Leather jackets are one of those wardrobe staples that never really disappear, but every few seasons, a particular style or color seems to have its moment. Right now, we’re seeing them everywhere again; from oversized vintage-inspired bombers to moto jackets and this fall’s trending shades of moss and olive green.
But just because something is trending doesn’t mean we need to buy it brand-new. Leather jackets are actually one of our favorite things to shop secondhand because a well-made one can last for decades, and there are already so many beautiful options in circulation. Whether you’re looking for genuine leather, faux leather, vintage, or designer, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to buy secondhand leather jackets online; plus what to look for before you buy!
Why Buy a Leather Jacket Secondhand?
Leather is one of those materials that can last for decades when it’s well made and properly cared for, which is exactly why we love shopping for it secondhand. There are already so many leather jackets in circulation, and choosing a pre-loved one keeps an existing piece in use rather than buying something brand-new simply because the style is trending again.
Secondhand leather can also be much more affordable, particularly if you’re looking for genuine leather or a higher-quality jacket. And don’t overlook vintage! Older leather jackets can sometimes have beautiful construction and quality that’s difficult to find at the same price point new. Plus, a little wear and patina can give a leather jacket even more character; which is part of the appeal in the first place.
If you’re shopping for faux leather secondhand, however, condition is especially important. Many faux leather jackets are made with polyurethane (PU), which can begin to crack, peel, or flake as it ages. Look closely at photos of high-wear areas like the sleeves, collar, pockets, and seams before purchasing. Unlike the patina that can develop on genuine leather, peeling faux leather is generally a sign that the material itself is deteriorating.
The Best Places to Buy Secondhand Leather Jackets Online
Shopping for a leather jacket secondhand is easier than ever, especially if you know where to look. Some resale sites are better for affordable finds, while others specialize in vintage or designer pieces. Whether you’re searching for a classic black moto jacket, an oversized vintage bomber, or this season’s trending green leather jacket, these are some of our favorite places to shop secondhand online.
Vestiaire Collective — Best for Designer
If you’re looking for a designer leather jacket without buying it brand-new, Vestiaire Collective is one of our favorite places to start. The platform specializes in pre-owned luxury fashion, with pieces from both well-known and harder-to-find designer labels. It’s particularly good if you have a specific designer or style in mind and are willing to wait for the right jacket to come along.
Grailed — Best for Vintage & Designer
Grailed is a great place to search when you want something a little more unique. You’ll find a mix of designer, streetwear, menswear, and vintage pieces, including leather jackets you probably won’t see everywhere else. We especially love it for oversized bombers, moto jackets, and harder-to-find designer styles.
ThredUp — Best for Easy Online Thrifting
ThredUp gives you the feeling of digging through a huge thrift store without actually having to dig through the racks. Its filters make it easy to narrow your search by size, color, brand, material, and price, which can be incredibly helpful when you’re looking for a very specific leather jacket.
Depop — Best for Trendy & Vintage Styles
If your dream leather jacket is oversized, perfectly worn-in, or looks like it came straight out of the ’90s or early 2000s, we’d check Depop. There’s a huge mix of vintage and pre-loved fashion from individual sellers, making it an especially fun place to look for something with a little more personality.
Vinted — Best for Affordable Finds
Vinted is worth digging through if you’re shopping on a tighter budget. You may have to spend a little more time searching, but that’s part of the fun of secondhand shopping; you never know when a really great leather jacket will pop up at an equally great price.
Poshmark — Best for Variety
Poshmark has such a wide variety of brands, sizes, price points, and styles that it’s a great all-around option. If you know what you’re looking for, try getting specific with your search terms. “Vintage brown leather jacket,” “oversized leather bomber,” or “moss green leather jacket” can bring up very different results.
The RealReal — Best for Luxury Deals
For luxury leather jackets, The RealReal is another resale site we’d absolutely check. You’ll find pre-owned pieces from established designer labels, often for significantly less than their original retail prices. It’s a particularly good place to browse if you love designer fashion but would rather find an existing piece than purchase something new simply because a particular leather-jacket style is trending.
What to Look for When Buying a Leather Jacket Secondhand
When shopping for a leather jacket secondhand, we always recommend taking a little extra time to look at the details; especially since you can’t always see or feel the jacket in person. Start by checking the material tag so you know whether you’re buying genuine leather or faux leather (which is typically made from polyurethane or another synthetic material). Neither automatically tells you the quality of the jacket, but it can give you a better idea of how it may age.
Pay close attention to the seller’s photos, particularly around the sleeves, collar, pockets, seams, and lining. Look for cracking, peeling, stains, tears, or other signs of wear, and don’t be afraid to ask for additional photos. This is especially important with older faux leather jackets, as polyurethane coatings can begin to crack and peel with age; and once that starts happening, they’re very difficult to restore.
We’d also recommend checking the actual garment measurements rather than relying solely on the size on the tag (vintage sizing can be very different!). And before purchasing, take a quick look at the seller’s reviews and the platform’s return policy. A little extra checking upfront can help you find a jacket you’ll actually want to keep and wear for many falls to come.
Is Secondhand Leather More Sustainable?
If you’re comfortable wearing animal leather, we generally think buying it secondhand is one of the better ways to do so. The jacket has already been produced, and choosing an existing piece keeps it in circulation rather than creating demand for another brand-new garment. Since well-made leather can last for decades with proper care, it’s also a material that lends itself particularly well to resale.
Of course, leather isn’t a perfect material. New animal leather comes with environmental and animal-welfare concerns, while most conventional faux leather is made from plastic-based materials like polyurethane (PU) or PVC. That’s why we don’t necessarily see buying a brand-new faux leather jacket as the more sustainable choice simply because it’s vegan. When shopping secondhand, we’d focus less on finding the “perfect” material and more on finding a well-made jacket that’s already in circulation, in good condition, and likely to stay in your wardrobe for years.
Real Leather vs Faux Leather When Shopping Secondhand
When you’re shopping secondhand, there’s an important practical difference between real and faux leather: how the materials tend to age. A quality genuine leather jacket that’s already 20 or 30 years old may still have plenty of life left. It can develop scratches, creases, and a natural patina over time, and in many cases, leather can be conditioned or professionally repaired.
Older faux leather requires a little more caution. Most faux leather is made by applying a plastic-based coating, often polyurethane, to a fabric backing. As that coating ages, it can begin to crack, peel, or separate from the backing; and once this deterioration starts, it generally can’t be restored in the same way genuine leather can.
That doesn’t mean we’d never buy faux leather secondhand. We’d just look very closely at its condition first, particularly around the collar, sleeves, pockets, seams, and anywhere the jacket bends frequently. Ultimately, whether you’re choosing real or faux leather, the best secondhand jacket is one that’s still in great condition and that you’ll actually wear for years to come.
Final Thoughts ♡
Trends can be fun, you just don’t have to buy them new. Before grabbing the first leather jacket you see at a fast fashion store, spend a few minutes searching secondhand. You might find a vintage piece with far more character, a designer jacket for less, or simply a better-quality version that’s already been made. And if a leather jacket isn’t something you’ll want to wear beyond this season? That’s probably a good sign to admire the trend without adding it to your closet.
