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From Dresses to Jeans: How To Style a Leather Jacket in 10 Ways

February 18, 2025
Source: Alones/Shutterstock

A black leather jacket instantly elevates any look, pairing perfectly with basic tees, sophisticated sweaters, and even elegant maxi dresses.

Styling leather jackets is satisfying and fun with the right inspiration. Dive into our outfit ideas and learn how to style a leather jacket in 10 comfortable, stylish ways.

What to wear with leather jackets: 10 on-trend outfit ideas

Leather jackets add flair to every outfit, whether you’re going for edgy, glamorous, or refined. Here are some of our favorite outfits to wear with leather jackets.

1. Classic tee and jeans

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a black graphic tee, straight-leg jeans, white sneakers, and a black handbag.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

A graphic tee and straight-leg jeans are classics for a reason—this outfit is casual, comfy, and a little edgy. Wear this combo for any relaxed occasion, including lunch with friends or a trip to the farmers’ market.

We love a black leather jacket for this one, but white is equally eye-catching. For footwear, keep it simple and choose a pair of shoes that go with everything, like white sneakers or Chelsea boots.

Pro tip: For a quick variation, swap in different denim silhouettes. Try skinny jeans for a sleek, comfortable stretch or flares for vintage vibes.

2. Night-out allure

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a black lace maxi dress with black ankle boots, sunglasses, and a black shoulder bag.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

A black lace maxi with leather is an effortless date night look that’s polished yet relaxed. Wearing this simple jacket or coat adds a bold contrast to the sleek dress and keeps you warm in the evening. 

For an outfit that’s classy but not too formal, toss on a pair of strappy heels—perfect for a fun night out with someone special. Swap the heels for toasty ankle boots to transform this into a cold-weather style.

3. Crisp and cozy

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a black turtleneck with black trousers, white sneakers, a gray beanie, and a black shoulder bag.
Source: Alones/Shutterstock

Layering a sleek turtleneck or sweater underneath a leather jacket is a timeless combo that works for any occasion. Wear it with black jeans for a girls’ night out, or dress it up with high-waisted trousers for a smart casual dinner party. 

This outfit is excellent with a simple pair of sneakers, but we adore it with knee-high boots. Throw on a soft scarf and beret for a contemporary, Paris-inspired look that’s perfect for a trip to the bistro.

Pro tip: Opt for wide-leg jeans to add more flair to this globally inspired outfit.

4. Romantic charm

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a floral midi dress with black shoes, white socks, a black hat, and a black shoulder bag.
Source: Eugenia Lytvyn/Shutterstock

We love pairing a floral midi with a leather jacket for brisk fall and spring days. This combination balances the dress’s light, graceful feel with a bold edge—choose a thick biker jacket and black boots to amplify this contrast.

Our favorite part of this style is the versatile color palette. In the spring, wear a bright white, pink, and yellow dress. For the autumn, go for warm reds and oranges.

Pro tip: Unsure which pattern to pick? ThredUp’s Improved Search makes it easy. Describe exactly what you’re shopping for, like a “floral midi dress with spring vibes,” to browse pieces that suit your aesthetic.

5. Sharp and laid-back

A woman wearing a brown leather jacket over a plaid button-down shirt, jeans, brown boots, and sunglasses.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Button-down shirts are a capsule wardrobe staple and are ideal for any outfit dilemma. For relaxed office dress codes, we love a business casual top with a black leather jacket and work pants.

This outfit is super versatile—swap out a few colors and fabrics for a completely new style. Try a plaid button-down, brown leather jacket, jeans, and hiking boots to create a casual yet stylish outfit that’s perfect for travel.

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6. Modern appeal

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a floral blouse tucked into a smooth green slip skirt, a wide-brimmed hat, black knee-high boots, and a black shoulder bag.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Pair your favorite leather jacket with a smooth slip skirt and wide-brimmed hat for a contemporary, on-trend look. Wear this with an understated blouse to keep the attention on the statement jacket and shimmering bottom.

Accessorize with knee-high or ankle boots and a gold chain necklace, and you’re ready for a luxe evening party. A rich, burgundy color scheme amps up the glam.

Pro tip: More of a free spirit? Use an earthy palette of sage green and warm brown to transform this outfit into a casual boho style.

7. Stunning sequins

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a sequined mini dress, black heels, a black handbag, and sunglasses.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Sparkles contrast so well with matte leather—they make a daring statement we can’t resist. Combine a sequined mini dress and leather jacket for a captivating outfit you can rock at cocktail parties or take to the dance floor. Toss on stiletto heels and sunglasses, and you’re ready to go (don’t forget the matching leather handbag).

For a quick variation, swap the leather for a bomber jacket. While this maintains the overall feeling, a bomber jacket has a lighter, more comfortable fit. The looser silhouette creates relaxed streetwear vibes.

8. Effortlessly cute

A woman wearing a brown leather jacket over a cream knit sweater dress, matching beanie, suede ankle boots, and a brown shoulder bag.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

There’s nothing like lounging around the house in a cozy sweater dress, and a simple leather jacket transforms it into an outfit that works for shopping and quick coffee runs. Pull on a pair of suede ankle boots and a knit cap to finish the look. We love this in rich, warm colors—try a brown leather jacket and a beige dress.

This combination is excellent for chilly days, but if it’s too cold, layer a pair of warm leggings under the dress or choose a winter sweater dress.

9. Sporty and casual

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a gray T-shirt, black leggings, a black baseball cap, white sneakers, and a red crossbody bag.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Sneakers, leggings, and a baseball cap are a go-to combo for errands and friendly catch-ups, but you can dress it up by adding a structured leather jacket. This is a great way to dress up any laid-back athleisure set, from moisture-wicking crop tops to athletic skorts. Go from the tennis court to a lunch date in no time!

Pro tip: Like the sequined outfit, this is another great opportunity to swap in a bomber jacket.

10. Playfully retro

A woman wearing a black leather jacket over a red wide-leg jumpsuit, flashy light blue heels, a red handbag, and round sunglasses.
Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

A wide-leg jumpsuit with a fitted jacket is our favorite combo for making a statement without sacrificing comfort. The flowing, flared fabric gives undeniable vintage vibes, so lean into this retro aesthetic and choose a jacket with a wide lapel. We also recommend a cropped coat to accentuate the jumpsuit’s defined waist.

If you’re headed to a party, go bold with color, wear some flashy heels, and put on a pair of gold hoop earrings to steal the show.

Find your perfect leather jacket on ThredUp

Shopping on ThredUp is the perfect way to create countless leather jacket outfits, whether you need a few essential pairing pieces or the coat itself. Browse our massive collection by color, size, and material, and find pieces that suit your aesthetic to a tee.

Narrow your search by creating outfits with Style Chat. Describe the perfect look, and we’ll generate it on a model and suggest relevant items. Get started with one of our ideas above—just use a prompt like “Give me a breezy spring dress with a black leather jacket.”

Thrifting a leather jacket is also a sustainable, affordable way to secure this fashion staple. Buying secondhand reduces waste and keeps great clothing in circulation and out of landfills.

FAQs

Does a leather jacket go with anything?

Just about! A leather jacket is a wardrobe essential and pairs well with casual shirts, bold boots, denim jeans, and more. It’s versatile and works well with nearly any item, in casual to semi-formal situations.

What do I layer under a leather jacket?

Depending on the weather and your personal aesthetic, layer a sweater, blouse, turtleneck, or simple white tee under a leather jacket for an instant put-together outfit. This gives you options for all seasons, whether it’s temperate or winter cold.

How can I look stylish in a leather jacket?

There are endless ways to look stylish in a leather jacket! For a quick, cozy ensemble, wear cute ankle boots and a cozy sweater dress, or go wild and edgy with a biker jacket and blue denim jeans. Experiment with different aesthetics, pairing pieces, and jackets (we like red leather!) and discover your next winning ensemble.

What are the best leather jacket outfits for women?

Any of the ideas on this list would look great on women. When picking an outfit to wear, decide what aesthetic you’re going for. Do you want to give the leather coat a feminine twist with a breezy floral dress and heels? Or would you rather lean into the grunge vibes and stop around the city in combat boots? The choice is yours!

How do I clean a leather jacket? 

Once you thrift the perfect leather jacket for your wardrobe, here’s how to clean it so it seems brand new: 

  1. Soak a soft rag with warm water and soap, then wring it out. Wipe the damp cloth across the leather.
  2. Repeat this process with plain water to remove any soap residue.
  3. Pat the jacket off and hang it to dry completely.

To make the leather last even longer, regularly coat it with leather conditioner.

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