How to Style a Leather Moto Jacket
I purchased my first (real) leather jacket many years ago from Wilson’s Leather. I visited the outlet store (I think with my mom?!) and walked away with a leather jacket! I remember feeling like I spent SO much money at the time (I think it was around $120 ha). I wore that jacket a few times before I realized I didn’t love the fit on me.
I hunted for a replacement and the (now no longer available) Blank NYC Life Changer faux leather moto jacket caught my eye. It was a part of the 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and I’m so happy I managed to snag it in my size! It’s safe to say that, true to its name, it changed my life! 😆
Below, I shared my tips for styling a (faux) leather moto jacket as well as a compilation of 17 outfits featuring my leather moto jacket to inspire your own outfits. At the bottom of the post, I rounded up a bunch of similar leather and faux leather moto jackets for you to shop. Hit the heart next to your favorite items to receive a sale alert emailed directly to you!
This post was updated and recirculated on February 21, 2025.
READ NEXT: A Week of Outfits with Wide Leg Crop Pants
How to Style a Leather Moto Jacket
A leather jacket is such a fun and versatile third piece for so many outfit combinations! I love that they add just the right amount of edge to any outfit. If you want to tone down a preppy outfit or add edge to a girlier outfit, throw on a leather jacket! If you love wearing all black but need some extra texture to keep it interesting, throw on a leather jacket. It’s cliche, but the possibilities are truly endless.
Find an Outfit Formula that Works
I typically stick to this outfit formula when styling leather moto jackets:
- thin or slim top, tee, or sweater (usually cropped or tucked in)
- skinny jeans or pants
- flat shoes or boots
I will also wear them with lightweight button-down shirts and sometimes with short sleeves. There are also a couple of outfits with my leather moto jacket and and dresses. Think of an outfit combination you already wear frequently and swap out the jacket you currently wear with your new leather moto jacket—no need to reinvent the wheel!
Save It for Mild Weather
I save my leather jacket for the transitional fall and spring seasons, so you likely won’t find me wearing mine with sandals or with heavy winter boots. I also don’t pull it out on days with inclement weather or on days when the high is below 60 degrees; I need a warmer coat for that!
Opt for a Versatile Color
I bought a leather moto jacket in black because I wear black often and black, of course, goes with anything and everything. There are leather jackets available in a variety of colors! If a different color really speaks to you, go with it. Do a try-on session with a bunch of items in your closet to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I know it’s annoying to constantly change clothes, but it’s worth it to figure out if a new item will work for you or not. Save the ideas you love for easy dressing later!
It really could not be easier to style a leather moto jacket. Seriously. If you think you’re not cool enough to pull one off, let me be the first to tell you that you ARE and you CAN! Trust me. I’m the least cool person in the world and I feel cool when I wear a leather jacket. It’s transformative.
My exact faux leather moto jacket is no longer available, but there are other similar styles included in the widget at the end of the post. I have broad shoulders, which is my number one fit issue, and I don’t like things to be too tight on my shoulders. I also have long arms and prefer the sleeves to comfortably hit my wrists! In this jacket, I own the size small after trying both the XS and small, but it fits a bit more snug now four years later. (Lately I’ve found myself going for a size or two up in jackets for a looser fit.)
I rounded up 17 past outfits featuring my faux leather moto jacket below, and if you click on each photo you’ll be taken to the original post!
17 Leather Moto Jacket Outfits
Leather Moto Jacket + Dress + Boots
I love the juxtaposition of a dress and leather jacket! It’s a fun, unexpected twist, and the weather only cooperates for a few days a year here in Boise, so I like to take full advantage. It works well with midi- AND mini-length dresses/skirts, even if I’m wearing boots!
While I like both looks, the second look with the mini dress feels more balanced between the dark on top top and bare legs on bottom. My jacket hits me at my high hips, and if you’re looking for a jacket that will accentuate your waist, pick a cropped leather jacket that hits you at the waist. It would be fun to pair a leather jacket with a more frilly and/or light-colored dress!
Leather Moto Jacket + Green Pants + Sandals
Change up your work outfits for an evening out by swapping your go-to blazer for your trusty leather moto jacket! These two outfits are showing very similar outfits but with different pant silhouettes, and the leather moto jacket works with both outfits.
What makes these outfits work is the fact that my moto jacket isn’t too long or oversized, which means it balances a wide leg pant and doesn’t swallow me whole—important as I am short (petite)!
Leather Moto Jacket + Flannel Shirt + Dark Jeans
I’m wearing the same green plaid flannel shirt in both looks here, but this can work with any flannel shirt! Flannel shirts are a staple for me in the cooler months, and I like the thinner flannels for layering under this particular moto jacket. If the flannel is too bulky, it may not work under slim sleeves because then your arms won’t be able to move. Size up in the jacket to allow for thicker layers!
Dark denim is a go-to for me as are the ankle boots. Add a fun hat or bag in a contrasting color for additional texture/interest!
Leather Moto Jacket + Blue Denim + Burgundy Boots
There’s just something about burgundy boots… I just love ‘em, clearly! (Both pairs are from Madewell, naturally.) Black + ivory + blue denim + burgundy is always a fabulous color combination and can work for fall OR spring! It plays particularly nicely with the fall leaves, though, doesn’t it?! Lugsole boots are having a moment this season; I paired mine with a pair of non-skinny jeans because apparently those are out, too, even though I still wear mine regularly! 🤪 Can’t take the millennial out of me!
Leather Moto Jacket + Stripes + Shades of Brown
Mix your browns and blacks by pairing a black leather jacket with lighter browns such as caramel, camel, or cognac. Add a bit of stripes for good measure! The second outfit features a new silhouette, too: the leather jacket paired with a wide leg crop pant. I truly think they can be worn with any pant silhouette, especially if you have a cropped jacket. If not, look for something more tailored vs. oversized…unless you love the oversized look, then go for it!!!
Leather Moto Jacket + A Fall COlor Palette
Both of these outfits are from my October 2019 Style Sudoku. I went all out with the fall color palette because I do enjoy dressing like a pumpkin at this time of year, TYVM! I grounded both outfits with the black leather jacket, black jeans (in the first outfit), and black boots (in the second outfit). The rest of the elements included a brown sweater that photographs orange (#pumpkin!) and olive ankle boots/jeans! Plus Rosie for good measure.
Leather Moto Jacket + Blue Denim + Olive Boots
Continuing the leather jacket and skinny jean theme with these outfits, and now both outfits feature the olive green ankle boots! The different tops really make them feel different; in the first outfit, I’m wearing a cream hoodie, and in the second, another pumpkin-esque sweater. Olive green is basically a neutral in my wardrobe, so I think it looks good with everything. Try playing around with color combinations!
Leather Moto Jacket + Lightweight Top + Jeans
This group of outfits is the most random of the bunch. Haha! They aren’t really that similar unless you consider that all three tops are relatively lightweight; I wore the first outfit with a graphic tee in the fall and the second outfit with the thin ribbed tee in spring. The third outfit features a sleeveless sweater vest.
I wear leather jackets most often with ankle boots; they seem to go together like PB&J! But, they work just as well with flat sandals or ballet flats. The second outfit is a version of a monochromatic outfit, which is always fun to do with leather jackets because of the added textural element!