Leather jackets aren’t restricted to a specific gender. Since the early days of this garment nearly a century ago, they’ve been designed for both men and women. If you’re a woman who’s interested in buying a leather jacket, though, there are a few things you should know to get the best possible look. By taking the time to selectively choose the perfect leather jacket, you’ll create a more fashionable and comfortable look – and that’s something for which every woman should strive.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Black or Brown
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with black or brown leather jackets. On the contrary, these are the most popular and common colors in which women’s leather jackets are made. As a woman, though, you might feel compelled to experiment with alternative colors, such as maroon, gray, teal, red or even orange. Bold colors such as these offer a fresh take on the traditional leather jacket, allowing you to create a unique look that’s sure to turn heads. Just remember to choose a color that will match your outfit.
Consider Cropped
In addition to choosing a leather jacket in a bold color, another way to express your personal style is to choose a cropped leather jacket. Cropped leather jackets, like other cropped garments, are designed shorter than standard-length jackets. While standard-length leather jackets usually stop around the waistline, cropped leather jackets may stop around your belly button. Not only does this offer a uniquely stylish look, but a cropped leather jacket can help keep you comfortable during the otherwise hot spring and summer months.
Go Full Grain
When choosing a leather jacket, pay attention to the specific type of leather from which it’s made. Not all leather jackets feature the same quality leather. Some are designed with cheaper, lower quality leather than others. If you want your leather jacket to last (hint: you should), it’s recommended that you spend the extra money on a premium, high-quality leather jacket. So, how do you know if a leather jacket is high quality? Check to see what type of leather it features. Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality because it features the original grain without any modifications or altering. It’s generally softer, more supple and features a more uniform color and tone than lesser quality types of leather.
Leave the Front Open
Whether your leather jacket has buttons or a zipper on the front, it’s a good idea to leave it open. With the front of your leather jacket open, your shirt or top will be visible. And assuming you’re wearing an attractive shirt or top that compliments your outfit, this will have a positive impact on your appearance. The only time when you should zip or button up the front of your leather jacket is when you are cold. For all other occasions, it’s usually best to leave the front open so that your underlying shirt or top will enhance your appearance.
Consider Two Tone
If you want to wear a leather jacket in style, consider two tone. Two-tone leather jackets feature two colors, such as black and white. Normally, leather jackets feature a single color — and there’s nothing wrong this traditional style. For women looking to make a fashion statement with their leather jacket, however, two tone is the way to go. A two-tone leather jackets adds a second color to the garment, thereby improving its overall appearance. The secret to successfully wearing a two-tone leather jacket is to choose a jacket with the right two colors. You can’t go wrong with a black and white two-tone leather, as these colors naturally compliment each other. Another great combination is white and gray. But these are just a few of the countless color combinations in which two-tone leather jackets are made.
Accessorize With a Matching Belt
The right accessories will add a new level of style to your outfit. When sporting a leather jacket, wear a matching belt that’s also made of leather. Some women assume that they can’t wear a belt because they are wearing a dress or skirt. Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe a belt isn’t necessarily when wearing a dress or skirt. Nonetheless, wearing one is a fun way to improve your style. A leather belt will flow cohesively with your leather jacket, creating the appearance of a more uniform and structured outfit. So, whether you need it to hold up your pants or not, consider accessorizing your leather jacket with a matching leather belt.
Avoid Faux Leather
You know the saying, “You get what you pay for?” Well, it applies to faux leather jackets. Featuring an artificial fabric that’s designed to mimic the appearance and characteristics of real leather, faux leather is cheaper than the real deal. As a result, some women assume that buying a faux leather jacket is a smart way to save money. It’s not until later when they realize that this isn’t the case. Faux leather jackets are uncomfortably tough, have an unusual odor to them, and don’t last as long as jackets made of real leather. For these reasons, it’s recommended that you avoid faux leather jackets. Instead, only buy a jacket that’s made of 100% genuine leather.
Take Care of It
Finally, it’s important that you take care of your leather jacket. Even if it’s a high-quality jacket made of full-grain, premium leather, it will still require some basic maintenance to preserve its original appearance. Neglecting to maintain your leather jacket will shorten its lifespan and increase the risk of damage. Over time, your leather jacket may dry out, develop cracks, fade and succumb to other forms of damage. You can prevent this from happening, however, by giving your leather jacket a little TLC. This means spot cleaning it on occasion, as well as conditioning it with a leather conditioning product like saddle soap. With a little work, you can preserve and protect your leather jacket from damage.