The leather jacket or coat is a wardrobe staple in the 21st century and one of the true investment buys you can make. A really great leather jacket is something every woman should own. But when making such a major purchase, being informed on what style works for you as well as what is on trend is really essential to help you pick the perfect jacket, that will see you through season after season.
The biker jacket…
Probably the most iconic style of leather jacket and for good reason, it works perfectly in summer thrown over a basic t-shirt and your favourite jeans or a dress, and it transitions into autumn and winter when you can layer it over jeans or a pencil skirt plus a great, slouchy knit and chunky boots. If you are looking for a versatile jacket that will never go out of style then the biker jacket is for you. Biker jackets are available in collared, collarless versions, short, mid-length or long, loose and fitted. You probably know whether you suit a collar or collarless, but when it comes to length and loose or narrow fit, it is all down to proportion and where any “problem” areas lie.
If you have a shaped silhouette (i.e. a waistline), then go for a nipped in, waisted style that will show off your waist. If you have less waist definition, go for a jacket that is more boxy (i.e. one that is shorter and wider).
Longer styles will flatter you if you’re tall.
If you’re petite, it’s still all about proportion. Are you longer in the body and shorter in the leg, in which case a cropped jacket will give the illusion of longer legs. If you are you shorter in the body and longer in the leg, a jacket ending a couple of inches below your waist will create a balanced proportion.
The advantage for you if you are petite and slim is that you might be able to get away with a leather biker jacket designed for older children (Juniors in North America). In the UK, it’s cheaper too, with no VAT.
And don’t forget when choosing the shape, you will need to consider what you will want to wear underneath the jacket. If you choose a fitted style, there won’t be much room to wear it over very thick jumpers! But remember, you don’t have to wear the jacket zipped up. To maintain warmth, it will look great worn with a fab scarf either wrapped fully round your neck or with the ends left to hang down the length of the jacket – which helps create the illusion of greater length (and less width) to your body.
The best news is that your biker jacket doesn’t have to be black. If you wear a lot of black and black suits you, buy it in this classic biker shade. If black doesn’t have a big share of your wardrobe or, like Cyndy, it drains you, choose your biker jacket in a colour you love. Ever since Acne made biker jackets in lots of shades four seasons ago, brights and pastels have ruled in biker jacket world. For the upcoming A/W season, there is plenty of black, but also some subtle neutrals as well as brights and pastels.
The trench…
This really is two for the price of one, where classic coats are concerned. We all love the iconic trench coat, and one in suede just tops the bill. It works perfectly for chic city and work wear, as well as playing into the Bohemian trend worn open over jeans for off-duty wear. If you are looking for a practical leather piece, with great lines giving you an amazing silhouette then you should opt for the trench.
The structured jacket…
If you love clean lines and smooth silhouettes then the structured leather jacket is for you. Keep things simple, and wear this type of jacket over a shift dress or with cigarette trousers or straight jeans and a crisp white shirt for a look that is all about grown up glamour. Styles vary with peplums added to balance out your silhouette, cropped styles to work if you are tall with slim hips and thighs, and collarless versions that sit neatly with your favourite shirt. But whatever style you opt for, keep the cut clean, structured and uncluttered.
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