Purple leather jacket - Opinions

I went back to the store today and took home the jacket. I love the colour, it's absolutely divine and the leather is ever so soft... but it's not working for me. I couldn't put my finger on it in the shop, so I decided to take pictures at home and ask your opinion. Funny how you can see so much better what's the matter with an item when you see it in a photograph.

I think a few things are 'wrong':
- too short for me (even the sweater underneath seems a bit too short to wear with trousers now that I see it in the picture, I could have sworn it was alright before, sigh)
- a bit too small in the bust area (the sales lady said the leather will stretch and that it looked fine)
- it's not doing my waist any favours at all
- not fitted enough (it blouses quite a bit in the back)

On the whole I think it makes me look boxy and square, and even a tad pear-shaped, (although I'm a straight hourglass according to Angie), while I was aiming for elegant, funky and sophisticated
Quite bummed about this-(

Your turn ladies, tell me what you think please.
(some of the pictures are blurry, sorry about that - password: fabfactor)
http://s278.photobucket.com/al.....%20jacket/

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Hi Inge...I agree with all that you said, especially that it is too short and too small across the bust. It seems like it's big for you in certain areas and small for you in others. The armpits seem baggy. I think it's just a poor fit.

But I also agree with you that the color and style itself are gorgeous. I love when purple has a brown hue to it! And it looked cute with the collar up. Did you try a different size or even the same style and size, but a different jacket? It could just be that particular jacket was put together incorrectly.

shiny

Well, I can tell you that the sales lady was right, and leather truly does stretch. For me it's usually the shoulder area that is tightest at first and loosens up over time.

I don't agree it's not doing your waist any favors, and that it's too short. I think this is the intentional style - allows you to layer. Try it on with more tops and bottoms. Try it on with a dress too. Play around with it some more with different outfits, before you give up on it. It does look gorgeous. The purple would look smashing with grey flannel skirt or dress. How does a white blouse look under?

The blousing in the back: I think this is also intentionally the look. I may be wrong, but my DD tried on several similar style jackets recently (pleather in her case) and all of them fit her this way. But if it bugs you I imagine it could probably be tailored as I see there are two seams in the back. Would be a simple operation, I think (but I would take it to a leather store rather than a tailor).

shell

Active Member

i think it's really pretty - i wouldn't necessarily get rid of it. are you wearing it with the most amount of layers you'd wear it with? how about with a slightly thicker sweater? you might want to just play around with different layers to see if the fit is right for you.

overall, i think it could work. the pulling in the bust area would be my only concern, but if leather does indeed stretch, it might work.

also, i think the length of it is fine, particularly when you have longer layers peeking out at the bottom.

fyi: i think the sweater length is nice b/c you can see the cool pocket details on the jeans

Inge

(website)

Moderator

This is going to be interesting, opinions differ I see;-)
I tried on the larger size as well, but that was definitely too big in the shoulders and back. They only had one jacket in each size, so I couldn't try on a different one Nicole.

I agree Shiny, it would be gorgous with a grey skirt, haven't tried a white blouse underneath it yet.
I would only consider tailoring if I knew it would be absolutely perfect for me afterwards. It's an expensive jacket and if it doesn't look amazing on me, I'd rather wait and see if I could find a better one.

I haven't had time yet to play around with different layers, and other tops and bottoms Shell. I was eager to get everyone's opinion, so I took some photos when I got home and put them up immediately.

Jillian

Inge,

I add a vote to return it. It has a different shape than you do. I do not like that it is quite full in the arms and underarm areas while it is quite a bit tighter across the bust. While different items might make a better outfit with it, I recall from your earlier thread that this was a splurge and you would want it to be quite versatile. With this fit, it's not that piece. You'll find something else, I am sure given the thoroughness of your research on pashminas!

BTW, your jeans look fab!

Dani

Inge, the color is absolutely gorgeous! I agree with Shiny that I think it looks fine where it hits you at the waist.

Sadly, I vote to return it as well. I think, for the price, you should be absolutely blown away by how this jacket fits you and you're not. If it were a lot less expensive I would advise you differently as I think it looks nice and could really make some neat outfits. You will find something else that works better for you. My favorite picture is the first one with the collar turned up...it gives you a great attitude

Tanya

Hi Inge, I actually agree with Shiny, I think that the cropped length is intentional ( I have a black jacket and the length is similar). The bust area might stretch as well.

But also, for the price you do need to love it and it needs to fit you impeccably. So if you are not happy with it, I'd take it back.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The colour is INCREDIBLE! Thanks for sharing pics with us.

I agree with everything you’ve said, Inge. I have the same impression as you and Nicole. You’re looking for something a little longer with more shoulder definition. It’s not right across the chest and shoulder. (I’ve just re-tried my leather jackets to compare). It’s a great length for a skirt, but you want to be able to wear this jacket with both pants and skirts.

Sorry darling. I know you had your heart set on this jacket. The perfect biker is waiting for you!

Patience

Inge, I think maybe I need your jacket in black and you need mine in purple. We will continue our search together. The color is fantastic.

Anonymous

Unfortunately, I think, you and this jacket were not meant to be together. Don't worry, there is a better jacket out there for you.
The color is perfect, I think that is what you and we like best about this piece.

Thanks everyone for the honest opinions!

You're right Angie, I really wanted this jacket to be perfect, but unfortunately it's not. It's good to know that I can trust my instinct though: I knew it wasn't right from the moment I saw myself in the dressing room mirror. It didn't scream out KILLER, and that's what it should have done;-)
And it's ever so sweet of you to have tried on your own jackets again to help out!

And you're all right: the colour's perfect (exactly San, that's what appealed to me immediately) but I shouldn't (and I don't want to either) settle for something I don't feel completely at ease in and that has the perfect fit for me, so it's going back!

Tanya & Shiny: I realise that it's supposed to be cropped and a bit blousy in the back, and somebody else will probably look smashing in it, but being tall I would prefer it just a little bit longer.

Jillian & Shell: thanks for the compliments on the jeans;-)

Nicole & Dani: the turned-up collar did make me feel very sassy, I like the look on me (something to remember for the future;-)

Grin, Patience, our search continues!

Oh Angie, silly question: by 'more shoulder definition' do you merely mean that it should be more fitted on the shoulders? Or...?

Becky

Oh, Inge, how disappointing! The color is amazing, but the fit isn't a good one for you. Keep on looking for that perfect jacket...

I think it’s the shape of the armhole that's worrying me, Inge. It’s not curved. That’s what’s lacking structure on the shoulder and underarm area. It’s fitted, but not tailored. Does that make sense, or am I batty?

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