Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Leather jackets that look best in black?

derryman

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Ireland
Hi, first time poster. Searched on this topic but didn’t find anything so apologies if it has been discussed before.

I was wondering if you all had opinions on leather jackets that look better in black vs brown?

My reason for asking is I’m ruminating on getting a black leather jacket from Aero when the corona problems are all over. I’ve a dark seal Vicenza board racer that I love but I’m slightly wishing I’d got it in black as it would suit black and most of their range looks better in brown to me. It would be much easier picking a brown jacket if I owned a black one. In addition to wanting a black jacket I want to support (relatively) local businesses so my next jacket will be an aero.

The various “perfecto” type jackets are an obvious choice but I could never live with the belt. A black board racer or cafe racer is a definite option but I’d prefer something more different to my BR. If there’s something obvious I’m missing I’d love to hear about it.
 
Messages
11,167
Location
SoCal
I think the Premier Highwayman is pretty great in black!
Also the Wayfarer. The details make it a very “rock-n-roll” jacket IMO.
 

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,602
Location
California
i can’t think of any leather jacket that doesn’t look good in black, not a single one!
Therefore I would focus more on what style you are after and what kind of leather you would like.
You mentioned perfecto style jackets so I would recommend you have a look at the Aero Bootlegger. This model gives you some of the attitude and style of a cross zip but without the belts, buttons, and other things that scream “biker jacket”.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I never thought to wear a brown jacket until 10 years ago after many years of collecting exclusively black jackets. I always thought brown was a dowdy color for jackets or shoes. I do own a brown half-belt and brown Indy jacket. If it has to be brown I prefer a very dark variety.
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,846
The various “perfecto” type jackets are an obvious choice but I could never live with the belt. A black board racer or cafe racer is a definite option but I’d prefer something more different to my BR. If there’s something obvious I’m missing I’d love to hear about it.

Aero can delete the belt on any on their cross zipper models if needed, plus there are a few other models that retain the basic Perfecto style, without being so moto.

@ton312's Bootleggers, especially the 2.0 version with the sleeve zippers, was a perfect mix of a classic half belt and a motorcycle jacket, without screaming Imma biker.

It would look just as great in black.

bl-jpg.117152
 

derryman

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Ireland
Thanks everyone. I used to rarely wear black clothing but for whatever reason I’ve found myself wearing it more and finding my brown BR just doesn’t look the best in combination. I’ve a black waxed Barbour but I’d rather have a good leather jacket. A bootlegger in black is a very appealing option. I’ll probably spend the next hour or two surfing pictures of them!
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
I think it's more about what colour you prefer to wear rather than what looks better in one colour or the other.
I have black and brown jackets, but i would rather wear black than brown and end up wearing black 95% of the time.
Every time i bought a brown jacket thinking "this one will make me wear more brown" i ended up not really wearing it only because i rarely feel like wearing brown...

I even have the same jacket in both black and brown and although i don't think one looks better than the other, i wear the black one much more:

eH9xppV.jpg

sVKPskS.jpg
 

derryman

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Ireland
Those are good looking jackets.

Getting the exact same jacket in black has crossed my mind. If doing so I would enjoy considering options like the leather type, lining, and whether to size up a bit for winter layering. My BR is comfortable but too tight for much layering.
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
Those are good looking jackets.

Getting the exact same jacket in black has crossed my mind. If doing so I would enjoy considering options like the leather type, lining, and whether to size up a bit for winter layering. My BR is comfortable but too tight for much layering.

The two i posted above have different linings, brown is thin cotton tartan, black is thickest wool lining.
Maybe get a black regular CR, that have a bit more room than the BR.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,731
Location
Iowa
Aero can delete the belt on any on their cross zipper models if needed, plus there are a few other models that retain the basic Perfecto style, without being so moto.

@ton312's Bootleggers, especially the 2.0 version with the sleeve zippers, was a perfect mix of a classic half belt and a motorcycle jacket, without screaming Imma biker.

It would look just as great in black.

bl-jpg.117152

Ha! Good memories here, I owned this for a few months and sold it along. (Fedora-
Lounge Effect here)

As to the OP's question - welcome to you sir first off. As has been well stated Aero can do any of thier M/C styles withough the belt and other details to "simplify" the design. If based in the US or Canada, I would encourage you to ask Carrie at Thurston brothers for some ideas, she does very well with fit and matching a jacket to a particular person's style and desires.

As far as a timeless, easy to wear Black jacket, I would encourage you to look at a Zip-sleeve Highwayman, or a Sheene. Both work great in black - then you have to decide, nickel or brass for harware? Fun! :)
 

derryman

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Ireland
Why not get burgundy? It will work everything that works with black and even more :)

Otherwise, as @dudewuttheheck , a black understated CR will look good in any combination

Burgundy’s an interesting option. I’ve burgundy shoes and boots that I bought because I like the colour. Working with brown and black didn’t factor in my buying decision but has turned out to be useful. I’d have to see a burgundy jacket in the flesh before buying one so I doubt I will to be honest. I’m not after a single jacket that can fill all roles, more so one to complement the times my brown BR wouldn’t be the best choice.

FWIW I tried an Aero Cafe Racer and it didn’t work the best with my build. I’m wide shouldered and narrow in the waist so in theory it should have. But I’m very barrelled chested so the less tapered shape of the board racer worked better. I agree a BR in black is a definite option.
 

derryman

New in Town
Messages
7
Location
Ireland
Ha! Good memories here, I owned this for a few months and sold it along. (Fedora-
Lounge Effect here)

As to the OP's question - welcome to you sir first off. As has been well stated Aero can do any of thier M/C styles withough the belt and other details to "simplify" the design. If based in the US or Canada, I would encourage you to ask Carrie at Thurston brothers for some ideas, she does very well with fit and matching a jacket to a particular person's style and desires.

As far as a timeless, easy to wear Black jacket, I would encourage you to look at a Zip-sleeve Highwayman, or a Sheene. Both work great in black - then you have to decide, nickel or brass for harware? Fun! :)

Thank you very much for the welcome and to everyone else who has been so kind to a first time poster. I can’t put my finger on why but the highwayman doesn’t appeal to me as much as some of the other jackets. I think it’s the boxy cut.

I’m reading up on the sheen now. That’s a fine looking jacket. That in a board racer instead of a cafe racer cut could be the one.

I’m in Ireland so I’ll order from Aero directly rather than through Thurston.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,282
Messages
3,077,868
Members
54,238
Latest member
LeonardasDream
Top