Z Jacket: Angie's personal pick! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Z Jacket: Angie's personal pick!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, the moment you've all been waiting for. Well, maybe you haven't been waiting for it, but I'VE been waiting for it!

The intrepid Merwoman plunged into the sea of suburban shoppers at the Eaton Centre and brought back the spoils! And so, herewith, for your estimable judgement, the Zara moto.

A note on style: I haven't.

I'm showing it first with a white T, just so you can see the details. Then with the taupe sweater because it was the closest mid-tone thing I had to hand, and I thought it might make sense to look at it that way, although I see it's not great because you can see my white T through it...oh well. And finally with the BF and a shirt that I was trying on for my other thread.

Which brings me to my next question: How DOES one style a moto? What do you wear under it? A shirt collar seems to fight it badly. What necklines work?

My observations: the leather is not as fine a quality as on the Danier jackets, BUT (and this is huge) it feels light enough that I could consider wearing it indoors in a not-too-hot place. It layers under my coat (sorry, no pic, but it does work).

Would love your thoughts on the fit and if it seems like me.

It is snug but comfortable. In the pics it looks tight across the back, but in fact I can move my arms very comfortably without any of that too-tight-in-the-shoulders strain one gets from ill-fitting jackets.

My main concern, for what that is worth: Sleeves too long for indoor wear. In some of the pics I am trying to scrunch the sleeves (but can't get them to stay very well). In others, I have turned them under, or turned them under and then scrunched (they stay a bit better that way, but maybe it looks weird.) I assume a sleeve alteration would be very costly. Too-long sleeves are a perennial problem of mine with non-petities shirts and jackets, although usually European sizes are better for me on this, and I don't mind the length of these for outdoor wear.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

This post has 13 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

72 replies

Latest reply was from christy

catgirl

Veteran

I'm totally in love with it. Have to step away a moment to formulate more objective thoughts.

Thistle

Veteran

I really, really like it on you! I understand about the sleeves, and can see it in the pictures.

I am not a seamstress, so I am not sure how difficult it would be to alter. I guess it would depend on leather and the zippers at the wrist.

Still, the rest of it is perfect.

Do you have a seamstress you trust? Could she give you a quote?

Sylvie

Veteran

All hail the wisdom of Angie. This looks SO much better on you than any other jacket you've tried yet. Unfortunate about the sleeve length though.

catgirl

Veteran

Coming back to breathe...

Does it make you feel like the "you" you want to be? It makes ME want to be you, if that helps! If so, anything else is fixable IMHO, and I don't mind the sleeve length. I had my Allsaints jacket sleeves altered but there were no zippers.

krishnidoux

Veteran

One word: Perfect. Ridiculously perfect! Moto jackets are made for you. This one is sublime, the fit is right on, and arms are supposed to be a bit long like that. You'll see you'll get lots of wear from it. The short crop gives great proportions. Wear a longer top untucked underneath.

Mochi

Veteran

As is typical of me, I really love it unzipped. It fits great. I understand too well about the sleeve length problem. You would lose zipper detail if you were to have it altered, and scrunching likely doesn't work with leather.

I think it's brilliantly styled with the scarf. All the looks are great, though.

Makrame

Veteran

So, first things first - it looks great (and I am not bothered by the sleeve length). I think the cropped length is great for you and the fit is great.

Second - I am trying to remember if that was the type of look you were going for. It is a great moto jacket but for some reason I thought you were looking for something slightly different - arty? dramatic? I vaguely recall that the red Danier jacket had sort of lush and arty vibe to it whereas this moto reads as edgy and "rocker-chic".

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, went back and took a closer look at the sleeves. They don't look overlong to me (my untrained eye?). My sleeves habitually go down past the first knuckle. You could live with that, no?

K. Period.

Veteran

Oooooo that is gorgeous on you! I love the cropped length. I love how "bustin' out Suz" it is. A little rough. A little wild. Totally reflects the super fun side of your personality. Does it feel "you taking a step forward"?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

It looks great. I've always liked longer sleeves though.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

The cropped length is fabulous. I like the super-shiny hardware and I think the color looks really good on you - I think the slight sheen helps a lot. The fit looks fantastic unzipped and good zipped (fantastic zipped form the front, okay from the back) and anyway how often will you be wearing it zipped? BUT, the sleeve length does bother me. I feel like too-long sleeves look worse if you're small, just like too-short sleeves look worse on tall people.

I give it an 8. 9 if you are willing to shorten the sleeves.

merwoman

Veteran

Oh I have been waiting for this...and you in this jacket are beyond my expectations.
With the outfits that you are wearing - I love it best unzipped and with cream T and stripped shirt. Not digging the taupe topper - but as you say maybe that's because you have the white t shirt underneath.
When it's zipped, I think you have to be careful of the hemline of top you are wearing. Maybe curved is better? I'd be curious to see what the back view of 12-14 looks like with jacket zipped. Also would love to see it with the black banded top and cobalt blue skirt - I think that would look smashing.

Ginkgo

Veteran

Oh wow --Instant like! And it definitely gives you that edgy, urban vibe. Kingston, look out!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hey Suz, What an incredible jacket, and it is absolutely killer with the bf jeans and black boots -- but for me the sleeve length might be a deal killer. Too bad the sleeves have zippers!!

Everywhere else the fit is incredible, but the sleeves look substantially too long in the first photos -- not like a little amount that you could work on scrunching. Are the sleeves as long as they look?

I guess you are the only one who knows if the sleeves are scrunchable, and you could try unzipping them and playing around.

merwoman

Veteran

Oops forgot to comment on sleeve length.
Darn it all - have just googled how to stretch your arms...and it doesn't look good Suz!What about rolling the sleeve to the outside - like a cuff? Maybe even try unzipping it a bit and then rolling?

Anonymous

Yes we HAVE all been waiting for this Suz! It's Biker Suz and I love it! I looks exactly like I had it pictured on you in my mind. I think it hits just the right note for what you do and the vibe you're trying to convey. Imagine this with your floral knit winter dress. This jacket would beat any *twee* right out of it, lol!

The sleeve length wouldn't bother me at all. I'd unzip about an inch and flip to the outside, like Merwoman just suggested. As for BB shirts, how about buttoning them all the way up? Your picture #7 with the leopard scarf is perfect. The black is softened quite a lot and I don't think it looks harsh on you at all. I just hope you love it and feel like yourself in it (as much as I love it and think it's *you*).

Ariadne

Veteran

I noticed the sleeve length, too. Otherwise it looks amazing. Is it the style you're going for? It feels more tough than the outfits I've seen of yours, but if you're looking to add that element in to your style, then this would be perfect. It's gorgeous fits you so well--wow, your waist is tiny! (I'm hoping to hit Zara tonight as part of my moto jacket hunt and will have to check this out for myself...!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much, all -

wonderful thoughts & impressions.

The sleeves really *are* as long as they look, alas. And scrunching works only temporarily, although it works a bit better if I turn the sleeve under first and then scrunch. Opening the zipper makes the sleeves wider (DUH!) and it is not made so you can just turn back the cuffs (as in the Danier jackets); instead, you see lining and interfere with the zip detail.

And CF, Laura - I hear you on this. I am super sensitive about too-long sleeves, too. I think it must be an occupational hazard of the shorter among us!

Mochi, on an OUTDOOR jacket/ winter overcoat, I happily live with sleeves that go to this point. For for an indoor or light jacket, sleeves this long interfere with...well...life! I'm a huge sleeve scruncher and roller and always have been, not because I want to be "fashionable" but because back in the day when I had no money and there were no petites clothes, I could NEVER get sleeves the right length. Never. And then I started recognizing that the scrunch or roll was actually flattering to my overall proportions and did it for that reason, too.

So if there were a way to make these stay scrunched, I'd be satisfied with that. OR, if my seamstress (and I do have a good one) can do an alteration for not too much, it might be worth a try. It could be hard to match the hardware, though. But it wouldn't hurt to ask.

And...the main thing: can we all just observe a moment of silence about Angie's impeccable taste and skill? The woman has never even MET me in person. Yes, she has seen pictures, but we all know how confusing pictures can be. How could she instantly know the cut and overall fit would be so good?

I did see right away (I mean before even calling Zara) how a moto style collar is better for me. So I get that part. But, still. SHEESH!

Angie, we bow down.

And thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule just now to call out on this one.

Anonymous

Maybe there's a way to take out a section of the sleeve *above* the zipper and make it just look like a design detail.

rachylou

Veteran

It is a great, GREAT fit! YOU look FANTASTIC.

And I absolutely hate it on you. Ya. It's totally jarring to me and my perception of you. I think of you as being on the fine art side of avant garde, not the street side.

But I suspect I can get over that.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah...Claire...that is smart. It would be costly, I suspect...because the thing is lined...but it could just be an elbow seam and you'd never even notice it. Especially since I scrunch my sleeves. HA!

Rachy - just about joked on my tea!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Angie is a pure fashion Goddess!!! This is brilliant on you Suz. That cut is spectacular, where the jacket hits you is perfection and the overall ruggedness will provide juxtaposition with your ladylike items, which is something I personally love to do in my outfits. I think the sleeve alterations are worth asking your Wonder WomanEast about - find out how difficult and the cost and then make your decision. To have something fit you this well would be worth a bit more $$$ to make it custom IMO.

Krista

Veteran

I really like it and I think it suits you just perfectly!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

OK, I may be a weird one but I like the sleeve length. It would be too long for a classic tailored jacket but I think for a leather moto it can be a part of the "tough" image.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all - I am still laughing at Rachy's comment!!

Sveta, to be clear, I don't hate the LOOK of the sleeves, either. I sort of agree with you! But they are kind of uncomfortable this way. I always find myself wanting to push them back. You know? Irritating.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I think it looks great in all those photos! I didn't notice the long sleeves until I read the rest of the thread, but that might be because I like long sleeves like that.

Carole

Veteran

Suz, this is a great jacket on you. It looks fantastic in all the photos. Personally, I could live with the sleeve length (sleeves are almost always too short for me) but that is a rather personal thing. Does it bug you? LOVE it! You are on such a roll with all your great purchases!

KathyL

Veteran

I really like the jacket on you. I don't mind the length of the sleeves. I actually prefer it to the scrunched look. I love it with the scarf and taupe top. If it bugs you, I would look into the cost of altering it, but I think the sleeves look fine as it. Very cool look on you.

san

Veteran

This jacket looks amazing on you! Maybe your seamstress can add something to the sleeves that sort of ruches them. I don't mind the look of the length but you say it gets in the way of life and is not comfortable.
I tell you I was really excited when I saw this jacket on you. I have one similar from NAS about 4 yrs ago and I always wish it didn't have the shiney hardware and the shiney leather but seeing this on you has given me a new outlook. You look fantastic and the shine makes your smile jump off the page.

12 3