature drops in the evening you’ll be grateful for the extra layer of warmth. With so many varying styles to choose from, opting for a more lightweight leather jacket for the summer can be a great way to add more intrigue to an otherwise simple outfit. To contrast the bold black style of this collarless HUGO Lokis Leather Jacket we suggest pairing it with a crisp white t-shirt. Whether you keep it classic with a plain white tee or add a unique element with a graphic tee like this Carhartt WIP Archivo T-Shirt, the options for this summer outfit are endless.
HUGO Lokis Leather Jacket, Carhartt WIP Archivo T-Shirt and Reebok Club C 85 Tennis Trainers
Pair this jacket and t-shirt combo with a pair of lightweight chinos or denim shorts to keep the look breathable and seasonally appropriate. No matter what t-shirt and trousers option you choose, a pair of clean white trainers will always bode well in the summer. Whether you opt for a simple all-white style like this pair of Reebok Club C 85 Tennis Trainers or a pair of white trainers with colourful elements, any style of trainer can create a unique summer outfit.
Discover on-trend outerwear at Standout
For further fashion inspiration on how to style leather jackets, browse through our full collection of leather jackets and men’s designer outerwear to find a style suited to you. Whether you’re looking for a chic, urban style or a more sophisticated outerwear style for more formal occasions, we’ve got all bases covered.
