Men’s Black Leather Harrington Jacket

Men’s Black Leather Jacket with a Shirt Collar

Most black leather jackets shout. This one does not. A pointed shirt collar, a straight zip up the middle, two pockets at the hip and nothing else. It is the jacket you reach for when you want leather without looking like you are dressed for something.

Harrington, blouson or just a black leather jacket?

This shape gets called a leather harrington jacket, a leather blouson, or simply a plain black leather jacket. A mens leather harrington usually means exactly this: collared, zipped up the front, finishing at the hip. Blouson is the older tailoring word for the same thing. What it is not is a biker jacket. There is no off centre zip, no belt, no studs and no wide lapels, so if you came looking for a motorcycle jacket you want a different shape.

What it is made of

One hundred per cent leather, with a smooth finish rather than a heavy grain. It is lined throughout, so it slides on over a jumper instead of dragging on your sleeves. There is an outer pocket on each side. The fit is regular, which here means it sits close without pulling across the back when you reach forward.

Why plain works harder

A black leather jacket with no hardware goes further than a decorated one. Over a shirt it reads smart enough for dinner. Over a t shirt and jeans it reads as nothing at all, which is the point. Hardware dates. A clean zip and a collar do not.

Sizing

Leather has no give across the shoulders, so that measurement matters more than the chest. Measure round the fullest part of your chest over whatever you actually plan to wear underneath, usually a jumper in winter and a t shirt the rest of the year. Then use the table on this page rather than your usual high street size. Sizes run XS to 3XL.

When you will wear it

September through to April in this country, and most of the summer evenings too. It is not a winter coat and it will not stop heavy rain. What it handles is the long stretch of British weather that is simply cool and grey.

Looking after it

Wipe it with a damp cloth when it needs it. Condition the leather once or twice a year so it does not dry out. Keep it off radiators. Hang it on a broad hanger rather than a wire one, because a thin hanger will push points into the shoulders over time.

More in our black leather jackets, and the full men’s leather jackets range if you want a different collar.