BIKER JACKET VS CAFE RACER JACKET: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

by Ankur Anand

Biker and cafe racer jackets are two of the most popular leather jacket styles in the United Kingdom, but they're built differently and wear differently. Both are cropped, both come in black, brown and a range of other colours, and both work as a year-round layer. The difference comes down to three things: the zip, the collar, and the fit.

This guide covers what separates the two styles, so you can decide which suits your wardrobe, whether you're shopping for your first leather jacket or adding a second style to your collection.

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KEY DESIGN DIFFERENCES

Biker Jacket

Cafe Racer Jacket

Zip

Asymmetric, off-centre

Straight, centred

Collar

Wide lapel

Minimal band collar, no lapel

Fit

Structured, slightly roomier

Slimmer, closer to the body

Best for

Casual, evening, statement looks

Smart-casual, everyday, work

WHAT IS A BIKER JACKET?

A biker jacket has an asymmetric zip that runs diagonally across the front, along with wide lapels that fold over at the collar. It's one of the most recognised leather jacket shapes in the UK, and the wider lapels and structured shoulders give it a slightly roomier fit than a cafe racer, which makes it easier to layer a jumper underneath once the weather turns cold. The asymmetric zip and lapels also give it a bolder, more directional look, which is why it tends to suit evening outfits and statement pieces best.

Shop the Saint Ginevra Black Leather Biker Jacket →

WHAT IS A CAFE RACER JACKET?

A cafe racer jacket has a straight, centred zip and a minimal band collar, with no lapel at all. It sits closer to the body than a biker jacket, for a cleaner, simpler line. The name comes from 1960s British motorcycle culture, when riders wanted a slim jacket that wouldn't catch the wind at speed, and the style has stayed popular across the United Kingdom as an everyday leather jacket ever since. Because it has fewer design details than a biker jacket, a cafe racer tends to be read as the more versatile, work-appropriate option of the two.

Shop the Saint Kinsley Black Leather Cafe Racer Jacket →

WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

  • Want a jacket that works for the office as well as evenings out? Choose a cafe racer.

  • Want a bolder, more statement piece? Choose a biker.

  • Planning to layer jumpers underneath in a UK winter? A biker's slightly roomier fit gives more room.

  • Want the cleanest possible line under a blazer or coat? Choose a cafe racer.

  • Buying your first leather jacket and want the most versatile option? Either works, but a cafe racer suits the widest range of occasions.

HOW TO STYLE EACH

Both styles work with jeans, dresses and tailored trousers, a biker leans casual and a cafe racer leans smart-casual. For full outfit ideas by garment and by colour, see our How to Style a Leather Jacket guide.

Ready to find yours? Shop the full Women's Leather Jackets collection at Saint G UK →

FAQ's

A biker jacket has an asymmetric zip and wide lapels. A cafe racer has a straight, centred zip and a minimal collar with no lapel.
A cafe racer tends to be more versatile, since its cleaner line moves more easily between casual and smart-casual settings. A biker jacket is better suited to casual and evening looks.
Yes. Paired with tailored trousers and simple, neutral pieces, a cafe racer jacket works well in smart-casual settings.
It depends on the workplace. A biker jacket suits a casual office, but a cafe racer jacket is the safer choice for smart-casual or client-facing settings.
A cafe racer jacket sits closer to the body. A biker jacket has a slightly roomier fit, built to allow layering.
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