K/R: Express (Minus the) Leather Jackets [ETA: sized down] - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Express (Minus the) Leather Jackets [ETA: sized down]

Charmian

Veteran

Oh, wise gurus of YLF, I have also caught the (p)leather bug and picked up two fake leather jackets from Express in "Clay": their traditional leather moto and their new "peplum-seamed" version.

If I keep either, it'll be the traditional moto (pictures #1 - 3). When it arrived, however, I was surprised by how much brown there was in the color. My neutrals are dark denim and soft white (eg, eggshell), and my secondary neutrals are black, soft blue, and tan/camel (not shown, but featured in shoes and purses); based on this, I'm wondering if the "sand" color -- which has more tan and less brown -- might be more appropriate.

So, here's my questions:
(1) how's the jacket look on me? Fit, color, etc. (the sleeves are obviously too long)
(2) how well will the jacket integrate with my wardrobe colors? (#4 and #5 show pure white, chambray, soft blue, rust, burgundy [contemplating evicting this color], gray, black, teal [also on probation], soft white. In #4, moto in back; in #5, moto is between navy and rust).

[[ ETA photos of the same jacket, one size down, in the comments. I'd like to size down, if y'all think the fit is acceptable ]]

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19 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Charmian

Veteran

For those who are curious, here's pics of the rejected peplum-seamed jacket. I thought the V-shaped seaming broadened my shoulders (rather than the moto, which softened them with its raglan-like seaming). As you can see, the air-quotes "peplum" is very subtle.

( I don't know why this one came with tissue-wrapped pulls but the regular one didn't! )

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jennifer

Veteran

I think that the general fit of the moto is very nice and the color seems like it will work very well with your current lineup. The color looks fine on you .But personally I chose not to purchase a similar jacket because of the color difference between the ponte knit and the pleather . In certain lighting the knit looks a lot pinker than the pleather. Adding a sleeve alteration to the pros/cons mix ?
My recomendation would be Return both.The right one is out there somewhere.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Definitely the first one! I like the angle of the pockets much better (vertical and on the seam). I feel this is a neutral color that is season-spanning and goes with everything. It fits you very well except for the sleeves.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The first one looks great on you! Super fit. The second one just isn't cut right for you.

This is the same jacket that ClearlyClaire owns, and I have been eyeing it myself. If I didn't have the ordering-into-Canada issue I would surely have tried it by now. (I can get it here but it costs much more due to duty and shipping.) http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....et-me-keep

Claire loves hers and finds it very comfortable and practical due to the knitted insets.

As you may have noticed, I have just caught on to the wonders of taupe. So I might not be the right person to ask here. But in my opinion, taupe works brilliantly with all blues, with teal, with burgundy, with black, with grey, with brown, with pinks, with blue-reds, and particularly with denim. It's true that it doesn't play that well with yellowy sand accessories, but otherwise, bob's your uncle.

But you have to love it!

I think this looks great and you are tempting me to order and be darned!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Charmian, did you try a size down? I don't think this looks too big, but I'm wondering if a smaller size would have shorter sleeves and still work.

I like the jacket a lot on you, but I do think the sleeves would need shortening.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

The fit of the first jacket is fantastic on you - except for the sleeves of course. I think taupe works with pretty much every colour and this should work well with your wardrobe.

MsMary

Veteran

How are you planning to deal with the fact that the sleeves have a zipper? I've passed on a million cute leather jackets because that alteration is way too complicated. Other than that, it's super cute on you!

Anonymous

Yep, this is my jacket! I like the knit panels for a little breathe-ability and you can unzip the sleeve part way and flip it up to get rid of some of the length. I wonder if you could wear a smaller size? Mine is a little snug and I can't get a thicker sleeve under it, but that works for my climate. I don't see much of a peplum on the second jacket either. I like the first one better.

As for the color, if tan is already in your palette and it looks good on you, that might be a better option. I have a tan belt and bag that do not look good with my moto (but I have other things that work with it). The clay certainly looks good on you! And please don't eject the burgundy out of your closet just yet--it's one of the trending hues for fall!

Charmian

Veteran

I've been gradually shifting my neutrals and had to choose between taupe and tan at the beginning of this process. Personally, I like the look of taupe much much more, but as a soft autumn (more soft than autumn, though) I chose tan. So I think I'd be taking a step backwards if I kept the clay color. Thanks for the reminder; it's so hard to remember PPP!

Regarding the sleeves: I have shorty arms; everything will be too long no matter what I buy (it's why I'm a relentless sleeve-scruncher). I think you're right that the sleeve length would irritate me over time; I didn't notice it when I bought my hunting jacket, but it's grown to bother me over time and even Angie called me out on it.

From the feedback so far, I might wander into a store and look at the sand in one size down.

@jennifer, ugh, you're right about the panels being different colors. Hopefully the sand version will match up a bit better.

@Suz, stay strong! You have (most of) your Nordie's order yet to arrive, don't pull the trigger on something else.

@ClearlyClaire, you know, burgundy trending for the fall is one of the reasons it's survived the cuts so far, but it's also not a super-flattering shade on me. It's not UNflattering, per se, but it doesn't garner the "WOW!"s that softer colors do. The current plan is to let this piece wear out and not replace it.

rachylou

Veteran

#1 is a fab jacket!! It looks great on you!

I do find the color a little blah...

Charmian

Veteran

Went down a size, and discovered that the "butterscotch" color is the color of my accessories.

What do you think of the new size? The sleeves are soooooo much better, but there's a bit of pulling under the bust. Is it forgiveable? How does the side look?

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CK

Charmain, I love the butterscotch color and the smaller size on you. I recently bought the same jacket in black. I tried the "peplum" jacket as well and rejected it for the same reasons you did - it did not flatter my already broad shoulders. I have been eyeing that butterscotch color myself and may have to get a second jacket next time there's a sale.

Charmian

Veteran

Bump!

If the fit is forgiveable, I'd love to pull the trigger on the smaller jacket in "butterscotch" (see photos, two comments above).

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yep, I like the smaller size much better. This style is meant to be very fitted, I think.

Anonymous

I agree, I think it is meant to be very fitted. It looks a lot better on you than the one size larger.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

This size is great!

KathyL

Veteran

I like the smaller size on you as well. I think the sleeves a still a tad long though.

MNsara

Veteran

Nice size- the smaller one. If the butterscotch works better for your wardrobe, then that should be the one. No use having a jacket that fights with all your clothing.

catgirl

Veteran

I like the smaller size. Will you wear it this fitted? It obviously blends right into your current colors perfectly!