Matte, shiny or wrinkled?
Black leather comes in more finishes than you'd think. Smooth lambskin has a soft sheen that looks sharp at night. Matte feels more casual. Wrinkled or washed leather looks broken in from the first wear, which is great if you don't like that brand new look. Silver zips push a jacket toward rock and roll, while black hardware keeps it low key.
What to wear with it
Keep the rest simple. A white or grey tee, dark jeans and boots never gets old. Going somewhere smarter? A black leather blazer over a shirt does the job. Our post on choosing a black leather jacket has more outfit ideas. For the classic biker look, browse our motorcycle jackets, and if you're shopping for her too, see our women's black leather jackets.
FAQs
Lambskin or cowhide for a black leather jacket?
Lambskin if you want it soft and comfortable right away. Cowhide if you'd rather have something heavier that shrugs off scrapes. Each product page lists the leather, so you can check before you buy.
Does black leather fade?
Slowly, if it sits in strong sun or never gets conditioned. A leather conditioner once or twice a year keeps the black deep. Our
cleaning guide shows how to do it without hurting the finish.
How should a black leather jacket fit?
Snug at the shoulders, with sleeves ending at your wrist and enough room to zip it over a tee or a thin sweater. Compare your chest measurement with our
size chart.