In yesterday’s post, I shared some of the things on my current wish list and my thought process behind each one and the specific style points I’m looking for. As you know, I spend a lot of time planning and prepping for most of my purchases in order to ensure I’m reducing impulse buys and filling my closet with things I’ll be happy to wear for years. With that in mind, I thought it would be nice to share the whole process with you in more detail so today I want to dive into my search for the perfect leather jacket. Below, I’ve outlined the outfit inspiration I’ve gathered along with the style points I’m looking for and why and just a general deep dive into what I think will make the perfect black leather jacket.

WHAT I ALREADY HAVE

I think a good place to begin is by looking at what I already own and how it’s either worked and not worked with my style. At the moment, I have 3 leather jackets. The first is one I got on a very special trip to Paris with Jason about 7 years ago and it’s served me so well. It fits perfectly which almost never happens given my size and frame, and it’s the most beautiful burgundy-brown color that goes with black, white, cream, grey and every other color I love to wear. It also features fairly minimal hardware.

Up until last year that was the only leather jacket I owned but after being inspired by all of the leather blazers last fall, I found a vintage one that fits me perfectly and has been such a welcome addition to my closet. I love it so much.

The last style is one that sadly hasn’t worked out and is currently in my “on hold” section in the back of my closet. It’s another vintage one that fits me almost perfectly (which of course I love) but it also has some other style points that I’ve learned I don’t love. The first is that it has a very straight fit through the waist which doesn’t usually bother me, but it also has super straight sleeves and strong shoulders that make it hang a little too stiff on me and I don’t think it really does me justice. Also, it has almost no hardware except for a zipper down the front a little on the neckline which despite what I previously thought, actually doesn’t go very well with my other things and doesn’t really feel like me when I wear it.

OUTFIT INSPIRATION

I always start my search for new wardrobe bits by gathering a ton of outfit inspiration that can help direct the style points and fit for the perfect piece.

Doing this has helped me enormously with narrowing in on color, cut, finish (shiny or matte) etc and it’s a step I highly recommend. Plus, it’s so fun! You can see my dedicated leather jacket Pinterest board here.

KEY STYLE POINTS

After going through the outfit inspiration and looking at my current burgundy-brownish leather jacket that I’ve had for a while now and love, I rounded out these key style points.

SLIGHTLY CROPPED + FITTED: I’m 5’3” tall and very small framed which I don’t usually mind and since I’ve had the same height, weight and measurements since I was 16, I’ve grown very accustomed to tailoring just about EVERYTHING, but leather jackets are not easy to tailor and in most instances, not even possible, so the right fit is essential. Excluding the leather jacket I already have, I’ve yet to find one that fits in the shoulders, isn’t too long in the sleeves, isn’t too wide in the torso and fits in the length. Finding something slightly cropped which will make it normal length on me and fitted is essential and the number one style point I’m looking for. Luckily, this almost shrunken style is more popular lately and I’ve been seeing these pop up everywhere so it may finally be my time to find the perfect black leather jacket.
NOT TOO MUCH HARDWARE: The next style point that I’m looking for is minimal but not too minimal hardware. Using my current leather jacket as a starting point and my trial with the minimal vintage leather jacket that I’ve decided to part with, I’ve learned that I like a happy medium between a traditional biker jacket and a minimal style and am looking for something with a decent amount of hardware to make the piece feel really special. Very much a know it when I see it balance. Another hardware point I’ve narrowed in on is that I don’t mind a waist strap but it can’t be too heavy or bulky looking.
MINIMAL SHOULDER DETAILS: The minimal but not too minimal hardware continues onto the shoulders with minimal shoulder details that aren’t too structured. I don’t want any obvious shoulder pads and definitely don’t want major zippers or buckles on the shoulders.

With all of this considered, I’ve narrowed down my search to a few leather jackets that you can see below and that I would be absolutely thrilled to add to my wardrobe. Before putting my leather jacket fund to use and buying one of these though, I’ll do some more outfit research on each one of these and see what reviews I can find and any other styling photos featuring them so that I can be absolutely sure before buying.