What should I do with this old leather jacket?? - YouLookFab Forum

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What should I do with this old leather jacket??

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This jacket is probably over 10 years old and I haven't worn it in two years. The cut seems dated to me now, but I love the color (it's more periwinkle than the photos appear), and it fits me well again (it was snug for a while).

I think the things that date it most are the collar and the bell sleeve with the slit. Do you think there is some alteration that would make this wearable for me again? Or should I keep it in a spare closet in case it comes back in style (not so sure about that)? Or pass it along?

I'm reluctant to let it go so I want to explore options. I have that incredibly awesome cobalt leather moto, but this color is different. And I feel a little sentimental about this jacket because my husband always liked it on me and asked me to wear it. I welcome any and all ideas!

ETA: Not styled at all, just popped on over what I'm wearing to do laundry and walk dogs. Cropped out scary bedhead hair & lack of makeup!

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Urgent

30 replies

Latest reply was from Jjsloane

Anonymous

I wonder if they could taper the arm and sew a zipper where the slit is. I don't think the collar is that problematic.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think a sleeve alteration is a great idea! Great color.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I would like to see it over a skirt. Add in a good dose of modern and you might be in business. It's almost vintage. I would hang into it.

No more leather jackets for you!!

Raisin

Veteran

I don't mind the collar at all. I think a leather tailor could take the bell sleeve in and that would improve it greatly. I would definitely check into getting that done.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Can you have the sleeves cut off to 3/4 sleeves? I have a cognac 3/4 sleeve jacket that gets worn alot.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

LOL Angie! Yeah, this was one of only a few jackets that survived my post-weight-loss purge last year. There are a couple of old leather items you haven't seen me wear, so you did not know the true extent of my collection. *hides head in shame* I have another one to post in a separate thread...

That's interesting about "almost vintage" -- I like that so much better than "dated"! Do you think pencil skirt, tights, heeled booties, perhaps?

Mochi

Veteran

Ya know, I was expecting something dated and this came up, looking more timeless, with an of-its-own quality, like a Fluevog. I really like it. I would hang onto it and experiment.

ETA: would your silver "space age" top work with this? Or is it too roomy?

Diana

Veteran

I like it, but I like bell sleeves. Not crazy about the slits but I think you could close them up pretty easily. Zipper might be cool. =P. I agree with Angie, it seems more retro or vintage than dated.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, I like the idea of metallic with this. The space age sweater is too bulky to fit under this, but I think I can adapt the idea with another piece that has some sparkle.

Zap, I love the zipper idea! I am going to check into that.

I just tried on my other old leather coat I was going to post for feedback. But the pictures tell me it just needs to go. It's cream colored and very long and used to make me feel a little like Trinity from the Matrix, but I look HUGE in it in the pictures. Yikes.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think the collar is fine and I totally love the color. I would get the sleeves altered to narrow or narrow and add a zipper to the bottom 4" or so. I think that would be enough to update it.

Did I mention that I LOVE the color???

rae

(website)

Veteran

If it was ME, I'd taper the sleeves, add a zipper, and remove the collar. But it is worth trying to style differently, too. Maybe with some black and brown? The sparkles are also an attractive idea.

Thistle

Veteran

First, y styling it differently. Add in a dose of modern and see how it works. Maybe a sleek pencil skirt with a metallic top. Perhaps with a pair of patterned trousers. Try that first as it is free! The color is fab and so is the fit.

If the above doesn't work, I would try Zap's idea next. Depending on the cost of the alteration, that could make it more modern.

Would not be surprised if bell sleeves came back either. Question of how much you love the jacket and how long you are willing to wait!

Kari

Veteran

Wow, the cut on the body is cute! I like the idea of adding zippers on the sleeves. Adore that color on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hang onto this one. The shape is really pretty on you. You can decide about the sleeves after you do a bit of styling. And the colour is sublime!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Can you fold up the sleeves at the slit and get kind of a bracelet-length look? I'm sure the bell sleeves could be altered but it'll probably be pricey since it's leather. I really like the color and the general fit on you, though.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Laura, I tried that but the sleeves are too unwieldy.

I'm a little nervous about altering because I don't know anyone around here who specializes in leather alterations. My cobbler did an ok job fixing my Muubaa jacket, but it's not terrific, so I doubt I'd take this to him. I'm thinking of contacting the woman who made my wedding gown -- she's worked on a lot of different types of garments (theater costume design, etc.), and her craftsmanship is impeccable, so maybe she would either do the work for me or recommend someone she trusts.

Mochi

Veteran

What makes this jacket a standout to me is 1. the beautiful color and 2. the sleeves. Because everyone and their brother are sporting moto jackets, but this piece is really unique. Therefore IMO it would be (almost) pointless to taper the sleeves. If it's not too pricey you could try. Also try scrunching the sleeves a la Angie? And popping the collar? I don't know if it would work. I just think that if you're going to end up doing major expensive surgery on this jacket, considering how many you already own, you may as well just pass it on to someone.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

If you want to do something completely different... send it here and have it made into a great bag!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, I agree. I would probably go with the most minimal, least invasive "surgery" I could get away with on this piece. I think I'll just try styling and wearing it as-is, and I'll post some pics styled when I do to see if the consensus is to keep it unaltered.

The sleeves are stiff and snug enough, and the slit/bell portion is unruly enough that I doubt I can scrunch, but I'll give it a try. The collar is just a bit too big to pop on me.

Hmm, I wonder how this would look with long-ish black knit sleeveless gloves? If I'm going to have those sleeves, maybe play them up??

Janet

(website)

Veteran

OMG pastrygirl, that is fantastic! I don't think I'll go that route for this jacket, but I do have a huge, long cream leather coat that overwhelms me, but it still makes me a little sad to think of letting it go. I love the work on that site -- I've bookmarked it. Thanks for sharing!

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Glad you like it! I've had her (Etsy) shop bookmarked forever, but haven't bought anything yet. Her work looks impeccable!

Mochi

Veteran

(I'm procrastinating here, if you couldn't tell) But anyway, I am getting this strong vibe that you could play around with some sort of anime/manga-inspired look. What does that mean? I am not sure; tried googling some images quickly but nothing came right up. But there's something kimono-esque about the sleeves, and the jacket as a whole has this sleek, futuristic design. So use your own inspiration and play around in your closet!

harmonica

Veteran

What Diana said

JR

Veteran

Oh Mochi, what an idea! I'm picturing it with a sheath dress in a silver and black silk Oriental print.

Hey, dream big or go home.

If you do go for altering, I'm thinking it would be relatively easy to get the collar sized down a bit and the sleeves narrowed. Don't you have any specialty leather shops in your area? They could probably do the alterations. Or a fur coat place. On the other hand, your seamstress sounds like she could be up for it.

Mochi

Veteran

I have these white 20-eyelet docs (same as Angie's) that I picture going with this whole space age-anime motif. It wouldn't even have to be costume-y at all. Just subtle and fun.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Janet, it looks great on you even now (and I too prefer 'almost vintage' to dated) and it's worth exploring every possibility to keep it. I'd love to see Angie's suggestions in action to start with.

A friend of mine is a very skilled seamstress who has years of commercial experience. Nowadays, amongst other things, she occasionally makes even leather jackets for some of her customers (rock tribute band). I remember her telling me how difficult working with leather is. There is no room for mistake, e.g. with normal fabrics if a wrong seam is made, you just undo it then sew another seam. With leather, once the needle goes through it there is no going back - if a mistake is made, tiny holes remain in place of the old seam. I'm just mentioning this to say you really need to know that whomever will be (if) altering your jacket has an experience in working with leather.

Anonymous

Google Alois Trancy and Ciel Phantomhive cosplay -- I think you could have some fun Black Butler had a weird storyline but some really interesting styles. I don't know how easy it would be to take from the page to reality, but these people have!

Deborah

Veteran

Janet the colour of this jacket is stunning and the leather looks beautiful. I will join the chorus of it looking almost vintage:) The thing that bothers me the most about the jacket is the collar. BUT i have never liked the style of collar so it's hard to be objective here. Could you have the collar removed and have it collarless? I would definitly try Angie's suggestion:)

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Personally, I love this just the way it is. Definitely has a bit of a space age vibe but I think it's cool.

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