Leather Jacket Holiday Party Outfits for Men and Women

Holiday invitations start stacking up after Thanksgiving, and one good leather jacket can carry you from the office party to New Year's Eve if you style it for each room. These leather jacket holiday party outfits for men and women cover what to wear with it, how much shine to add and when to leave the jacket on.

How do you decode a holiday party dress code?

Start with the invitation. A leather jacket fits comfortably anywhere from casual to cocktail, and each step up asks for a little more polish.

• Casual or "come as you are": any leather jacket with jeans, a knit and clean boots or sneakers.
• Festive or holiday attire: add one festive element, such as a rich color, a velvet texture or a touch of shine.
• Cocktail: a leather blazer or a sleek, fitted jacket over tailored trousers, a dress or a skirt, with dress shoes or heels.
• Black tie: wear formalwear and leave the leather jacket for the after-party.

What should you wear to an office holiday party?

Dress like your best workday plus one festive detail. You will see these people on Monday, so keep the shine low and the hemlines practical.

Men: the Men's Black Leather Two-Button Blazer over a fine merino or cashmere crewneck in charcoal or deep green, gray wool trousers and black loafers or derbies. A crisp white shirt works too if your office leans formal. A leather blazer reads like a sport coat, so it slots straight into this look; browse our men's leather blazers to find your cut. For more tailored pairings, see how to wear a leather jacket with a suit.

Women: a black or burgundy leather jacket over a silk blouse with tailored trousers or a satin midi skirt, finished with block heels or pointed flats. Keep jewelry to one statement piece, like drop earrings or a bold cuff.

What should you wear to a cocktail or dinner party?

This is where leather looks its most polished. Choose one texture to play against the leather and keep the color palette tight.

Men: a leather blazer, a black or charcoal roll-neck, slim black trousers and polished Chelsea boots. For a warmer note, swap the roll-neck for a burgundy knit or wear velvet loafers.

Women: the Women's Burgundy Crinkled Lambskin Leather Jacket over a black satin slip dress, sheer black tights and heeled ankle boots. The crinkled texture already adds interest, so keep the dress simple. If you prefer trousers, try black wide-leg trousers with a silk camisole. Our burgundy leather jacket outfit guide has more color pairings.

What should you wear to a family holiday gathering?

Comfort matters most here. You will sit through a long meal, help in the kitchen and probably end up on the floor with the kids, so skip anything precious.

• Men: a brown or black leather jacket, a soft cashmere or merino sweater, dark jeans or chinos and suede boots or clean leather sneakers.
• Women: a leather jacket over a knit sweater dress with knee boots, or over a turtleneck with straight jeans and loafers.

Take the jacket off before dinner and hang it on a hook or hanger, not over a chair next to the fireplace.

Men's Black Leather Two-Button BlazerWomen's Burgundy Crinkled Lambskin Leather JacketWomen's Gold Metallic Lambskin Biker Jacket with Belt

The Men's Black Leather Two-Button Blazer handles the office and cocktail crowd, the Women's Burgundy Crinkled Lambskin Leather Jacket brings color to dinner parties, and the Women's Gold Metallic Lambskin Biker Jacket with Belt is made for New Year's Eve.

What are the best leather jacket holiday party outfits for New Year's Eve?

New Year's Eve is the night to turn up the shine, with one rule: let a single piece be the star.

• Metallic jacket as the star: wear the Women's Gold Metallic Lambskin Biker Jacket with Belt over an all-black base, such as a fitted black dress or black trousers with a black top, plus black heels. Cinch the belt to keep the shape sharp.
• Sequins as the star: put a black leather jacket over a sequin dress or top and keep your shoes and bag matte.
• Men: a black leather jacket or blazer, a black shirt buttoned up or open at the neck, black trousers and Chelsea boots. A silk pocket square in deep red or gold adds the single festive note.

Plan for the countdown outside, too. Leather cuts the wind well, and a cashmere scarf adds warmth without bulk. See our metallic leather jacket outfit ideas for more ways to wear gold.

What works for an ugly-sweater or casual party?

Wear a black or brown leather jacket open over the sweater so the design stays visible, with jeans and boots or sneakers. Choose a sweater that fits close to the body, since a bulky novelty knit can strain the jacket's shoulders and seams. If the room warms up, take the jacket off rather than zipping it over a heavy knit.

What should you skip?

• Head-to-toe leather at an office party. One leather piece is enough.
• Competing shine: a metallic jacket with a sequin dress and glitter heels turns into a costume.
• Heavily distressed or oversized jackets at cocktail events, where a clean fit looks sharper.
• Perfume or cologne sprayed onto the leather. Apply it before you dress and let it dry, since alcohol-based scents can mark the finish.
• Pins and brooches pushed through the leather, which leave permanent holes.

Should you keep your leather jacket on or check it?

Keep it on when it is part of the outfit, such as a blazer or a jacket over a slip dress, and the room is comfortable. Take it off when the party gets crowded and warm. Sweat is hard on leather and on the lining.

A coat check with proper hangers is fine. Avoid the pile of coats on a bed, where your jacket can get crushed or end up under wet boots and bags. Empty heavy items from the pockets first so they don't stretch the leather.

How should you care for your leather jacket after the party?

1. Hang it on a wide, shaped hanger as soon as you get home so it can air out overnight.
2. Keep it away from heat. Never dry it with a hair dryer or over a radiator, even if it got rained or snowed on. Pat it dry and let it rest at room temperature.
3. Blot spills right away with a soft, dry cloth instead of rubbing, which pushes the liquid deeper.
4. If it smells of smoke or food, leave it in a well-ventilated room for a day or two before it goes back in the closet.

FAQ

Is a leather jacket appropriate for a holiday party?

Yes, for casual, festive and cocktail dress codes. Choose a clean, well-fitting jacket and pair it with one dressy fabric. For black-tie events, stick to formalwear.

What color leather jacket is best for holiday parties?

Black is the most versatile and works at every party. Burgundy feels festive without trying too hard, and metallic gold is best saved for New Year's Eve and cocktail nights.

Can men wear a leather blazer to an office holiday party?

Yes. Treat it like a sport coat: wear it over a fine knit or a dress shirt with wool trousers and leather shoes, and keep the rest of the outfit understated.

What shoes go with a leather jacket for a holiday party?

Men can wear loafers, derbies or Chelsea boots. Women can choose heeled ankle boots, pointed pumps, block heels or knee boots. Polished leather or suede looks more festive than sneakers, which suit only casual parties.

With one festive fabric, a controlled amount of shine and a jacket that fits well, leather jacket holiday party outfits come together quickly for every invitation this season. Find your piece in our women's leather jackets or men's leather jackets.