How to Wear It: The Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Leather biker jacket

Do you have a fashion white whale? You know, that item for which you’ve been searching endlessly, seeking The One that fits all of your specifications? I have a few: the perfect trench, the perfect knee high boot, the perfect little black dress. I have a vision in my mind of how each will look, fit, and feel, and so far I’ve yet to satisfy my exacting criteria. Until recently I counted the perfect leather jacket in that category, but at last I can cross it off my list because behold! I found it!

Leather jacket outfit inspiration

In this case, a Madewell leather jacket won the day. It’s literally called The Ultimate Leather Motorcycle Jacket and it checks all the boxes. Zippers at the wrist, a buckle at the waist—all of which you naturally leave unfastened to communicate your sartorial rebelliousness. The leather itself is super heavy duty with a shape that’s boxy like you stole it from your hard ridin’, hard livin’ boyfriend. But the fit is also super comfortable; after a breaking-in period the jacket fits like a glove.

Biker jacket

So what to wear it with? A better question is what not to wear it with! I’ve paired it with everything from slim dark jeans and a white button-down for day to a pleated skirt and blouse for going out. Here I injected a playful element with some polka dot silk trousers, with red ballet flats for good measure. The best thing about a jacket like this, though, is that it carries any outfit it’s a part of. It’s no less than what you’d expect from a piece called The Perfect Jacket; those are some high expectations to meet!

Outfit Details: Leather Motorcycle Jacket, Madewell. Boxy White Tee, Gap. Polka Dot Pants, Tucker (old, similar polka dot pants). Red Ballet Flats, Tieks. Oversized Wayfarer Sunglasses, Oliver Peoples. 

  1. Hello! I found your blog through a search for this jacket. I ordered it in two sizes, and I’m trying to decide which to keep! My shoulders and arms are my fit point for jackets. I ordered a small and a medium. The medium fits nicely in the shoulders and arms, just a tad snug, but is a bit big through the body. The small is really too tight in the shoulders especially, and therefore a bit tight through the chest and arms, but a better fit in the torso. So, my question basically is, how much does this jacket stretch? Will it stretch enough to make the too tight shoulders perfect? Or does it not stretch enough so I should stick to the currently better fitting larger size? Thanks for any help you can provide!

Comments are closed.