The 14 Best Leather Jackets for Women of 2024

Are you even into outerwear if you don’t own a leather jacket? Sure, it’s quite an investment, but if you choose wisely, leather jackets are classic enough to wear for years and can even start to look better with age. According to stylist Karen Schijman, leather jackets aren't exclusively for cold months, either. "I wear my moto jacket pretty much year-round," she says.

Of course, there are more than enough options if you're in the market for a new leather jacket. In the end, however, your final choice should all come down to your style and how it fits into your current wardrobe. "Think of your leather jacket as your second skin," suggests stylist Jamie Frankel. "It's an added layer that you can play with, especially in the winter when layering."

We've rounded up the best feminine leather jackets on the market right now that revolve around both current trends and more timeless choices—and also included some styling tips from Frankel, Schijman, and fellow fashion expert Chelsea Volpe. After extensive research, we narrowed it down to options that stand out for silhouette, fit, utility, and material.

Best Overall

"The Acne Studios’ biker jacket is as classic as it gets, but it's modernized in all the right, subtle ways," says Frankel. "It’s oversized enough to achieve the perfect model-off-duty look, but fitted enough to still be able to wear out at night, whether slung over your shoulders with a dress or worn with vintage denim and a heeled bootie." She also notes that the length of this jacket hits at the hip, which is flattering for those both tall and short. Plus, the thick belt "gives off rock-n-roll vibes" and "balances out any outfit that feels too romantic or feminine for your liking."

Material: Lamb leather, viscose lining | Colors: Black | Size Range: FR32–FR42

Best Budget

Quince is a brand known for products made of top-tier materials at very affordable prices. If you're on a budget, you should definitely check out this genuine leather motorcycle jacket. The slim fit and cropped cut are the perfect casual style for everyday wear.

Material: Leather, poly-satin lining | Colors: Black, Cognac, Chocolate Brown and Burgundy | Size Range: XS–XL

Best Oversize

Finding an economically priced leather jacket is relative, so when you find a well-made leather jacket that covers around the $500 mark, it’s a great find. This oversize, biker-style leather topper by Madewell is one such option and offers quite a classic appeal.

Material: Leather | Colors: True Black, Sunfaded Indigo and Dried Cedar and Dark Forest (Dark Green) | Size Range: XXS–XXL

Best Value

Frankel suggests that the best leather jacket at a lower price point is none other than this option from Club Monaco. "It’s still a bit oversized, but the leather is soft and has some give so you can size up or size down as you please," she explains. We can just imagine how well this jacket will age. Factoring in the price-per-wear of this staple piece, you really can't find a better value for the quality.

Material: Leather | Colors: Black | Size Range: XXS–XL

Best Bomber

This bomber jacket is made of genuine leather and features a removable faux shearling collar. The relaxed fit, zipper closure, and flap pockets lend to a laid-back appeal you can wear with any casual ensemble.

Material: Leather, faux shearling | Colors: Black | Size Range: XS–XL

Best Fringe

What goes better with fringe than suede? RE/DONE's leather jacket emits a free-spirited, retro vibe but is still sophisticated. It’s cut from genuine leather suede and offers stylish details like a notched collar, blazer-like structure, and fringing on the front, back, and sleeves. Pair effortlessly with the brand's '70s classic clog.

Material: Pig leather | Colors: Black | Size Range: XS–XL

Best Cropped

For a dose of the 1980s, look to LAMARQUE. This coat is a cropped biker style made from supple black leather and bold design choices reminiscent of the period, from wide shoulders to a tapered hemline.

Material: Leather, poly-spandex lining | Colors: Black, Tan and Dark Brown Distress | Size Range: XS–XL

Best Plus-Size

This buttery-soft moto jacket is made in an inclusive size range of 00–40 (the company bases its fits on sample size 18). With a boxy fit and a belt, this style is also lightweight enough to wear in the spring—think over a flowy maxi dress or to elevate a casual T-shirt and jeans. The steel blue is also an unexpected shade that pops in the warmer months.

Material: Leather, polyester lining | Colors: Black, Camo (olive), and Chili Chocolate (brown) | Size Range: 4XS–4XL

Best Fitted

Worn open, this jacket resembles a fitted, cropped blazer, making it good for those who want a figure-skimming option. Made from lamb leather, it loosens up with wear and is as soft and comfy as it is chic. For a looser fit, though, size up.

Material: Lamb leather, polyester lining | Colors: Slate (light brown), Whiskey (red), and Black | Size Range: XXS–3XL

Best Casual

For a laid-back look, throw on this leather trucker jacket over, well, basically anything. It fits close to the body and fits the bill if you're looking for a shacket-like style. Made from lamb leather with a viscose lining, it's silky soft and comes complete with silver-tone hardware and chest and side pockets.

Material: Lamb leather, poly-viscose lining | Colors: Lucky Black | Size Range: XS–XXL

We also like this moto jacket from Abercrombie. The slightly edgy yet classic design is made of buttery-soft genuine lambskin leather and features biker-inspired details, side pockets, and slimming seams.

Material: Lambskin, poly-elastane lining | Colors: Black | Size Range: XXS–XL

Best Vegan

If you ask us, Spanx makes the best vegan leather coat. This cropped moto-style jacket is crafted from a super soft and flexible material that moves with your body, resists cracking, and feels almost remarkably like the real thing—and unlike real leather, it's actually machine-washable.

Material: Vegan leather, poly-elastane lining | Colors: Luxe Black | Size Range: XS–3X

Best Lambskin

Banana Republic's take on the leather jacket is this exquisitely soft yet sturdy lambskin number. It flaunts a classic silhouette with a form-fitting cut and moto detailing, while the mid-weight warmth is perfect for year-round use.

Material: Lamskin, viscose-cotton lining | Colors: Black | Size Range: XXS–XXL

Best Colors

If you have something other than black in mind, you'll appreciate this lambskin leather jacket from Overland. The vintage-inspired design comes in your choice of five sophisticated hues, including cognac, blue, burgundy, forest green, and rosy pink.

Material: Lambskin, polyester lining | Colors: Blue, Cognac, Red Wine (burgundy) +more | Size Range: 3XS–XXL

Where We Stand

Our overall favorite leather jacket is the Acne Studios Leather Biker Jacket, a classic staple piece that looks great on everyone and works in any capsule wardrobe. To spend less on the trend, pick the Madewell Washed Leather Oversized Motorcycle Jacket. Made of genuine leather, it also comes in four colors.

What to Look for in Leather Jackets

• Silhouette and Fit: "I think the most important thing is fit," says Schijman. "You want the jacket to fit your shoulders as it will wrinkle and stretch in time, but also enough to have room to flex your back (and biceps) and accommodate a sweater—even in Los Angeles, think cashmere." An oversize fit is best for layering, while a relaxed piece works well for someone who would like a bit of breathing room in an otherwise close fit. Tight-fitting is the most classic silhouette, reminiscent of the early 1970s à la Jane Birkin; however, it sometimes requires careful attention to determine the best size. Although leather jackets have traditionally been associated with toughness and edge and are sometimes thought of more as a men's style, options for women typically have a more feminine flair. Look for slim-fitting options without a lot of room in the shoulders or a cropped fit, like the Banana Republic Essential Leather Jacket. And a belt around the waist creates a cinched, hourglass silhouette.
• Details and Utility: Naturally, you’ll match the level of detail to your taste, but of course, any detail should be thoughtful and purposeful, be it in the spirit of utilitarianism or simply the most flattering silhouette. As with the Abercrombie & Fitch Genuine Leather Moto Jacket, functional pockets with button or zip closures make for a useful travel piece, while silk lining is great for layering over thick knits or sweatshirts. Seaming can be especially important in minimalist styles, where lines are the focal point, so pay special attention to the placement, direction, and workmanship.
• Fabric Sourcing: Leather jackets vary in how they are made and where the leather is sourced from. Look for companies that are transparent about their manufacturing processes to be sure you're getting an authentic, ethically made product. Madewell is one brand on this list that details its manufacturing processes on its website.

FAQ

• Schijman says leather jackets can be "paired with everything from a sundress to an evening gown" year-round. While working on set, she styles her leather jacket with a light puffer from Zara or Uniqlo or wears it over a shearling or Mongolian vest for a more "boho" vibe.

  Frankel agrees with the leather jacket-puffer pairing. "Contrasting a puffy, sporty vest over a leather jacket is a cool combination," she says. "It gives you that extra warmth, but still shows a cool sleeve and/or collar peeking out from your leather jacket—same goes for oversized coats," she says. "Once we start heading into spring, I also like layering underneath a leather jacket with a colorful sweater and white tee. Choosing leather in other shades like cognac or sage green [is also a nice way] to wear a leather jacket in an updated form."

  On the other hand, Volpe prefers a more retro look when it comes to leather jackets. "I love to style a leather jacket on top of a vintage metal tee or underneath an oversized vintage men's jacket," she says. "It creates dimension in texture and aesthetic."

• If your leather jacket has been properly treated and protected by the manufacturer, you should be able to buff away light coats of soil with a clean, damp cloth or sponge and a leather-cleaning solution, such as Absorbine Horseman’s One Step. (This specific solution also rates well for color restoration and leather hydration.) However, if the exterior needs attention on a larger scale or if it’s the interior that requires some refreshing, send the garment to a professional leather cleaning expert, like LeatherCareUSA, which provides services through the mail. This could be your dry cleaner, but to be certain, verify their credentials, as it’s not safe to assume that every dry cleaning business is adept at handling leather goods. If the inner lining is made from a washable fabric, like viscose, you can technically hand-wash your garment at home, though this is a somewhat tedious process that involves specific detergents and techniques.

• While it’s not ideal, it’s unrealistic to think that your leather jacket will never get wet. If this happens, you needn’t worry; leather can sustain such conditions. If it becomes soaked by heavy rain or snow, let it air dry, then treat it with a leather conditioner. (Generally speaking, using a leather conditioner like mink oil every so often is good practice, as it keeps leather from drying out, looking ashy, or becoming subject to severe damage from the natural elements, experts say. As with moisturizer on human skin, conditioner on leather nourishes and hydrates for a smoother appearance.)
  

• Vegan leather is generally made from polyester and polyurethane. The combination pretty effectively mimics the appearance of real leather and is lauded for its cruelty-free credentials. It’s also dubbed a sustainable fashion choice; however, given that neither polyester nor polyurethane is known for its biodegradability, the point is heavily debated in the fashion community.

Why Trust Byrdie

This shopping guide was written by Byrdie associate editor Hayley Prokos. A seasoned commerce writer and editor, she’s constantly on the hunt for the best wardrobe essentials, like a good leather jacket, to update your collections. For this roundup, she spent days combing through current offerings and researching the best leather care. She also interviewed multiple fashion experts for their insights and recommendations. Those experts include:

• Jamie Frankel, a New York-based wardrobe stylist represented by Honey Artists. She's styled celebrities like Nina Agdal, Karolina Kurkova, and Christie Brinkley, and has worked with commercial clients ranging from NET-A-PORTER to Amazon.
• Karen Schijman, a New York-based stylist represented by Honey Artists.
• Chelsea Volpe, a New York-based fashion and still life stylist. She's collaborated with commercial and editorial clients including Bloomingdale's, Hypebae, and Victoria's Secret.
  

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough seamless underwear from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at and we will evaluate the product ASAP.