Finding the perfect leather jacket for yourself is not easy.
Yes, it might look an easy peasy process when you see those bikers flaunting it, or Marlon Brando or Tom Cruise sporting them dashingly with no effort.
(But honestly, he is T-O-M-C-R-U-I-S-E. He can wear boxer shorts, with an oversized shirt and a baseball cap reading COOL on his head and look as graceful).
Let’s be pragmatic here. We can’t sport a leather jacket as Tom does and be photographed on Top Gun cover with Kelly McGillis leaning over us. What is it, a Hollywood movie?
But, shunning the casual inferiority complex that these celebrities give us with perfectly nailing every outfit is very important, so let’s find a solution.
We’re not in a movie. There isn’t a room full of clothes for us to choose the best fit. So, there must be a pragmatic solution to this problem.
Believe me! This blog will discuss how you can find the perfect leather jacket for you. By the time you finish reading this, you will have the most practical guide to choose the best leather jacket that feels tailor-made for your body.
Know your body
First and foremost, you ought to know your body type. You could be a slim guy who only wears S and XS, or you could be a bulky person whose clothes come in X or XL. The middle ground is you have a body that can sport M-sized clothes.
But there are many other factors beyond what S, M, L, or XL sizes show. These include your body’s shape, the size of your shoulders and muscles.
Say you have broad shoulders, with big biceps and a bulky build. You’re a lucky guy; you can sport both lightweight or heavy jackets.
But, if you have a lean physique with average height and narrow shoulders, a lightweight flight bomber or racing jacket is perfect for you. The heavier ones will look disproportionate to your body.
So, knowing your body and being comfortable in it is the first step in choosing the right jacket. You wouldn’t want a bulky jacket burdening you, so a lightweight jacket is an ideal choice if you want to complement your broad shoulders.
Find the perfect fit
Few things need to be fit as perfectly as leather jackets and shoes to ensure comfort without compromising the style.
Yes, we rarely button our leather jacket, but that doesn’t mean you buy one for which you have to suck all the air out of your lungs to fit.
How well you sport a leather jacket depends on the fitting.
Shoulder slouching, Nah!
Sleeves an inch too long, they’ll cover your palms.
The jacket too tight; it won’t zip.
So, the second step is to find the jacket that fits well to zip to check the fitting. Also, it is recommended to see if you can comfortably put your hands in the pockets, especially if you are buying a plus-size leather jacket.
It will give you an idea regarding whether you’re comfortable in the jacket or not.
Not buying the right fit would be a waste of money. It would just get dusted in your closet. So, if you’re buying from a shop, try it before buying to check its fitting. In case you are shopping online, choose a store that has a good return policy so that you can send it back without much hassle if it doesn’t fit you right.
Know the use
It is essential to know why you are buying a jacket to get your hands on the right one. If you live in a colder region and only want it to protect yourself from winter’s brunt, a shearling leather jacket is the most viable option.
If you want some more aesthetics along with protection, go for suede or a faux leather jacket.
If you only want the leather jacket to double up your style, then it really depends on your age to find the one that will suit you the most.
A bulky flight jacket won’t look as perfect for your teenage body as, say, a varsity-style jacket or asymmetrical bomber jacket.
For your manly look, you need something that is a bit hip and moves away from the traditional designs of the leather jacket. I am talking about the double rider jacket here.
Yes, it is the same jacket Marlon Brando wore in The Wild One.
It is anything but formal. Its diagonal zippers and oversized collars make it a functional jacket that anyone can pull off from a rider to a partygoer.
Talking about style, I will take the liberty of mentioning my favorite one, the car coat jacket. There is so much to love about it. It’s symmetrical, slippery to touch (if you buy a genuine jacket), it’s longer than usual length, and oh! The warmth.
It is ideal for people of all ages and is one of the many styles that combine fashion with usability. It’s a 10/10 style statement, and also, it saves you from winter’s wrath.
Take care of your jacket
People buy leather jackets to be with for a lifetime. But here’s the fact: they do stay with you for a long time, but with time, their quality deteriorates.
It is a simple aging rule, and also, it vastly depends on how you use it. Rough and tough use would speed up the deterioration process. Care and consideration would keep it in good shape for a more extended time.
It is essential to take care of your jacket. If you have a suede or shearling jacket, it will need special care. Take it to a dry cleaner or someone who specializes in washing or cleaning leather jackets.
For other types of jackets, never immerse them entirely in water. The best practice is to use a wet cloth and clean the jacket using soap. Storing it in a dry place and hanging it correctly keep it wrinkles-free and protected from mold.
How frequently you need to maintain the jacket depends upon your usability. If you are a rider, then the need for maintenance is more frequent since traveling means accumulating dust and pollution on the jacket.
If you only wear it on occasions and events, you can use it for a long time without needing any maintenance or cleaning.
Final words
Yes, finding the perfect jacket that complements your body and makes you stand out might seem challenging. But, understanding a few things would help you find the right one from the heap. Here are a few things to know before buying a leather jacket:
- Your body type.
- Body fitting
- The nature of your use
- Your style preference
Check these four boxes, and your ideal leather jacket is never far away from you.