A good leather jacket is like having a good friend in your. It’s always there for you no matter what, and works with virtually everything. Plus it makes you feel badass. The thing is, a lot of us can’t spring for a $500 jacket. The good news is faux leather jackets have come a really long way in the past few years. A lot of them legit look like the real deal, from the weight of the fabric to the texture and durability.

A few weeks ago I went searching for a new faux leather jacket, scouring stores in NYC to touch, wear and smell (yes, even smell!) them to find the perfect one. Here are the top five faux leather jackets I came across.

FAUX LEATHER JACKET #1 – THE CLASSIC

This was the faux leather jacket I ended up buying. It’s $50 but looks much more expensive. I love the details on the shoulders and bottom as well as the zippers on the arms.

FAUX LEATHER JACKET #2 – FOR THE TRADITIONALIST

Okay, full disclosure, I bought two faux leather jackets (channeling Cardi B–I got ’em both, I didn’t wanna choose). This was the other one–proof is on Instagram. I love how it drapes open in the front and the faux suede interior.

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FAUX LEATHER JACKET #3 – FOR THE BADASS

I almost got this one at Topshop, but they were out of my size at the store (P.S. Shopping at the Topshop in SoHo is fucking mad!). So many awesome bells and whistles on this one, and it makes you feel like a badass when you’ve got it on.

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FAUX LEATHER JACKET #4 – SHEARLING WARMTH

When the weather gets really cold, this is a great option. The shearling interior and collar will keep you warm and the oversized fit leaves room for thick sweaters or lots of layers underneath.

FAUX LEATHER JACKET #5 – POP OF COLOR

Joe Fresh always ends up surprising me with a hero piece that looks so high quality. For those that are a little more adventurous, this baby blue version feels luxe AF. And it stands out among a sea of black and brown leather jackets, so you’ll be sure to get noticed (and get lots of compliments!).

For more style inspiration, follow me on Instagram at @youmustlovelife