Casual

October 27, 2020

Over 50? Here’s How to Wear a Leather Jacket at Any Age

How old is too old to wear a leather jacket? If you’re struggling with this question, you’re missing out on one of the best clothing investments you could make. Here’s why a leather jacket is a fantastic addition to your midlife wardrobe and how to wear one at 40, 50, 60+

Why Buy a Leather Jacket?

 

A leather jacket is considered a modern alternative to a classic suit jacket. It’s like a blazer but more relaxed and edgier. This cool edginess is what gives it a youthful vibe. Notice I said immature, not young.

A leather jacket won’t make you desperate to look young, so long as you choose one that’s more elegant and style it in a grown-up way. ( Tips on this coming up) What a leather outfit will do is give your outfit a shot of youthful energy.

 

The wonderful thing about any classic piece, including a leather jacket, is that it is a hard-working wardrobe staple. You can wear a leather jacket with the most casual clothes or work it into a dressy ensemble.

Throw it on with jeans, a cute top, and a pair of suede booties, and you will feel the frump melt away.

Slip it on with a pretty dress and heels, and you suddenly look hip. A leather jacket’s magic power can transform any average outfit into something suddenly very calm.  

 

3. Leather Jackets are Comfortable

The leather jackets we wore years ago have changed. Gone are the days of thick, heavy, stiff leather jackets that made you feel like you belonged to a motorcycle gang.

Today’s leather and faux jackets are thin, lightweight, soft, and buttery. They look and feel more elegant and sexier than ever before. I own three leather jackets, which feel almost as comfy as wearing a sweater. This burgundy leather jacket is my favorite.

 

4. They Make Great Transition Pieces

It’s always hard to know what to wear as we transition from summer into fall and fall into spring. A leather jacket is ideal.

The new lightweight leathers I’ve been talking about are perfect for shifting into a new season when it’s chilly. I’d even say that leather jackets are great year-round because you can wear one as an outdoor coat or an indoor layering piece.

I love to wear my tan faux leather jacket with a thin sweater and a nice pair of black jeans or leggings + loafers, booties, or riding boots this time of year.

5. Leather Jackets Look Classy

Leather is luxurious, so if you aim to look classy and expensive, a leather jacket can help. Just be sure to go with a quality brand. Coach Andrew Marc, Eli Tahari, and Theory are my favorites.

Faux leather is cheaper but can look chic, too, depending on the brand. Nordstrom usually has a good selection of faux leather jackets.

A unique detail will also make you stand out from the crowd, such as Chanel-like quilting, shoulder epaulets, an unusual type of collar, or rich, distinctive color. I have a lovely brown leather jacket with a braided military-style collar that looks rich.

6. They are Timeless

I have a friend who has been wearing her black leather jacket for over 15 years, and it still looks fab. This is the power of a great leather jacket. Yes, they can be costly, but they are always plenty on sale. Check frequently for sales, and visit sites like Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off Fifth, which carry fabulous leather designer jackets at huge savings.

7. Leather Jackets are Ageless

The last great reason to own a leather jacket is ageless. It can look fabulous at 20 or 70. This is provided you like the look and feel of leather to begin with.

If you are against wearing leather or don’t see the beauty of a leather jacket on anyone, then perhaps a leather jacket is not suited to your style personality. However, if you are curious but nervous about wearing a leather jacket, go for it.

How to Wear a Leather Jacket at 40, 50, 60

Choose an Elegant Style

As I like to say, looking age-appropriate or Age-amazing is partly about choosing the right leather jacket for you. The good news is – there are thousands of styles of leather jackets, so don’t worry about finding one to suit your aesthetic.

As a mature woman, you may not want a biker look -something cropped short with a lot of hardware or any other leather jacket with an extreme look. That’s fine because a sleeker, more understated leather jacket will always look fabulous.

Try Colored Leather

Don’t go thinking that black is the only color choice when it comes to leather jackets. Black can be harsh on a mature woman, exaggerating facial shadows and wrinkles unless you have the right coloring. However, You will have no problem finding colored leather or faux leather jackets in gorgeous shades such as emerald, navy, wine, tan, and brown.

There are lots out there,  and these can often be more flattering than black. Of the three leather jackets I own, none of mine are black. I also own a suede moto jacket – great for women easing into leather or wanting a more casual vibe.

Pair it With Something Chic

The second part of the perfect style recipe for wearing a leather jacket over 40, 50, and 60 is styling it more elegantly than you would have when you were in your twenties. For example, you might wear a black leather jacket with a short skirt, tank top, and heels when you are in your 20s, but at 40+, you’ll look chic wearing something like a burgundy leather jacket over a neutral-colored sweater dress with tall or flat boots.

There are endless ways to style a leather jacket, which boils down to what feels right. The more elegant the leather jacket, the more paired down the look, and the easier it is to pull off.

Please look at these over 40 Style bloggers and their favorite moto jackets. You’ll see that looking fabulous is all in how you style your coat. Also, here are more popular ways to wear a leather jacket.

This is my favorite Burgundy jacket with Talbots’s gorgeous limited edition artistic scarf!