Women’s Black Leather Racer Jacket — Snap Collar

Description

A short black jacket with no lapels at all: a low band collar fastened by a single snap tab, a straight centre zip, two zip pockets at the hip and zips at the cuffs. The back is panelled in long vertical seams, which is what keeps it close through the waist without a belt.

Why there are no lapels

A lapel has to fold back, which means extra width across the chest and a collar that sits away from the neck when it is open. Taking it away leaves a cleaner line and a collar that closes flat at the throat — the reason this shape works under a scarf, under a seatbelt, and over a shirt without bunching.

The leather

Full-grain hide with a smooth black finish. The grain layer is the dense outer surface of the skin, which is why it creases into soft lines at the elbow instead of cracking, and why the shoulders pick up a quiet sheen after a season.

How it is cut

Close and short, finishing at the hip bone. Sized over a t-shirt or a thin knit. The chest will give about half a size as the leather warms to you; the shoulders will not, so that seam is the one to judge the size by.

What to wear it with

It is plain enough to go over almost anything and short enough to sit above a high waist. Black on black works here because the jacket has texture and a little shine against matte denim or wool — the mistake is pairing it with something black and equally glossy, which flattens both.

Looking after it

Condition twice a year. Wide hanger, no plastic cover. Black shows dust and lint on the shoulders more than any other colour, so a dry soft cloth now and then keeps it looking right.

Shipping, duties and returns

Free worldwide shipping, 4–9 working days. Import duties are settled before dispatch where the carrier supports Delivered Duty Paid to the destination country; where it does not, duty is charged locally and we will tell you which applies before you order. Thirty days to return anything unworn with tags attached. Questions to info@cordwainleather.com or +34 614 79 27 86.

Size chart

Measure your bust around the fullest part with the tape level. Jacket chest is the finished garment measurement and runs larger than your body, because the jacket has to close over you. Between two sizes, take the larger.

Size	Your bust	Jacket chest	Sleeve	Shoulder
XS	32 in (81 cm)	36 in (92 cm)	22 in (56 cm)	16 in (41 cm)
S	34 in (86 cm)	38 in (97 cm)	22.5 in (57 cm)	16.5 in (42 cm)
M	36 in (91 cm)	40 in (102 cm)	22.5 in (57 cm)	17 in (43 cm)
L	38 in (97 cm)	42 in (107 cm)	23 in (58.5 cm)	17.5 in (44.5 cm)
XL	40 in (102 cm)	44 in (112 cm)	23.5 in (60 cm)	17.5 in (44.5 cm)
2XL	42 in (107 cm)	46 in (117 cm)	24 in (61 cm)	18 in (46 cm)
3XL	44 in (112 cm)	48 in (122 cm)	24 in (61 cm)	18 in (46 cm)

Still unsure? Email your bust and shoulder measurements to info@cordwainleather.com and we will come back with one size, not a chart to guess from.

Questions about black leather jackets

Why do some leather jackets have no lapels?

Because the lapel is the part that adds width and bulk. A band collar closes flat at the throat and keeps the front of the jacket clean, which makes the whole garment read quieter and sit better under a scarf or a bag strap. Lapels give you the dramatic open-collar look; a band collar gives you a jacket you stop noticing.

How tight should leather jacket sleeves be?

Close enough to follow your arm, loose enough to bend your elbow fully without the leather pulling at the shoulder seam. The sleeve should end at the wrist bone — any longer and it bunches at the hand, any shorter and the jacket looks borrowed. Sleeve length is one of the few things a leather tailor can shorten cleanly.

Can you wear a black leather jacket with black jeans?

Yes, and it is one of the easiest combinations if you vary the texture. Smooth leather against matte denim or wool reads deliberate. Two shiny blacks, or two blacks that have faded to slightly different shades, are what look accidental — faded black denim with a true black jacket is the pairing to avoid.

How do you clean a black leather jacket?

Dust it with a dry, soft cloth first — most of what dulls black leather is lint and grey dust sitting in the grain, not dirt. For marks, a barely damp cloth and nothing else, then let it dry at room temperature and condition the area. No household cleaners, no alcohol wipes, no saddle soap unless you know the finish will take it.

Are leather jackets heavy to wear?

Lighter than most people expect in a short, lined jacket like this one — comparable to a denim jacket rather than a wool coat. Weight comes from thickness, and the thick hides are on jackets built for motorcycling. A fashion-weight jacket is cut from a lighter hide precisely so it can be worn all day.

Can you wear a leather jacket in summer?

In the evening, yes — leather blocks wind, which is exactly what you want when the temperature drops after dark. In direct midday heat it is a poor choice: leather does not breathe, and the lining traps what the hide holds in. A short unlined or lightly lined jacket, worn open, is as far as summer leather sensibly goes.