7 Ways to Style a Leather Jacket

Julia Lee
by Julia Lee


A leather jacket is a wardrobe essential because it is so wearable and versatile. It is such an easy thing that you can throw on and change the vibe of your outfit. I'm going to show you seven different ways that you can style one. I tried to include different outfits from casual, to business casual, to a bit more dressy, so hopefully, there is something here for everyone.



I spent a lot of money on my leather jacket that I bought six years ago, but I knew it would be a long-term investment. I wanted to buy something that would last. Six years later, I still wear it, I still love it, and I make sure to keep it in good condition so that it can continue to last.

Styling a leather jacket


Pure wardrobe basics

The first outfit consists of all things that I consider to be wardrobe essentials. I'm wearing this white crew-neck t-shirt, and I paired it with straight-cut jeans and high-top white leather converse. It's a super easy look to put together with pure wardrobe basics. Throwing on a leather jacket makes this outfit a bit more put together and a bit more stylish.

Leather jacket style


Leopard print

This next outfit is more casual-dressy. I'm wearing a mid-length leopard print skirt and paired it with a black crop top t-shirt and pointed black ankle boots. I have a pretty neutral closet, my default color is black, but I like wearing prints in the springtime because they liven up an outfit that otherwise would be all black. Wearing this with a leather jacket makes the outfit look a bit more casual, which I like. It would be a great outfit to wear on a date where you can still look chic but not look like you're trying too hard.



How to style a leather jacket

Plaid pants

This next outfit is more business casual. I'm wearing these beige plaid pants, and I paired them with the same black top from the previous outfit and brown Chelsea boots. I don’t wear smart pants like this very often, but I do really like this pair when I want to look a bit more put together. I like wearing a leather jacket with trousers instead of a blazer because it looks a little less business, but it still looks stylish and proper.

Easy leather jacket style


Slip dress

I put on a black slip dress with my black pointed ankle boots for this outfit because I am such a boot person. I hate wearing shoes or heels without socks. This is another casual dressy outfit that is similar to the leopard print one but instead is monochromatic. I realize that my chest looks super bare because I'm not a necklace person, but you should wear a necklace with this type of outfit. If you want to make this more dressy, you could wear it with some dainty heels.

Basic leather jacket style


Button-up shirt

This next outfit also consists of all things I consider wardrobe essentials, I'm wearing a white button-up shirt with blue jeans and black heels. I think that the length of this shirt gives it a boyfriend vibe which is why I paired it with the more feminine-looking ankle strap heels, and the leather jacket on top of this outfit just adds a bit of edginess on top of a very classic style.


Linen dress

I love dresses for the spring and summer because you have a complete outfit with one piece of clothing, so it's super easy, and they're also very airy, which is amazing during sweat season. I'm wearing a black linen dress with cute little puff sleeves, and I paired it with white leather slip-ons with a cute floral design. I love the mix of textures with the leather and the linen, and I think the jacket just balances out this feminine, cutesy outfit.


Knit sweater

This last outfit is another casual one; I'm wearing a thin knit sweater with cropped black jeans and sneakers. You could wear more dressy shoes which would completely change the feel of this outfit, but I just chose sneakers because, realistically, in the springtime, that’s what I wear the most. I love the mix of textures of the leather and the knit, and throwing on a leather jacket on an otherwise really simple outfit just gives it a more effortlessly stylish vibe.


Hopefully, this style guide showed you how versatile a leather jacket is and why it is considered a wardrobe essential. You can recreate some of these looks with the clothes that you already have in your closet. Enjoy!

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