The Leather Jacket, any where.

Be it Biker or Blazer there is something eminently cool about throwing a leather jacket over any outfit to finish a look and with advancements in dying techniques the days of limiting yourself to black or brown are far behind us all.  Whatever your budget fabrics like leather or suede, mean you are making a considerable purchase that should be given a bit more consideration than, "See it, Want it, Buy it" but the right choice will become a timeless classic that will age with you and evolve with your style.  The leather jacket should never be a one season wonder and as a result I never recommend buying the first one you see.

A leather jacket can be used to fundamentally change the effect of an outfit, making dresses more casual and appropriate for day wear and depending on shape they can be used as an alternative suit jacket, a bolder choice for office wear but styled in the right way they are a very valid and contemporary work look.  Personally I believe the leather jacket is a nice short cut to the perfect "Smart casual" outfit.  So what does the perfect leather jacket look like?  One universal truth is that leather stretches and as a result you will enjoy your jacket more if you choose a size that is correct, by allowing the jacket to stretch around you it will become unique to you, fitting you better and more comfortably.

Biker:  By going for a shorter length you are allowing the jacket to high light your waist rather than adding bulk to it, choosing a lighter colour will immediately make the look more contemporary and make the jacket more versatile through out the seasons.  When considering levels of embellishment, I can advise but not define, it's up to you but I would say that in general the more embellished any item is the quicker you will get bored of it.

Blazer:  A leather blazer is immediately a smarter and more fitted look, whether it is classic or asymmetric in style, in this case the back is as important as the front, pay particular attention to the fit under the arms and across the shoulders ensuring the jacket is properly tailored to your waist and the shoulders are not too large.  It is important to remember that altering leather is possible but restrictively expensive.

• When making a purchase like this try the item on with a few different styles of outfit, if possible to see if it will fit with the types of looks you regularly put together.  
• Try the size smaller to see the effect it has on the way the jacket fits your body.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions about protecting the skin, so that you know you are using the best possible products on that type of leather or suede.
• It's a big purchase, so feel no guilt about walking away and having a think, if it is gone when you come back fate is just letting you know there is a better jacket out there for you.