Guide
Straight answers to the questions we hear most, from fit and leather types to wearing in a new jacket.
The shoulder seam should sit on the edge of your shoulder bone, not past it. Sleeves should end at the wrist bone with your arms relaxed, and you should be able to zip up over a T-shirt or a fine knit without the front pulling. If one of these is off in your usual size, choose made to measure.
Smooth leather is the more practical choice: it shrugs off light rain and wipes clean. Suede is the same hide with a brushed, velvety surface. It looks softer and more relaxed but marks more easily and should be kept out of heavy rain. Many people own one of each: leather for everyday wear, suede for dry days.
Full-grain leather keeps the outer surface of the hide, so it shows natural marks and grain. It is the strongest part of the hide and develops a patina over time. Lower grades are sanded and coated to look uniform, which often makes them feel stiffer. Our Harrington jackets are made in full-grain leather.
Embossed leather has a reptile pattern pressed into the leather with heat and pressure. It gives the look of croc or alligator without using exotic skins, and the pattern stays sharp with normal wear. The Executor car coat and our embossed biker jacket both use this finish.
Keep the rest of the outfit simple. A biker or café racer works with a white T-shirt, dark jeans and boots. A Harrington or trucker sits well over a shirt or a crew-neck knit. On colder days, a longer leather coat goes over a suit or a heavy knit. Let one piece stand out at a time.
A new leather jacket can feel firm for the first few weeks. Wear it often and it will soften at the elbows and shoulders and start to follow your shape. If it gets wet, let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from radiators, and condition it now and then. Our care guide has the details.
Buying guide
Questions
