Leather jackets are available in different types. In addition to leather trench coats and flight jackets, you may stumble upon leather blazers. Leather blazers are still jackets, but they offer a subtle combination of casual and formal styles. As a result, they are incredibly versatile. You can wear a leather blazer in casual outfits and formal outfits. To take advantage of their unmatched versatility, though, you’ll need to choose the right leather blazer.
Do Inspect the Front
You can’t choose the perfect leather blazer without inspecting the front. Like most leather jackets, leather blazers have different fronts. Some of them have a single-breasted front with two or three buttons, whereas others have a double-breasted front with four or more buttons.
Single-breasted leather blazers typically offer a more casual appearance. You can still wear them in formal outfits. With a single-breasted front, though, your leather blazer will look dressier. Double-breasted leather blazers, on the other hand, offer a more formal appearance. A leather blazer is considered double breasted if it has two columns of buttons on the front. In comparison, single-breasted leather blazers have a single column of buttons on the front.
Don’t Choose a Faux Leather Construction
When choosing a leather blazer, pay attention to the type of leather used in its construction. The type of leather used in its construction will influence both its appearance and comfort. Blazers made of faux leather typically fall short of those made of real leather.
Faux leather is artificial leather. It’s not real leather. Instead, faux leather is a synthetic material. While it looks like leather from afar, it lacks the characteristic grain, softness and natural patina that’s synonymous with real leather.
Do Consider Lining
Depending on when you intend to wear it, you may want to choose a leather blazer with lining. Leather blazers with lining are warmer than those without lining. What is lining exactly?
Lining refers to a layer of fabric — typically viscose or a similar fabric — that’s added to the interior of a jacket or blazer. It essentially creates another layer of thermal protection. If you’re planning to wear a leather blazer in the winter, lining will protect you from the cold weather. It will trap your body heat while ensuring that you stay warm and comfortable all winter long.
Don’t Buy Used
A leather blazer isn’t something that you should buy used. While there are consignment stores, as well as other businesses, that sell used leather blazers, you’ll get greater value out of a new leather blazer. The problem with used leather blazers is that you don’t know what to expect. Used leather blazers are preowned. They’ve already been owned and worn by someone else, so they often contain damage or defects.
New leather blazers typically cost more than their used counterparts. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that new leather blazers aren’t worth the investment. While they cost more than used leather blazers, they tend to last longer while offering a cleaner appearance in the process.
Do Make Sure It Has Pockets
If you’re going to buy a leather blazer, you should check to make sure it has pockets. Most forms of outerwear do, in fact, have pockets — and leather blazers are no exception. With that said, there are some leather blazers that are designed without pockets.
Pockets serve several purposes. First, they enhance the appearance of a leather blazer by adding new textures and geometric designs to the front. Second, pockets provide a convenient place to carry small items. You can even use pockets to keep your hands warm during the winter. If it’s cold outside, you can place your hands inside of the pockets to keep them warm. Of course, you’ll have to choose a leather blazer with pockets to take advantage of these benefits.
Don’t Overlook the Lapels
You can’t choose the perfect leather blazer without considering the lapels. Lapels are synonymous with formal outerwear. Most formal coats, jackets and blazers feature lapels. They consist of vertical flaps of fabric around both sides of the collar that are folded and sewn into place.
While most leather blazers have lapels, the specific type of lapels used in their design may vary. Some leather blazers have notched lapels. Also known as step collar lapels, they are sewn at an angle to achieve a slim-fitting appearance. Other leather blazers have peaked lapels. Peaked lapels are commonly found on double-breasted leather blazers.
Do Choose a Classic Color
Leather blazers are available in a variety of colors. While you may feel tempted to choose a leather blazer in a bold color, you’ll get more use out of a classic color. Classic colors are easier to integrate into your outfits. Brown and black, for example, are two popular classic colors in which leather blazers are made.
Whether you choose a brown or black leather blazer, you can rest assured knowing that it will match most of your outfits. Brown and black are classic colors that, like other classic colors, are easy to integrate into your outfits. There are still other classic colors that you can choose, such as red and olive. Regardless, you should stick with a color that matches your outfits.
Don’t Get the Wrong Size
A common mistake men make when buying new coats, jackets and blazers is choosing the wrong size. You won’t get much use out of a leather blazer if it doesn’t fit. Leather blazers that are the wrong size look awkward when worn. In some cases, they may even cause discomfort.
When buying a leather blazer, you should choose the right size. A simple solution is to order a custom-sized leather blazer. Custom-sized leather blazers live up to their namesake by being customized to fit your body. You can order them here at LeatherCult. When placing an order for a custom-sized leather blazer, you can enter your body measurements. The end result is a leather blazer that’s customized specifically for your body.