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14 Best Leather Jackets for Women, According to Fashion Experts

The ultimate fall accessory.

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14 best leather jackets for women, according to fashion experts
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A chic leather jacket is the ultimate wardrobe staple: add it to any outfit for instant edge whether you're rocking athleisure, a formal dress or jeans and a T-shirt. From edgy motorcycle styles, classic trench coats or boxy puffers and bomber fits, leather jackets continue to be a best selling item year after year, never going out of style.

"A leather jacket [is] something that can be passed down for generations," says Liv Schreiber, a NYC-based wardrobe stylist and social media influencer. Fashion experts note that the leather jacket just never goes away and "have been around since the early 1900s but have been a style staple since the 1950s when they were adopted by greasers and Hollywood bad boys," says Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab Home and Apparel Reviews Analyst. "In the '70s and '80s, aviator style jackets were popular, as well as punk rock jackets adorned with studs and patches. In the '90s, oversized leather jackets were in to pair with grunge fashion, and in the early 2000s, long trench versions grew popular, a la The Matrix."

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab partnered with Liv Schreiber to find the best leather jackets for women. GH analysts evaluated over a dozen leather jackets in the Lab, looking at the jacket's construction, ease of laundering and unique features. Then, we had testers wear each jacket to give feedback on fit, comfort, appearance and more.

Our top picks:

Note that leather requires special cleaning and care, so GH experts also included faux leather jackets that cost a fraction of the price without sacrificing style. After shopping our best leather jacket picks, keep reading to learn how to clean leather, the different styles of leather jackets and expert shopping tips. Pair these stylish leather jackets with a warm pair of boots and classic jeans.

1
Best Overall Leather Jacket

AllSaints Dalby Leather Biker Jacket

Dalby Leather Biker Jacket
Credit: ALLSAINTS

When many think of leather jackets, the first brand to come to mind is AllSaints — and for good reason. These jackets are made with luxuriously supple leather material and feature classic detailing for a versatile design that can be worn with all types of outfits. The Dalby style is one of AllSaints' best sellers and is available with both silver and gold hardware. Note that this jacket only goes up to a US size 12.

Outer material100% lamb leather
Care Professional leather clean
2
Best Value Leather Jacket

Quince 100% Leather Motorcycle Jacket

100% Leather Motorcycle Jacket
Credit: Quince

While most leather jackets retail for around $500, this motorcycle-style jacket from Quince is a total steal at $150. With chic zippers and a belt, this jacket has a bit of added edge without feeling overpowered. Testers like the true-to-size fit and were "blown away at the affordable price of the smooth genuine leather." However, the leather is not as soft or supple as higher end styles, according to GH analysts.

Outer material100% top grain leather
CareSpot clean only
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3
Best Size Inclusive Leather Jacket

Universal Standard Leeron Leather Moto Jacket Black

Leeron Leather Moto Jacket Black
Credit: Universal Standard

Universal Standard is a size-inclusive brand, offering sizes 00 to 40. When GH analysts unboxed this jacket, they were immediately impressed with this jacket's gorgeous appearance, soft feel and dark hardware. It has a slightly cropped fit that testers found "flattering and versatile," raving that it "actually looks better in person than it does online!" Testers did find the brand's size charts confusing at first glance.

Outer material100% leather
CareProfessional leather cleaner only
4
Best Leather Jacket on Amazon

Levi's Faux Leather Belted Motorcycle Jacket

On Sale
Faux Leather Belted Motorcycle Jacket

For a vegan leather jacket, this stylish pick is on sale for about $70 from Levi's. The shiny hardware, chunky zippers and belt create an edgy look. "The leather outer helped keep me warm and cozy, while the sleek lining made it easier to layer clothes underneath," according to one tester. Note that testers found this jacket to run small, so go up one or even two sizes for a more oversized fit.

Outer material100% polyurethane
CareMachine washable
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5
Best Classic Leather Jacket

ABLE Maha Leather Jacket

Maha Leather Jacket

Blown away by just how smooth the leather felt, one tester raved that "it literally is so soft it melts in your hand yet feels durable." This pick from ABLE has a classic shape that's slightly cropped, so it's easy to pair with a variety of different outfits to dress it up or down. GH analysts appreciate that ABLE focuses on not just environmental sustainability but ethical production as well.

Outer material100% lamb leather
CareProfessional leather clean only
6
Best Oversized Leather Jacket

Madewell Washed Leather Oversized Motorcycle Jacket

Washed Leather Oversized Motorcycle Jacket
Credit: Madewell

Testers raved about the "supple, smooth leather" featured on this jacket from Madewell, with high-quality hardware that one tester said "is chic without feeling too edgy or intense." This jacket has an oversized design for a baggy fit, great to fit a sweater or sweatshirt underneath (no need to size up!). GH analysts note that although it has an oversized fit, the sleeves are shorter than other styles.

Outer material100% leather
CareProfessional leather clean only
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7
Best Bomber Leather Jacket

Rag & Bone Andrea Leather Jacket

Andrea Leather Jacket
Credit: Rag and Bone

Rag & Bone is another brand well known for their leather jackets. This bomber style jacket is cinched at the bottom and at the wrists for a looser fit. It also has two large pockets on the front for a cool look. One GH analyst found that Rag & Bone leather jackets have an "extremely luxe with a soft, supple feel that I haven't found in any other brand's leather." It's a pricey investment that many reviewers say was worth the plunge.

Outer material100% lamb leather
CareProfessional leather cleaner only
8
Best Shearling Leather Jacket

Abercrombie Sherpa-Lined Vegan Leather Shearling Jacket

Sherpa-Lined Vegan Leather Shearling Jacket
Credit: Abercrombie

Sherpa-lined leather jackets are warmer than traditional styles while having a unique, stylish touch. This new style from Abercrombie has a sherpa collar as well as sherpa-lined wrist cuffs. Testers loved the look of this jacket, raving that it's "on-trend" and "super warm." This jacket was a bit stiff out of the box and took some time to break in the vegan leather material.

Outer material88% polyester, 11% cotton, 1% viscose with 100% polyurethane coating
CareSpot clean
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9
Best Lightweight Leather Jacket

Aritzia Autumn Shirt Jacket

Autumn Shirt Jacket
Now 70% Off
Credit: Aritzia

According to testers, this leather shirt jacket from Aritzia has a "buttery soft feel." It's super lightweight, so you can wear it as a jacket in mild weather or under a heavier coat. Testers loved its boxy fit, but would recommend going down a size for a more fitted look. In the Wilfred collection, you can find matching pieces to this trendy jacket that's available in eight shades.

Outer material100% polyurethane
CareMachine washable
10
Best Leather Trench Coat

Wilsons Leather Mary Long Single Breasted Trench

Mary Long Single Breasted Trench
Now 60% Off
Credit: Wilsons Leather

Made with supple genuine leather, Wilsons Leather is deservedly a household name for leather jackets and coats. This leather trench coat is an affordable price for the amount of leather material used. This style is available in both black and tan with sizes from XS to XXL.

Outer material100% genuine leather
CareProfessional leather cleaner only
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11
Best Leather Blazer

Princess Polly Jocelyn Faux Leather Blazer

Jocelyn Faux Leather Blazer
Now 60% Off
Credit: Princess Polly

Great to wear out to dinner or dancing, as this blazer from Princess Polly has a loose look with four chic shade options; the brown shades are especially popular. Testers found that it was true to size with a slightly oversized cut that still fit under a heavier coat. One tester said she "loved the look of this jacket; not only did I feel trendy but I felt that the style harkened back to a classic cut." GH analysts found the pockets not as easily accessible as other styles, so you'll need to pair this jacket with a bag too.

Outer material100% polyurethane
CareHand wash
12
Best Professional Leather Jacket

Free People Stevie Blazer

Stevie Blazer
Credit: Free People

For a professional take on a leather jacket, look no further than the Free People Stevie Blazer. "It's super flattering and chic looking while still being easy to style and versatile," according to one tester. GH analysts love that this pick is machine washable (unlike most featured styles), making it easy to clean after extensive wear. Testers note that it is especially well suited for office wear as it has a warm feel and a sleek design. It has a slightly oversized fit, but runs mostly true to size.

Outer material100% viscose with 100% polyurethane coating
CareMachine washable
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13
Best Moto Style Leather Jacket

Spanx Leather-Like Moto Jacket

Leather-Like Moto Jacket
Now 70% Off
Credit: Spanx

This pick from Spanx is a racer style leather jacket that testers found immediately comfy out of the box and they "didn't need to 'break it in.'" One tester raved that she even "received a ton of compliments from people who wanted to know where it was from." GH analysts find that Spanx runs quite fitted, so we recommend looking at the size chart and maybe sizing up if you have a bigger bust.

Outer material92% polyester, 8% elastane with polyurethane coating
CareMachine washable
14
Best Leather Puffer Jacket

APPARIS Jemma Puffer Jacket

Jemma Puffer Jacket
Now 50% Off
Credit: APPARIS

Combine the edgy look of a leather jacket with a puffer jacket for the best of both worlds. This leather puffer jacket from APPARIS has a slightly cropped fit with a luxuriously soft feel. "Not only is this jacket super stylish, but it's super warm too, with the filling keeping warm even on windy autumn evenings," according to Catharine Malzahn, Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant.

Outer material57% polyurethane, 43% viscose
Care Dry clean only
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What to look for when shopping for the best leather jackets

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When shopping for a new leather jacket, there are many considerations to take into account before making your purchase. GH fiber scientists teamed up with Schreiber to provide insider shopping tips. However, it's most important that you actually like the jacket: it needs to be comfortable and something you see yourself wearing regularly!

✔️Silhouette: Leather jackets are available in a variety of different styles, including the classic biker or moto shape. Today, there are tons of stylish silhouettes like sherpa-lined flight jackets, chic blazers and long and cropped styles too, so everyone can find a leather jacket that fits their personal aesthetic.

✔️ Material: Before purchasing, check the jacket's fiber content to ensure you know if it's real leather or a faux leather alternative. The site listing should say "100% real leather" or "genuine leather" if it's truly a high quality leather material. Leather tends to be rigid and stiff at first, but will mold to your body shape with use. For faux leather styles, most are made with polyurethane or another plastic-based finish.

While faux leather styles are vegan, it doesn't mean it's a sustainable buy as producing these faux leather alternatives has an extensive environmental impact. On the other hand, real leather production involves the harsh treatment of animals and excessive greenhouse gas emissions from raising livestock.

✔️ Hardware: Luxury jackets use high quality hardware that gives it an extra edge. When shopping, make sure to note the look and color of the hardware to ensure you like its look as some leather jackets feature bulky zippers or extra snaps for an edgier look.

How should a leather jacket fit?

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Comfort is key! When trying it on, make sure to lift your arms up and move around to ensure it's comfy to wear in all positions. Leather does mold to your body, so the fit can actually improve with time. Schreiber says, "I order one or two sizes up because I prefer the baggy look." Most testers agreed and went with a jacket one size up. Make sure to try the jacket with different tops on, including a sweater, to make sure you truly like the fit. Schreiber says she has a few leather jackets with different fits so there's a jacket that goes perfectly with every outfit.

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How to clean a leather jacket

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When it comes to deep cleaning a genuine leather jacket, GH cleaning pros recommend leaving it to a professional leather cleaner. Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director, recommends using this Leather Care Kit for spot cleaning at home. Check out our full guide on how to clean your leather jacket at home for more cleaning tips, and for faux leather jackets, you may be able to machine wash the jacket, but always follow the care label closely for the best results.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab where she has tested all types of apparel items like denim, workout leggings, jackets, sneakers and more for the past four years. She tested over a dozen different leather jackets in Lab and reviewed nearly a hundred online before making these selections. Liv Schreiber ​​is a fashion stylist and lifestyle influencer most known for her TikTok videos.

Headshot of Emma Seymour
Emma Seymour
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director

Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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14 best leather jackets for women, according to fashion experts
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