All-Purpose Accessory: How a Cropped Leather Jacket Can Elevate Any Look

Finding the perfect all-season jacket can seem like a daunting challenge. The right pick has to be warm but not too warm, versatile enough to go from casual to formal and anywhere in between, and stylish all on its own. A cropped leather jacket is the answer. This style staple goes by many names — the motorcycle jacket, the biker jacket, even leather bomber jacket qualifies — and it is one of the most practical and versatile style essentials.

Why Own a Cropped Leather Jacket?

Think of the short leather jacket like a Swiss army knife, bursting with style tools to meet any challenge. Leather and quality vegan leather always deliver a luxe finish and important visual heft, so this jacket will never look like an afterthought.

A leather jacket also brings along tons of style connotations to play with. It's naturally edgy, providing a thematic contrast to all kinds of feminine or traditional-leaning looks. It's also simple, with clean lines that flatter any outfit's silhouette.

A short leather jacket is substantial enough to add volume to a form-fitting outfit and solid enough to contrast a flowing outfit. The bottom of a cropped jacket usually sits at the natural waist and is an easy way to emphasize this feature.

All of these elements combine to make a piece even more versatile than a pair of jeans, because it looks amazing with formal wear, too. Whether pairing it with lace, chiffon, satin or more leather, there are very few bad choices for how to wear a cropped jacket.

What Are 6 Ways To Style a Cropped Leather Jacket?

Now that you know why this jacket is an all-powerful fashion solution, here are six ways to style your short leather jacket for any occasion. 

1. Tight Black Pants

Pair a short leather jacket with tight black pants for a casual outfit that will never go out of style. Celebrities love this simple and chic daywear combo that we can only describe as "Bad Sandy from Grease." Taylor Swift put aside her usual pea coats and scarves to wear an all-black leather jacket and tight black pants in New York City, cementing her as the true Bad Sandy of our times. 

To make this understated look more interesting, add a pop of hot pink. Beyoncé put her spin on the Bad Sandy at a Knicks game by adding Barbie-pink platform sandals and a matching bag. 

2. Graphic Tee and Statement Boots

Cropped leather jackets naturally exude hard-rock style. Turn up the volume past the all-black minimalist combo by pairing your jacket with a vintage band tee. Add an amazing pair of statement boots with leather studs, fringe or a thigh-high silhouette to stand out from the crowd. 

3. Flowy Skirt or Dress

The short line and boxy silhouette of a cropped jacket contrast beautifully with all manner of flowy, feminine dresses and skirts. Leather jackets bring printed sundresses from simply cute to fashionable. For a more severe look, pair the jacket with a black tulle maxi skirt and a turtleneck. 

Stick to midi and maxi lengths, as a short skirt and a cropped jacket both have truncated lines that can often (but not always!) land a bit choppy together.  If you're looking for the perfect leather jacket to wear with your miniskirt collection, follow the band Cake's advice: short skirt, long jacket. 

4. Bold Shirt and Jeans

Leather jackets go with everything and jeans go with everything, so together, they make for a reliable combination. To make this choice more exciting, add a shirt that makes a statement.

For daywear, add visual rhythm and a French sensibility with a boat neck Breton stripe shirt. An even bolder option is an asymmetrical neckline shirt that contrasts with both the leather jacket and the jeans. Expertly navigate any confusing formal-casual dress code by blending an interesting dressy shirt, jeans, a cropped leather jacket and your favorite pair of formal shoes.

5. Chic Jumpsuit and Low Heels

Modifying formal outfits for cool weather is a perpetual fashion headache. In winter, you can always wear a long coat or a decadent faux fur, but in fall, it can be tricky to find the perfect light jacket that's dressy enough for an event.

The trusty short leather jacket comes to the rescue again. The key to this jacket's versatility is that it's bold and luxurious enough to stand up to a formal look without being overly traditional or fussy. A short leather jacket gives an elegant ensemble an edge while keeping you warm and dry. 

A flowy jumpsuit with wide-legged pants is a great silhouette contrast to a cropped jacket. Tight-legged jumpsuits work as well, as the leather jacket adds a bit of necessary volume on top. Whichever jumpsuit style you choose, a low heel can tie the look together without defeating the best feature of a jumpsuit — formal wear made ultra-comfy.

6. Black Cocktail Dress

The plain black cocktail dress is a timeless and always-appropriate choice for evening wear, which is a nice way of saying it can become very boring very quickly. Since short leather jackets are such all-star accessories, they can instantly elevate even the plainest black dress.

For a black dress and leather jacket combination that will turn heads, look to the one style icon who could never be called boring: Cher. Her one-shoulder black dress and immaculately studded leather jacket could grace any magazine cover today. The fishnets are also an inspired touch. Luckily, unlike the cropped jacket or little black dress, the industrial-strength mullet Cher's date was rocking did not become a timeless fashion trend. 

Where Can You Find the Perfect Cropped Leather Jacket and More Exciting Fashion Picks?

Fashionable celebs have never stopped loving the cropped leather jacket. This piece offers so many possible style combinations that it will never feel played out. At Kate Hewko, we love to use the short leather jacket as a style anchor for unique, bold and boundary-pushing pieces. Browse our outerwear collection to find your new favorite all-purpose jacket. 

Sources:

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/photos/2016/11/stars-leather-jackets

https://fmag.com/cropped-leather-jacket-chic-ways-wear/

https://people.com/fashion/selena-gomez-cropped-leather-jacket/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a41092189/kourtney-kardashian-cropped-leather-jacket-trousers/

https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-casual-style

https://assets.vogue.in/photos/5ce41a973bf9b4e7aeb1b1b5/master/w_1600,c_limit/Cher-vogueint-19sep18-Getty.jpg