Cropped leather bomber jackets for women

With a cropped jacket the hem is the first thing to check. It should finish around your natural waist or just below it, not ride up when you lift your arms and not sit at the widest part of your hip. Zip it fully and raise your arms: the ribbed waistband should stay put, and the cuffs should reach your wrist bone rather than your knuckles.

The Noir Arden is currently available in size L, so compare your bust, waist and upper arm measurements with the L row of the size guide. Between sizes at the bust, go up. If you want a second opinion, a stylist will go through your measurements on a free 15-minute call before you order.

Cropped jackets reward high-waist bottoms. Straight or wide-leg jeans, tailored trousers and a midi skirt all meet the hem cleanly, and a tucked-in tee or fine knit keeps the line unbroken. With a dress, choose one that is fitted at the waist so the jacket and the dress agree.

Avoid wearing it over a long, loose top that hangs below the hem. The two lengths compete, and the cropped line is lost. Black is easy to dress up or down: plain white sneakers for the day, a pointed boot for the evening. For more ideas, see leather bomber vs moto jacket, which compares how each cut works with different outfits.

A cropped jacket takes a lot of wear at the waistband and cuffs, so look after the ribbed knit as well as the leather. Do not stretch the waistband when you take the jacket off, and let it dry flat if it gets damp. Wipe the leather with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Hang it on a wide, padded hanger so the shoulders keep their shape, and give it air between wears instead of zipping it into a garment bag. Condition the leather once or twice a year with a small amount of conditioner, buffed in with a soft cloth. The leather care guide explains the rest.