Leather Jackets Meet the toughest outerwear ever made.

Few garments hold the same timeless appeal as a leather jacket. It has the power to make anyone feel unstoppable, regardless of age. Whether worn with a basic t-shirt and jeans or layered over a hoodie, a leather jacket enhances any outfit. It gives you the boldness to approach that special someone. The leather jacket molds to your form, becoming like a second skin that shields you from the elements while adding a touch of style. It can become a signature part of who you are. In your own social circle, there's likely at least one person known for their distinctive leather jacket.

Leather jackets have been worn by military personnel throughout history. Leather jackets were not designed to look good, but to protect soldiers from freezing to death. The first leather jackets date back to the early 20th century.

1. A1 Leather Jacket
The first leather jacket was also known by the codename A1. A1 jackets began production in 1927 and were used as the official military jacket until 1931. They were used by pilots who had to fly in non-insulated aircraft. Although the A1 was produced by many different manufacturers, their most common features were the same. These features included knitted cuffs and waist, two large front pockets, and came with the only button that could fasten the jacket.

2. A2 Leather Jakcet
The A2 began production in 1931, replacing its predecessor, the A1. The A2 leather jacket is primarily made of horsehide or goat leather. Unlike the A1, the A2 adds a sturdy zipper for increased functionality and ease of use. The A2 jacket features heavy-duty fasteners, cuffs, and a knitted waist.

3.B3 Leather Jackets
The first bomber leather jacket was created in 1934. The B3 Leather Jacker was designed for aircraft bomber pilots who needed to fly at high altitudes, hence the name "aviator jacket". The B3 is a significant improvement over the A1 and A2. Made from sheepskin and thick wool, they are designed to provide ultimate warmth at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. The B3 has two straps to close the open collar, and they don't have a knitted waist or slim fit.

Once the skin is removed from the animal, it is either refrigerated, pickled, or placed in barrels of brine. It is then sent to the tannery, where the leather goes through a series of processes designed to protect and soften the leather. These treated leathers are then sent to the garment factory, where the leather is sorted, analyzed to match the grain, and cut to achieve the best use and reduce waste. The cut leather is then sewn and accessories such as lining, seam tape, buttons, snaps, and zippers are added. Now the jacket is ready to wear and enjoy.

Rawhide is the German word "Haut" which means skin. Rawhide or skin is the skin of an animal that has been processed for human use. The most popular leathers used to make jackets include cowhide, horsehide, sheephide.

Not all leather is of the same quality. Each part of animal leather has its advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right type of leather can have a huge impact on the final result of your jacket.

Full Grain

Full grain leather is the finest leather money can buy. It is smooth, soft, virtually blemish-free, and feels luxurious. It is the most popular leather grain, but also the most expensive. Full grain leather is durable and will last for many years because the top of the grain is not sanded, so it lasts longer.

Top-grain cowhide

Top-grain cowhide is the most commonly used leather and the second best leather. Although top-grain cowhide ranks second, many people prefer top-grain cowhide because it is durable and less susceptible to stains.

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather is usually made from the leftover grain of more expensive leathers. A common misconception is that the term genuine leather is a statement of authenticity for a product, and while a product is made from genuine leather, it does not necessarily indicate the highest quality.

Corrected Grain

This leather has been corrected in some way. Alterations to the leather may include sanding to remove any imperfections and then achieving the look of a more expensive leather; sometimes a grain pattern is embossed into it. This is the cheapest of all the leather grain types on the market.

Leather jackets aren’t just limited to the military. They have had a major impact on pop culture as well. Leather jackets come in a variety of styles to suit everyone’s needs. Even if you’re a vegetarian/vegan, you can wear a faux leather jacket without any guilt.

1、Motorbike Jacket

Motorcycle jackets are also colloquially known as "rider," "double rider," "biker," "moto," and "Perfecto." The most iconic Perfecto jacket manufactured by Schott NYC was designed by the legendary Irving Schott in 1928. It was worn by Marlon Brando in the 1953 film The Wild One, by punk rock pioneers The Ramones in the 1970s, and by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies. The style was so popular that many celebrities still wear it today.

Key features include full-grain leather, double-breasted, asymmetrical main zipper pattern, zippered cuffs, snap-button lapels, collar and epaulettes, attached belt with durable square buckle, and three exterior zippered pockets.

The café racer genre was born in the UK in the 1960s. After World War II, soldiers returned home and raced their motorcycles between pubs and cafes. These racers needed a protective leather jacket so that they could race more effectively. Thus, the Cafe Racer Jacket were born. These jackets are made of heavy horsehide and feature a sturdy main zipper to provide extra protection for motorcycle racing. They can be seen wearing them in the movies Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Captain America: Steve Rogers, Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Venom: Eddie Brock (2018).

The Classic Cafe Racer is made from ultralight horse/cow leather and features two lower front zip pockets with chain and metal hardware, sleeve gussets, and no interior pockets.

Remember the B3 Jacket we talked about earlier? This is the poster child for wool jackets. Also known as sheepskin, wool is soft and incredibly warm. People have used wool in many forms since the Stone Age to keep warm. However, modern wool jackets began to be popular in the early 1930s. This is my personal favorite jacket and one I hope to own in the near future.

Key features include - heavyweight wool, leather stitching, heavy-duty hardware, buckle collar and waist adjustment straps, and two front handwarmer pockets.

Leather jackets are very durable and can last a lifetime with a little care. However, proper care will determine how well the leather ages.

1. Keep your jacket dry. If your jacket gets wet, always hang it up to dry immediately.

2. Hang your jacket properly. Do not fold your jacket for long periods of time, as this can cause wrinkles and cracks in the leather. Do not hang your jacket on a metal hanger. Instead, hang it in a well-ventilated closet on a wide and preferably padded hanger.

3. Keep your jacket away from heat sources. High temperatures can dry out leather, make it brittle and crack. Never leave your jacket in direct sunlight or near a radiator or heater, and do not iron or steam it yourself.

4. Use leather conditioner. Leather will always naturally lose some moisture, but using a reputable leather conditioner on finished leather can extend its life.

5. Never wash your jacket in a washing machine.

1. Wet a cotton or microfiber cloth and gently wipe the jacket to remove dust and dirt. Use as little water as possible. Use distilled water, as regular water contains minerals that can leave stains.

2. Rub the saddle soap with a damp cloth to create a lather. Gently rub it over the areas of the jacket where dirt has accumulated. Wipe off any excess soap with a damp cloth and let dry for 10-15 minutes.

3. Apply leather conditioner. Apply a thin layer to the entire jacket with a soft cloth. Wipe off any excess conditioner and let the jacket dry.

4. Protect your jacket from the elements with a waterproof silicone spray. This is essential for suede leather jackets.

Now you have the basic knowledge you need to buy and enjoy your favorite style of leather jacket for a long time. Remember, a leather jacket is an investment, not in terms of financial return, but in terms of the joy you get from wearing it. So go ahead and save up and wear your leather jacket. With proper care, it can become an heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Expert Tip - Leather jackets last a long time, so check out smaller shops. Sometimes you'll find hidden gems at very low prices.