Are you thinking about purchasing a black leather jacket? There's no denying the fact that black is a popular color for leather jackets. In fact, it's the second-most popular color in which this classic outerwear is made, surpassed only by brown. A high-quality black leather jacket offers a superior level of versatility, allowing you to wear it with any number of different garments and accessories. But if you want to create a dressier appearance, you'll need to follow a few simple steps.
Stick With Genuine Black Leather
Not all leather jackets are made with genuine leather. Some companies sell jackets made of faux leather. Based on the name alone, you may assume that faux leather is just a different type of leather, but this isn't the case. It's actually a synthetic material comprised of a traditional textile with a plastic-like coating on the outside. A black faux leather jacket will probably cost less than a genuine black leather jacket, but as the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." Faux leather is weaker and less resilient than genuine leather. If you're going to invest in a new black leather jacket, make sure that it's made of genuine leather and not faux leather or any other textile.Wear It With Black Leather Accessories
Don't forget to wear the right accessories with your black leather jacket. A simple way to dress up a black leather jacket is to accessorize it with other items made of black leather. Women, for example, can accessorize their outfit with a black leather handbag, whereas men can accessorize their outfit with a black leather wristwatch. And regardless of gender, you can always accessorize your outfit with a black leather belt.Avoid Hooded Black Leather Jackets
Like other forms of outerwear, you can find black leather jackets available with hoods. The hoods usually aren't made of leather, however. Instead, they are made of a softer textile like quilted cotton or wool. When the weather is cool, you can pull the hood over your head for added warmth and protection from the elements. But the problem with hooded jackets is that they are less formal than non-hooded jackets. For this reason, you should avoid wearing a hooded black leather jacket if you want to achieve a dressier style.Wear Formal Attire Underneath
Another way to dress up a black leather jacket is to wear formal clothes underneath it. It's not uncommon for women to wear a formal dress underneath a black leather jacket. Whether it's a white, red or black dress, it will likely compliment the appearance of a black leather jacket while helping to create a dressier appearance in the process. If you're a man, you can wear a button-up dress shirt with formal trousers or suit pants. Combined with a necktie, this will create a formal, dressy appearance that looks great when worn with a black leather jacket.Don't Forget Formal Footwear
Footwear can make or break an outfit. To dress up a black leather jacket, you need to wear formal footwear that flows cohesively with the rest of your outfit. There's no single "best" type of formal footwear with which to wear a black leather jacket. It ultimately depends on your personal style as well as the specific occasion. Popular formal footwear choices for women include designer high-heeled shoes and ballet flats, while popular choices for men include Oxfords, loafers and derbies. In terms of color, it's usually best to stick with black so that your shoes match your black leather jacket.
