The Best Leather Jackets for Men This Fall
Biker, café racer or heritage half-belt: the leather jackets worth buying this fall, from Schott's Perfecto to AllSaints — and how to pick the right one.
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A good leather jacket is the one piece of clothing that gets better every year you own it. The leather softens, molds to your shoulders and picks up a patina no factory can fake, which is why a well-made jacket can easily last twenty years.
The hard part is choosing. There are two classic shapes, the asymmetric biker and the clean café racer, and prices run from about $800 to $1,400. We rounded up four jackets that cover each style, from heritage workhorses to a sharp modern biker, with notes on leather type and fit. Prices are approximate and change with the season.
Schott NYC Perfecto 618
Schott invented the motorcycle jacket in 1928 and still makes the Perfecto in the U.S. The 618 is the heavy steerhide version famous from 1950s film, stiff at first and almost indestructible once it's broken in.
Why we like it
- The original biker design
- Made in the USA
- Lasts decades
Keep in mind
- Heavy and stiff for the first months
- Boxy fit
| Leather | Steerhide |
| Style | Asymmetric biker |
| Made in | USA |
Belstaff V Racer
Belstaff's motorcycle heritage shows in the V Racer, a slim, collarless-style café racer with a band collar and minimal hardware. It's the jacket to wear over a knit or a shirt, and it looks at home with tailored trousers.
Why we like it
- Sleek, minimal lines
- Soft, lived-in leather
- Dresses up easily
Keep in mind
- Slim fit leaves little room for layers
- Premium price
| Leather | Waxed lambskin or cowhide (varies) |
| Style | Café racer |
Aero Leather Highwayman
Aero makes jackets by hand in Scotland, using horsehide and period patterns. The Highwayman is its take on a 1930s half-belt jacket, a quieter option than a biker that develops some of the best patina of any leather.
Why we like it
- Handmade in Scotland
- Horsehide develops a great patina
- Customizable sizing
Keep in mind
- Long lead times
- Heavy horsehide takes time to break in
| Leather | Horsehide |
| Style | Half-belt / 1930s |
| Made in | Scotland |
AllSaints Neo Leather Biker Jacket
AllSaints built its name on slim leather bikers, and the Neo is the house style in its current form: a slim double-rider in cow leather with an asymmetric zip, snap-down epaulettes and a buckled waist belt. It's the sharpest way to get the rock-and-roll silhouette without a designer price.
Why we like it
- Slim, modern cut
- All the classic biker details
- Lowest price in this guide
Keep in mind
- Slim fit leaves little room for thick knits
- Cow leather is stiffer than lambskin at first
| Leather | Cow leather |
| Style | Slim double-rider biker |
| Made in | India |
How to choose a leather jacket
Pick the shape first. The asymmetric biker (Schott Perfecto, AllSaints Neo) is the rebel jacket. The café racer (Belstaff V Racer) is its cleaner, more grown-up cousin. Half-belt and A-2 styles (Aero Highwayman) sit in between.
Then the leather. Heavy steerhide or horsehide means months of break-in and decades of wear. Lambskin feels great in the store but won't age the same way.
Mind the fit. Leather doesn't forgive a bad fit. Shoulders must fit perfectly, because a tailor can't fix them.
How to wear it this fall
The easiest outfit in menswear is a leather jacket, a white T-shirt, dark denim and a pair of retro sneakers like the Adidas Samba. For evenings, swap the tee for a black merino knit and the sneakers for Chelsea boots. Keep the watch simple: a steel diver from our luxury dive watch guide has the same no-nonsense attitude as the jacket. It's also the fastest way into this fall's 90s revival if you'd rather not commit to a chunky boot.
Ready for the road
A leather jacket is also the easiest layer to throw in the car for a weekend trip — pack it and skip the rest of the debate. If you're stocking the car itself, our car accessories guide covers the dash cam, jump starter and organizer worth keeping in the trunk. And if the jacket's job tonight is looking good while people come over, it pairs naturally with a properly set-up home bar. For the pieces that carry you through the actual workweek, our work capsule wardrobe guide covers the blazer, coat and shoe that do the heavy lifting Monday through Friday.
Budget at a glance
| Budget | Pick | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | AllSaints Neo | Slim biker |
| Around $1,000 | Schott NYC Perfecto 618 | Biker |
| Around $1,000 | Belstaff V Racer | Café racer |
| Around $1,400 | Aero Leather Highwayman | Half-belt |
More outerwear and wardrobe staples in our Style section and the menswear archive.
FAQ
What type of leather is best for a jacket?
Steerhide and horsehide are the toughest and develop the best patina but take months to break in. Lambskin is soft and comfortable immediately but scuffs more and wears out sooner.
How should a leather jacket fit?
Snug in the shoulders with the seam at your shoulder bone, sleeves ending at the wrist bone with arms straight, and enough room to wear a sweater underneath. Leather stretches a little, so buy it slightly snug.
Biker or café racer?
A biker jacket with an asymmetric zip reads tougher and more casual. A café racer, with a straight zip and small collar, is cleaner and easier to dress up with trousers and knitwear.
How do I care for a leather jacket?
Hang it on a wide hanger, keep it out of direct heat and condition the leather once or twice a year. If it gets soaked, let it dry naturally at room temperature.
