Look, I love a good leather jacket. As a matter of fact, I think this is one of the number one things you should have in your wardrobe. Now, if you have been living in a barn for the last few weeks, you may not know why this is a topic of conversation at the moment. However, if the name Jensen rings a bell, you understand why the black leather jacket is having a bit of a moment. I love that the black leather jacket is having a moment, but not for the reason it is. Even though it is often attributed to “the bad boy,” he isn’t quite what we meant.
So, in an effort to separate the man from the garment, I reached out to all of my favorite writers and experts here at The Manual to get some of their favorite black leather jackets for GOOD reasons.
A leather jacket always makes you look cooler, sometimes more chic, and it elevates your look to make you look like you’ve purchased something expensive to set yourself apart.— Tan France
Best overall: Chapal A1 Short Version (€6,390)
The A-1 is about as old as flight jackets get. The Army Air Corps adopted the button-front, knit-collared design in the 1920s, and the zippered A-2 replaced it within a decade. The style definitely looks retro, but few brands claim it better than Chapal. The Paris house has been in the leather-and-skin business since 1832, and the Bardinon family, which still runs it, once operated American tanneries that supplied leather to U.S. aviators. This one comes in glossy black leather with eight horn (corozo) buttons and a ribbed hem, and you can get fitted for it at Chapal’s Brooklyn store.
Andy Vasoyan’s pick: Buffalo Jackson Bridger Leather Down Jacket in Black ($535)
“Okay, this one’s a little weird: it’s a leather puffer. Buffalo Jackson takes full-grain lambskin and fills it with 80/20 down, so you get a black leather jacket that’s quilted like something you’d wear on a ski lift. It won’t win any purist points, but damn, is it warm. I’ve worn mine, and it’s ultra-cozy, so much so that it might be too warm for anywhere that isn’t properly cold. If your winters are mild, maybe skip it. But if you live where winter actually bites, this is the leather jacket you’ll keep wearing in January.”
Leave it to Andy to go a little off the beaten path with this one. That’s why he is here, and that is why we love him.
Tobey Grumet Segal’s pick: Buck Mason Heritage Leather Bomber for the ladies in your life
“Buck Mason is one of my go-to designers for comfortable, vintage-inspired fashion. Born in Venice Beach, it combines my love of elevated classics with a laid-back aesthetic that transcends Southern Cali in all the best ways. This black leather bomber hits just below my waist and is impeccably constructed, with tiny surprises like the corduroy-lined pockets. But it’s the clean lines, high-quality leather, and smooth, tanned leather that make it my fave.”
After those words from our very own Tobey, we don’t think there is a better option for the woman in our lives.
Here is a comparable men’s version: Buck Mason Bruiser PCH Jacket
Johnny Motley’s Pick: Schott P571 The Mission Cowhide Cafe Racer
Clean and minimalist, this jacket is the easiest to reach for due to its versatility, much like Johnny. A cafe racer is the perfect jacket for anyone who looks for the perfect jacket to dress up or down as easily as possible. Cut from ultralightweight waxy cowhide with a smooth finish, it delivers the look and attitude of a leather racer jacket—without the heat and bulk of a fully lined build.
Kevin Gray’s pick: Taylor Stitch The Moto Jacket
If you have read anything on our site in the style section, there is a better-than-decent chance that you have read multiple things about Taylor Stitch. This is one of The Manual’s “Kings of Casual,” so there is no surprise that one of our favorite people, Kevin, reached back to one of our favorite brands to suggest a black leather jacket from them. This full-grain, drum-dyed 3.5-oz steerhide is hardy, but it’ll soften and patina with each wear, gradually conforming to your shape and developing some one-of-a-kind character along the way.
