I Found a Leather Jacket That Doesn’t Make Me Feel Like I’m inThe Matrix

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I own two Sézane Will Jackets (one in black and one in army green) and wear them all the time. They’re what I put on whenever I need a lightweight layer or want to add a little more dimension to my outfit. So when I saw the Will offered in leather, I wanted to try it since I was already familiar with the fit.

I’m five-foot-seven, and on me, the jacket hits slightly below the hip and has a subtle oversize shape while still feeling tailored. The slightly longer cut actually helps elongate my shorter torso a bit. Sézane describes it as a “smooth leather jacket with a classic collar and large side pockets,” and as far as pockets go, they are pretty great. They span the front and side of the jacket and make it easy to just throw a phone or wallet in when I’m on the go.

The jacket itself is quite thin, so if you’re looking for something super-warm or heavy-duty, this probably isn’t it. But that’s also what I like about it. To me, it sits somewhere between a jacket and a shirt. I actually wore it buttoned up to dinner with black pants as more of a top than a jacket and thought it worked pretty well. Also, it’s worth noting the leather version of the Will has a softer, more relaxed feel than the other materials it comes in and leans a little workwear.

The Anine Bing Leon Bomber ($600) is definitely one of the trendier styles on this list with its cocoon silhouette. It has that classic flight-jacket look with a ribbed collar, cuffs, and hem, a front zip, and the oversize flap pockets that give it a utilitarian feel. Compared to some of the other leather jackets I tried, this one definitely reads more casual and relaxed with a boxier fit. I wore it to a soccer game with straight-leg jeans and chunky loafers and felt comfy. It has a really handy pocket on the arm, which was convenient for tossing a chapstick in.

One thing that stands out is how warm it is. It’s significantly cozier than most of the jackets I tried, thanks to the padded interior and slightly structured shell, which gives it that insulated feel. The recycled leather also has a softer, more flexible quality to it, so it doesn’t feel stiff or heavy. It’s the kind of jacket that feels very easy to throw on over jeans, sweats, or even a dress if you want that contrast.

While Arma isn’t exactly new, it’s been popping up on my radar more and more over the last few years. The Dutch brand is known for its leather (and outerwear in general), so I’ve been curious to try one of its jackets. The Maeve felt like a great place to start.

What I love about this one, which is made from 100 percent premium lambskin, is that it puts a modern spin on the classic leather jacket. The silhouette leans more barn jacket than it does moto with a pointed collar and a relaxed shape. It’s almost like the leather version of a chore coat. It doesn’t feel trend-driven and strikes me as something that would age well. There’s also an interior drawstring waist, which I enjoyed because the overall fit is intentionally loose and oversize. Being able to cinch it in gives the jacket a bit of structure when you want it. But if you’re after something more tailored, I’d probably recommend sizing down. The jacket (which I ordered in a size 36, my usual size) is a little big on me.

It has two oversize front flap pockets and a button-front closure, which add to that utilitarian feel. I wore it out to dinner and threw it over a pair of white silk pants. I tried the brown version (it also comes in black), which has a really nice richness to the leather. It’s more costly than others on this list, but because of the quality of the leather and the versatile style, it seems well worth it.

The Agolde Dixon Cocoon Bomber ($598) stood out to me for its shape. Unlike traditional bomber styles, this one has a slightly sculptural feel thanks to the cocoon silhouette and elastic hem that pulls the jacket inward. It sits a little higher on me (about waist height) than the other jackets I tried. The result is a bit of volume through the body (especially the arms) that still looks polished.

The leather is a recycled blend, and it’s softer and more flexible than you might expect. It doesn’t have quite the same buttery feel as lambskin, but it moves nicely and gives the jacket a relaxed, broken-in vibe. When I tried it on, my daughter told me I looked “snazzy,” which I am going to interpret asverycool. I wore it out for a friend’s birthday dinner and styled it with theseprinted jeans. It’s definitely one of those jackets that instantly makes a simple outfit feel a little more intentional.

I wore this jacket on a brisk afternoon to pick up my daughter from school. What I immediately loved about the Rae Bomber from Aritzia was the high collar. I’m very into keeping my neck warm and usually end up wearing a scarf or turtleneck when I’m out and about, so I like that the jacket builds that in. I tried this one in brown, too (I guess I’m gravitating toward brown leather).

The weight isn’t too heavy or too light, and it hits right below my hip, which gives it a nice, flattering crop. It has both a zipper and exterior buttons, plus a few sly little pockets tucked into the lining. It’s made from 100 percent lamb leather, which gives it a soft, smooth, luxe look and feel. My only callout is the placement of the side-pocket zippers: They sit a bit far back, which makes them slightly difficult to open quickly, so I used the inner pocket to tuck my phone away. At this price, it’s a relatively budget-friendly alternative to some of the viral jackets I’ve been seeing (like the Nour Hammour, which I also tested) — similar vibe, just without the four-figure price tag.

As soon as I opened this Quince jacket, I was shocked at the quality. At $250, it’s heavy and substantial in a way that makes you instantly feel like you’ve done well by ordering it. It’s made from 100 percent top-grain sheep leather, and I opted for the distressed brown just to mix things up from the other jackets I was testing and to try a more vintage-inspired look (likethis).

The finish has a lived-in feel without you having to wait years for it to break in, and the texture felt noticeably different — more pebbled — from the smoother leather jacket I had tried just before it. I ordered a small, which still had a slightly oversize fit but isn’t too oversize. While it’s listed as a bomber, it felt less boxy than bombers I’ve tried in the past. One thing I’ll note: The brown shade looks a little grayer in person than it does online.

I wore it out to a casual dinner on a chilly San Francisco evening and it kept me plenty warm. It has a slanted zip pocket across the chest as well as two deep open pockets on each side, which were easy to access and toss my phone into. Once I played around with styling — pairing it with wide-leg jeans and a light sweater —I will say this one surprised me.

Lately, it seems like no jacket brand is more in demand than Nour Hammour. In fact, it continually topsShopMy’s best-sellingproducts list. I’ve been seeing its Artise leather jacket everywhere online and wanted to give it a go to see if it was worth all the clamor — and the price. And for me, it was.

Before I even put it on, I was impressed by the buttery lambskin, which has a substantial weight that makes it feel like expensive. The moment I slipped it on (I ordered a small), it was an immediate “yes.” The fit is that ideal, slightly oversize shape: roomy enough to layer but not so big it swallows you.

I also liked the streamlined design. There was no obvious hardware and very minimal bells and whistles, which gave it a very sleek feel (especially as I ordered it in a classic black). I like the curved paneling and slightly cinched hem to give it a bit of shape without making it feel overly tailored. The Ariste has less of a traditional biker vibe and more of a fashion-person vibe. I wore it out to a work event that was inside and chilly. I styled it withoversize white jeansand a pair of vintage Moschino mules and loved every moment in it.