FULL THROTTLE: TEN LEATHER BIKER JACKETS
Hard-wearing and never out of style, leather biker jackets are some of the most trusty designs to wear in fall and winter. Names like Acne Studios, Rick Owens, and Our Legacy offer fresh takes on the timeless staple.
Fashion has always been fascinated by specialized designs. From the ever-present influence of workwear to the comparatively recent obsession with technical outdoor garments, purpose-built clothing presents designers with so much creative scope. Leather biker jackets are another great example of this. Designed to be a tough, protective layer for motorcycle riders, leather moto jackets are about as hard-wearing as top layers come, making them a trusty companion for fall and winter.
Beyond the utilitarian value of covering yourself in organic armor, leather biker jackets are a versatile and impactful focal point for the seasonal wardrobe. Names like LU’U DAN, Andersson Bell, and Miaou lean heavily into the graphics of traditional racing jackets, while more pared-back designs from Acne Studios, Our Legacy, and Rick Owens bring timeless style to the table.
Featured In This Image: Our Legacy jacket.
Our Legacy Fall/Winter collections are never complete without a best-in-class leather jacket. The Demon leather jacket is this year’s entry. Four slanted zip pockets to the torso point attention to an overlapping press-stud button placket which gives this piece its unique character.
Featured In This Image: Rick Owens jacket.
Many leather jacket aficionados will tell you that Rick Owens is the king of the style. It makes sense for a label that’s built on gothic, all-black design, but it’s not that simple. Here, an offset zip closure slashes the skin-tight turtleneck design in half. It’s proof that subtle details can have an impact that far outweighs their size.
Featured In This Image: Dunst jacket.
Burgeoning South Korean brand Dunst is getting better every season. The latest collection is host to a range of accomplished leather jackets. The Racing leather jacket features a band collar with press-stud fastening—a defining quality of the garment.
Featured In This Image: Andersson Bell jacket.
Andersson Bell’s leather racing jacket is cut from beautiful grained leather and features an insulated lining. These functional features, balanced with striking red and white embellishments, make this jacket a flawless selection for the colder months.
Featured In This Image: Acen Studios jacket.
Since it was founded in 1996, Acne Studios has worked at the forefront of leather jacket design. The label’s Scandi take on the category revolves around minimal detailing and high-quality materials. With more relaxed tailoring than is standard, this jacket is for throwing on top of every Fall/Winter outfit.
Featured In This Image: Miaou jacket.
Maiou links up with designer Hannah Jewett for the Vaughn jacket. Using faux-leather means that, at less than $500, this is one of the more affordable leather jackets for the discerning shopper. Squared shoulders and ’80s-style visuals ensure that it’s also one of the most eye-catching.
Featured In This Image: LU’U DAN jacket.
Known for its bold, graphic-heavy identity, it’s no surprise that LU’U DAN tackles the classic leather biker jacket with an eye-catching, paneled approach. The two-tone design zeroes in on the ’90s, a.k.a. a golden era of motorcycle racing leathers.
Featured In This Image: Stand Studio jacket.
Women’s leather jackets are investment pieces; it’s highly possible to buy one and wear it for the rest of your life. Cut from real nappa leather and priced at $580, this Stand Studio biker jacket is a hard proposition to turn down. With a classic notched lapel collar, belted waist, and silver-tone hardware, its traditional style is going nowhere soon, either.
Featured In This Image: MM6 Maison Margiela jacket.
Supple calfskin is the starting point for this MM6 leather jacket. Understated silver-tone zip details add visual structure to the tailored body without complicating the look. The overall finish is sleek, just as a black leather jacket should be.
Featured In This Image: Acne Studios jacket.
Real leather biker jackets take a beating: shredded by tarmac and beaten by bad weather, few garments exhibit more natural distressing than a worn leather moto jacket. Acne Studios opts for crinkled, grained leather to go some way to replicating the early years of a leather biker jacket. The rest is up to you.
- Date: September 13, 2023
