Summer is officially coming to an end this week with the first day of fall right around the corner, which means it’s now seasonally acceptable to drink pumpkin spice lattes and pull out our leather jackets. I love change that comes with fall fashion and leather jackets are undoubtedly a major staple in pretty much everyone wardrobes the minute those cooler temperatures start to creep in. They’re a classic and versatile outerwear piece that you can easily wear with not only your fall clothing but also can help you transition some of your favourite summer pieces to get a bit more wear out of them. I recently shared my guide on transitioning to fall fashion and featured leather jackets, along with other statement jackets, as a key pieces to help navigate between seasons.

Whether you prefer vegan or real leather jackets there are so many styles, fits and colours options to choose from making them a super versatile piece to own. I’m personally a fan of classic moto jackets and own more than one in both vegan and real leathers. I worked at a leather retailer back in college and was lucky enough to gain a tone of knowledge about skins and how leather jackets should fit. When purchasing real leather jackets an important thing to keep in mind is that the skin will stretch with wear and body heat, so it’s always recommended that a classic cut jacket fit slightly snug and tight to the shoulder. The type of skin is just as important with leather jackets, and come in a variety of skin types. The most popular leathers to use are cowhide which is thicker and more resistant to abrasions and lambskin which is super soft and more delicate.

Leather jackets come at all different price points but not all of them are made equally, so I always recommend purchasing one from a reputable leather retailer. And don’t be fooled by thinking the sales associate is up-selling you, it’s always recommended to use a leather conditioner and protection spray to keep your jackets safe from the elements and looking it’s best over time. A well made leather jacket might be a bit of an investment but it’s sure to last you a lifetime provided you take proper care of it. Don’t worry, for those of you who aren’t into wearing animal skins, there are so many vegan leather options out there that look just as amazing as the real ones. Checkout some of my must-have leather jackets below inspired by my closet!

Shop My Look: Leather Jackets

Classic Biker

My first few leather jackets were from the classic Canadian retailer Danier Leather. After the company was forced to close its stores in 2016, the brand is back offering a wider range of apparel in addition to it’s leather jackets. I purchased my most recent addition to my collection last spring and I’ve gotten so many compliments on this jacket. It’s made from lambskin so it’s super soft, and the classic biker style is a timeless look that goes with pretty much everything from denim to dresses.

Shop: Danier Juliette Jacket, $397

Oversized Look

Oversized leather jackets are one of the few revived 90’s trends that I’m here for. It’s a super effortless look that has an off-duty model vibe to it, and just like a classic biker jacket this style goes great with pretty much everything in your wardrobe. The oversized fit also makes this a great jacket to wear as it gets colder since you can layer it over a hoodie to knit sweater for extra warmth.

Shop: Wilfred Free Lennon Biker Relaxed Jacket, available at Aritzia $598

Vegan Leather

If real leather isn’t your thing or you’re like me and want to be able to wear a one on a rainy day without fussing with sprays, vegan leather jackets are a great solution. Vegan options come in both smooth and grained leather-like finishes and a variety of styles and fits. Zara is one of my favourite places to shop for vegan leather jackets because they’re well made, affordable and often times don’t look even look fake.

Shop: Zara Faux Leather Biker Jacket, $79.90

Dream Jacket

Out of all the leather jackets on the market, if I could only own one it would be this one from Saint Laurent. At over $7000 it’s definitely more of a stretch than reality but a girl can dream right? This is by far the standard by which all other biker jackets should be measured by, from it’s perfectly structured cut to the smooth lambskin. This might not be in everyone’s budget but I guarantee you it’s on everyone’s want list.

Shop: Saint Laurent Motorcycle Jacket, $7,446

Luxury Dupe

After teasing you with the Saint Laurent jacket, I had to make it up to you and share a more affordable option. Mackage is another Canadian leather and outerwear retailer that has exploded internationally over the last few years. Their Baya leather jacket is one of their classic jackets and comes in a few different colours and styles depending on the season.

Shop: Mackage Baya Classic Leather Moto Jacket, $850

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