The Best Men’s Leather Jackets

The Jacket Maker: Overall best leather jacket for men

Not only is this classic design impressively sleek and superbly high-quality but we can also request for it to be made to our exact body measurements and style preferences.

Like the Ionic but not quite sure about the material? The closure style? The collar? No problem. The Jacket Maker offers a bespoke service where customers can opt for any changes (and we mean any changes) to any of their ready-to-wear styles, or commission their own totally unique creation, as well as taking advantage of the made-to-measure service to ensure a perfect fit.

Just fill in the request form and an in-house design consultant will be in contact. 

Find more about why the brand is such a revolutionary store in our in-depth review of The Jacket Maker.

Best for: A made-to-measure leather masterpiece at an affordable price.  
Colours: A range including black, blue, and green.

Saint Laurent: Best designer leather jacket for men

You don’t have to be in the first flushes of youth to pull off a leather jacket. This men’s leather jacket by Saint Laurent feels mature and grown-up without being remotely old-fashioned. As a premium piece of leather outerwear, it offers truly timeless style and the ultimate wardrobe staple. 

Whether you’re the proud owner of a Harley, more of a Vespa man, or prefer four wheels to two, this is one seriously cool leather biker jacket. The pared-back design—two minimal slit pockets and a classic collar—feels high-end and sophisticated, while the ribbed cuffs and hem add a bit of edge, and a subtle nod to leather’s historic popularity among urban outlaws.

Keep it simple and streamlined by pairing with Chelsea boots and a plain t-shirt and let this Saint Laurent jacket do all the talking.

Best for: enduring style from an eternally fashion-savvy brand.
Colour: black

FLAVOR: Best value men’s leather jacket

It’s no secret that leather jackets can cost a pretty penny. But if you want to rock this legendary piece of men’s outerwear without blowing all your savings, take a look at FLAVOR’s motorcycle leather jacket with removable hood. 

It’s not much fun looking as cool as James Dean if the purchase left you financially destitute.

So keep your bank-balance intact with this budget-friendly men’s leather jacket, the best affordable leather jacket on our list.

Despite the approachable price, it’s made of 100% genuine leather, and comes with a polyester lining and a hood that can be removed, depending on the weather.

You’ve got two hand pockets, three chest pockets for essentials, and two internal pockets for valuables. FLAVOR’s leather jacket also has adjustable cuffs and hem to ensure a trim fit and optimum warmth in winter winds.

Take your pick of brown or black. Both offer the industrial verve and utilitarian chic that we demand from the best leather jackets.

Best for: a wallet-friendly leather jacket that doesn’t skimp on the cool factor.
Colours: all-brown or black, dark brown, or brown with grey.

Rick Owens: Best fitted leather jacket for men

If you’re looking for a figure-flattering slim fit leather jacket, this one by Rick Owens deserves careful consideration.

The cut is superb, tailored to hug the body for a streamlined silhouette. The asymmetrical zip puts a unique spin on a classic and also has a slimming effect. Kudos to Rick Owens, too, for keeping pockets to a minimum and the overall look sleek and to-the-point.

All you speed-hungry Easy Riders will appreciate the jacket’s old-school biker vibe. But even if you have no idea what a Kawasaki is, this slim fit leather jacket will bring some defiant energy to your nine-to-five. And if you want to turn the testosterone down a notch, team with understated neutrals and desert boots.

This Rick Owens jacket has the magnetism and mystique we seek in all the best leather jackets. Combine with one of the best men’s colognes, and you won’t need a chat-up line.

Best for: expert tailoring to complement your natural physique.
Colour: black

Belstaff: Best black leather jacket

Adventure is built into the bones of Belstaff, which has achieved world renown for its superior outdoor garments for motorcyclists, pilots, and servicemen. And so, with this black leather jacket on your back, you’ll be ready to conquer whatever life throws at you—whether that’s a cross-country road-trip or your Monday morning commute.

The casual band collar is low-profile and understated while a single chest pocket and almost invisible side pockets keep it minimal and sleek. Ribbed shoulders hark back to this motorcycle leather jacket’s original purpose as a piece of protective outerwear for men on a mission, but the effortlessly elegant fit ensures it’s just as much fashion as function.

Team with stompy boots and slim jeans for a weekend-ready look. And while you don’t have to be a professional racer to rock this Belstaff black leather jacket, it would look seriously good on the back of a modern electric motorcycle—or behind the wheel of a Bugatti.

Best for: a high-functioning yet indisputably fashionable leather jacket.
Colour: black

Desa 1972 Bomber: Best brown leather jacket for men

For an innovative take on the classic leather legend, look no further than this Desa 1972 bomber jacket. Because, as this luxury Turkish brand shows, the best leather jackets don’t have to be black. There’s something uniquely rugged and romantic about brown leather jackets.

Think 1960s road-trips across the dusty outback. Although this particular brown leather jacket is probably better suited to being worn to trendy downtown cocktail parties, thanks to its premium quality, expert fit, and minimal hardware.

Nevertheless, with that classic bomber-style silhouette, it’s got the spirit of adventure that we look for in all the best leather jackets.

Desa’s brown leather jacket would look devastatingly good paired with some high-quality selvedge denim, your favourite white sneakers, and a pilot’s watch.

Best for: superior craftsmanship and quality with a bit of retro flair.
Colours: brown or black

Daniele Alessandrini: Best navy leather jacket

This navy jacket from Daniele Alessandrini puts a unique twist on the outerwear icon with a stylish shade of dark blue.

After you reach a certain age, wearing a leather jacket can feel like a risky move. But the refined luxury of this blue men’s leather jacket, with its inimitably Italian brand of elegance, makes it the perfect garment for men of any age—and there’s not a whiff of midlife crisis.

The ribbed cuffs and hem alongside the standing collar ensure the necessary rockstar vibe while the perfectly tailored fit adds sophistication.

This versatile Daniele Alessandrini leather jacket will quickly become your go-to, smoothly fulfilling casual and smart attire requirements alike.

Best for: discerning dressers seeking something a bit different.
Colour: blue

Schott Perfecto: Best men’s biker leather jacket

Schott is the leather pioneer behind the Perfecto leather jacket, aka the most iconic men’s leather jacket of all time. If you’re looking for the gold standard of leather biker jackets, then your search ends here.

Schott’s Perfecto Leather Jacket is the hell-raising daredevil jacket supreme, as worn by Marlon Brando in The Wild One. You know, the movie that established Brando as the ultimate rebel and anti-hero? The film was considered so outrageous that it was banned in the UK for fourteen years?

Not only was the movie banned, but so was this leather jacket. During the 1950s, wearing the Perfecto was forbidden in schools across America.

This leather biker jacket is the last word in devil-may-care irreverence. No other jacket has managed to achieve the same level of risky romance and counterculture cool. Schott’s Perfecto did it first—and did it best.

Best for: channel old-school rebel romance with the most iconic leather jacket around.
Colour: black

Emporio Armani: Best leather bomber jacket

Bomber jackets were invented in the 1940s for fighter pilots. But even if we’re not going to be speeding at high altitude over enemy terrain any time soon, we’re obsessed with Emporio Armani’s Bomber jacket.

If you love leather jackets but are a little intimidated by the biker jackets with all their belts and zips, then the minimal profile of a bomber jacket makes it one of the best leather jacket styles for you.

Hitting the hip perfectly, this jacket is very flattering, and while it still has the no-nonsense military aesthetic of the original bomber jackets, it feels less hardcore, more high fashion.

Keep it casual by pairing this Emporio Armani leather bomber jacket with a t-shirt and chinos or wear it over the top of a hoodie. It could also replace a blazer for a smarter look, paired with a collared shirt and loafers.

Best for: ultra-trendy leatherwear with practicality and polish.
Colour: black

Polo Ralph Lauren: Best cafe racer leather jacket for men

Cafe racer jackets—a type of motorcycle leather jacket—were originally invented for returning soldiers in the 1960s, whose favourite hobby was racing each other between pubs and cafes on motorbikes modified to allow them to reach hair-raising speeds.

As you might expect from such a bad-boy back story, this Polo Ralph Lauren Racer jacket looks pretty damn cool. Yet, with its band collar, front zip fastening, and cuff zips, it’s also a lesson in straightforward simplicity. Lightweight and snug-fitting, it’s both functional and flattering, while the rugged panelled design adds just enough attitude to keep it interesting.

On winter days, pair this Polo Ralph Lauren jacket with a scarf and your favourite sunnies. Otherwise, nothing beats a cafe racer jacket with a white shirt and jeans. Just add a luxury watch and you’re good to go.

Best for: vintage bad-boy appeal meets premium craftsmanship.
Colour: black

Dunhill: Best men’s suede jacket

Suede is a great option if you want to swap the punky vibe of leather jackets for something sophisticated, classy, and authentic. Not that a suede jacket can’t also look badass. Check out this dashing suede bomber jacket by Dunhill to see what we mean.

Classic British brand Dunhill’s expertise lies in crafting quality menswear from premium materials. This suede jacket was made in Italy and has the kind of fit you normally only get from a tailored suit. The mixed metal hardware offers an exquisite final touch.

Suede is in its element when teamed with other casual yet luxurious materials, such as high-quality denim jeans, a button-down shirt, and a smart pair of boots. Or match this Dunhill suede jacket with other earthy tones like tan and olive for the ultimate weekend-warrior look. 

Best for: off-duty fashion that’s stylish without being showy.
Colour: brown

Saint Laurent: Best trucker leather jacket

If you are still unconvinced by the cool factor delivered by a leather jacket, this Saint Laurent Leather Trucker will leave you in no doubt. Everything about the jacket exudes confidence and charisma.

Something about that pointed classic collar also makes us think of David Bowie’s leather jacket on the front of the Heroes album. And who wouldn’t want to look like Ziggy Stardust himself?

With a ribbed waistband and panelled design, this jacket is exceptionally flattering, while calfskin leather offers butter-softness and long-lasting durability. The material is nicely pliable too, offering a relaxed and non-restrictive fit.

Pair this Saint Laurent trucker with some skin-tight jeans to channel some rock ‘n’ roll glamour or opt for something more laidback and low-key with a pair of slim-fit trousers, pointed boots, and a lumberjack shirt.

Best for: top-of-the-line materials and timeless design.
Colour: black

Dsquared2: Best classic men’s leather jacket

Want a leather jacket that marks you out as a high-culture connoisseur and man of discerning tastes? Take a look at this classic leather jacket by Dsquared2.

Dsquared2 brings the design expertise and technical skill of Italian craftsmanship to classic men’s outerwear with this sleekly tailored leather jacket. Offering an ultra-modern twist on conventional luxury, the jacket’s too-cool-to-care energy, impeccable cut, and meticulous attention to detail makes it a stand-out.

With its ribbed stand-up collar, this jacket has the silhouette of a Cafe Racer or bomber but the glossy sheepskin elevates the exterior to the level of a serious fashion garment. You’ve got side pockets for all your day-to-day essentials while side buckle fastenings ensure a slick fit.

Wear with tailored trousers and your favourite designer t-shirt for a smart casual look. Although Dsquared2’s classic leather jacket is sophisticated enough that you could wear it with a dress shirt and tie.

Best for: delivering the drama with one incredibly classy leather jacket.
Colour: black

Acne Studios: Best straight leather jacket for men

Leave it to Acne Studios to create a leather jacket that’s so cool it’s pretty much your passport to all the hottest events in town. The Stockholm-based fashion house has a reputation for turning out some of the trendiest designs around and this long leather jacket is no exception.

Treat yourself to some of that seriously covetable Scandi cool with this piece of designer men’s outerwear. Still worried that leather jackets are a bit too Grease Lightening for your liking? With its ultra-sophisticated suit-jacket-silhouette—notched collar, front button fastening, and straight hem—this is the jacket to banish your fears.

The mood is both retro and contemporary at once, offering style that transcends fashion trends. This Acne Studios straight leather jacket is here to persuade you that leather is still the undisputed acme of cool. 

Best for: smart leather tailoring from the coolest kids in fashion.
Colour: black

Addict Clothes Japan: Best vintage leather jacket

A vintage leather jacket offers instant authenticity and street-cred. But what’s better than an actual vintage leather jacket? A vintage-style leather jacket. Like this leather biker jacket from Addict Clothes Japan.

This is a brand that definitely knows what it’s doing. Founder Satoshi Ishijima started off collecting vintage motorcycle clothing but now makes his own from hand-sourced components and zippers that are custom-crafted to match the originals.

As a result, this jacket is a veritable tribute to the British tradition of motorcycling. Ultra glossy and made of horse leather—durable, shiny, and with a retro feel—this black leather jacket feels like it’s seen its fair share of adventures. You can almost smell burning rubber and petrol when you look at it.

Wear Addict Clothes Japan’s leather jacket to any event as an immediate conversation starter and the ultimate confidence boost.

Best for: retro glamour without having to trawl the thrift stores.
Colour: black

Barba: Best men’s leather jacket with hood

For a modern upgrade on the traditional leather jacket, opt for a leather jacket with hood, like this Barba jacket. A hood immediately adds grit and edge to this legendary symbol of cool.

The hood also offers protection from the elements—extra important if you’ve just spent ages in front of the mirror perfecting your hair-do. And while it feels 100% contemporary, this leather jacket with hood still has that same instinctual thrill of all the best leather jackets.

Even if you don’t wear this Barba jacket for cruising and carving, it would look just as stylish on a casual coffee date. Team with ripped jeans for wild-child energy or a cashmere sweater for something more upscale. We can even imagine it alongside your favourite athleisure get-up.

Best for: putting a contemporary and cosmopolitan twist on a classic.
Colour: black

Belstaff: Best belted leather jacket

Belstaff makes the best leather jackets. It’s just impossible to find that kind of design pedigree anywhere else. Plus, we’re suckers for that quintessentially British kind of cool.

With its field jacket silhouette, high neck and belted waist, this is a supremely elegant choice, immediately making you look suave and sophisticated. There’s a reason why a Belstaff jacket was the favourite of silver screen icon Steve McQueen, and is still favoured by every modern style icon, from Johnny Depp to Brad Pitt.

Plus, with Belstaff’s well-attested quality, you’re guaranteed a whole lifetime’s worth of wear out of this black leather jacket.

Team with a roll-neck jumper and corduroy trousers to bring the necessary polish to the biker-boy stereotype. This Belstaff belted leather jacket will definitely convert any doubters to calfskin.

Best for: feeling like a true English dandy with an iconic piece of leatherwear.
Colour: black

Tommy Hilfiger: Best budget leather jacket for men

Want to feel like Marlon Brando but without investing your life savings? Then you need a faux leather jacket. This Tommy Hilfiger faux leather bomber is the best cheap leather jacket on our list and has all the macho allure of the best real leather jackets—at a fraction of the cost.

Tommy Hilfiger has worked magic here to bring just a hint of preppiness to the otherwise rebellious style of a classic leather jacket. It feels smart yet insouciant, elegant yet easygoing.

Plus, it’s practical. You’ve got an interior zipper pocket for keeping your valuables. Water-resistance means no stressing out when it rains. A stand-up colour adds immediate edge while a soft fabric lining stops sweatiness.

Go for brown for something more rustic and cowboy or navy if you want to get people’s attention. Experiment with layering and you can wear this Tommy Hilfiger leather jacket year-round.

Best for: maverick style without spending megabucks.
Colours: black, brown, and navy

Brunello Cucinelli: Most expensive leather jacket

With its understated colour palette and enduring elegance, this Brunello Cucinelli leather jacket is one of the best leather jackets out there and is guaranteed to have a barrage of compliments flying your way. Reinstating leather to its rightful position as king of laidback luxury, it’s ideal if you’re more about polish and poise than grunge and grit.

Made from a combination of leather, wool, cashmere and silk, this jacket certainly doesn’t do things by half measures. The panelled design has the structured fit vibe of true motorbike apparel but still feels relaxed. The distinctive brown shade offers an original alternative to black while the deliciously supple leather is both form-fitting and flattering.

Team this Brunello Cucinelli jacket with white trousers for ultimate easy Sunday elegance.

Best for: superbly handsome leather from a master of the trade.
Colour: brown

Style guide: choosing a man’s leather jacket

When buying a man’s leather jacket, you have several options to choose from. Here’s the lowdown on this timeless fashion trend.

Leather jacket styles

There are five different leather jacket styles: biker, racer, bomber, aviator, field, and trucker.

A biker jacket is the original leather jacket, as designed by Schott NYC and made famous by Marlon Brando in The Wild One. Biker jackets are close-fitting, cropped, and with large lapels, an angled front zipper, and a belt. They often also feature studs and additional zippers.

The Cafe Racer—also known as a moto or motocross jacket—was originally worn by ex-servicemen in Britain whose favourite pastime was racing between pubs and cafes at night on motorbikes. The design is pared-back and clean-lined to reduce drag at high speeds, making for a minimalist and versatile jacket.

A leather bomber jacket, or flight jacket, offers a similar low-profile, with a cropped cut, round collar, and straight zipper, but a slightly boxier shape. Designed for WW2 pilots to wear in the cockpit, these jackets often feature ribbed cuffs and hems.

Aviator jackets—or pilot jackets—were also originally designed for airmen but unlike bomber jackets, they usually have a shearling lining for warmth.

A field leather jacket offers more refined style. Also known as an M-65, a field jacket is slightly longer than other leather jackets and usually features four front pockets and a belt.

A trucker jacket has a similar silhouette to a denim jacket, with a cropped cut, slim fit, buttons on the sleeves and pockets, and two seams down the front.

Types of leather

Full-grain leather is the highest quality material used to make leather jackets. Top-grain leather is when the surface is slightly sanded to create a thinner material that’s more pliable and less rigid to wear.

You can also choose between different types of skins and hides. Cowhide is a traditional choice and is very durable while lambskin is soft and lightweight. Calfskin is an expensive option that combines the softness of lambskin with the durability of cowhide.

Suede—the soft underside of hide—is another alternative, offering a comfortable, supple, and long-lasting jacket material.

There is also the option of faux leather jackets for those worried about the environmental impact of leather. While faux leather—or pleather—doesn’t last as long as real leather, these days it can look as good as the real thing.

Getting the right fit

A leather jacket will stretch over time but you still want to make sure it’s a good fit. It should be big enough to wear a thin jumper underneath but not so big that it swamps your figure. The hem should land at your waist and the shoulder seam should be on your shoulder or a bit further down your arm.

How to wear a leather jacket

Leather jackets can be a serious style statement, but worn with some things, they can also be a major fashion faux-pas. Here are our top tips for wearing a leather jacket:

• Keep it casual and understated. The jacket should be the centrepiece of your ensemble. Opt for low-key neutrals and allow the jacket to take centre stage.
• If in doubt, slim-fit jeans and a white t-shirt always look good.
• Avoid wearing a leather jacket with formal wear. 
• Heavy-duty boots can look good with leather jackets for an edgy look but sneakers and skate shoes also look cool.
• Downplay the drama by wearing a hoodie underneath. 
• Or opt for a more preppy vibe with slacks or chinos and an Oxford shirt or turtleneck.

Caring for a leather jacket

Leather jackets, if cared for properly, can last decades. Follow these tips to keep your leather jacket in good condition.

• Use a waterproof spray to protect your jacket from rain damage and stains.
• If your jacket does get wet, dry it before putting it away. Avoid radiators. They can make the leather brittle.
• Hang your jacket on a padded coat hanger and keep it out of the sun.
• Leather conditioners stop the leather from drying out.
• Leather polish keeps your jacket glossy.
• Opt for dry cleaning rather than a washing machine.

Frequently asked questions about men’s leather jackets