Pin These Leather Jacket Outfits to Your Fall Mood Board
Head-to-toe pairing ideas that will inspire effortlessly cool style.
Autumn is nearly here, which means I’ve officially begun updating my Pinterest mood board with copious amounts of fall fashion content. You’ll find a picture of Hailey Bieber wearing a barn jacket alongside baggy jeans and several snapshots from Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2000 runway collection (where turtlenecks tucked into tailored trousers reigned supreme). There are also a ton of street-style looks, with leather jacket outfits being the main focal point, especially since the edgy style is the go-to outerwear for fall. It's a hero piece that you'll spot on almost every street corner.
Part of the reason why this item is such a cherished staple is because it provides a bevy of styling options. Just glance at the Fall 2024 runways as a compelling source of evidence. Gucci chose a bold approach by pairing an embossed leather jacket with a coordinating mini dress. Meanwhile, Cos leaned into simplicity by styling its minimal version with a plain top and wide-leg pants. As for Tom Ford, the label experimented with color through a rich chocolate brown leather jacket belted at the waist.
Ahead, I’ve put together an edit of straightforward leather jacket outfit inspiration that will set the tone for your fall capsule wardrobe with sought-after styles from trending brands such as All Saints, Aritzia, and The Frankie Shop, which offer leather jackets crafted with vintage-inspired designs, sleek biker silhouettes, and oversized shapes.
Whether you're searching for an upscale look for a night on the town or a casual outfit that will get you through a laid-back day, we've got it all.
The Cherry on Top
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According to the street style scene, one of the best ways to pull together an ordinary outfit is to play into the unexpected red theory (a design concept stating that a pop of red can enhance any room—or, in the case of fashion—any outfit). The look above, featuring a cherry red cardigan tied over a leather jacket, proves that this theory does indeed have some substance.
A Shearling Standout
There are plenty of leather jacket styles out there: trench coats, blazers, bomber jackets, and the list goes on. My top pick, however, is a leather shearling jacket decorated with fuzzy collars and sleeves. It’s the perfect outerwear piece to keep warm while making a statement. Command even more attention with a roomy leather skirt, embellished leather boots, and a metallic handbag.
The Classic Formula
Perhaps this streamlined uniform is one of the easiest leather jacket outfits to recreate. You’ll only need a few pieces to start: a leather jacket (obviously), a simple T-shirt, and a pair of relaxed jeans. As for accessories, a black crossbody bag and oversized sunglasses will fit the bill.
All Dressed Up
Sure, you could layer your fall dress with a faux fur coat or a denim jacket, but why not reach for a leather jacket to give your outfit a chic twist? I love the contrast between fabrics in the street style look above, combining textures from the rugged leather jacket with the soft cashmere knit.
The Gray Area
Last fall, I wore the same outfit on repeat—a gray turtleneck styled with a leather jacket, straight-leg jeans, and black boots. This season, I'm tweaking my trusty fall outfit formula with this look as inspiration, and I’ll be swapping my denim bottoms for a flowy skirt.
Late-NIght Leather
I've been relying on the same tired old outfits, and I’m ready to switch things up on a mission to round out my collection of going-out looks. This moody vibe has just landed on my wishlist—the cut-out tank top, billowing leather jacket, and floor-sweeping wide-leg jeans are perfect for bar hopping or dancing.
Crazy for Capris
The summer 2024 trend cycle witnessed a profusion of pedal pushers, otherwise known as capri pants. Just because temperatures have dropped doesn’t mean the fashion set is bidding these cropped bottoms adieu. Instead of pairing capris with breezy tops, they’ll be wearing this retro style with long-sleeved shirts and leather jackets.
Leather on Leather
The double denim trend undoubtedly leads on the style scoreboard, but the “loads of leather” look isn’t far behind. Give this outfit a shot with a moto leather jacket and a pair of flared leather pants that create a sculpted look—top things off with a leather shoulder bag that will earn you extra points.
A Look That Plays Peekaboo
When autumn temperatures are warm enough to show some skin, don’t be afraid to slip into a micro mini skirt and a cropped button-down shirt. Pull on a grungy leather biker jacket and a pair of fall boots to ensure that your barely-there look doesn’t come across as too summery. And if you want to achieve this look without the revealing much, simply opt for tights that offer a bit more coverage.
Burgundy Above All
If you’ve repeatedly heard me chat about the latest fall color trends, my sincerest apologies. I simply can’t (and won’t) stop yapping about burgundy. This deep red tone has taken over the collections of several top-tier labels—like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Ferragamo—and now it’s time for you to invite this sultry shade into your wardrobe. Do that with a burgundy leather jacket, and commit to the look with a matching dress.
On the Job
If you haven’t already added a leather blazer to your assortment of workwear essentials, this outfit will motivate you to do so. Teamed with a preppy polo shirt and a belted pair of trousers, this style has corporate written all over it. Finish off this fall work outfit with work sneakers and a practical yet stylish laptop bag.
For the Rule Breaker
For those of you who saw these white jeans and wondered how this look made it into our roundup of fall-inspired leather jacket outfits, allow us to remind you that you can, in fact, wear white after Labor Day. You can choose to accessorize this look in any way you’d like, but I’d suggest you follow this fashionable gal’s lead and try ballet flats and a vibrant bucket bag.
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Lauren is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes trend reports, shopping pieces, and celebrity news stories. Prior to Marie Claire, Lauren worked for Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE as a freelance editor with a specific focus on seasonal styles and coveted products. She also worked for Town & Country, where she developed a robust portfolio of fashion roundups and designer profiles.
Lauren graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in journalism. While attending Penn, Lauren contributed to the university's fashion magazine, The Walk, while also interning for Philadelphia Style Magazine and EveryStylishGirl.
When she’s not exploring the world of fashion, you can find Lauren sharpening her skills as DJ, discovering new restaurants in New York City (she’s a foodie), and spending quality time with friends and family. Follow her along at @laurenktappan.
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