Leather jackets are a autumn staple, but they often wear the person rather than the other way around. However, with the right styling choices, you can look chic rather than stompy.
Why Leather Jackets Are Tricky
Vogue's former fashion director Lucinda Chambers, now co-curator of Collagerie, admits she finds leather jackets tricky. The stiffness of leather means the jacket holds its own silhouette instead of adapting to yours, and its bulk can overwhelm your personality. You want to feel tough, but you end up feeling like a fire door.
Styling Tips for a Chic Look
A high funnel neck, despite adding more jacket, makes the look more elegant, with less attitude and more line. A generous cut is less overwhelming than a tight one, allowing air to circulate and looking more feminine. For hair, avoid long hair outside the jacket; a ponytail or messy bun works best. On the bottom, skip leather trousers or skirts unless you're Rihanna, and even jeans can track too rugged—opt for something soft like a skirt or soft trousers.
Color and Attitude
If you're nervous, avoid black; burgundy or chocolate goes with everything and won't swallow you whole. The key is not to let the jacket boss you around—resist its demand for stompy boots and a tough attitude. Put it over a stripy jumper and go to the garden centre. A leather jacket, like a toddler, needs to know who is in charge.
