Buying a leather jacket is certainly a commitment as they have the potential to outlive you. This is why getting a good leather jacket is often seen as an investment and not one that should be made willy-nilly.

You may feel slightly overwhelmed as you begin your mission to find the perfect leather jacket for you, so we’ve put together a quick guide to help you along the way.

You get what you pay for (usually)

For the most part, with a leather jacket, you get what you pay for. In this way, you may have to pay a little bit more for quality leather, smooth zips, and precise stitching, but it’s going to be worth it in the long run.

We spoke to leather experts, Lakeland Leather, who said: “In the majority of cases, price equals standard when it comes to leather, so that’s worth keeping in mind before you buy a leather jacket. Sometimes you may end up paying for a brand where the name is more expensive than the quality, but this doesn’t happen too often.”

“In short, if you want to buy a garment which will stay with you for a long time, you may want to consider looking at the higher prices. If you’re just looking for a jacket to last you the season, those in the lower price range might be better for you.”

Look for topstitching

Topstitching is highly coveted in the leather jacket world. If you’ve not heard of topstitching before, it’s a decorative stitching detail which is usually found on the edges of seams and pockets, making the jacket more visually appealing.

If the topstitching on your potential jacket made with a thick thread made by German company Güttermann, it’s likely that you’re looking at a high-end jacket. If your jacket has thin or non-existent topstitching, it’s likely that it’s lower end.

Ensure that it suits your image

It’s easy to be a bit gung-ho when buying a new item of clothing, but with something as long-lasting and, let’s face it, pricey as a good leather jacket, it’s important not to rush in.

The best way to go about it is to go for a timeless style so that it will always be fashionable, perhaps a biker or a bomber.

Above all, your jacket should make you feel good about yourself and should be as comfortable as possible, so make sure that you try a few on and don’t just go for the first one that catches your eye.

Make sure you can look after it

Just like any leather product, a leather jacket needs to be adequately cared for in order for it to have a long life in tip-top condition. They’re an investment and should be treated as such, so you need to know the level of maintenance required before you make your purchase.

Because of this, you should always check the manufacturer’s label before you buy your new leather jacket. There are general care best practices which are appropriate for all leather products and you can read about them here.