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Jacket Challenge Day 9: Reflections & Why haven't I worn this?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I had planned to wear #1 today, but I just didn't feel like myself. This is may be the fifth time I've attempted to wear this jacket and aborted the mission. I think the outfit looks okay, but I guess the look isn't speaking to me.

The fear lurking inside is that perhaps I made a mistake with this jacket... I never even cut the tags. I LOVE the color, but am I a Moto Girl? I don't really know. I can't recall ever jonesing for a moto... thinking back, it's possible I've already worn my Zella jacket more times than I've worn my F21 faux-shearling moto.

In other Challenge Reflections... I find it interesting that I'm not particularly enjoying the challenge right now. I think I would have liked it more last year, when I was working at the office, and I needed a new and different outfit every day. But with the uniform taking up most of the week, I feel like the challenge is depriving me of quality time with my current favorites (the Barbour and Zella and my citron Hollister jacket).

I don't know what this means. I wonder if I do this every year - bringing in new babies I favor and spoil for a season, only to move on to something new in a year? Is that how I *got* so many jackets in the first place? Is this simply because I'm forcing jackets that I'd ideally wear in Summer to play with my Fall clothes? Or is this because I'm forcing my Dresses Jackets to play with my pants? These are very serious questions to ponder in preparation for purging.

In other news, what I DID end up wearing today was the Barbour - second day in a row. Sorry for the terrible pic, but I took my sweet time getting outdoors today, and there were too many people arriving home from work, needing the alley for actual driving pursuits.

Barbour jacket - Ebay
Citron sweater - F21
Hudson skinnies - Rack
Frye Vera - Amazon
Brown messenger bag - flea market

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18 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Marley

Veteran

Well, what is a Moto girl to you Rae? How do you define it? and does it fit with your style? The jacket just looks absolutely GREAt on you - so its not a matter of it being unflattering to your body or anything. I also really like it with the soft green blouse, the gray jeans and the light colored booties. But, something's not feeling right, huh? I can tell you that the Zella rates about a 15 on a scale of 1 - 10 on you. Its memorable in a way that this one isn't. Don't know if this helps - I'm just kind of rambling. Oh - and is there any chance that you can zoom in when you take your outdoor pictures? My eyes are having a hard time "seeing" the deets of your ourdoor oufits/pics!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Rae, you look stunning in both jackets. And wow...that citron sweater on you today in combination with the other pieces just lights you up so beautifully; I love seeing the outdoor shot!

A few thoughts to add to your musings.

1. On motos: you sure as heck look good in yours. However, I understand your hesitation to wear it. I took my new waxed denim moto on my trip and all the time I was in China I didn't wear it, despite the fact that it was one of only two jackets that I brought with me. It felt too "demanding" somehow. Or too something.

On the other hand, as soon as I got to Vancouver I put it on and hardly took it off for the entire time I was there. Why? I honestly don't know. It just felt better there. Maybe there are moto cities? (Um...no...I don't mean Detroit...)

2. Re wearing a few faves constantly: I have come to learn that I do this, too, and particularly with jackets. I don't know if that is because they are my "statement" piece, my "drama" layer, my "added oomph" pieces, or what. But I seem to wear, and re-wear, and RE-wear the same four or five or six as often as possible within a season (often in combination with the same or similar pieces each time). And then I get bored of them and find myself some NEW favourites.

At first I thought this was naughty of me. Or wasteful. Or weird. Or something.

But now I am beginning to think: why NOT? I mean, obviously, with my budget and this approach I cannot go around buying 6 Smythe jackets per year (or even one). But as long as these jackets do not break the bank, so WHAT if I make new faves every year? I'll probably switch them ALL out for new ones on a sort of two or three year rotation. Is that so bad?

In other words, I guess what I'm saying to you is that if you don't feel the love any more, why not cull them without regret (or shame) and continue to wear and love the ones you currently wear and love?

Obviously, you'll want to keep any possibly dull but great quality "essential" jackets you may have. Not sure what your particular essentials would be beyond a utility jacket and at least one dark neutral blazer and possibly one bright one. But you get the point. Meanwhile, you can add in (in comfort) any new loves.

And if you can consign the older jackets or give them to YLF friends, you'll feel good about passing them on to new homes.

Raisin

Veteran

Well the moto looks great on you, but maybe if you're not that into it, it's one that can be purged from the pile? I think the point was to see which jackets you were wearing, and whatever didn't make it through the month was gone. But maybe this one is not a keeper since you didn't want to wear it and ended up in the other one anyway. I'd say sell it or maybe you know someone that would love to have it. It does look fab on you though....I think you're a jacket girl.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Oh this is such a hard one. Maybe you just like change or maybe you are just in the process of changing your preferences. I would split the jackets into lighter weight & ones you would wear more now - don't make any decisions about the lighter jackets that you would ideally wear in summer. It does look fantastic on you - but that is worth nothing if it feels wrong.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Marley, I apologize about the photos. My problem is that I have nothing goot to use to set the focus of the camera before I jump in front of it. Hm, I'll have to ponder that one, too. But your other question was just SO on the money. For whatever reason, as soon as I read, "What is a moto girl?" I got to thinking about all the different types of motorcycles. If we were talking about bikes, not jackets, I'd totally want more of a sport bike. More Trinity, less James Dean. More Kill Bill, less Thriller.

Suz, you have some fantastic insights as well. If I am honest with myself, I *know* I am sort of a serial monogamist with jackets. It is painful to think that there are some pieces I may have burnt out on after only one scant season... but you are right that it's better to go our separate ways. At least this is a Good Thing to Know About Myself. It will definitely color how much I'm willing to spend on jackets and how picky I am in the future.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I definitely think that forcing the lighter weight jackets into this challenge is not a good idea if the intention is to determine what to keep and what to purge. From what you are saying I think this uniform thing is really taking some getting use to. Wearing jackets you prefer for dresses with pants is a definite downside to this challenge.

I wonder if you shouldn't rethink the perimeters of this self imposed challenge to something that is more fitting for your original intent...

Challenges should be exciting and fun, something to look forward to not to weigh you down...

catgirl

Veteran

If I had to distinguish, Rae, I'd say you prefer jackets (not talking blazers but outdoorwear) that are military and/or rugged-utilitarian style. Although motos are utilitarian too, they have become such a fashion statement and have so many variables. I dp think of a classic moto jacket as pretty James Dean, but look at Angie in her black moto.... : )

I know that I like that androgynous/butch side of dressing and I think you have a more feminine sensibility to your toughness. That said, the emerald jacket looks fab on you. Maybe you need to treat it more like a blazer - substitute it for the new green blazer, or wear it over a dress?

And I am now stalking Barbour jackets for spring. Because I'm a shameless jacket polygamist.

Also, if this was a mistake (and I'd wait before deciding) it was a cheap one! You could send it to Kirti if necessary.

Raisin

Veteran

Rae - a tip for focusing the camera. When you are there pressing the button (I assume you have the self timer on), just stick your hand around in front of the lens as far as you can so it focuses on your hand and press the shutter. Then run over to your spot, which is further back than your hand was. But because the camera is focused a few feet in front of you, you should also be in focus. What kind of camera is it? Do you know what I mean when I say to set the lens at infinity, so that everything in the background is in focus? Anyway, you're basically setting your hyperfocal point, and focus is usually 1/3 in front of the subject (your hand) 2/3 behind. That's why if you're just focusing on the fence beforehand you're not really in great focus....ok sorry, I think I've made a mess of this explanation, and maybe you already know this.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Caro, I think you are right. There are some jackets that I'd *love* to wear right now if it were spring or summer. If not because of the warmth factor then because I dress slightly differently in summer, style-wise. I shouldn't hold it against them that I want a different look in fall.

Una, your objectivity is much appreciated. It is sounding more and more like motos are not for me... good thing I didn't bother dying that beige one I got for a buck. :T If anything, I think you might be on to something with the idea that they are Fashion items, and it may be that they feel too trendy to me with the skinny jeans and boots. When I try again, I'll pair it with a sheath dress or similar.

Rae, I know exactly what you mean. Trouble is that an arm length-ish distance won't get my feet in the shot... I have a pretty old camera, too. Maybe if I swing my bag out in front?

Raisin

Veteran

No the arm is just to get the camera focused on a spot in front of you. You can still run behind that spot because the focal point is your arm, but the area of focus extends beyond the arm. The distance it extends depends on your aperture, unless your set at infinity. Ugh, sorry, I'm not good at explaining this. I work all day with a camera and take photos for a living, but I'm not a professional photographer, so it's weird to explain....

rae

(website)

Veteran

No, I get it, really. But I'd need to be more like 5 arm lengths away. I've tried using my hand, and I just comes out fuzzy. Maybe because I have a crappy, crappy camera, I don't have an infinity option. I had success once by leaving one boot where I wanted to stand, but my shoes aren't always tall enough.

Anonymous

Little side note: Could it be that you have outgrown the super duper cropped and shrunken jackets? I have seen you in much longer toppers lately. Perhaps that has something to do with this. Both outfits are stellar, however.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Rae I think the green jacket has a spring feel, it might work great from February on with navy or white. An idea how to style it for fall would be with a deep, deep forest green as well as a third color like charcoal or navy or black.

There is nothing wrong with loving a few things and wearing them all the time, even if you are ready to move on next year. That is actually a smart way to go and one I think about: have a very fresh, rather small new wardrobe each year. Wear those things a lot, then move on. I am considering this approach and buying quality pieces that I could hopefully even sell a year later because they would still be current and from covetable brands. However I have no experience with eBay, this is just a notion I have and may not work in practice. It may just be a way of spending more money on trendy items each year. Rather than going fast fashion for the trend items each year.

Aida

Veteran

/raises hand
I am a moto girl, you strike me as a military/utility girl. "Biker" isn't how you usually add your toughness IMO, perhaps this is the disconnect. I could also see how this would feel like a spring jacket, but I'd happily wear in winter with a healthy dose of black. FWIW I adore this moto and do feel that you easily pull it off for those days you feel like being outside yourself, if that makes sense. And hey if that jacket needs relocating, I'll be first in line

EDIT: Actually, I must adjust my response. "Biker" isn't right, as I actually CAN see you appropriating biker elements (e.g. enginerr boots), especially as I recall you did used to ride on your dad's bike. Plus I cannot picture a biker wearing this jacket. I can, however, 100% picture a punk rocker wearing it (which explains the appeal to me). Please forgive ^^

Anonymous

These are some great comments. Yes I like the first outfit, but I can see the second being more "you". For the record, I keep trying on Rae-like utility jackets and have surmised that I'm just not a utility jacket girl, so I get your comment about motos in general.

Now, about your jacket love affairs. I'm a firm believer that our jacket season is too short to force ourselves to wear every dollar-jacket that we bought over the summer. I've already consigned all of mine and I'm back down to my taupe moto and charcoal trench again.

Somehow all of the possibilities get me so excited that I'm like, "Oh, a cranberry/orange/burgundy tweed retro swing coat! And it's only a dollar! " So I buy it and then the season rolls around and I can only think of one way to style it that isn't completely "old lady" and then I don't even want to wear that outfit. I don't even really like the jacket. that much, it was just a novelty.

I have NO problem wearing one or two jackets heavily for a season or two if I really, really love them (I think it's very Euro, no?). I need to be really in love with a jacket to buy it because there just aren't enough cool days in the year to wear every single one. It would be like Una having a huge bikini collection. Just not practical.

So. I implore you to stand down from this jacket challenge if it's making you unhappy and wear the jackets you love. Over and over and over again. It's fine by me, lol! I wonder how much you could get for your tan moto?

ETA; I think your job change has a lot to do with your angst. You seem to have fewer occasions to wear all of your clothes in general now, except your jeans. :/ But that could all change.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The emerald moto jacket is too pretty and precious for your style. That's my guess.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Rae, I think you are a jacket girl - moto or otherwise, they all look fantastic on you! I love the jacket and shirt together. Re always wearing your favorites, I do this too, but I also think it's fun to dig into the depths of my closet and create an outfit with something I haven't worn in a while (but I don't have to wear a uniform every day).

rachylou

Veteran

There we go. That's what I wanted to say: the green is too pretty, too Thriller, too 'fashion' for my Rae. Lol. My term involved some ghetto speak...