Leather Motorcycle jacket under 100
Without a doubt, as soon as the air starts to chill and pumpkin spice lattes hit the menu board, fashion fanatics everywhere decree that it’s the season of the leather jacket. We can’t recall a season that hasn’t had leather as a major player — after all, it’s pretty classic — but we can’t resist the siren call of leather either. It’s tough to find a piece that works with just about everything in your wardrobe. Throw a classic biker on over a dress and you’re instantly cooler, add a leather jacket to leggings and your favorite Equipment button up and you’re channeling Lou Doillon on the Rive Gauche. Club Monaco’s most recent release even featured a sumptuous off-white topper that softened the usually badass biker, making it something even the most ladylike girls could wear.
There are a few drawbacks, though, one being that vegetarians and fans of cruelty-free clothing aren’t so keen on leather and secondly, the price for that buttery soft jacket is usually soaring up over $400. We’ve gathered together our favorite animal-friendly options that won’t gouge your savings account, each one ringing in at under $100.
Clean and classic
Inspired by: Hedi Slimane’s Courtney Love-fronted campaign for Saint Laurent Paris
It doesn’t get much more classic than the Ark & Co. Vegan Leather Moto Jacket. If this jacket can convert good girls like Grease‘s Sandy and still appeal to real life bad girls such as Courtney Love, you know you’ve got something that satisfies all around. Ark & Co. takes the classic motorcycle silhouette and does it up in faux leather, giving you a definite Sons of Anarchy vibe without going all-out grunge. It’s got all the details of a real moto, including statement zippers and an exaggerated lapel, but adds super feminine seams on the back and scrunch-ready sleeves to keep you looking ladylike.
True oxblood
Inspired by: lush layers at Theyskens’ Theory
Wearing a leather jacket doesn’t have to look like you’re just parked your Harley outside. Soften up the shape by adding a touch of faux suede and your faux leather will have a decidedly louche feel. The Olive & Oak Vegan Leather Jacket also gets bonus points for being done up in one of the season’s hottest colors. Zip it up for a tailored look or let the panels fall down for a more casual feel that looks plucked right from the Theyskens’ Theory runway.
Mixed media maven
Inspired by: Rag & Bone’s contrast-sleeve statement coats
The boys of Rag & Bone know how to cut a coat. They’re a go-to for downtown gals that want to look like they’ve borrowed from their boyfriends (who happen to have killer wardrobes). Channel that mindset with the Tinley Road Scuba Faux Leather Jacket ($98), which combines two of the season’s trends, scuba-ready neoprene and faux leather. This jacket is slightly boxier than others we’ve found, giving it that boyfriend slouch, but still maintaining a wearable shape for girls. The back also boasts a panel of faux leather going across the shoulders, so you’ll look great coming or going.
Safari chic
Inspired by: African tribal embroidery at Hervé Léger
When you think Hervé Léger, you probably don’t think about outerwear and you certainly don’t think about patterns, but Max and Lubov have been expanding the brand beyond bodycon, and the Sabine Embroidered Vegan Leather Sleeve Jacket ($89) is one way to get the look without having to wiggle into one of the label’s über-sexy cocktail dresses. The body of the coat is embroidered with a tribal pattern that’s both bohemian and refined thanks to the black-on-white color scheme. It’s also got a lot more impact than your usual leather jacket. They say to invest in classics, but at this price, you can afford to be ahead of the trends and lead the way.
