A men's jacket is a universal wardrobe item, as it can not only perfectly complement an image, but also protect against cold and wind. If we talk about demi-season options, the most common are leather and denim models, waist-length. And yet, no matter how fashionable and trendy a thing is, it must first of all fit well on its owner, otherwise even the most stylish and modern look will be hopelessly ruined.
Let's figure out what a man in a jacket should look like?!
Types of leather jackets
The leather jacket gained popularity in the 1950s. It has become an integral item of clothing in Hollywood films, due to which it has gained enormous popularity among various sections of society. And in our time, a leather jacket is still as relevant as it was more than 50 years ago. Moreover, every year it continues to be one of the key items of clothing at all fashion shows. Every man should find his own style of outerwear and create a unique look with it. Therefore, before considering the criteria by which you need to choose a leather jacket, let's look at their types.
Leather aviator jacket
If you have watched the movie “Top Gun”, you will immediately remember the spectacular image of Tom Cruise, who played the main role in it. His character wore a leather aviator jacket, which immediately became fashionable after the movie premiered. However, the film used a lightweight version of this outerwear. Modern models often have additional lining sewn on to make the jacket warmer.
The aviator jacket quickly found its way into the American army. In addition, it now hangs in the wardrobes of men all over the world. This model is still in demand not only among fans of Tom Cruise and the movie “Top Gun,” but also among fans of the timeless classic.
What to wear with an aviator jacket? This model looks great with:
- classic jeans;
- rough men's boots (especially military style);
- with jumpers.
Lightning
Branded jackets in the mid-segment ($200 – 500) will most likely be equipped with a YKK zipper (this is a manufacturer of zippers for the fast fashion market). There is nothing bad about it, it is a good zipper, not too soft, but with a large margin of safety. Well, not very interesting in design.
More expensive items will most likely have a RiRi zipper - this is an Italian company that produces two-way sliding zippers. They are heavier in weight, denser and look more interesting, not just playing a functional role, but being part of the overall design.
Leather bomber jacket
James Dean became a real sex symbol, starring in the films "Giant", "Rebel Without a Cause" and "East of Eden." It was he who made the bomber leather jacket famous throughout the world. It is important to note that such outerwear will suit almost any man, regardless of his figure and age. If your shoulders are not wide enough, then you should give preference to a bomber jacket with a belt that can highlight your waist in a favorable light. And if you have a large build, then a belt in this case will be superfluous. It should also be taken into account that models with a high collar visually elongate the neck, which is especially important for men who have problems with this.
A bomber jacket goes well with cashmere items and colorful shirts. To create a stunning look with it, wear:
- brogues;
- denim shirt;
- skinny jeans, including skinny ones
Biker leather jacket
After Marlon Brando starred in the film "Savage", the biker leather jacket became a new fashion trend. And this is not surprising, since such outerwear will suit almost every member of the stronger sex. It will allow you to emphasize the desired part of the figure, while hiding existing flaws, if any. Moreover, such a jacket is relevant not only for bikers, but also for men who want to look more brutal.
To make a biker jacket look great on you, you need to choose the right clothes to go with it. A win-win option in this case would be:
- skinny black jeans;
- T-shirt (plain or with an unusual print);
- high boots.
Firmware
The stitching of the jacket parts is an important decorative element. We won’t talk about the evenness of the stitching; for items costing $200 and above this is an a priori indicator, but it’s worth paying attention to the thickness of the stitching. Higher quality jackets are stitched with even, dense natural thread; some manufacturers skimp on this element. Top brands work with the German company Guttermann, it produces threads for stitching leather products, and this stitching is clearly visible.
Leather jacket with hood
Famous football player David Beckham is often called a fan of hoodies for his love for this item. It was he who introduced the combination of a leather jacket and a hood into fashion. The footballer inspired by his example not only many fans, but also some celebrities. Fashion critics still cannot classify a leather jacket with a hood as either a sports or an everyday item. However, this does not prevent it from being a popular outerwear among young people who like to dress casually.
If you bought a jacket with a hood, we suggest you wear it with:
- chinosami;
- T-shirt with a large round neck;
- canvas shoes with rubber soles
Selecting accessories
Designers offer a lot of accessories that create individual style and fashion. Choose thin and wide belts, belts, earrings made from various materials. The glamorous diva will definitely wear a shiny patent leather belt with her dress. A leather belt with a massive buckle will embody country style.
A silk dress goes perfectly with a leather jacket and a leather belt at the waist. Pendants and necklaces made of contrasting material to match the sundress will highlight the style. You should not buy accessories of the same shade.
The handbag should be chosen to match the specific style and style of the dress. These can be small clutches, voluminous or classic models. When choosing shoes to go with your leather jacket, follow important rules. For a semi-sporty style, flat boots and sneakers are suitable. It is important to combine a dress with sneakers to match the color. The stiletto heel and platform are suitable for casual and romantic style.
Fashion designers offer a lot of options for combining a jacket and a dress. You can ask men: this image is really feminine and attractive.
Choosing a men's leather jacket according to your figure
Now, having dealt with the types of men's leather jackets, let's move directly to recommendations for their choice. First of all, you need to take into account the characteristics of your physique. If you have broad shoulders and a slim figure, then a bomber jacket is perfect for you. But for men with a heavy build, such a jacket will make them look even fatter.
Please note that not a fitted, but a voluminous biker jacket is intended exclusively for tall men with a standard figure. Its peculiarity lies in the abundance of zippers and pockets, due to which the physique looks fuller and the height is shorter.
For thin and tall men, leather jackets with a belt at the waist are the best option. Moreover, this applies not only to bomber jackets, as we already mentioned above, but also to other types of this outerwear. Thanks to the belt, a man will be able to emphasize the shoulder and chest area to look a little larger. But if you have a thick build, then it is better to choose jackets with a straight cut.
Selecting the color and material of a leather jacket
Having decided on the style, you need to decide what color scheme your leather jacket should have. The most common colors are dark brown and black. However, recently other shades have become popular, such as bright red, chocolate and dark blue. When choosing the color of a jacket, you first need to decide when and where you will wear it.
Black color is great for creating both a business and classic look. Blue and brown leather jackets look great with jeans, creating an informal casual look. Bright red color is a great option for confident men who are not afraid to experiment with their style.
As for the choice of material, there are also several important nuances that should be taken into account. To ensure that an item lasts as long as possible, touch it before purchasing. If you feel a slight roughness around the edges, then this is definitely genuine leather. Then you need to lightly scrape your nails along the jacket. If it is made of genuine leather, then no traces, even faintly visible ones, will remain on it.
You also need to check the thickness of the leather. It should be the same over the entire surface of the jacket. In addition, it is important to carefully examine the item. The seams must be strong and neatly stitched. If you find missing stitches or threads sticking out in all directions, then it is better not to buy such a jacket.
How to determine the size of a leather jacket?
Having chosen the style, color and material of the jacket, you also need to correctly determine its size. To ensure that the item fits you perfectly, remember the following recommendations when trying on:
- Typically, leather jackets are sized the same as other outerwear. Therefore, select a model based on the items you have. However, in some stores the sizes may differ from the standard ones. In this case, it is better to seek help from a sales consultant.
- As you know, genuine leather tends to stretch. So buy a jacket that fits snugly around your waist. When trying on outerwear, do not wear warm clothes, but thin things, preferably a T-shirt.
- A leather jacket should sit optimally in the shoulders without bunching up on the back.
- The sleeves of the jacket should cover the arms by no more than 3 cm.
- After trying on a leather jacket, move around in it. If the size is right for you, then outerwear will not hinder your movement.
Only “natural product”
- When buying a men's leather jacket, take the time to spend ten minutes carefully studying the label and finishing features. The surface of the leather should be smooth, without unevenness: invisible microcracks after two or three rains will lead to damage to the material.
- Look at the other side of the coin: manufacturers on the inside often use thinner leather, which breaks quickly. Lightly scratch all parts with your fingernail or wipe with a wet cloth: if no marks remain, it means the leather has not been touched up. With additional poor-quality processing, the material peels off and leaves dark marks.
- Meticulously understanding all brands, of course, is not a man’s job, but it doesn’t hurt to look at the label. When you see the inscription “Made in China”, hang the item back - it is unknown what substances our Asian neighbors used. The best countries to produce leather jackets are Canada, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain and, of course, Italy. The latter are most often sold at exorbitant prices, but the product is worth it. However, you should trust the label only if you buy a jacket in a store.