Cropped has become one of the most popular styles of women’s leather jackets. Like other cropped shirts and tops, they are characterized by a short length. Most traditional leather jackets extend to about the waist when worn. Cropped leather jackets, on the other hand, have a shorter length.
With their short length, cropped leather jackets offer a unique appearance. They stand out from traditional leather jackets by offering a unique appearance. But not all cropped leather jackets are made equal. If you’re going to buy a cropped leather jacket, you’ll need to choose the right one.
Look for Real Leather
Some cropped leather jackets are made of real leather, whereas others are made of faux leather. Faux leather, of course, isn’t actually leather. It’s a type of synthetic material. Most faux leather consists of a base fabric that’s coated in a plastic-like material like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When compared to real leather, faux leather costs less. But don’t let the low price fool you into thinking it’s a better choice. Cropped leather jackets made of real leather are almost always a better choice than those made of faux leather.
Real leather is derived from animal hide. It consists of animal hide, such as goat or sheepskin, that’s been processed and tanned. With that said, there are different types of real leather.
Some of the most common types of real leather used in the construction of cropped leather jackets include the following:
- Napa leather
- Stretch leather
- Washed leather
- Waxed leather
- Washed and waxed leather
- Vintage leather
- Soft leather
- Rubbed leather
Inspect the Hemline
Take a minute to inspect the hemline when shopping for a cropped leather jacket. The hemline is the bottommost edge. All cropped leather jackets, as well as traditional leather jackets, have a hemline. The hemline on a cropped leather jacket, however, is shorter.
Cropped leather jackets are distinguished from traditional leather jackets by their short length. Most of them will stop several inches above the waist when worn. Therefore, the hemline will sit higher up your body, making it more visible. You should choose a cropped leather jacket with a clean, finished hemline. If the hemline is messy or unkempt, it will have a negative impact on the rest of the cropped leather jacket’s appearance.
Stick With a Classic Color
For maximum versatility, stick with a classic color. Cropped leather jackets are available in dozens of colors. The color, of course, will determine the garments with which you can wear the cropped leather jacket. If you choose a cropped leather jacket in a bold color, you may struggle to incorporate it into your outfits. But if you choose a cropped leather jacket in a classic color like red, beige or brown, you’ll be able to wear it in most if not all of your outfits.
Keep in mind that some cropped leather jackets may feature two colors. Known as two-tone cropped leather jackets, they typically feature a primary color and a secondary color. Two-tone cropped leather jackets offer a fun alternative to single-tone cropped leather jackets, the latter of which only feature one color But if you’re going to choose a two-tone style, you’ll have to carefully consider the color combination. Both of the colors in a two-tone cropped leather jacket must flow cohesively with each other. If they clash, the two-tone cropped leather jacket may fail to project a stylish appearance.
Consider the Length
You should consider the length when shopping for a cropped leather jacket. All cropped leather jackets are shorter than traditional leather jackets. After all, a short length is what distinguished them from traditional leather jackets. But you can still find cropped leather jackets in different lengths.
Check the Fasteners
Always check the fasteners before buying a cropped leather jacket. Like traditional leather jackets, cropped leather jackets have fasteners on the front. Some of them have buttons on the front, whereas others are affixed with a zipper. Buttons and zippers are fasteners. When placed on the front of a cropped leather jacket, they offer a means to open and close the respective jacket.
Some women prefer jackets with a zipper. Zippers are easy to use, and they provide greater warmth than buttons. But there are still reasons to choose a cropped leather jacket with buttons on the front. Buttons offer a more classic appearance, and you don’t have to worry about the buttons getting snagged. Regardless, you should choose a cropped leather jacket with your preferred fastener type.
Lining vs Lining
Cropped leather jackets are available with and without lining. Lining is a layer of fabric that’s added to the interior of a jacket. Cropped leather jackets are still made of leather. If they feature lining, though, they’ll have another layer sewn into the interior.
With lining, cropped leather jackets are typically warmer. The lining will create an extra layer of insulation that protects your upper body from the cold weather. If you’re planning to wear it during the winter, you may want to choose a cropped leather jacket with lining. For other seasons, you may want to choose a cropped leather jacket without lining.
Get the Right Size
Last but not least, make sure you choose a cropped leather jacket in the right size. You don’t want to end up with a cropped leather jacket that’s too big or too small for your body. If it doesn’t fit, it may look awkward when worn, and it may even cause discomfort.
You can choose a cropped leather jacket in the right size by ordering it here at LeatherCult. We offer cropped leather jackets in custom sizes at no additional charge. Rather than choosing a generic size, you can opt for a custom size. Custom sizing means you can enter your own body measurements when placing an order. We’ll use these measurements to design the cropped leather jacket so that it fits your body perfectly.