Last post from me today...my daughters are waiting patiently to spend their holiday shopping....he he, but for bikes.

As mentioned already I have this list for jackets

1. replacement stripe blazer for old one that was too big and I had tired of
2. replacement grey blazer for one that I feel is too big and not cool enough
3. leopard blazer just because I saw a lady wearing one and thought she looked great.

and this time I wanted to discuss the grey. In my mind I picture a hacking jacket, in a lovely light, silvery wool, with a longer back than front. But after searching now a year I let myself be swayed by the idea of leather. Here are the ones I have tried. let me know if you had a favorite.

The sad truth is that i purchased the one in picture 4 and then spent some time trying to style it, on the same day as the others I posted about. And again, once styled with lots of bottoms, I realized that it was too short and didn't fulfill my need. IN addition, it smelled. It is a leather jacket and I expected the leather smell, but this one gave me a headache just having it in the car on the way home. I tried airing it outside on my covered porch but it still smelled. I returned it, again for more store credit (another typical problem here, hard to return anything.)

But, the up side. While I was going wild trying on all my other jackets I decided to try on my grey blazer that I was trying to replace. And dang I was smitten by the nipped waist, the length and the width of the collar. But it does seem big. Can anyone suggest if I should, or how I should, have it altered so it will fit me better. I think it is actually flattering, do you agree?

Have I learned anything from all this. I wish I could say I had but the truths are small, 1. be careful what you buy on sale 2. don't compromise on what you really want

but the thing I learned about myself was maybe more important...I am no longer willing to keep bad purchases just because they almost work, and despite the very negative attitude about returning anything, I am willing to return now to save myself wasted money and an orphan in my closet. I am pretty happy with that.