Testing some leather jacket options (ETA correct colour - look @ blue)

I had some time to myself this afternoon so while running a few errands for the family, I stopped in at Danier Leather and tried on at least 15 jackets.

My experiment with the Bernardo faux leather white moto got me thinking about faux leather versus real leather. I tried on the Bernardo faux leather again this morning with a sleeveless top, which is definitely an option I'd be wearing once the warm weather arrives. And I HATED the feel of the lining in the jacket against my bare skin. I will absolutely be returning the jacket, as cute as it is.

So when I went to Danier Leather, I wore a tank with a sweater over top. This way, I could test the jackets for roominess with the sweater, but comfort against bare arms without the sweater.

This led to an absolute conclusion: I adore the feel of leather and the quality lining that Danier uses. So I now know I don't want faux leather, except perhaps in a vest where the issue of it against my skin and breathability isn't as crucial.

I started at Danier with the white moto that Inge ordered and Suz and Sveta are eyeing. I tried it in two different sizes. I really REALLY wish Danier would have some choices in petite sizing because I have two issues with jackets of all sorts: I have extremely narrow and sloping shoulders; I have a wider midsection. In order to get a jacket to fit across my midsection and at least look like it can do up it's usually much too big in the shoulders and wide across the back. Conversely, to get a jacket to fit my shoulders properly, it is much too small across my midsection. Then I also have the issue of my very high waist and ensuring the waist of a jacket actually hits in the right spot and not too low down. Hence, the usefulness of petite sizing.

Anyway....back to the white jacket. Love the colour and the softness of the leather, but the fit is off on this one. I found a fab more cropped jacket that fit me beautifully, but it only came in black. Not wanting black. I tried on all sorts of styles and colours but nothing was really jumping out at me. I tried on a white leather blazer - beautiful jacket that fit everywhere except was huge in the bust. If I could have taken some of my excess tummy fat and pushed it up into my bra, I could have fit the jacket just fine!

Then I saw this one http://www.danier.com/leather-.....colour=411|6dacca&mc=yes and tried it on. Fit in the shoulders was spot on AND I could do it up (not that I ever would wear it done up). It is longer on me than on the model of course, so doesn't look cropped, but still a decent length. I'm not sure about it over a dress though. I also tried it in the yellow which is a beautiful colour. For versatility, however, I would think the blue would be better than the yellow.

I just wanted to share my shopping experience with you. I'm not sure a white leather jacket is going to happen for me this spring and now I'm starting to wonder if I should even continue to look. But I'm not making any decisions just yet - it's early in the season.

Onward...

BTW: The link keeps taking you to the brown jacket, but it's the blue that I tried on and really liked.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Ah, our love for Danier has no bounds...
Shannon, this was exactly my sentiment about faux leather: I don't like the feel of it and I never can feel fab in it does not matter how cute the style is. I guess I am a real leather girl through and through.
I guess Inge's white jacket (which hopefully will be mine as well) is cut for a longer body and it is perfect for us taller gals. I bet the jacket you liked would look 'off' on me . I think it is extra fab that women of different body types and height can find something there to fit well.
This jacket is beautiful - I have seen it in person but did not try on. You can wear a dress next time to try it on and see if it works. Is it longer than your black one?
I join you in a wish that Danier added petite AND tall sizes to their line!

Anonymous

Oh, I was looking at that one in the canvas colour -- is it SSB or an actual ecru?

catherine

Shannon, that jacket looks like it would be perfect for you. You really look great in leather.
I live a few hours south of Thunder Bay, so I could probably get up there. As far as I know, they don't ship across the border. But wow, I love the look of their jackets.

Jules

That's actually a really good price too...

Transcona Shannon

I just realized the link keeps taking it to the brown jacket, but it's actually the blue one I tried on.

DonnaF

Maybe you & Sveta can start a FB campaign for Danier to make Petite and Tall sizes?

Suz

Oh, I have seen that jacket, too, Shannon, and I really like it. I can definitely see you in the blue. It is a real "spring" shade (even though the jacket may have come out in the fall, weirdly...)

I am sorry the white one didn't work out for you. I hope I am not deluding myself that it fits on me...I will obviously have to try again with a dress to ensure it is not too long.

"Our" jacket is truly a marvel...we are so lucky that it works on us. Yet I think it would also work on a taller woman. It is something to do with the way the waist nips in and the angled panels on it...the waist definition makes it workable with a dress even if longer on us than it would be on a Sveta, for example. Perhaps we just have to continue to look for jackets that nip in the same way.

I think you've made a good discovery about the faux leather. This is my feeling about it, so I can't wear it and would rather wear a fabric jacket if I can't have actual leather.

Jenava

I think it would work with dresses because it's rather fitted...but we'd have to see it on. Love the idea of this for you!

Good luck on looking for a white jacket - I found one by chance last year and it's exactly the same as my black moto jacket...so now I have multiples. Just part of my recent tendency towards "faux uniform" dressing - I also own multiples in the BR Martin straight-legs, a BF cardi from Nordies, and a drape-neck sleeveless top...Oh, and in a pair of suede wedge booties which I have in two colors. (-:

Thistle

That blue one in gorgeous! I can totally see you in it, and I feel like it would go with more of your wardrobe than the yellow.

Don't give up n the white leather yet. It's still early in the season, especially for Canada. I am sure they will be getting more choices in as the spring lines progress. And if not this year, there is always next! Didn't Angie get her amazing blush moto in July?

abc

Wow, that jacket in blue is so awesome. A little bit of edge but still curvy with the cut. I so wish there was Danier leather in the USA! You Canadian ladies are making me jealous! And hurray for real leather

Beth Ann

Yummy jacket! Taking the time to find the right item always pays off!

Thanks for the leather love ladies (notice that alliteration???). And yes, my discovery about pleather vs leather was completly invaluable to me and for that reason alone, trying out the Bernardo faux leather jacket was a completely useful exercise.

I totally agree Suz that "our" jacket is amazing in how I think it would fit each and every body type and height.

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