I Tried the Most-Wanted Leather Jackets of 2026—6 I'd Actually Invest In
The leather jacket is a classic wardrobe staple that belongs in every person's closet. The ultimate layering piece, a cool leather jacket can do everything from elevating a T-shirt and jeans to making a slip dress look more casual. It's a hero piece that can do it all. Depending on where you live, it can be a year-round layering piece or a transitional jacket to wear on repeat in the spring and fall. While black moto jackets have been popularized in the past and will never go out of style, we're seeing more shapes and colors adopted by the fashion set. From cropped styles to blazers to trenches to bomber jackets, the outerwear piece adds a cool element to any outfit. If you're after editor-approved styles, look no further. We've narrowed down our top 10 favorite options at a range of price points. These are sure to be staples in your closet for the next five to 10 years, if not forever. Keep reading to shop our edit of the best leather jackets for women, all handpicked by a fashion editor.
Best Leather Jackets, Reviewed
Best Leather Jacket Overall: Coach Cropped Blouson Jacket
Best Affordable Leather Jacket: Aritzia Babaton Synergy Bomber
Best Luxury Leather Jacket: Ducie London Opal Jacket
Best Vegan Leather Jacket: Lioness Bomber Jacket
Best Brown Leather Jacket: Madewell Bomber Jacket
Best Leather Blazer: J.Crew Shirt-Jacket
Shop More Leather Jackets
How to Care for a Leather Jacket
Care for a leather jacket just like you would a pair of leather boots or a leather handbag. If the leather comes untreated, you'll want to use a leather conditioner to shield it from rain, snow, and moisture. This nontoxic $20 bottle comes highly recommended by Amazon shoppers who rely on it to protect new leather and breathe new life into dry and old leather, and the leather-conditioning wipes are great for on-the-go care.
While there's no science to it, the general rule of thumb is to use a leather conditioner occasionally or whenever you start to notice fading. Using it restores oil to the leather and prevents excessive dryness and cracking, but avoid over-oiling your leather. Spring for a set of wooden hangers instead of thin wire hangers to maintain the shape of the jacket's shoulders, and be sure to store your jacket in dry conditions with some space to breathe to prevent mold.
What to Look for When Leather-Jacket Shopping
Weight, materials, hardware, and pocket placement are all things to take into consideration when shopping for a leather jacket that will last. I think the hardware and finishings, like a zip closure, are what can make or break a great leather jacket, so those are details I always look at first.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, fashion is our specialty. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes; speak to external experts and fashion insiders; and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels, so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
