If anyone else watches the high street as closely as I do (Anyone? Just me?), they’ll know what I mean when I say that brands have really upped their game when it comes to premium pieces over the last couple of years. A perfect example of this shift is the sheer number of elevated leather jackets that have flooded the high street this season. While there will always be a market for more affordable pieces, it’s great to see brands offer up higher-quality alternatives, especially in hard-wearing fabrics.
Only last week, I tried on this leather shacket from Whistles, and I honestly couldn’t believe it was from a high-street brand. It could so easily be mistaken for a designer buy. Plenty of other brands have got in on the action, and we’ve seen our readers snap up premium leather pieces from the likes of H&M and & Other Stories. Yes, these leather jackets are more expensive than your average high-street buy, but in our experience, sometimes investing a little more can be the key to achieving longevity in your wardrobe. There are five jackets, in particular, that have stood out to us this season. From leather shackets and trenches to classic bikers, scroll down to shop our roundup.
Both Emma Spedding and I tried this on last week and fell in love with it. I’m usually a UK 8 or 10 and found the S to be good for a more oversized fit, while the XS would work better over lighter layers.
This & Other Stories leather trench was a huge hit with our readers when we featured it in a story last month, and we can certainly see why. It’s only available in two sizes now, but keep your eyes peeled for a restock.
Another Who What Wear winner this season. Coming in a boxier fit, it has definite ’90s undertones and is sure to look great with a simple jeans-and-white-tee pairing.
At the upper end of the market, AllSaints has long been a go-to for time-tested leather jackets, but this season, it’s all about the oversized leather biker. I love the chunky belt on this style.
For a more noughties spin, experiment with a leather blazer. Arket’s oversized style has been popular with the fashion crowd and will look just as good over a chunky knit now as it will with a floral mini come spring.
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