A leather jacket is a wardrobe staple that is timeless and always in fashion. It is the sign of a man who values strong foundations, quality items and who wants only the best.

As more and more people are looking for high-quality items that are meant to be not only stylish, but also versatile and polished, the number of places where you can purchase a leather jacket is growing as well. It is important to look for quality leather jackets in trustworthy shops. Of course, big labels are a good way to go, but you can find quality pieces in other places as well. For example, Mont5 is a brand that has gained a big fanbase through the Kickstarter crowdfunding website. They offer leather jackets which you can customize as you wish (that includes sizes and monograms) and are dedicated to sourcing only quality materials and keeping the whole manufacturing process eco-friendly. With a turnover on Kickstarter of over 200% of the initial asking price, they have established a lot of credibility.

Regardless of where you buy a leather jacket from, may it be from a store in a city center, an online shop or a local store, you should always invest in a quality piece, as owning such a jacket has a lot of advantages.

Durability

The number one quality of leather is its long lasting character. A well-processed, high-quality leather jacket can last even up to 25 years. In today’s fast fashion world, where slow fashion and high craft are making a come-back, many people are looking for new items in which to invest that they can wear for a decade. A good leather jacket can withstand the test of time and is one of the best items in which you can invest.

Cost

If you buy a high-quality leather jacket, which costs say around $300 and wear it for more than a decade, you will find that it is cheaper than to buy 10 jackets of questionable quality that will last only for one season each, thus making the leather jacket a good investment on your part.

Think of it this way. If you buy a $300 leather jacket and wear it 3000 times, the cost / wear ratio is $0.1.

Naturalness

We always point out in every style guide that natural fabrics such as leather, cotton or linen should always be your first option when it comes to most items of clothing (exception being the synthetic items especially designed for sportive activities for example). Natural materials are very different than synthetic ones: they breathe, which means that they will adapt your body to the outside temperature, they don’t cause any rashes or other skin problems, they mold easily and adapt to your body, making you look great. In short, it’s like having a tailor included in the jacket.

Aesthetics

Speaking of style and tailoring, a leather jacket makes almost any man look great for a number of reasons.

First of all, as said, it molds easily on your body, framing it well which means that it will very likely look like you are wearing a custom piece.

Secondly, leather is a material with a bold aesthetic. Culturally, it’s charged with the concept of awesomeness and masculinity. In leather, you will look extremely badass. Leather looks powerful, edgy and confident.

Strength

Not only is a leather jacket a strong piece aesthetically speaking, but it is also a strong item from a physical point of view. Leather is extremely strong: it can be worn in almost any weather condition, from extreme heat to rain and snow and it is resistant to dry abrasion. Genuine leather won’t crack or peel, so it will look amazing for a long time. It is important to note here that natural leather does have a rather irregular texture, but that is a mark of authenticity, not a sign of damage.

Also, leather is resistant against fungal attacks and dust mites. A leather jacket is partly waterproof (you can wear it in the rain, but not go swimming in it) and, if treated well, it can even resist fire, but we wouldn’t recommend testing it out.

A great leather jacket does not require a high maintenance. Because it is lint and dust-free, a leather jacket doesn’t need extremely special conditions when it comes to depositing.

Also, leather is an extremely flexible material and will become stronger in time. The more flexible it becomes, the stronger it gets. It’s a fashion paradox.

It is human- and environmentally friendly

While leather goods are usually treated a little before being released, the amount of chemicals used is not even compared to the amount used for synthetic fibers. If you think about it, synthetic leather or faux leather is made of petroleum, which is interfering a lot with the environment. Afterwards, it is treated with chemicals that are more often than not thrown in rivers or in the ground, which further affects the environment.

For those afraid that genuine leather is somehow anti-animal, they should be reminded that more nature is harmed in the making of “eco”-leather than in the making of a genuine leather jacket.

Moreover, jackets made from synthetic leather are often made by workers who don’t work in good conditions, while quality, genuine leather jackets are usually made by people who work in better conditions, so buying a leather jacket is also helping out workers and discouraging to sub-standard working conditions.

Also, due to its natural aspect, leather, when it is no longer needed, can go back to the environment, without much harm, unlike synthetic leather, which takes hundreds of years to decompose, or which is burnt and then pollutes the air.

Bonus: Leather smells good

Good leather jackets have a special scent to them. While this might not sound as a very important decision factor when choosing a leather jacket, it is in fact a very important one. Not only because you will have an extra element to enjoy about your jacket, but because you can be sure that it won’t affect the smell of your fragrance or body spray, as synthetic leather can do.

Also, because leather has a natural and pleasant smell, you can pack it easily or store it anywhere with confidence, as you can be sure it won’t give out a bad smell.

Having a great leather jacket can do wonders for you sartorially. Because leather is a strong and flexible material, because it looks good and feels good and because you will feel powerful in it, a great leather jacket is a reliable piece you can wear to feel great and to give your confidence a boost.

Fraquoh and Franchomme