10 best leather jackets for women that are a timeless wardrobe staple

Best: Overall

Rating: 9/10

There is a reason why AllSaints is the place to go on the high street for top-quality and durable leather jackets. We particularly love the cool, oversized fit of the mid-range label’s Billie jacket. Crafted from smooth leather, the design’s retro-inspired worn-in finish is a result of being heavily washed and tumbled for effect. From the stud detailing to the classic removable belt, the jacket boasts all the characteristics that help make it an instant wardrobe mainstay. If you’re willing to invest in a timeless classic, this leather jacket is the one.

Best: Belted leather jacket

Rating: 8/10

Offering a more structured silhouette, this Warehouse button-through jacket is a smart and clean-cut staple – with the addition of a belt awarding the piece a flattering fit. While it looks best buttoned up and belted, the versatile piece can also be styled unbuttoned and sans the removable belt for a toned-down look. We also love the Seventies-style of the defined collar and large front pockets, while the fact it’s crafted from buttery smooth lamb leather helps ensure its durability and softness – making for a worthy investment.

Best: Cropped design

Rating: 9/10

This affordable take on the quintessential biker by Mango is effortlessly cool, with its lapel collar, shoulder loops and zipped side pocket all in-keeping with the classic style. Whether thrown over jeans and a t-shirt or layering with a floaty mini dress, the oversized fit, complete with a slightly cropped cut, makes it ideal for an easy-breezy summer evening look. As for the faux leather finish, it looks near-identical to the real deal – with the added bonus of being lightweight and thin enough for your warm weather wardrobe. For under £100, we’ve got no complaints.

Best: For Nineties-style

Rating: 8/10

Breaking away from the biker mould, Topshop’s leather jacket is delightfully Britpop-infused. Its matte finish owes to the smooth faux leather material, with the front zip emphasising the jacket’s Nineties-style boxy silhouette. The structured collar and two functional front pockets award the simple piece extra detailing while its mid-length cut sits flatteringly below the hips. Team with faded denim and trainers for an off-duty look.

Best: Fringed jacket

Rating: 8/10

Nasty Gal is on to a winner with its western take on the classic biker jacket. Made from premium-quality leather, the design boasts an oversized silhouette that’s exaggerated by the long fringing on the back. Despite the dramatic tassels, the jacket retains all the biker signatures with its large notched lapels, pointed collar, metal hardwear and zip closure. An ideal choice for this festival season and beyond.

Best: Budget buy

Rating: 7/10

If you’re shopping on a budget, New Look’s cheap and cheerful red faux leather jacket is hard to fault. While simplistic in its design, it still ticks all our boxes for a good biker jacket with its front zip closure, sleeve zips, stud detailing and front lapels. The leather-effect finish is soft and lightweight, making it an ideal spring and summer option. And for its price, we were pleasantly surprised with the comfortable and flattering fit of the piece – though we would recommend sizing up.

Best: Bomber jacket

Rating: 8/10

While leather isn’t the most obvious material for a bomber jacket, when done well, they are the epitome of edge and effortlessness. And Karen Millen has successfully put its elegant stamp on the style with this design. The super-cropped cut creates a flattering silhouette with the elasticated hem and arm cuffs cinching the piece in. There’s a sporty feel to the jacket owing to the white lining down the zip closure and the blue and white stripes on the arms. Though made from durable real leather, it gets extra kudos from us for being responsibly sourced from tanneries that are working to reduce their environmental impact.

Best: Gilet

Rating: 9/10

From denim to quilted, gilets are high on the sartorial agenda for 2022 and we love this leather intepretation on the trend from Topshop. The sleeveless cut is complemented by a low v-neck, lace-up side panels and biker-esque stud detailing. Ideal for the summer months, its lightweight and soft faux leather is a dream to wear. While the three stud closures allow for a more structured fit, we think it looks best unbuttoned – whether adding interest to a simple jeans and vest look or grunging up a pretty dress.

Best: Suede and leather blend

Rating: 8/10

Jigsaw is a favourite of ours thanks to its interesting cuts and unique takes on seasonal trends. Case in point, the label’s Nakoa leather jacket. Reimagining the classic style, Jigsaw’s elegant piece is crafted from a mix of nappa leather and suede. The contrasting effect of these two types of leathers creates a striking navy and black-hued look. Though this isn’t the only point of interest, the slightly cropped sleeves and scoop neck collar also help set it apart from more traditional leather jackets.

Best: Vintage-inspired

Rating: 9/10

There’s much to love about this moto jacket from Free People. With its exaggerated zips, buckle detailing and flashes of red lining, the piece boasts all the hardwear we’d expect from a biker-style jacket. But the pièce de résistance is the off-white star design printed on the back which injects some edge into the jacket. The lambskin leather outer feels durable yet soft, and is cut into a slim-fitting silhouette.