Women's Brown Leather Cropped Bolero Jacket

This is a cropped brown leather jacket cut to finish at the waist. If you have been looking for a leather bolero jacket that sits neatly over a dress and still works with jeans at the weekend, this is the piece we make for that job. The shape is short and close through the shoulders, the sleeves run full length, and the brown leather softens and deepens in colour the more you wear it.

What is a bolero jacket?

A bolero is a short jacket that ends at or above the waist. It started in Spain as part of traditional men's dress and crossed into women swear in the nineteenth century. Today, most boleros for women are worn as a top layer over a dress or a fitted top. Because the cut is so short, it shows your waist instead of hiding it. That is the main reason people choose a women's bolero over a longer coat.

Why choose a leather bolero?

Most boleros you see in shops are satin, lace or knit. They look nice for one evening and then live in a drawer. Leather behaves differently. It holds its shape, keeps the wind off and gets better with age, so you end up wearing it far more often than an occasion cover-up.

Colour matters too. A brown bolero is easier to wear in daylight than black. It sits well next to cream, denim, olive, navy and most floral prints, and it does not look heavy against a pale dress.

Cut, fit and sizing

This is a cropped bolero, so the hem lands around your natural waist. The shoulders are tailored, which gives it a structured line instead of the soft drape you get from a knitted cover-up. As a long sleeve bolero it keeps your arms warm in spring and autumn, when a full coat feels like too much.

When you pick a size, go by your bust and shoulder measurements. Length is less of a concern on a bolero women jacket because it is meant to sit short. If you plan to wear it over knitwear, check the chest measurement on our size chart before you order.

How to wear a bolero jacket

A short leather layer is easier to style than most people expect. A few ideas that work:

• Over a dress. Midi and maxi dresses suit it best, because the short hem keeps your waist visible. It is a good bolero for dress shapes that feel shapeless under a longer coat.

• With high-waisted jeans. Add a plain tee or a fine knit and ankle boots. This is the simplest everyday bolero outfit.

• For evening wear. Brown leather over a black or deep green slip dress gives you warmth without covering the dress.

• Over formal dresses. If you are a wedding guest in the cooler months, it does the same job as a wrap and stays put on your shoulders.

• For a vintage look. Pair it with a full skirt or wide-leg trousers. The bolero style jacket was popular in the 1950s and it still suits those shapes.

Bolero vs shrug: what is the difference?

People often use the two words for the same thing, but they are different garments. A shrug is usually knitted or stretchy, with sleeves joined by a narrow band across the back. A bolero is a proper jacket with shoulder seams and a set shape. If you want something soft to pull on over a strappy dress, a shrug is fine. If you want a layer that looks finished and lasts for years, go for the bolero.

Looking after the leather

• Wipe marks off with a soft, slightly damp cloth and let it dry at room temperature.

• Keep it away from radiators and direct heat.

• Hang it on a wide, padded hanger so the shoulders keep their shape.

• Use a leather conditioner once or twice a year.

Order yours

Every jacket from The Leather Tanners is made in leather and checked before it leaves us. Choose your size above, and get in touch if you would like help with measurements before you buy.