Leather Jacket Styles
A Guide to Leather Jacket Styles and Their History
Biker, cafe racer, bomber, flight, shearling, blazer and long coats: a map of leather jacket styles, how to spot each one and where it came from.
Most leather jacket styles fall into a few families: the biker (the zip-front Perfecto and the simpler cafe racer), the bomber and flight jacket, the shearling jacket, sport and work cuts like the varsity and trucker, and tailored pieces like the blazer. Longer leather coats such as the trench, duster and car coat sit alongside them.
Almost every style began as working gear for pilots, riders, soldiers or drivers before fashion took it over. This guide gives you a quick map of the styles and points you to the page that covers each one in depth.
The main leather jacket styles at a glance
For a closer look at each cut, read types of leather jackets explained. For jackets in general, not just leather, see common jacket types and how they differ.
| Style | How to spot it | Where it came from |
|---|---|---|
| Biker (Perfecto) | Angled front zip, wide collar, snap-down lapels, belt | Schott's 1928 motorcycle jacket |
| Cafe racer | Short and simple, straight zip, short collar | Named after the British cafe racer motorcycle scene |
| Bomber | Short, ribbed cuffs and hem, sits at the hip | Military aviation |
| Flight jacket (A-2, G-1) | Shirt collar or fur collar, knit cuffs and waistband | U.S. Army and Navy aviators |
| Shearling | Suede outside, fleece inside | Cold-weather flight gear such as the B-3 |
| Shirt style | Longer, open cut that layers over a sweater | Listed by Leather Collection as a layering cut |
| Leather blazer | Tailored jacket, usually with notched lapels | The 1860s boating and cricket blazer |
| Leather coats | Trench, duster, car coat | Officers, horsemen and early motorists |
Motorcycle and biker jackets
The motorcycle jacket is the one most people picture. Schott made the first Perfecto in 1928, and it came to define how motorcycle jackets look. Wikipedia says motorcycle jackets once reached mid-thigh but now usually end at a fitted waist.
- What is a moto jacket? Features and origins
- Why are motorcycle jackets so short?
- Types of motorcycle jackets and their uses
- Motorcycle jacket patterns and construction
- The punk style of leather biker jackets
A fashion leather jacket is not riding gear. Protective jackets are heavier and thicker and may carry armor.
Leather coats
Leather coats are the longer cousins of the jacket. The main types are the trench, the duster and the car coat, plus tailored blazers at the short end. They differ mainly in length, closure and the job they were first made for.
Collars, colors and details
Small details tell styles apart. The collar is the quickest clue: a rib knit collar says bomber, a fur collar says flight jacket, and a wide collar with snap-down lapels says biker.
Leather jacket history
Leather was worn as outerwear long before the motorcycle. Native Americans made buckskin jackets in the style of colonial military coats as early as the 18th century. The modern leather jacket took shape with the A-1 flight jacket, standard U.S. issue from 1927.
Then film and music took over. The Wild One (1953) put Marlon Brando in a biker jacket, and punks later covered theirs in studs and paint.
- A brief history of jackets and their styles
- The 1970s biker jacket: style and history
- Leather fashion in the 1970s
- Biker jacket style in the 1980s
- Leather fashion in the 1980s
- When varsity jackets became popular
The bomber has its own story in our history of the bomber jacket.
Other jacket styles
Some classic styles are rarely made in leather but shape how leather jackets are cut. The Harrington is a light, waist-length jacket named after a TV character. The denim trucker jacket dates back to Levi Strauss around 1880.
Is the leather jacket still in style?
Coverage for 2026 points to cropped lengths, gently cinched waists and refined finishes, according to Who What Wear. Leather bombers also appeared on several Spring/Summer 2026 runways. The moto jacket is less settled: one 2025 article said it was "losing favor" while calling it trend-resistant.
For outfits, see how to style jackets and build great outfits. For size and fit, see how to find the right jacket fit and size.
Find your style in leather
The Leather Collection men's leather jackets range covers biker, bomber and cafe racer cuts plus hooded, quilted, fur and shirt styles. Each jacket is made to order in a standard size or cut to your own measurements.
FAQ
What is the leather jacket style called?
There is no single name. The classic zip-front style is the motorcycle or biker jacket, best known as the Perfecto. Other common styles are the cafe racer, bomber, flight jacket and leather blazer.
What are the different types of jacket styles?
In leather, the main types are biker, cafe racer, bomber, flight, shearling, shirt style and blazer, plus longer trench, duster and car coats. Our types of leather jackets page compares them side by side.
Is the leather jacket still in style in 2026?
Yes, in current coverage. Who What Wear describes 2026 leather jackets as cropped, gently cinched and refined. Some writers see the moto jacket fading, though, so check the view on moto jackets.
Who made leather jackets famous?
Film did much of it. The Wild One (1953) helped American youth take up the leather jacket, and James Dean, Elvis Presley and The Beatles wore them too.
leatheride Editorial Team
leatheride articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.