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How to Buy and Wear a Leather Jacket

This stylish piece is a wardrobe investment

Black leather jackets in a variety of styles, from left, Tichina Arnold wears one over a trendy top, Tisha Campbell in a biker jacket, Soledad O'Brien in a moto jacket, Octavia Spencer in a bomber jacket and Chandra Wilson in a long one. Getty Images (4), Roy Rochlin; Jim Spellman/WireImage; Kevin Winter/BAFTA LA; David Livingston Move over little black dress. If there's one wardrobe basic every woman over 50 wants now it's a little black leather jacket. Slip it off the hanger, onto your shoulders and you're Joan Jett, Deborah Harry, Foxy Brown and Sandy in Grease all rolled into one. In other words: a little tougher on the inside a lot cooler on the outside. Whether you're classic, edgy or just a little bit trendy there's a leather jacket that's right for your body, style and budget. Here's what to look for, with some major celebrity inspiration:

1 Find a black leather jacket that is you

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Biker-inspired black leather styles lead the pack but there are other options and hybrids that tweak the format. For example, some biker jackets are beltless and have no sleeve zippers. Here are your best bets (as shown above): A biker (a motorcycle jacket) is waist length, belted, with a diagonal zipper and a flared collar.A moto (a racer) is sleeker, more fitted, with a straight front zipper and a banded collar. A bomber (a flight jacket) zips up the front but has ribbed trim at the waistband and wrists and a softer, slightly blouson fit.A blazer is sharply tailored but in leather, shaped at the waist and hip to below-the-hip length.A belted blazer is a long wrap that defines the waist but covers the hips.

2 Real or faux

This is a matter of conscience, price and practicality. If a leather jacket is on your wish list but the cost or guilt over cows and lambs deters you, try far more affordable faux. Of course, ethics aside, you might score a vintage leather jacket online, but fake leather (sometimes called “vegan") is now so authentic in feel and look you'll have to read the price tag and label twice. Faux leather — a synthetic fabric that is usually a blend of polyurethane and rayon or viscose — is animal and wallet-friendly and, unlike real leather, many are water-repellent.
For more style advice and more, . Cindy Crawford in a classic black leather biker over a striped sailor tee and faded jeans. Sharon Stone wears a moto over a longer V-neck sweater and jeans. Frances Fisher, in a biker jacket over a sunny yellow floral dress in May, proves seasonless versatility. Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images; BG023/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images; Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

3 Aim for maximum versatility

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4 Get a supple medium weight

Some black leather jackets — especially real leather bikers — are stiff and take time to get broken in, just like new 100 percent cotton dark-wash jeans without stretch. Who has the time or patience for that? Look instead for soft, buttery jackets that mold to your body from day one. Texture varies from a washed, weathered or pebble-grained finish to smooth. If you're shopping online it's often difficult to tell from the photos and description, so check the return policy. Real leather and fakes naturally soften and crease with age, get scratched and fade from wear in spots ... but that's part of their charm and give the jackets character. Andie MacDowell in a biker over a navy silk top, black slim pants and flats. Lesli Linka Glatter (executive producer of Homeland) wears a front-zip biker (no belts or extra bells and whistles) over a black sheath dress. Nancy Grace in a black leather blazer, black blouse and black pants. GORC/GC Images/Getty Images; David Livingston/Getty Images; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

5 Be a perfectionist about fit

All leather tends to give a little and fit your body contours even better over time. Jacket shoulders should line up where yours do — no extended pads, puffs or bulky quilting that'll make you look like a quarterback. Armholes should be cut high and sleeves should hug your arms. Check the fit with and without layers. You should be able to wear a jacket open or closed over a light top or a substantial medium-weight sweater and not feel it's too loose or too tight. Cross your arms, raise them over your head, try adding a shoulder bag. FYI: Asymmetrical zips are flattering for big busts. Just be sure the zipper slips up and down easily without a struggle and doesn't catch on the lining. (This goes for all zippered styles.)

6 Know how trendy you can go

Some of us do have a personal style that's a little more gilded and glitzier. Aim for balance. An extra dose of studs on the lapels or belt require a simple streamlined jacket like Tia Carrere’s. Going overboard on the look with symbolic decals, fringed trim and decorative hearts, angels or dragons can cheapen a leather jacket — real or fake — and limit its versatility. Unless you're a five-star fashionista like Susan Sarandon or a rock star, save the dazzle for a scarf and jewelry. Tia Carrere wears a black cropped moto (no zipper) with matte gold studs over a form-fitting black dress. Susan Sarandon in a biker with hand painted floral design and accessories. Pearlena Igbokwe in a black leather blazer over a jumpsuit. Nia Vardalos in a black loose tank, black biker, pants and pumps. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images; Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images; Tasia Wells/Getty Images

7 Wear a black leather jacket with all black

Rita Wilson (with husband Tom Hanks) wears a black leather classic biker over a black tulle midi-skirt and heels. Niecy Nash in a cropped, shiny black leather biker, bustier and bright yellow midi-skirt. Michelle Yeoh in biker/moto hybrid (center zip, no belt) over a black fit-and-flare dress with lace insets. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS