With winter right around the corner, there's no better time than now to update your wardrobe with a new jacket. As the temperatures get cooler, you'll probably find yourself needing a little extra protection from the weather. Granted, different regions have different climates. If you live in the south, for instance, you may experience mild winters with little-to-no snow. But if you live in the north, you'll probably experience a traditional winter with snow, ice and bone-chilling temperatures. There are dozens of different types of outerwear from which to choose, but one of the most versatile is a leather jacket. Whether you are a man, women, young or old, you really can't go wrong with a classic leather jacket. With that said, however, you'll want to choose the right of leather jacket to get the highest level of comfort and style this winter. So, how exactly do you choose the perfect leather jacket for winter?

Benefits of Wearing a Leather Jacket in Winter

Let's first go over the benefits of wearing a leather jacket in the winter, as some people are still skeptical of this classic garment. For starters, leather jackets are particularly warm, making them ideal for use in the winter season. Since they are made of animal hide instead of fabric like cotton or linen, they offer a higher level of insulation. This means your body retains more of its heat, keeping you warm and comfortable even when it's cold outside. Here's a brief overview of the benefits of wearing a leather jacket in the winter:

• Superior level of warmth and protection from the elements
• Soft and comfortable
• Durable and able to withstand the winter weather
• Water resistant
• Easy to take on and off (something that can't be said for other jacket and coat styles)
• Classic appearance that's guaranteed to enhance your image

Go Genuine

When choosing a leather jacket to wear in the winter, make sure it's made of 100% genuine leather. Some companies sell jackets that look like they are made of leather, but in reality these jackets are made of synthetic materials like polyester. Known as "faux leather," they are typically cheaper than their genuine counterparts. Unfortunately, however, they also lack the attractive qualities and characteristics of the real thing. If you plan on buying a leather jacket to wear in the winter or any other time of the year, make sure it's made of 100% genuine leather. You can usually tell what a jacket is made of by checking the tag. Here, the manufacturer will include a list of all materials used in its construction.

Consider Quilted Lining

Something else to consider when choosing a leather jacket to wear in the winter is the presence of a quilted interior. What is a quilted interior exactly? As the name suggests, this feature consists of a soft quilted material that's sewn into the jacket's interior. Jacketed featuring quilted lining still contain the same high-end leather materials, but they also contain a soft quilted fabric. This means you get all of the traditional benefits of wearing a leather jacket but with the added benefit of a soft interior. Technically speaking, quilting involves the use of two or more materials to create three-dimensional "quilted" appearance. In addition to its uniquely stylish appearance, however, quilted leather jackets are also warmer and more comfortable, which is why so many men and women prefer wearing them in the winter. Not all retail and department stores sell leather jackets with quilted lining, however. On the contrary, you may have trouble finding them at your local shopping center. The good news is that you can add quilted lining to any leather jacket purchased here at LeatherCult

Hooded Leather Jacket

If you really want to stay warm and comfortable this winter season, consider choosing a hooded leather jacket. It's no secret that a significant amount of body heat is lost through your ears, nose and face. With a hood, however, you can cover these areas to protect against the cold winter temperatures. Some leather jackets are designed with fixed hoods, whereas others have detachable hoods. If you plan on wearing your leather jacket in the summer as well as the winter, you may want to choose a jacket with a detachable hood. Doing so will allow you to remove the hood when the weather warms. And when it gets cold again, you can reattach the hood for added warmth and comfort. Like quilted interiors, LeatherCult also offers hooded add-ons on all leather jackets. This means you don't have to spend countless hours scouring local retail and department stores in search of a hooded leather jacket. Simply head over to to the LeatherCult store, choose your preferred jacket style, and add a hood. Finding the perfect hooded leather jacket has never been easier.

Color

What color leather jacket do you plan on buying? This will play an important role in its function and utility, more so than you may realize. If you have brown boots that you prefer wearing on an almost daily basis, for instance, choosing a black leather jacket may limit your outfit choices. Being that brown and black don't match, you shouldn't wear a black leather jacket with brown boots. A better option is to choose a traditional brown leather jacket. Leather jackets are available in dozens of colors, however, with black and brown being only two.

The Fit

Perhaps the single most important thing to consider when choosing a leather jacket to wear in the winter is how it fits. Being that no two people have the exact same body size or type, not all leather jackets will fit. Some may be too small, whereas others may be too big. So, how do you get the perfect fit? You can order a custom-sized leather jacket here at LeatherCult. Rather than choosing from small, medium, large, extra-large, etc., you tell us your body measurements, and we'll use those measurements to create a custom-fitted leather jacket.