The 9 Leather Jacket Trends That Will Matter Most in 2025
I'm sorry if it’s still 75ºF outside and any other kind of weather seems a lifetime away, but the thing about living in New York is that winter really does have a way of creeping up on you. One minute you're ready to collapse from heat exhaustion on the Downtown NQRW platform at Union Square, and the next you're wishing you had more than just a cardigan to throw on when you're dining outdoors—which brings us to why we're here today.
Before any of us get caught out by balmy breezes rudely turning into wind chill factors, let's get ahead of the winter layers we want to have on hand. Leather jackets are firmly on my mind, as they're popping up on my feed nonstop thanks to all the chic people I follow from the Southern Hemisphere plus everyone who's been visiting the slightly cooler temps in London and Copenhagen lately.
In addition to those essential silhouettes that are always in style, there are also a handful of other leather jacket trends gaining traction, including some great trends within the trends (trend inception, if you will).
Whether you're up for a trendy cropped bomber or an elegant leather blazer, here are the leather jackets to know and shop ahead for winter.
Minimalist
Longer, minimalist styles feel especially cool this season. Look for silver zippers and structured collars as well as a slightly oversize fit.
Boxy and Buttoned
A slightly cropped, boxy silhouette is very much the mood this season. If you love a tidy, tailored look and pieces you can dress up and down, this collared style is calling your name—Mango is doing a great cut in both real and vegan leather.
Burgundy
ICYMI, burgundy is set to be this winter's buzziest color trend. From brighter hues to deep oxbloods, I promise by the end of January, you'll be wearing it like a neutral.
Cropped
Whatever style you're into, it's basically guaranteed you'll find a cropped take on it this winter. If you know classic bombers and moto jackets tend to be your thing, this is an easy little update for the season ahead.
Bomber
Speaking of bombers, the fashion crowd is every bit as into them as they were last year. ACNE's ultra-soft vegan leather style is having a moment, but this might be the second year in a row that Topshop's $109 option can't be beaten.
Faux Vintage
If vintage shopping just isn't your thing, you'll be thrilled to hear that there continues to be no shortage of faux-vintage options to snap up online. Brown aviator styles are the classic vintage buy—keep an eye out for distressed details and oversize fits.
Blazers
Do we remember when leather blazers came roaring back to dominate our collective fall outfits about five years ago with their impeccable '90s Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy energy? Effortlessly cool with straight-leg jeans and a white tee. Absolutely zero notes.
Biker
If you took a deep breath and invested in a leather biker jacket 10 years ago, even though it cost most of your savings, honestly, congratulations. It was money well spent. It might dip on and off our radars in terms of the most of-the-moment jacket styles, but as Lucy Williams's Instagram feed proves, this classic style is back.
Trench Coat
A leather trench coat is a stunning garment that will enhance your wardrobe not only this year but for many years to come. This season, the fashion set is not just leaning into class black iterations but also rich-looking chocolate brown ones.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.
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