What to Wear in Seattle in Fall: Leather Jacket Outfits for Drizzle

Fall in Seattle is cool, gray and damp rather than truly cold, and the drizzle can linger for days at a time. Working out what to wear in Seattle in fall is really about smart layers and an outer piece that shrugs off light rain, and a well-chosen leather jacket fits that brief better than many visitors expect.

What is the weather like in Seattle in fall?

September often still feels like late summer, but things change quickly in October. On long-term climate averages, October brings highs around 61°F and lows near 48°F, while November cools to about 52°F by day and 42°F at night. The cloudier part of the year begins in early October, and November is typically the rainiest month.

What surprises many visitors is the type of rain. Fall in Seattle is less about dramatic downpours and more about frequent light rain, mist and drizzle under gray skies, which adds up to a persistent damp chill. Days get noticeably shorter, and breezes near the water make it feel cooler than the forecast.

What do Seattle locals wear in the fall?

Seattle style leans casual and practical. In neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard and Fremont, you will see plenty of dark jeans, knit sweaters, flannel shirts and sturdy boots, layered so they can come off in a warm cafe or bar. Dressing up is the exception rather than the rule.

It is a common observation that many locals skip umbrellas and rely on hoods and water-resistant outer layers instead. Plenty of people still carry one, but if you want to blend in, a jacket with a hood often does the job for a short walk in drizzle.

Can you wear a leather jacket in Seattle rain?

Yes, for the kind of rain Seattle gets most often. Genuine leather handles light rain and drizzle well for typical city walking, especially if you treat it with a leather protector before your trip. The key is how you look after it:

• Wipe off water with a soft, dry cloth as soon as you are inside.
• Hang it on a wide hanger and let it air-dry at room temperature, away from radiators and heaters.
• Do not let it get soaked through; switch to a shell or umbrella in a real downpour.
• Apply a leather conditioner if it feels dry or stiff after a wet week.

Our guides to wearing a leather jacket in the rain and how to waterproof a leather jacket go into more detail on protecting it before and drying it after.

Which leather jackets work best for Seattle in fall?

Three styles make the most sense for drizzly city days:

• A hooded leather jacket. A hood covers your head in drizzle without juggling an umbrella, and a detachable hood can come off for dry evenings. Read our hooded leather jacket guide for more on styling one.
• A longer moto or leather coat. On wetter days, extra length keeps more of you covered, including the tops of your thighs when you are walking into the wind.
• A leather trench coat. It works over knits and shirts, looks polished at dinner and handles the damp, breezy waterfront well.

Darker leathers such as black, navy and deep brown tend to hide water marks better than pale shades, which helps on a trip with unpredictable skies.

Men's Navy Leather Jacket with Detachable HoodWomen's Black Lambskin Long Moto JacketMen's Black Lightweight Cowhide Leather Trench Coat

Above: a navy leather jacket with a detachable hood, a women's black lambskin long moto and a men's lightweight cowhide trench coat, three ways to stay covered on a damp day.

What to wear in Seattle in fall: outfits for men and women

Men's outfits

• City walking: a merino crew-neck or flannel shirt, dark jeans, a hooded leather jacket and waterproof leather boots.
• Dinner out: a leather trench coat over a fine knit or an oxford shirt with chinos and lace-up boots.
• Casual evening: a T-shirt and overshirt under a black leather jacket, with a beanie for the walk home.

Women's outfits

• City walking: a turtleneck, straight-leg jeans and a long moto jacket with lug-sole ankle boots.
• Dinner out: a midi skirt or dress with tall boots and a leather jacket, plus a wool scarf.
• Weekend brunch: a chunky cardigan under a longer leather coat, with dark jeans and waterproof boots.

For layers underneath, merino wool is a smart pick because it tends to stay warmer than cotton when the air is damp. You can browse our full range of men's leather jackets and women's leather jackets for more outer layers.

What to wear on a ferry ride or by the waterfront

Wind off the water can make a 50°F day feel considerably colder, especially out on the open deck of a ferry. Zip your jacket fully, put the hood up or add a beanie, and wrap a scarf high around your neck. A trench coat with the collar turned up is ideal here. Leave thin cotton layers at the hotel, because they lose warmth quickly once the mist settles on them.

What shoes should you wear in Seattle in fall?

Waterproof boots are the most useful thing you can pack. Choose a pair with lug or rubber soles, because wet leaves and steep, slick sidewalks are part of the city's charm in autumn. Leather boots treated with a water-repellent spray work well for most days. Save canvas sneakers for a dry afternoon, since they soak through fast.

Seattle fall packing list

• One leather jacket with a hood, or a long moto or trench coat
• A packable rain shell for heavier rain or hiking
• Two or three merino or wool knits and a flannel shirt
• Dark jeans and one pair of smarter trousers or a skirt
• Waterproof boots plus one pair of sneakers for dry days
• A scarf and beanie for evenings and ferry decks
• A small microfiber cloth to wipe your leather dry

If your trip continues east, our guide to what to wear in NYC in November uses many of the same pieces.

FAQ

Is a leather jacket warm enough for Seattle in November?

For most days, yes, as long as you layer a sweater or flannel underneath. November highs average around 52°F, which suits a leather jacket over a knit well.

Do people in Seattle use umbrellas?

Some do, but many locals prefer hoods and water-resistant jackets for everyday drizzle. If you like an umbrella, a compact one is easy to carry for heavier showers.

What color leather jacket is best for Seattle?

Black, navy and dark brown are the easiest choices. They suit the city's casual style and tend to show water marks less than light colors.

Do I need a raincoat in Seattle in the fall?

If you plan to spend long stretches outdoors, a packable shell is worth bringing for heavier rain. For city walking in light drizzle, a hooded leather jacket or a leather coat is usually enough.

Once you know what to wear in Seattle in fall, packing gets simple: warm knits, waterproof boots and one leather layer that handles drizzle and wind. For wetter days, explore our leather coats and trench coats.