Types of Leather Jackets: Every Style Explained
Types of Leather Jackets: Every Style Explained
"Leather jacket" covers a whole family of styles, each with its own look, history and personality. Knowing them makes choosing far easier — and helps you find the one that actually suits you and your wardrobe. Here's every main type of leather jacket explained.
The biker jacket
The icon. With its asymmetric front zip, wide lapels and tough attitude, the biker is the most recognisable leather jacket of all — born from motorcycle culture and forever associated with cool. It's edgy, fitted and works brilliantly in black. Full guide: What Is a Biker Jacket? Browse biker jackets.
The bomber jacket
The easy-going all-rounder. Cropped, with a ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, the bomber descends from military flight jackets and is the most wearable, versatile leather jacket going. Clean, casual and hard to get wrong. Full guide: What Is a Bomber Jacket? Browse bomber jackets.
Not sure between the two most popular styles? See Biker vs Bomber Jacket: Which Should You Buy?
The aviator jacket
The rugged, warm one. Descended from WWII flight jackets, the aviator features a shearling collar (and often lining) for serious warmth — built to layer over knitwear in the cold. Heritage looks and gorgeous in brown. Browse aviator jackets.
The leather blazer
The smart one. A tailored, structured jacket cut like a blazer but in leather — the most refined option, perfect for smart-casual and dressing up. Browse leather blazers.
The racer / café racer
The minimalist. A sleek, collarless or band-collar jacket with a clean front zip and little hardware — a pared-back, modern alternative to the biker. A great choice if you want edge without the heavy detailing.
Suede jackets
Not a separate cut, but a different finish — any of the above in soft, napped suede gives a relaxed, warm-toned look. See What Is Suede? Suede vs Leather and browse suede jackets.
Shearling jackets
The warmest. Featuring sheepskin with the wool left on, shearling jackets (and shearling-collared aviators) are built for winter. Browse shearling jackets.
How to choose your style
- Want an iconic, edgy look? → Biker.
- Want easy, casual versatility? → Bomber.
- Want warmth and heritage? → Aviator or shearling.
- Want something smart? → Leather blazer.
- Want minimal and modern? → Racer.
- Want soft and relaxed? → Suede.
Beyond style, your choice of leather and grade matters too — see our materials guide, Types of Leather Explained, and our buyer's guide, How to Buy a Leather Jacket.
Every style explained
Dive deeper into each style:
- What Is a Biker Jacket?
- What Is a Bomber Jacket?
- What Is an Aviator Jacket?
- What Is a Leather Blazer?
- What Is a Café Racer Jacket?
- Biker vs Bomber Jacket: Which Should You Buy?
- Cropped vs Regular Leather Jacket
Explore all men's leather jackets and women's leather jackets.
FAQs
What are the main types of leather jackets? The main styles are the biker (edgy, asymmetric zip), bomber (casual, ribbed trims), aviator (warm, shearling collar), leather blazer (smart, tailored) and racer (minimal, sleek). Suede and shearling are finishes/materials applied across these.
What's the most popular type of leather jacket? The biker and the bomber are the two most popular — the biker for its iconic edge, the bomber for its easy, casual versatility.
What's the difference between a biker and a bomber jacket? A biker is fitted and edgy with an asymmetric zip and lapels; a bomber is cropped and casual with a ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. See Biker vs Bomber Jacket.
Which leather jacket style is warmest? Aviator and shearling jackets are the warmest, thanks to their sheepskin lining and collars — built to layer over knitwear in cold weather.