The 10 Leather-Jacket Trends That Will Matter Most in 2025

Jump to category:
Natalie Cantell's avatar
By
last updated
in Buying Guides

Fashion influencer @aude_julie on the street wearing a vintage-look, collared, black leather jacket with a turtleneck, blue faded jeans, burgundy heels, a Louis Vuitton handbag, and cap.

(Image credit: @aude_julie)

I'm sorry if it's still 75ºF outside and any other kind of weather seems a lifetime away, but the thing about living in New York is that winter really does have a way of creeping up on you. One minute, you're ready to collapse from heat exhaustion on the Downtown NQRW platform at Union Square, and the next, you're wishing you had more than just a cardigan to throw on when you're dining outdoors—which brings us to why we're here today.

@amaka.hamelijnck and @bentheliem outside a cafe weating on-trend leather jackets and jeans.

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Before any of us get caught out by balmy breezes rudely turning into wind chill factors, let's get ahead of the winter layers we want to have on hand. Leather jackets are firmly on my mind, as they're popping up on my feed nonstop thanks to all the chic people I follow from the Southern Hemisphere, plus everyone who's been visiting the slightly cooler temps in London and Copenhagen lately.

In addition to those essential silhouettes that are always in style, there are a handful of leather-jacket trends gaining traction, including some great trends within the trends (trend inception, if you will).

Whether you're up for a trendy cropped bomber or an elegant leather blazer, here are the leather jackets to know and shop ahead for winter.

Minimalist

Fashion influencer @christietyler with slicked hair taking a mirror selfie outside an elevator wearing a minimalist black collared leather jacket, black trousers, boots, and sunglasses.

(Image credit: @christietyler )

Longer minimalist styles feel especially cool this season. Look for silver zippers and structured collars as well as a slightly oversize fit.

Boxy and Buttoned

Fashion influencer @smythsisters taking a mirror selfie wearing an on-trend leather jacket, a graphic tee, beltered trousers, and metallic boots.

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

A slightly cropped, boxy silhouette is very much the mood this season. If you love a tidy, tailored look and pieces you can dress up and down, this collared style is calling your name—Mango is doing a great cut in both real and vegan leather.

Burgundy

Fashion influencer @emilie_tla wearing a burgundy leather jacket, faded blue jeans, and trendy suede loafers..

(Image credit: @emilie_tla)

Just like last year, burgundy is set to be one of the top color trends this fall and winter, from brighter hues to deep oxblood. By the end of January, you'll be wearing it like a neutral—I promise.

Cropped

Fashion influencer @lefevrediary wearing. anon-trend cropped leather jacket, matching leather shorts, and black and white Mary Janes.

(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Whatever style you're into, it's basically guaranteed you'll find a cropped take on it this winter. If you know classic bombers and moto jackets tend to be your thing, this is an easy little update for the season ahead.

Bomber

Fashion influencer @annelauremais wearing a bomber jacket with a butter yellow miniskirt on the streets of Paris.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Speaking of bombers, the fashion crowd is every bit as into them as they were last year.

Faux Vintage

Fashion influencer @himichelleli with pink hair wearing a distressed brown leather jacket.

(Image credit: @himichelleli)

If vintage shopping just isn't your thing, you'll be thrilled to hear that there continues to be no shortage of faux-vintage options to snap up online. Brown aviator styles are the classic vintage buy—keep an eye out for distressed details and oversize fits.

Blazers

Fashion influencer @claradyrhauge on the street wearing. a black leather blazer, blue jeans, white tank, and sling-back pumps.

(Image credit: @claradyrhauge)

Do we remember when leather blazers came roaring back to dominate our collective fall outfits about five years ago with their impeccable '90s Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy energy? They're effortlessly cool with straight-leg jeans and a white tee. Absolutely zero notes.

Biker

Fashion influencer @lucywilliams02 sitting outside on a park bench with her dog wearing an oversized leather biker jacket, blue jeans, and green New Balance sneakers.

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

If you took a deep breath and invested in a leather biker jacket 10 years ago, even though it cost most of your savings, congratulations. It was money well spent. It might dip on and off our radars in terms of the most of-the-moment jacket styles, but as Lucy Williams's Instagram feed proves, this classic style is back.

Trench Coat

A woman wears a black leather trench coat, black tights, and black heels.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A leather trench coat is a stunning garment that will enhance your wardrobe not only this year but for many years to come. This season, fashion people are not just leaning into classic black iterations. They're also wearing rich-looking chocolate-brown ones.

Cinch-Waist

Marilyn wears a cinh-waist leather coat, black leggings, and white pumps.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

When Phoebe Philo debuted her cinch-waist leather jacket with a funnel neck last winter, fashion people rushed to buy it. This sparked a trend, inspiring other designers to create their own versions. The style is chic, tasteful, and flattering, so I expect it to remain just as popular this year.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, fashion is our speciality. 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.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Natalie Cantell
Natalie Cantell
Contributing Fashion Editor

Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.

Latest
You might also like
View More ▸