Leather Jacket Guides

Buying a leather jacket online gives you far more styles, hides and sizes than any single shop can stock. The catch is that you can't try it on or feel the leather first. This guide shows how to close that gap: how to size yourself, what to read on a product page, when made to measure is worth it and how returns work.

Step 1: Get your size right

Sizing is where most online leather purchases go wrong. Leather jacket sizes are not standardized, and a medium from one maker can fit like a large from another. Your usual T-shirt size is a starting point at best.

Take four body measurements with a soft tape: your chest at its fullest point, your shoulders from edge to edge across the back, your sleeve from the shoulder edge to the wrist bone, and the jacket length you want down the back. Our guide on how to measure for a leather jacket walks through each one.

Measure a jacket you already own

If you have a jacket that fits well, lay it flat and measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, the shoulder width, the sleeve from shoulder seam to cuff and the back length. These garment numbers are a useful cross-check, because they already include the amount of ease you like.

Check whether a size chart lists body or garment measurements. A 40-inch chest on a body chart means the jacket is made for a 40-inch chest. On a garment chart it means the jacket itself measures 40 inches, which would be tight on that same person. Our size guide explains how to measure and which size to pick.

If you are between sizes

Leather relaxes a little with wear but never gains a full size, as our guide to whether leather jackets stretch explains. Let your shoulders decide, since they are the hardest part of a leather jacket to alter. If the shoulders fit in the larger size and you like to layer, size up.

Step 2: Read the product details carefully

A good product page tells you almost everything a shop visit would. Read past the photos and look for these details:

• The hide. Look for the named leather, such as lambskin, cowhide or horsehide, and the words genuine leather. Labels like "PU" or "leather look" usually mean a synthetic material.
• The finish. Distressed, waxed, pebbled, nubuck and smooth leathers each look and age differently. Distressed and waxed finishes hide small scuffs, while smooth leather looks sharper.
• The lining. Quilted, sheepskin-lined, zip-out or unlined tells you how warm the jacket is and how it will layer.
• Weight words. Lightweight, soft-touch or heavyweight hint at thickness and break-in time.
• Hardware and details. Zip type, pockets, collar style and cuff closures all change how a jacket wears day to day.
• Color notes. Screens show color differently, and every hide takes dye a little differently. Expect slight variation from the photos, especially with distressed leather.

We write our product titles to carry most of this at a glance: the color, the hide, the finish and key features like a zip-out liner or a shearling collar. Three examples:

Men's Heavyweight Cowhide Racer Jacket with Zip-Out Liner Men's Distressed Brown Unlined Cowhide Trucker Jacket Women's Black Lambskin Leather Jacket with Shearling Collar

If you want to compare hides before choosing, our leather types page explains how each one looks, feels and ages.

Step 3: Make sure it is genuine leather

Online, it is easy to dress up a synthetic jacket in leather language. Look for a named hide, close-up photos of the grain and edges, and a price that makes sense for real leather. A listing that only says "leather" with no detail deserves a question before you buy.

Our guides to real vs fake leather and spotting a quality leather jacket list the signs to look for, from grain and edges to stitching and zips.

Step 4: Standard size or made to measure?

Standard sizes suit most people whose measurements land cleanly on the chart. Made to measure is worth it if you are tall, have long arms, carry broad shoulders with a slim waist, or usually have your jackets altered.

The process is simple. Choose "Customise Size (made to measure)" on the product page and place your order, then email info@whiteburaq.com with your order number and your chest, shoulders, sleeve length, waist, hips and jacket length. Made-to-measure jackets ship within 3 to 7 business days, then express delivery takes 3 to 5 business days in the US and 5 to 8 elsewhere. Full details are on our made-to-measure page.

If you want a design that doesn't exist yet, such as a different collar, another color or your own details, a fully custom jacket is quoted from $199 to $499 depending on the design and leather. You can start one on our custom leather jacket page.

Step 5: Understand returns before you order

Read the return policy before you check out, not after the parcel arrives. Know what condition items must be in, whether tags need to stay attached and who pays for return shipping.

At White Buraq, standard-size items follow our return policy. Made-to-measure and custom pieces are cut and sewn for one person, so they can't be returned. That is why it pays to measure carefully and email us with any questions before ordering rather than after.

When your jacket arrives, try it on indoors over the kind of layer you usually wear, and keep the tags and packaging until you are sure. Our guide to what happens after you order explains each stage from checkout to delivery.

A checklist for buying a leather jacket online

1. Measure your chest, shoulders, sleeves and preferred length.
2. Compare with the size chart, noting whether it lists body or garment measurements.
3. Confirm the hide and that the jacket is genuine leather.
4. Check the finish, lining and weight against your climate.
5. Allow for small color differences between screens and hides.
6. Choose made to measure if you fall outside standard sizes.
7. Read the return policy, especially for custom or made-to-measure items.
8. Try the jacket on carefully at home and keep the tags on until you decide.

FAQ

Is it safe to buy a leather jacket online?

Yes, if the store names the leather, shows clear photos, publishes a size chart and a return policy, and answers questions before you order. Be wary of listings with vague materials and no way to get in touch.

How do I know my leather jacket size online?

Measure your chest, shoulders and sleeve length and compare them with the seller's size chart. Measuring a jacket that already fits you well is a useful cross-check.

Can I return a made-to-measure leather jacket?

No. Made-to-measure and custom jackets are cut to one person's measurements, so they can't be returned. Standard-size jackets follow the store's return policy.

Why does my jacket look slightly different from the photos?

Screens display color differently, and natural hides take dye a little unevenly from one skin to the next. Small variations are normal with genuine leather, especially with distressed finishes.

Buying a leather jacket online comes down to careful measuring, reading the details and knowing the return terms before you order. With your numbers ready, browse our men's leather jackets or women's leather jackets to find your style.