Trend Alert: The Essential Black Leather Jacket

The black leather jacket has been a strong statement-making piece for cool girls ’round the globe since WWI.

That being said, it seems to be going through some kind of renaissance because I feel like I keep seeing the same frickin’ moto jacket on everyone these days!

Maybe that’s because it’s such an easy piece to wear with just about anything…

But I didn’t go out and buy a leather jacket just because it’s trending, it just sort of found me, like much of my wardrobe has.

Funny story:

My roommate, who was transitioned from male to female, decided to detransition back to male just a few months after moving in with me…

I was disappointed, but at least he gave me some of his chick clothes; Zara leather jacket included.

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I also felt a ‘When life gives you lemons’ GIF would be appropriate, so here you go:

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Anyway…

…with such a staple piece now in my repertoire, and having gotten so many compliments on it recently, I decided to put together this quick shopping guide featuring women’s leather jackets that really capture the trend well.

So if you just love the rock n’ roll style of a leather jacket, you’ve found yourself on the right page.

Studded, simple, black, cognac, fringed, you name it – I’ve shopped around so you don’t have to.

And if you love animals like me, you’re in luck – I’ve even set aside a group of vegan leather recommendations made so you can shop 100% cruelty-free.

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Below are faux leather jackets curated for every taste and budget.

Best Overall – Real Leather Moto Jackets for Women

Sometimes, you just want the look and feel of real leather – I get it.

These jacket options are made by luxury fashion brands that invest in creating leather products that are soft, smooth, and well-made enough to keep you looking good for decades to come.

Choose your favorite and you’ll be well on your way to developing that ever sought after off-duty model style.

Best For Vegans – Faux Leather Jackets

Here it is die-hard vegans: The best of the best cruelty-free faux leather jackets I could find on the interweb!

Fake leather used to be a fashion faux-pas, but it’s 2018 and not only do we have greater collective consciousness about how our animal consumption negatively affects the planet, but we have much better methods for creating vegan leather alternatives without sacrificing aesthetics and quality.

Best of all, faux leather tends to be far less expensive than genuine leather products, so everyone wins (except maybe leather manufacturers.)

If price point is your biggest concern, keep reading for more discount leather jacket options.

Best For Your Budget – Cheap Leather Jackets

Style ain’t always cheap, but sometimes it makes sense to take a trend for a test-drive before splurging on something more expensive.

With one of these Zara leather jacket dupes, no one will know the difference!

And actually do this all the time with my online shopping – I’ll find something I like from a major retailer, use it for inspiration, and see if I can find something similar for cheap on Amazon.

In many instances, you get what you pay for, resulting in poor quality or an item that just doesn’t hit the mark.

But returns are usually pretty easy, and I’ve snagged a lot of great deals in this way with simple items like crop tops, boots, dresses, and more.

My philosophy: Why pay more for clothes?

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Best Statement – Leather Jackets for Women

If a classic black leather jacket is just too basic for you, I get that too.

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Sometimes you want your jacket to be a more of a statement piece, and these larger-than-life leather jackets do not disappoint in that department.

You’re a unique snowflake, so you might as well let your freak flag fly with one of those bad boys!

Photos by Sweet California Light

Whether you want a classic black leather to take you stylishly from day to night or you’re craving a funky twist on the basic leather jacket look, you can invest safely knowing that a quintessential leather jacket has the staying power that transcends changing trends.

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