Leather jackets are your versatile fashion best friend. They can be casual or dressed up. They can be sleek or bulky. They have different cuts, colors, and feels.

Today, we’re going to dive into asymmetric leather jackets. Have you heard of them? Have you seen them? Are you curious about how to wear them? Look no further, dear readers! We will touch upon everything you need to know here. By the end, you’ll be able to style an asymmetric jacket with your outfit on the go.

Asymmetrical jackets get their name because of their style and look. Something that is asymmetrical has, “parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement.” In short, it lacks symmetry. When it comes to a leather jacket, the asymmetry has to do with the front lapel. It is a lapel that is featured on biker jackets, mostly leather. They work as a style and give a different look to jackets with symmetry.

Jackets generally open straight down the middle in the front and are clasped together with buttons, zippers, and/or ties. When a jacket is asymmetrical, its two parts do not meet in the middle. Rather, one side needs to cross over the other in order to find its closure.

When it comes to leather jackets, the classic biker jacket is the most well-known asymmetrical piece. It was built this way to accomplish a biker jacket’s main goal: protection. By being asymmetrical, the jacket offered another layer of protection for the rider. The thickness of the leather double gave a better shield against the elements and anything else.

Today, leather jackets have evolved into fashion pieces as well as practical pieces. They are no longer solely used for warmth or as a nature barrier. Having less layers or symmetry is not problematic. Many leather jacket styles are symmetrical as a result and come together at the front. Classic never retires, however. The asymmetrical classic looks still exist, as do more sophisticated asymmetrical designs.

When wearing an asymmetric jacket, there are a few key things you need to consider.

The first is that you can wear the jacket open or closed. If it is open, you’ll be able to see the fullness of your outfit. If you wear it closed, you can generally still see the top portion of your shirts. The lapel on an asymmetric jacket forms a V that gives a top window to your outfit.

Keeping this in mind, here is a list of three looks for asymmetric jackets:

1. Open jacket T-shirt look - casual: This look is a classic look with any leather jacket. An asymmetric one is no exception. Your T-shirt can be in any color. Jeans complete the look. We love dark jeans here, but lighter colors can work as well. For shoes, you can opt for boots, sneakers, or even a casual sandal if the weather is warm enough. If you want to dress up the look, opt for heels or heeled boots.
2. Closed jacket with a high-cut shirt or sweater: As we mentioned before, the lapel on an asymmetric jacket forms a V that gives a window to the shirt underneath. Make that work for you! You can wear a regular T-shirt or turtleneck. With this kind of a look, wearing a low V-neck shirt could work, but not as well. The shirt would not show as well with the jacket zipped; you would have a different look entirely. Instead, choose something that shows when your jacket is zipped, adding an extra layer to your outfit. You can complete this look with jeans. For shoes, boots, sneakers, heels, or sandals work well.
3. Open jacket blouse, shirt, or dress - more formal look:While the leather jacket over the T-shirt look is a classic one, it is not the only option. You can wear your jacket over any kind of casual dress or a blouse. Keep it open to show off what you’re wearing, and let that jacket complete the look. In this case, as long as your shoes match your dress, you are good to go.

If we have sold you on an asymmetric jacket, the next step is purchasing one. You might be wondering: Where can I shop? There are many different brands out there that create asymmetric leather jackets. They range from luxury to affordable brands.

Luxury vs. Affordable

The first glaring question you might want to ask yourself is: Should I go with a luxury brand or a more affordable brand? Does it truly make a difference?

The answer to this question depends on the specifics around it. 

Does it make a difference in price? In short, yes. The price tag between luxury and affordable brands can make a difference of a few hundred dollars. What does your budget look like? Do you have the extra money to spare? If you are more on a budget, then an affordable brand is the way to go. If money is less of an issue, then you may want to explore a luxury brand option.

Does it make a difference in quality? Luxury brands are luxury for a reason. You can be sure that when you purchase a luxury leather jacket, that you are getting a quality piece. In the case of a leather jacket, it is a piece that will last a long time. Those of us at Independence Brothers like to mention passing down your leather jacket for generations to come. With proper care, this is easily done with a luxury leather jacket.

An affordable leather jacket brand does not mean it is a low-quality piece. This is where research comes into play. There are affordable brands out there that still give you a leather jacket that will last.

Does it make a difference for you? Some people out there put higher importance on the brand name that they are wearing. In that case, get the luxury brand that you love. This is your investment and you want to wear what makes you happy. If you are someone who is less focused on the name as long as you like what you’re wearing, an affordable brand will work just as well.

In the battle of luxury versus affordable brands for leather jackets, ask yourself these important questions.

Whichever route you decide to go, we have recommendations for you! Here are some of our favorites, in price ranges that fit both types of budgets:

• Nordstrom: Nordstrom is a United Stated based company that is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. They can ship around if ordered online. They began over 100 years ago, back in 1901 by John Nordstrom and Carl Wallin. They began as a shoe retailer and have expanded to include clothing, outerwear, accessories, and more throughout the past decade-plus. As of 2019, they had about 340 brick and mortar locations in addition to their online presence. Nordstrom carries various leather jackets that you can purchase through their website. In their search bar, you can type “asymmetrical leather jacket” and see what comes up. As of the time of this writing, they had two jackets -one on sale for $90 and the other coming in at just under $1,200.
• ASOS: ASOS is a British online fashion and cosmetic retailer. The company was founded in 2000 in London, primarily aimed at young adults. The website sells over 850 brands as well as its own range of clothing and accessories, and ships to all 196 countries from fulfillment centers in the UK, USA and Europe. Similarly to Nordstrom, you can hit their search bar to see what they have. We found an asymmetrical leather jacket that is Barney’s Original costing $450; on sale, it was less than half the price.
• Wilsons: Wilsons was founded “For the Love of Leather.” In 1899, Berman Brothers Fur, Wool, and Hides, was founded by three brothers. They were, as the company says, infatuated and obsessed with leather. Their inspiration came from the beauty of hides. Wilsons boasts handcrafted, affordable products. Their brand personality is self-labeled as “quality, stylish, smart, genuine, cool, and approachable.”
• The Jacket Maker - The Jacket Maker is a company that we have focused on before. They are a newer company that is based out of California in the United States and Ras al Khaimah, or RAK, in the United Arab Emirates. Only six years old, they began as an online retail store for leather jackets in 2013. The Jacket Maker shifted to bespoke in 2016, and it is still a major part of the company three years later. They have ready to wear jackets that you can add a customizable touch to or they have the option to go entirely custom-made, from measurements to style. Their price tag is affordable for leather jackets as well, coming in at $200 for their ready to wear jackets, and going higher for their custom jackets.
• Macy’s or Kohl’s: Department stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s carry a bunch of designers. You can shop in one place for brands like Michael Kors and possibly get them at a smaller price tag. They have a variety of options and can range in pricing.

We believe Independence Brothers to be the best choice on the market today. We've evaluated that the high quality of materials, superb customer service, innovative custom fit, and customization options are unmatched, especially when you take into consideration the very affordable price they offer.

If you're a savvy customer who cares about more than just a popular brand name, you can't go wrong by trusting this up and coming startup that is revolutionizing the leather jacket scene.

You can check out their jacket lineup here.

Since custom, affordable jackets are what we specialize in, those of us at Independence Brothers always support going custom. It gives you the extra level of individuality for your jacket.

Custom jackets don’t always mean an unreachable price tag. Companies such as Independence Brothers allow you to choose components of your jacket without paying a small fortune. They allow you to love your leather jacket even more because you chose it yourself.

Custom jackets not only offer uniqueness in design, but also a better fit. For many, ready-to-wear standard sizes just don’t work. If you are in between sizes, buying standard just isn’t fun. Your jacket is too long or too short, or perhaps doesn’t hang the right way. A custom jacket allows you to send your measurements in. your leather jacket will fit you like a second skin and feel just as great.

Asymmetrical jackets provide a classic look. You have a variety of different outfit options with them. Plus, you can customize and make them even better. If you are thinking of purchasing an asymmetrical leather jacket, here is your sign!

We hope this article provided some guidance and a starting point for your leather jacket journey. If you have any questions, we are always happy to help. What else do you want to know about? Was this piece helpful? Let us know in the comments below!