Leather Jackets Surge in Popularity for Spring 2026

Ahead of the Spring 2026 transitional season, leather jackets are recording explosive growth.

According to an analysis by the select shop 29CM, transaction volume for jackets over the past two weeks (January 26 to February 8) surged by more than 526% compared to the same period last year, while search volume more than doubled compared to the previous month. This craze stems from the "2016 is the new 2016" trend spreading across social media, reflecting a demand to reinterpret styles that were popular a decade ago in a modern way.

This year’s leather jackets have moved away from traditional nylon materials toward minimal and high-end leather and suede. In fact, transaction volumes for the leather jacket and suede categories rose by 30% and 77%, respectively.

Items emphasizing detail and texture are leading the market, such as the vintage fake leather jackets from the designer brand Vanloe, washed-finish products from Tudement, and suede blousons from Aube Beige.

In response, 29CM will hold the "29 Spring Signal" exhibition from February 19 to 28, unveiling a large number of 26SS new arrivals from popular brands like Gray Room, The Aperture, and Mango Many Please. This exhibition, offered with significant discounts, is expected to drive the demand for spring outerwear to its peak.

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[ONLINE-KOREA：A Letter from Korea]

News like this can be a natural trend or a clever viral marketing strategy by corporations. Regardless, I believe a leather jacket itself is a timelessly cool item, don't you think?

To be honest, I personally prefer the rugged, wild image characteristic of leather jackets. Lately, designs seem to be shifting toward a softer, more polished look, which makes me feel a bit nostalgic for the classics.

Nonetheless, the essential coolness of a leather jacket remains unchanged 👍

When I’m looking for a piece I truly love, I often head to Itaewon. The prices are reasonable, the designs are diverse, and the quality is solid.

Another reason is that while Dongdaemun Market used to have many leather shops before COVID, I recently found that most of them have disappeared 💦

If you have the chance to visit Korea and are looking for a leather jacket, I highly recommend stopping by Itaewon. You might just find the perfect piece that’s meant for you ☺️

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