The leather coat has become a fashion essential for cooler weather. You can dress these stylish coats up or down, which makes them versatile. Leather coats are available in a variety of styles and a fairly wide range of colors.
Among the best options is the Men’s Café Racer Leather Jacket by Polo Ralph Lauren. This handsome jacket comes in supple full-grain leather and features a stand collar, metal grommets at the underarms to provide ventilation, tapered long sleeves and a slim silhouette.
What to know before you buy a leather coat
Design
Leather coats come in a range of different styles, including moto, racer, bomber and biker. Select a design that appeals to your sense of style rather than a passing trend to ensure your coat is a good investment that you’ll wear for years.
Real leather vs. faux leather
Faux leather has come a long way. Some faux coats are flawless imitations of genuine leather. Faux leather is also an excellent option for vegans. However, if you’re looking for superior insulation, real leather is the way to go. Keep in mind that genuine leather costs more than faux iterations and that it requires specialized care. If you purchase a jacket made of real leather, you may want to invest in one of these leather cleaners, as recommended by the staff at BestReviews.
Styling your leather coat
Get the most out of your investment by choosing a leather jacket that complements your existing wardrobe. Think about the pieces you wear most often ? your wardrobe staples. Select a leather coat with your other essentials in mind.
Leather coat features
Leather color
While the majority of leather coats are sold in shades of black or brown, some are available in a kaleidoscope of colors. You might just have to look a bit harder to find them. Faux leather often comes in a wider shade range of hues than real leather.
Type of closure
Leather jackets are usually designed with either buttons or zippers. Zippers add a sleek touch and look great on a slim-fitting silhouette. Leather coats with a classic silhouette tend to feature button closures.
Pockets
Some styles, especially moto leather coats, feature pockets secured with zippers. This is one of the most recognizable features of a moto jacket. Other leather coat styles vary in whether the pockets are open or secured.
Leather coat cost
Real leather is expensive. Be wary of coats advertised as genuine leather that are priced below $100, unless they’re on sale. These products might be made of faux leather or poor-quality real leather. That said, you can find some very nice jackets constructed from faux leather. High-quality vegan leather is hard to distinguish from the real deal. Expect to pay $125 to upward of $500 for genuine leather and $85-$300 for faux leather.
Leather coat FAQ
How can I tell if a coat is made of real leather?
A. Advances in technology have created some beautiful vegan leathers. But if your heart is set on a coat made of real leather, there are some characteristics that will help you separate the real versions from the fake:
Price point: Real leather will always cost more than faux leather.
Irregularities: As with other products sourced from nature, genuine leather will have irregularities on its surface.
Scent: Genuine leather has a distinct scent that’s easily recognizable and cannot be mimicked in fake leather.
Water absorption: Water that’s poured on faux leather tends to puddle, while real leather will absorb it.
What are the benefits of a leather coat?
A. Why are people willing to invest in a leather jacket? First, from a functional standpoint, the level of insulation leather coats offer is perfect for transitional seasons. They’re neither too heavy nor too light. Second, well-made jackets that are constructed of high-quality leather will hold up well against the elements and last for years. Third, leather coats have their own individual style that can’t be replicated in other types of coats, a blend of edgy and streamlined simplicity.
Which leather coat should I get?
Best of the best leather coat
Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Café Racer Leather Jacket: available at Macy’s
Our take: This luxe leather jacket has a streamlined modern silhouette and is constructed of full-grain leather.
What we like: The craftsmanship of this jacket is apparent. It feels supple to the touch, thanks to the high-quality full-grain leather. Designed in the style made popular by European motorcyclists in the 1960s, this jacket has a slim profile.
What we dislike: There are rare reports of quality issues like creasing and fading.
Best bang for your buck leather coat
Levi’s Women’s Faux-Leather Moto Jacket: available at Macy’s
Our take: You’ll get an edgy, glam-rock look in this faux leather moto jacket that comes in a rainbow of colors.
What we like: Available in 14 colors and sold at a budget-friendly price, you may find yourself stocking up on this well-made coat. The moto style goes well with a variety of attire. Design details like epaulets, an off-set zipper and a notched collar create a fashion-forward aesthetic.
What we dislike: Buyers report that some colors look different in person than online and that fit can be inconsistent.
Honorable mention leather coat
MICHAEL Michael Kors Men’s Perforated Leather Moto Jacket: available at Macy’s
Our take: Perforations at the yoke elevate this classic take on the leather moto jacket, making it a stylish addition to your wardrobe.
What we like: The traditional moto silhouette makes this coat a timeless investment. At the same time, this jacket has serious style, thanks to perforation details and textured epaulets at the shoulders.
What we dislike: A smattering of buyers are unhappy with the quality of the leather, citing it as rough and poor quality.
Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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