With the weather changing, it finally feels like fall here in Oregon. I thought it would be appropriate to do some posts on Outerwear. Next week I’ve asked a couple of friends to help with a coat try-on session. I look forward to sharing that, and it will be nice for you to see someone else in the photos!
Before we get into jackets, congratulations to Sue who won the $50 in Stella & Dot credit! Thanks for the comments and orders everyone.
I think a leather jacket is a staple. I have several and I reach for them all the time. I should clarify that there are leather jackets that lean towards a coat, and leather jackets that are more of a third piece. Mine are the latter. I have a couple over-sized coats that go over jackets as I’m often asked how do you wear leather in the rain?
Besides dealing with the rain, here are a few other obstacles I hear when I suggest a leather jacket:
—Feel too heavy and warm—not very comfortable
—Too expensive
—Don’t want to look like a motorcycle gang
—Not practical or easy to clean
I have overcome some of those obstacles by being pretty choosy with the type of jackets I buy. I look for something lighter weight that can hang open.
It also helps to pair leather jackets over something sleeveless or light weight. I don’t wear too many dresses now, but when I was working I wore a dress or skirt at least twice a week. A leather jacket was the best solution when other jackets just didn’t seem to look right. You know how some blazers can look too long with a dress? Other jackets made me feel like I was in the corporate world, and that wasn’t exactly the look I was after at the time.
There are so many great faux leather jackets now which are so much less expensive. You can get the same look with suede if that feels more comfortable.
Cleaning can be tricky. Professional cleaning is a little expensive. I have purchased some cleaner and tried doing it myself. But you have to be careful it doesn’t fade the original color of the jacket. But honestly, that is the only downside in my eyes.
***If you like a jacket with zippers on the sleeves, keep in mind that this is something that CAN be altered if the sleeves are too long.
Here are some of my favorites in a variety of price points. Note the Kut from the Kloth photo is the perfect example of how to zip a moto style jacket part way.
BLANKNYC No Limit Suede Moto Jacket • Blank NYC • $188
Caslon(R) Leather Moto Jacket with Removable Hood • Caslon • $199.90
BLANKNYC Faux Leather Jacket • Blank NYC • $98
Eileen Fisher Leather Moto Jacket • Eileen Fisher • $448.98
MARC NEW YORK Feather Leather Moto Jacket • Andrew Marc • $299
Andrew Marc Felix Stand Collar Leather Jacket • Andrew Marc • $299.90
BB Dakota Gabrielle Faux Leather Asymmetrical Jacket • BB Dakota • $105
BB Dakota Allerton Faux Suede Jacket • BB Dakota • $106
KUT from the Kloth Faux Suede Eveline Jacket • KUT from the Kloth • $118
KUT from the Kloth Tayanita Faux Suede Jacket • KUT from the Kloth • $88
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