Leather has been used to make clothes for thousands of years, and perhaps the most iconic leather clothing item is the leather jacket. Leather jackets appeared in the early 20th century in the form of flight jackets worn by aviators. These came to be known as bomber jackets. The leather bomber jacket also inspired the design of leather motorcycle jackets and biker jackets.
While leather bomber jackets were originally worn by air force pilots for protection from cold temperatures, the leather jacket was later adapted and adopted by many other groups, and widely popularized throughout the second half of the 20th century. The first leather motorcycle jacket or biker jacket was created in 1928 by the American clothing company Schott NYC for Harley Davidson.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the leather biker jacket exploded in popularity as a symbol of rebellious youth and counterculture. It was part of the signature looks of the biker, greaser and punk subcultures. Leather jackets were worn by Hollywood actors, most notably Marlon Brando in the 1953 film The Wild One, and rockstars from the Beatles to Elvis Presley. Women’s leather jackets also became increasingly popular in this time. The leather jacket has never gone out of fashion since, but it has expanded and evolved plenty in design and material as a staple of both men’s fashion and women’s fashion.
In recent years, there has been a shift to using faux leather as an animal-friendly and wallet-friendly alternative to real leather. Instead of getting a real leather jacket, it’s easy to buy faux leather jackets in classic biker and moto styles for men and women, not to mention faux leather coats and blazer jackets.
With the rise in popularity of sustainable and affordable fashion, many consumers are looking for cruelty-free alternatives to real leather. Faux leather is a non-animal material used in place of real leather which is typically made of cow hide, or sheep hide in the case of lambskin leather. Faux leather can be made from a variety of different natural or synthetic materials, the most common being polyurethane which is a type of polymer. Faux leather may also be referred to as vegan leather, synthetic leather, artificial leather, imitation leather, fake leather, leatherette, polyurethane leather, PU leather and pleather. Faux leather is a great option if you're looking for a cruelty-free way to update your wardrobe.
In terms of uses, faux leather is commonly found on furniture like sofas and chairs. It’s also used on upholstery in cars and airplanes, as well as luggage. Because it's cheaper than genuine leather and easy to manufacture, faux leather is the material of choice for many products including wallets, purses, shoes, belts and other accessories. Besides being made to mimic the look and feel of real leather, faux leather is also made to be durable, water-resistant and stain-resistant while requiring less care. It can be produced in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes.
While faux leather is usually plastic-based PU leather in mainstream fashion, natural materials are also increasingly being used to create innovative and eco-friendly faux leather. Many high-end designers have turned to vegan leather as part of the movement towards more sustainable and eco-friendly clothing. Natural materials that have been utilized to make vegan leather pieces include cork, tree bark, plant fibers, mushrooms, coffee and fruit waste like apple peels. Some brands use faux leather made with recycled materials.
A faux leather jacket is a great way to add some edge to your wardrobe. The most popular faux leather jacket styles include the bomber jacket, biker jacket, moto jacket and racer jacket. Bomber jackets have a straight zip front and a blouson fit with ribbed trim at the waistband and cuffs. Biker and moto jackets are typically waist length with a flared collar, diagonal front zipper and silver-tone hardware like zippers, studs or belts. Racer jackets are usually more fitted with a band collar, straight zip front and zipped pockets.
The best part about faux leather jackets is that they're super versatile on top of being super stylish. You can easily wear faux leather biker jackets with jeans, dress pants or a cute skirt, and they look equally good layered over a T-shirt or a button-down shirt. Since most faux leather jackets are waterproof, you also don't have to worry about your outerwear getting ruined by the rain. A faux leather moto jacket can be worn even during cold winter days.
A tip for those choosing their first faux leather jacket is to go for a biker jacket in black. The black faux leather jacket offers the most quintessential look, and it can be worn with almost anything. Black faux leather jackets will go with just about any outfit you could think of, and make it look even better!
For those who already have a black faux leather jacket, try adding more colors to your collection. Brown, beige, white and maroon faux leather jackets are also popular and highly wearable. For bolder looks, get creative with brightly colored or multi-colored options, such as a color-block paneled faux leather jacket or a vegan leather motorcycle jacket in electric blue.
A faux leather blazer brilliantly doubles as a blazer formal enough for work and a jacket casual enough for play. If you're looking for a blazer that will make you look like a million bucks but don't want to spend that much money, then a faux leather blazer is the way to go.
The key to getting the most out of your vegan leather blazer is to choose one that fits well and has some structure to it. This will give it a sharper and more refined appearance. If you're going for style over function, then go with faux leather blazer jackets that are on-trend and have some cool or daring design elements to it, such as eye-catching colors, faux leather panels or embossed patterns. If you want a faux leather blazer that can be worn for years, then opt for a classic button-front single-breasted design in black.
A slim-fit faux leather blazer looks smart with dress pants or jeans, while a loose-fit longline faux leather blazer falls nicely over straight-leg or wide-leg trousers for a power suit look. For men, a faux leather blazer over a turtleneck sweater or plain white tee is perfect for the office and happy hour. For women, a crop faux leather blazer with a matching faux leather mini skirt forms a jaw-dropping combo.
A faux leather coat will keep you nice and toasty in the winter months while still giving off that sleek, devil-may-care vibe. Faux leather coats are typically designed to resist moisture so they make for great fall and winter coats, come rain or snow.
A faux leather shirt jacket can double as a casual coat in the autumn, but once the temperatures really drop, throw on a fleece-lined faux leather coat with faux fur collar and trim for extra warmth. Cover up in a brown faux leather belted trench coat to become the picture of sophistication, or let a long black faux leather coat trail behind you as you stroll down streets in full-on Matrix mode. Whether it’s a long coat or short coat, faux leather outerwear is sure to keep you feeling warm and looking cool. Another great thing about faux leather coats and jackets is that they’re easy to maintain. You can simply wipe down the coat with a damp cloth and let it air dry before storing it away for later use.
When looking for the best faux leather jackets, it's important to consider a few things:
1. Check what type of faux leather material it is, if that is a concern for you. Make sure that the material is durable, breathable and keeps shape.
2. Find the right size and fit. Faux leather motorcycle jackets look best when they fit right. You don’t want your faux leather biker jacket to be overly tight or to hang strangely.
3. Look at color and finish options. Faux leather jackets may come in a smooth, grain or faux suede finish, and in a wide range of colors. Choose a color and finish that matches your style preferences.
4. Pick details and features that suit your needs, whether stylistic or functional. For example, If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snowfall, opt for a waterproof jacket or coat, preferably with a removable hood. If you want a vintage look, go for a biker jacket with hardware.
5. Think about your budget. A lot of people think of faux leather as a cheaper alternative to real leather, but this isn't always the case. The price of faux leather jackets can vary widely, depending on the material, style and brand.
Faux leather coats and jackets can be worn in a variety of different ways depending on the style you choose. For example, a faux leather blazer in a slim fit is appropriate for work and dressier occasions like weddings or formal events. If you’re going to wear faux leather outerwear with a suit, choose a faux leather blazer to replace your usual suit jacket, or wear a long faux leather coat over your suit.
Are you planning to wear your faux leather jacket often? If so, then it makes sense to invest in a classic black faux leather jacket that matches most outfits. For a fail-safe option, a faux leather zip bomber jacket or moto jacket in black will offer plenty of wear. Pair with a top or sweater, jeans and boots for an ensemble that works all year round. If you want an edgier casual look, a faux leather oversized moto jacket with lots of hardware adds swagger when you’re going out to bars or sporting events. For styling women’s faux leather jackets, try layering a cropped faux leather moto jacket over a crop top for a sexy look, or toughen up a shirt dress or floral dress with a leathered textured jacket coat.
Do you want to be able to move around easily while wearing the jacket? Faux leather by nature doesn’t stretch as much as most other clothing fabrics, so getting the size and fit right is important, especially for slim-fit biker, moto and blazer jackets. If you’re worried about a faux leather jacket feeling too restrictive around your arms and chest, consider a loose-fit shirt jacket, an oversized biker jacket or even a faux leather vest.
Men’s and women's faux leather coats and jackets are fashionable and practical, which make them great options for any occasion. If you’re ready to buy a new faux leather jacket, then check out YesStyle’s large selection of men’s and women's faux leather jacket and coat styles. Are you looking for a women’s faux leather moto jacket, a men’s PU leather trench coat, or a faux leather cropped biker jacket? Our faux leather clothing products come in a wide range of styles, colors and sizes so that no matter what your style or taste is, you'll be able to find something that works for you. Faux leather belted biker jackets, coats for winter, and blazers for work are all just a click away!
