The Hunt: Searching For The Best Leather Jacket
PC: Florré
I’m starting a new series called The Hunt. And yes, I’m aware that I start and discontinue a lot of series, but I’m hoping this one sticks. For The Hunt, I’m essentially taking you with on my journey to find a specific item. Because whenever I look to replace something in my closet, I’m no different than a wolf on the prowl. I’m literally hunting for the perfect blazer, dress, or coat, going from store to store and taking upwards of two years to find the perfect piece. I don’t want to settle for something that’s just okay. I’m hunting for the perfect next piece, and currently, I’ve got my wallet in one hand and my nose in every rack, sniffing out the best leather jackets.
I figured I’d take you on a photographic journey of my pursuit. In my attempt to find the perfect leather jacket, I’ve collected insights online and mapped out a trail on my hunting ground, otherwise known as New York City. I’m looking for a leather jacket that doesn’t need to be replaced in a few years but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either (although I did test a few high-end jackets just to see what’s on the market).
I don’t want anything too oversized, nor do I want a slim-fit jacket. I want minimal pockets and nothing too utilitarian or bomber-esque. Ideally, the perfect leather jacket is sleek with a bit of a funnel neck, cropping right at the start of my hips. Did I find the right leather jacket in my hunt? Keep reading to find out.
1. Kallmeyer Liam Leather Bomber in Lambskin, $2,375
This was by far my favorite leather jacket. Of course, it was also the most expensive and therefore out of budget. But I appreciate everything from its buttery soft leather to its sleek build and spacious cowl neck. In short, it was meant for me, and in another lifetime, I may have been able to afford it. It’s lightweight yet warm, unique yet versatile. I couldn’t recommend this jacket enough.
2. Banana Republic Minimalist Leather Jacket, $500
This Banana Republic leather jacket impressed me. Its build, structure, and warmth are well represented in the $500 price point. This is a jacket that will last a lifetime, and its minimalist design makes it relevant throughout those years. I don’t want to call it heavy, because it wasn’t weighing down my shoulders by any means, but it had a heft to it that you’d expect from an insulated, lined, fully leather jacket. It wasn’t stiff and my arms moved freely. Overall, a solid jacket. The only con for me was the sheen. I prefer a jet black jacket, and this has a somewhat gray, almost reflective hue to it (as seen in the picture).
Vince Leather Zip-Front Jacket, $1,498
Okay, the Vince leather jacket is quite similar to the previous Banana Republic one in design. However, you can clearly see the quality difference in the pictures. The Vince option has a much more supple, smooth leather that’s lightweight yet warm. It also doesn’t have this silvery sheen to it that the Banana Republic option has. While the difference did look and feel quite apparent to me, would I dish out an additional $1,000 for it? If I could, I would, as I much prefer the Vince jacket. But if your budget is limited, then the Banana Republic option is a great alternative.
Aritzia Synergy Bomber, $248
Pros of this jacket: It’s deliciously soft. It’s made of faux leather, but you could almost never tell. It’s cropped right at the hips, giving it a bit of a feminine appeal despite the rounded shoulders. It’s a bomber, and while that’s not exactly what I’m looking for, it’s surprisingly sophisticated and sleek. For $248, it’s also a rather fair price to ask. Amongst all the leather jackets I tested, the price-to-quality ratio feels the most balanced here. This is definitely a jacket I could see myself purchasing.
Staud Wells Leather Jacket, $1295
I’m not going to lie, I LOVE this jacket. Despite not necessarily needing a slim-fit biker jacket, this one really appealed to me. She’s sexy in a Charlie’s Angels kind of way, and while I didn’t wear the right bottoms on my day of testing, I think she would look killer with a pair of jeans and heeled boots. I love the wider opening around the neck and how it curves around the waist. 10/10.
I had high hopes for this jacket. Mango has been consistently impressing me over the years. However, this faux-leather jacket did not feel like a fit. To be fair, I tried this jacket on immediately after testing a $500 real leather jacket, so in comparison, this paled significantly. Visually, I do think it’s cute. If you’re on a budget and want a vegan leather alternative, then I say go ahead. Just know what you’re getting into. The faux leather was thin and stiff. Lifting my arms felt awkward. This is purely for an ephemeral Kodak moment, nothing else.
Zara Faux Leather Jacket, $80
Zara has had several leather jackets go viral, so I’ve been eager to test them out myself. Well, the one I picked out was not it. To be fair, this is vegan leather, and it feels like I’m moving in stiff plastic (the opposite of Aritzia’s faux leather, basically). The popped collar looked absolutely ridiculous on me so I kept them down. Nothing about this jacket moved naturally and it was far from comfortable. That being said, I’d be curious to try some of Zara’s real leather jackets—unfortunately I could not find them in the store!
In the end, I still haven’t found my perfect leather jacket. As much as I would love to buy the Kallmeyer one, it’s not within my budget at this time. But, I have nothing but time on my hands as I’m waiting to invest in my next forever piece. So once I find a more affordable option that hugs my body just right, I’ll pounce on it and update this story.
