The 8 Leather Jacket Trends That Matter Most in 2024
Fall fashion! I'm sorry, too soon? Admittedly, as I write this, it’s 90 degrees outside, and any other kind of weather seems a lifetime away, but the thing about living in New York is that fall 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 a layer 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 fall 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 a cool leather blazer, here are the leather jackets to know and shop ahead of this fall.
Minimalist
Longer, minimal 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.
Burgundy
ICYMI, burgundy is set to be this fall's buzziest color trend. From brighter hues to deep oxbloods, I promise, by the end of September, 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 fall. 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 $119 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.
Natalie Cantell is a New York-based creative consultant, stylist, and contributing fashion editor. Previously the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio, she now freelances globally on photo shoots, stories, and special projects across the fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel categories. Originally from New Zealand, she moved to New York from Sydney (her second home) in 2016. She lives in Williamsburg with her husband, Jake, and their weirdly human dog, Ruby.
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