How to Make Your Leather Jacket Feel New Without Spending Money

Humor us for a moment by imagining a picturesque fall day. What do you find yourself dreaming about? Maybe it's a crisp breeze on your skin, the sound of foliage softly crunching under your shoes, or the smell of a pumpkin spice latte. While most might deem these experiences a quintessential part of fall, fashion people are focused on something else entirely. For us, the fantasy surrounding fall has to do with fashion—it's all about the boots, knitwear, and, of course, coats. Oftentimes, the latter ends up becoming the biggest indication that we've stepped into a new season because it's the most noticeable. After all, fall is about embracing outerwear again.

There are plenty of coats we could discuss, but none are as synonymous with this season as leather jackets. From recent runway collections to the real world, leather outerwear remains relevant because of its versatility. However, we'd be lying if we didn't admit that this style can feel stale at times. Like all seasonal tropes, it takes a bit of imagination to make them exciting again. Luckily, there are plenty of examples of how to wear a leather coat creatively. Ahead, you'll find 20 fall leather-jacket outfits, separated by different types of jackets. Plus, we've included styling tips and curated some of the best leather coats to buy for fall at every price point. Whether you've got a beloved leather blazer or bomber jacket, these ideas will make this staple seem brand-new just in time for the start of the season.

How to Style a Leather Blazer

What You'll Need: Leather Blazer + Silk Tank + Belt + Pencil Skirt + Tights + Pumps + Gloves
Styling Notes: One way to make your leather blazer seem like new is to take inspiration from the recent runway collections from Chanel and Saint Laurent. Style your blazer with a contrasting silk tank, pencil skirt, and slingback pumps.

What You'll Need: Leather Blazer + Skinny Scarf + Tank + Trousers + Sneakers
Styling Notes: Make this office staple work for off-duty occasions by adding trendy accessories. The classic leather blazer, tank, and trousers become 10 times cooler with the addition of a skinny scarf and chunky sneakers.

What You'll Need: Leather Blazer + Cardigan + T-Shirt + Pinstripe Trousers + Ankle Boots
Styling Notes: You can spice up this staple by styling it with some of the season's biggest print trends. For example, a black leather blazer looks more trend-forward when paired with pinstripe trousers.

What You'll Need: Leather Blazer + Knit Top + Maxi Skirt + Ankle Boots + Contrasting Bag
Styling Notes: If you're not a fan of prints, the next best thing is to add a fresh pop of color. Even if you opt for an all-black outfit, the addition of a colorful bag will draw the right amount of attention to your look without doing too much.

What You'll Need: Red Leather Blazer + Gray Scarf + Gray Sweater + Gray Jeans + Black Boots + Shoulder Bag
Styling Notes: While it's incredibly easy to style this staple in an all-black look, there are other ways to embrace leather outerwear. In fact, we recommend going for a colorful version instead. You can always make it more approachable by pairing it with other neutrals such as gray, black, white, and brown.

How to Style a Leather Moto Jacket

What You'll Need: Leather Racing Jacket + White Button-Down Shirt + Midi Skirt + Knee-High Stockings + Ballet Flats
Styling Notes: Does it get more fall coded than a leather racing jacket? Likely not. If you want to make this coat even more seasonal, consider styling it with other fall staples such as a button-down shirt, a midi skirt, stockings, and ballet flats.

What You'll Need: Leather Jacket + Wide-Leg Jeans + White Boots + White Shoulder Bag
Styling Notes: While there's no denying that the comeback of moto jackets in recent runway collections has contributed to the style becoming cool again, the enduring allure of this leather jacket boils down to creative styling—e.g., popping the collar like the outfit above.

What You'll Need: Leather Moto Jacket + Leather Miniskirt + Knee-High Boots
Styling Notes: When you don't want to put too much effort into creative styling, the best way to make an old moto jacket feel 10 times cooler is by pairing it with a miniskirt. It's a duo that will have you feeling like the main character.

What You'll Need: Leather Moto Jacket + Gray Cardigan + White T-Shirt + Black Pleated Skirt + Moto Boots
Styling Notes: Don't be afraid to go beyond simply popping a collar or putting on a miniskirt by styling your leather coat with unexpected separates. By pairing a moto jacket with preppier items, such as a cropped cardigan and pleated skirt, you'll create an interesting visual contrast that will garner you all the compliments.

What You'll Need: Leather Moto Jacket + Button-Down Shirt + Tie + Pleated Skirt + Trousers + Platform Heels
Styling Notes: Although embracing layers in the fall is not the most groundbreaking concept, there's something to be said about doing so with a leather moto jacket. The key to making layers feel edgy is styling multiple suiting separates on top of each other with an oversize leather jacket.

How to Style a Leather Bomber Jacket

What You'll Need: White Leather Jacket + Black Skirt + Studded Belt + Tights + Pumps
Styling Notes: If it's not cold enough yet for lots of layers, the next best way to make your leather jacket edgier is with color-blocking. Style a white bomber jacket with with a black skirt, a studded belt, and pointed pumps for a look that's sure to turn heads.

What You'll Need: Leather Jacket + Tank Top + Basketball Shorts + Socks + Mary Jane Flats
Styling Notes: If you want a casual yet cool way to wear a leather coat, consider re-creating the look above. Styling a leather bomber jacket with a tank top, basketball shorts, and ballet flats strikes the perfect balance.

What You'll Need: Leather Bomber Jacket + White Turtleneck + Maxi Skirt + Socks + Mary Jane Flats + Clutch
Styling Notes: For a more formal approach, consider pairing the outwear with polished items. For example, a leather bomber can look more elegant with a white turtleneck, a maxi skirt, and flats.

What You'll Need: Bomber Leather Jacket + White Minidress + Tights + Slingback Heels
Styling Notes: Another way you can make this edgy outerwear a bit more elegant is by styling it with unexpected items. You wouldn't expect a leather bomber to look so good with a billowy white minidress, tights, and slingback heels, yet the outfit above proves otherwise.

What You'll Need: Leather Jacket + Gray Cardigan + Boxers + Sheer Skirt + Sheer Socks + Ankle-Strap Pumps
Styling Notes: Prefer to make this piece feel even edgier? Consider playing with texture. Pair a leather bomber jacket with a cardigan, a sheer skirt, and sheer socks for a look that will challenge the perception of this classic piece.

How to Style a Leather Trench Coat

What You'll Need: Long Leather Jacket + White T-Shirt + Tan Waistcoat + Miniskirt + Riding Boots + Handbag
Styling Notes: Arguably one of the chicest types of leather jackets, longline versions make dressing for transitional weather even easier. Case in point: the ensemble above. You can transition your favorite miniskirt and waistcoat into the fall by styling them with a long leather jacket, a white T-shirt, and riding boots.

What You'll Need: Long Leather Trench Coat + Knitted Top + Capri Pants + Mules
Styling Notes: While long leather trenches pair with other traditional basics, that's not to say they don't go well with trendier items too. You can make a pair of pedal pushers feel more polished by styling them with a leather trench, a knitted top, and minimal mules.

What You'll Need: Snakeskin Trench Coat + White Turtleneck + White Miniskirt + White Pumps + Tan Handbag
Styling Notes: Neutral trench coats will never go out of style, but if you'd like an edgier version for the fall, opt for an animal-print version. Hear us out. Even if you choose to style a snakeskin leather trench with simple staples, this statement outerwear will make you stand out all season long.

What You'll Need: Red Leather Trench Coat + Black Turtleneck + Black Leather Shorts + Red Belt + Red Pumps + Red Handbag
Styling Notes: Not into animal prints? We get it. Instead, make a statement with a leather trench in a unique shade. Try pairing an oxblood trench with a black turtleneck, leather shorts, and matching accessories for a spicier take on this staple.

What You'll Need: Oversize Leather Trench Coat + Yellow Shoulder Bag + Yellow Pumps
Styling Notes: By now, we've hopefully provided you ample inspiration on how to style leather jackets for the fall. If you take nothing else away from this story, let it be that this outerwear does most of the work for you. The great thing about leather jackets is that they can be the entire look. For example, you could style an oversize trench as a dress as depicted above. Visually, leather jackets have always done the heavy lifting, which is why they remain a very significant part of our fall wardrobes.