Despite the wide variety of colours available throughout the years, the two most popular leather jacket colours have always been black and brown.
Pictured above: C.H.I.P.S Police Jacket (left) and Dustbowl (right)
Deciding which of these classic colours is best for your style can be a tricky choice. That’s why we have written this blog post, which contains our advice on how to decide whether a brown or black leather jacket is right for you!
STYLE
One advantage of brown leather jackets is that they come in a plethora of different shades, from light tan to dark reddish browns and everything in between!
Black leather jackets, on the other hand, have far fewer shade options – but the upside is that black is a lot more versatile to begin with. It tends to be a lot easier to find a style you like in black than in brown.
Traditionally, black leather jackets are associated with a bolder, more rebellious style. Bikers, rebels, movie stars and musicians all rocked black leather throughout the second half of the 20th century, cementing it as a truly iconic look. In comparison, brown leather jacket offer a more rugged and rustic style, with a relaxed vibe and vintage charm.
COLOUR COMPATIBILITY
When you’re deciding whether to get a brown or black leather jacket, it’s a good idea to think about what colours and styles you tend to gravitate towards in general.
As mentioned above, black leather jackets are highly versatile and typically go well with a wide variety of outfits and colours. Brown jackets primarily go well with autumnal colour palettes – think soft yellows, greens and oranges.
If you’re still feeling stuck, think about whether you wear brown or black shoes more often. If you only own black shoes, purchasing a brown leather jacket may not be the most fashion-forward choice!
FINISH
Despite black and brown leather jackets having very similar tanning processes, they have very distinct finishes. Brown leather jackets have a more textured appearance and wear gracefully into a beautiful ‘lived-in’ patina that many people really enjoy. Black leather jackets, on the other hand, have a higher shine and therefore lack the same variety of depth of colour. Brown jackets patina and age more dramatically than black leather jackets; however, teacore leathers like Black Chromexcel still develop beautifully, with brown undertones showing through with age.
CLEANING
The differing natures of black and brown leather jackets also play a key role in their maintenance. Brown leather jackets tend to absorb dirt and stains more easily than black leather jackets, but this may just be because stains, smudges and grime are less noticeable on black material.
Either way, this means that brown leather jackets require more frequent cleaning and spot treatment, so if that sounds like an inconvenience to you, a black leather jacket may be better suited to your lifestyle.
Whether you opt for edgy and sleek black leather or rugged, vintage-style brown leather, you can be sure that if you’re buying a leather jacket from Aero, it’s going to be a treasured piece in your collection for many years to come.
Shop Leather Jackets
Still can’t decide between black and brown? Why not get both? Then you will have a trusty and stylish leather jacket to wear for every occasion!
