Collection: Distressed Leather Jackets

With its worn appearance, the distressed leather jacket is something that is difficult to emulate by creating something completely new from scratch. Distressed jackets are unique, which ensures their timelessness regardless of shifting fashion trends in the process of time. Be it a leather jacket that would be used daily or just a distinctive detail among your other garments, one can always rely upon the distressed leather jacket for subtle accentuating your outfit. This guide provides information about characteristics of the distressed finishing, styles and colors of choice, styling tips, and aspects worth considering when buying such garments.

What Is a Distressed Leather Jacket?

Distressed is a form of treatment used in leather to give it a weathered and naturally aged finish. This can be done using such processes as waxing, polishing, tumbling, or even hand application of certain treatments to soften the hide and add variations in color on the surface. This gives a jacket a worn-in look instead of an even glossy finish. This is unlike a leather jacket classic style where there is an even glossy finish on the leather jacket. This dissimilarity in finish will have no effect on the quality leather material employed in the making of the jackets.

Why Choose a Distressed Leather Jacket?

As a result of inherent strength of the leather material, any wear marks are bound to be camouflaged by the distressed finish as opposed to being exposed. Thus, this is an ideal jacket for daily use since it looks even better when it ages. In addition to strength, the other important value that is attached to this jacket is its uniqueness. Inasmuch as each individual distressed jacket is going to be aged uniquely, then you are guaranteed of having a unique product in future. The jacket is versatile in nature in that it can match well with any type of attire whether casual or business.

Styles and Colors to Explore

Colors on the distressed jacket are an important consideration when shopping for this particular piece. The mens brown distressed leather jacket is one of the favorite jackets due to its ability to work perfectly with the distressed marks made during the manufacturing process. As such, brown mens leather jacket (or brown men's leather jacket) is smart and casual at the same time hence easy to pair with jeans or tight clothing. Different shades exist within the brown color palette. Dark brown leather jacket mens gives that cool look while matching with other dark clothes while light brown leather jacket mens is warm hence perfect for daytime use. Black leather jackets are great for the distressed effect without any worries about sticking to the brown family of colors. In case you are searching for a men's distressed jacket, then it will be easier for you to select a color by comparing different versions side by side.

Popular Jacket Styles

Distressed finishing is not bound to one silhouette type. A leather trucker jacket is presented in a boxy silhouette with cropped sleeves, collar, and button front; the distressed finishing brings a rough and rugged look to the jacket. Another silhouette type that looks great in distressed versions is a cafe racer jacket mens style that features a slim cut and such design elements as stand-up collar and diagonal or center front zipper. Leather bomber jackets have a casual and relaxed silhouette with ribbed cuffs and hemline, and the distressed version makes its silhouette look less boxy. To be ready for cold days, choose a hooded leather jacket or a hooded leather jacket women style that has a closer fitting silhouette through waist. In addition to these silhouettes there are women's options such as a womens asymmetrical jacket where the zipper is moved from the front to the side and a collared leather jacket women's style that looks good with sweaters or dresses under it. The differences in design details can change the overall appearance of the jacket. Thus, a jacket with a side zipper will add some practical and edgy touches, and a striped leather jacket with contrast panelling will catch more attention. To find out about current popular styles, browse trending leather jackets.

How to Style a Distressed Leather Jacket

This distressed style is forgiving, making it easy to incorporate into several outfits in the following ways:

Casual

Style it with jeans, a simple tee, and boots or sneakers to create an outfit that requires little effort.

Smart casual

Layer it over a button-up shirt with either chinos or pants and change from sneakers to leather boots or shoes.

Layering piece during winter

Layer this distressed piece over either a sweater or hoodie, especially the latter.

Transitional wear during warm weather

This brown distressed finish will look good when layered over a t-shirt on cool nights.

How to Choose the Right Distressed Leather Jacket

Here are some useful tips for purchasing an excellent distressed leather jacket that won't let you down after just one season:

Leather quality

Make sure the leather feels soft, not stiff, with an even looking distressing effect.

Finish quality

While there are going to be tonal variations in the piece, you should not purchase a jacket if its distressing effect looks unintentional.

Fit

You should choose what kind of fit you like, tight and tailored or loose and relaxed, before selecting size.

Color

Select a color according to your taste, but make sure it will suit the rest of your wardrobe – brown tones add warmth to the jacket, while black is a neutral shade.

Hardware

The zippers, snaps, and buckles of your leather jacket should be durable and move smoothly.

Collar and hood

Depending on the type of jacket you want, decide if you need a traditional collar, a hood, or a café racer-style stand collar.

Zipper position

Center front zipper is the most typical; if you would like a more distinctive silhouette, consider a jacket with side zipper.

Lining

It makes putting on and taking off your jacket more convenient.

Construction quality

Make sure the jacket's seams are reinforced especially at shoulder joints, cuffs and pockets, because these parts receive the greatest strain.

Purpose

A leather jacket purchased for regular wear should be comfortable and durable; a leather jacket for the sake of fashion is another story.

Fit and Sizing Guide

The distressed leather jacket should fit snugly through the shoulders without pulling when raising your arms. It should give ample room in the chest area to allow for layering under the jacket during cold weather, and the sleeves should reach the wrists without extra bulk. As leather does not stretch like normal fabrics, it is recommended to refer to the size chart provided rather than using your regular size from various brands, since the difference between a boxy fit like the trucker and slim like a cafe racer jacket can be noticeable.

Care and Maintenance

Even if the material looks distressed or aged, regular maintenance will be required for your jacket: It should not be left out in the rain or any other water. It should always be hung up on a thick or broad hanger away from sunlight and sources of heat. Cleaning it will require you to use only a dry cloth, but not any other abrasive materials on leather or metal parts. You should refer to the care instructions that come with your jacket provided by the company producing it. To learn more about the daily care for your distressed leather jacket, check out our leather care guide below. If you are constructing your jacket range, you may want to explore our new leather jackets along with those available in distress finish because the seasonal release brings new colors and styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is distressed leather?

Distressed leather is a type of leather treated through the processes of waxing, buffing or tumbling, resulting in an aged look of leather as opposed to a sleek one.

Is distressed leather durable?

Yes, because distressing does not reduce its quality in any way — it is only the surface finish of the leather, and the material remains as durable as any other leather.

What should a distressed leather jacket feel like?

The jacket should have a snug fit in shoulders, some room in chest to layer slightly and full-length sleeves which reach the wrists.

Can I wear the distressed leather jacket all year round?

It would be good for transitional cool weather in a lighter brown finish, but works well when used as a layer during fall and winter seasons.

How to take care of my distressed leather jacket?

Protect it from excessive moisture and heat, hang it in a padded hanger out of direct sunlight and clean it using dry cloth.