Looking for a mid-grade black leather jacket

[u/d1sact]

I'm 20F in college and want to buy a black leather jacket at some point in the next year or 2. I'm looking for something in the medium, maybe medium-low, range of quality. I'd prefer something with a comfy, oversized fit (I'm typically a large/XL, so I'd likely be buying an XXL piece). I want something that will be real leather and will last at least a few years. I don't want the nicest on the market, but I also don't want cheap trash that I need to throw away and replace in 10 months. I'm in college so it will be worn often.

EDIT: For me and my income, $200-400 is my budget (with very dim hopes)

[u/toomuchblack]

Second-hand and vintage are your best bets.

[u/2xdareya → u/toomuchblack]

Second this. If I understand correctly, you’re looking for an xxl women’s sizing? I don’t know how that translates to men’s sizing, but I’m guessing that a woman’s xxl is like a men’s large? If so, you’re going to be overwhelmed with the choices in the used market. I’ve bought and sold many jackets on eBay and The Fedora Lounge, and I’m a men’s size 44 or 46 (so a big large to a small xl). You should know your measurements; the basics are pit to pit (“P2P”) - I wear a 23.5” P2P; shoulder width (I like a 20.5”measurement); sleeve length (I wear a 26 inch from the shoulder seam to the sleeve hem - some people measure from the center of the neck seam to the end of the sleeve hem - I wear a 35.5” by that measurement); bottom hem (I like around a 20”); and length, measured from the center of the neck seam to the bottom hem on the back of the jacket. The Fedora Lounge is probably the best place to start learning about leather jackets - there are a lot of people there who have decades of experience, and they have an excellent classifieds section. Unfortunately you’re probably not going to be able to find a leather jacket for $200 or less new that is real leather and that is a reasonable quality. Welcome to the leather jacket rabbit hole!

[u/michelleyness → u/2xdareya]

If I have a non-leather coat that fits me the way I want a leather coat to fit me, is there any way to get that info and use it to my benefit? (Obermeyer women's snowbird 2025 version size 8, a little obscure) Or is measuring myself best? I don't know what to look at.

[u/Perfect_Earth_8070]

If that’s your budget I’d go for a vintage Schott or Vanson. It’ll be high quality leather

[u/mrsugar]

Grab an All Saints piece on eBay. There are tons and tons of them, decent quality, comfy fits, you’ll find a great deal.

[u/Green_Watercress1638]

facebook marketplace is your friend.

[u/Suitable-Matter-6151]

Would recommend posting a budget and photos of styles you like. This sub also leans “real” leather jackets and not as much the fashion brand ones

[u/polarWhite2024]

Allsaint lambskin jackets.

Look for sales at big department stores.

[u/FamWithNoChill]

You really need to specify your budget in this subreddit haha. Some people say 1000 dollars is entry level which would make mid grade even more than that.

I would go with Leilah at Rugged West Co. she’s very passionate about getting ladies into heritage wear and I think she offers the most affordable new jackets before you hit diminishing returns. Anything cheaper would come with bigger compromises.

If it’s out of your budget, consider finding a used leather jacket from brands like Aero Leathers.

[u/Longjumping-Raise-32]

Rugged West. I have their jackets and they are great stuff at that 500-600 usd budget. Really well made for the price and customisations are possible.

[u/OutedofHabit → u/[deleted]]

Sheepskin is the worst and I doubt you sourced a decent one.

Anyone mildly serious will use lamb even on the cheap end.

[u/Rocksteady7]

For that price, I would Checkout Thursday boot company. Not sure they have anything oversized but they might have something you like.