I love it zipped in 4 and unzipped with the low contrast button down. I think the color is divine and I love the edgy, rugged but polished style. Angie gave it a thumbs up so it must be a winner Personally, I think it is a bit boxy in the other pics--I think the cropped length kind of makes it look more so and I think the reason I like it in 6 is because it gives the illusion of a longer length. When it is unzipped it seems to obscure your narrowest point. Of course, I have been on a fashion vacation this summer so my eye is probably out of practice. Just my 2cents.

*waving* it is SO nice to see you!

ETA: I just went back and read all of the comments. I think you should ignore me and keep it. It looks like the consensus is a 'Yay'!

Thank you all SO much! I can't remember the last time I was this ambivalent about a purchase! Usually I know instantly; once in a while I do change my mind, but it's rare.

I am still going back and forth :). I appreciate all of the yay votes, but I am vexed by the heat issue (today it wasn't that hot, only around 73 degrees, and when I took off the jacket the shirt underneath was damp with sweat! I think it's the poly lining in addition to the leather), and by what Kyle touches on--somehow I'm not sure a leather jacket is *me* even though I love the look on others. I am thinking that if it's mostly for outerwear, then wouldn't it make sense to have it a bit longer?

I will continue to ponder...I have 28 days to return.

Thanks so much! More votes are welcome!

ETA: fab to hear from you, Kelly! I appreciate you weighing in!

I see nothing but a k-rating for this jacket. And all the pics reflect that to my eye - although I do prefer it open :). It looks sublime with the skirt outfit!! Good grief.

I'm enjoying how this cropped leather jacket is a slight departure from your usual style, Jonesy. It's also in line with your pinterest boards, which I view, so I guess I see it as a natural evolution to your next level of style fabness

ONLY YOU can assess the wearability as far as the heat goes, though. I can only help you with what I see on the photos and what I know about your style.

Jonesy, it is a lovely jacket and I agree with everything Angie is saying.
As for the wear-ability test how cold your office in winter? It is hard to assess this in the heat of summer: how about taking it to the grocery store with freezing AC and see if it is comfortable there

Jonesy I dont think I can add anything that hasn't already been said. The jacket does look fab on you. I love it with the column of color in #1 and with the skirt just makes me swoon, however only you know if you will wear it. I have one leather jacket that is cropped, black and works well as a "suit" jacket for the office as well as for casual . But I wear it occasionally as opposed to regularly. But that is ok for me and it puts a smile on my face everytime I wear it.

Chiming in late, and as one of the very active members of Team Leather Jacket, you might well imagine I'm biased, but I looked at the pics with my most critical eye as well as your style firmly in my mind.

And? I think it looks great! Even though I've never seen you wear anything like this before, I think it fits and complements your style. That's pretty clear from the fact that you put together these outfits which all work nicely with the jacket. And the color is wonderful.

I wear my leather jackets as outerwear just as often as outfit pieces, but the only one who can really assess the comfort and usefulness of this jacket is you! I hope you keep it.

Chuckling at Sveta's comment! Too true about the grocery stores!

I am glad you have some time to think about this. It seems as if if could be great for you, but only if you'll wear and enjoy it. Thing is...it WAS a good price, so it might be worth the investment to try it?

Well I love the jacket and particularly with the blue shirt in #7. I would also like to see it with a dress or matching shirt and bottoms, but none of that is the issue. Whether you would wear it is the question only you can answer I'm afraid.

I should stay out of this because I have a leather hoarding problem - and that means I'm never objective - and it means I rarely WEAR my leather!.

**psst - I do think it looks pretty fab **

Consider the humidity levels today vs in the fall and winter, too. That can make all the difference in the wearability of layers sometimes. I am the most likely of anyone I know to become overheated, and yet with the zero humidity we often have in the colder months, even I find a leather jacket comfortable to wear indoors sometimes, blazer style.

Thanks so much, everyone, especially those of you who are chiming in for a second time :)!

Angie, I do agree that a leather jacket might work well with where my style is headed, just not sure it's *this* leather jacket...I think if I could spring for one with a natural (silk or rayon or something) lining, that might help with the heat issue.

To give you a sense of how hot I run: When I teach, I usually wear just a button down or a sleeveless shirt with a jacket and will feel warm, and many students will keep their winter coats on in the classroom :). It's partly because I move around a lot when I teach, and they are sitting down, but I definitely run very warm. I have control over the temp in my office, but I rarely spend much time there (I write from home mostly, so when I'm at work I'm either in class or in meetings).

Okay, enough rambling for one night! I think I'm returning. I just don't feel fab about it on me when I look at the pics, especially when I compare it to other jackets I own. It feels slightly off to me somehow. I think it's the cropped-ness--I tend to feel oafish in things that are too cropped...makes me feel awkward or something.

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Jonesy, I really like this on you. But you gotta feel it. I bet you feel a little awkward in cropped jackets for the same reason I love to wear them. They make me feel BIGGER and TALLER, like, hey, I am just so long and lanky at 5'1" that this jacket doesn't come down to my midriff.

Nevertheless, the crop is perfectly in proportion for you and you've found many ways to style it, so if not ths one, I think you should continue the search for the right one.

Sounds like you know your heart on this one. I just wanted to add that my leather jackets are lined with either a cotton mesh, cotton (the roughest, thickest jacket), or silk and they are really breatheable. Polyester (and even rayon a little bit) suffocates me, and I am prone to sweating, so I think you are right to be cautious there. I really like the idea for you, though, so I hope you find the one

Jonesy I wanted to get my 2 bits in earlier but work got in the way.

I keep going back to the pictures and something is off, although it is subtle. The main thing I see is that it looks snug across the bust yet big around the waist. The latter is what makes it a little boxy even when zipped. (Sorry)

As for your style. I see yours as grown-up fashion-forward, edgy & modern, mitigated by the real life requirements of your job. So I do not see this as a departure of your style, I see this as you and I hope you don't give up on it. I love it in #2 with the bf jeans (and I am screaming at how the bf's look with those peep toe booties! in a good way!) so I'm tempted at the same time to urge you to keep it. I also like it in the last few pictures with the dressier trousers.

Maybe just keep on looking for one that doesn't feel as sweaty and has a more perfected fit? Sometimes it takes a few tries to get that right piece. I am on my third pair of grey skinnies, (already returned one pair), hemming and hawing over #2 and #3.

Jonesy, I love the color and can't assess the fit completely, but I will say that for our climate, a leather jacket as outerwear has a very brief shelf life. You must, must, must try wearing it underneath another layer of outerwear. Angie taught me this and it's invaluable. Otherwise, I might wear my leather jackets 3 days a year, when it's 60 degrees and not raining. Sadly, we just don't get enough of that weather! Think of January: I bet you can wear it like a blazer in those temps. And I take layers on and off all the time once indoors.

I think it looks fantastic and has so many style options for you. But you need to dress for your lifestyle and if you know it is too hot, then likely it is. That is going to limit how often you can wear it, and where you can use it. When you review that, if you can see yourself getting lots of wear (comfortably) then it might make your decision easier.

Jonesy, one of the first things I tried when I came to YLF several years ago was leather jackets, and I have never looked back.

I just think they "edge up" so many outfits. For some reason, this seems especially important for us curly girls. A little edge keeps things looking sleek and on-purpose, in contrast to the out-of-control, let-it-all-hang-out vibe that curls can produce (whether you embrace that vibe or not.)

Jonesy, I have looked at these pictures a few times now and I do really like the color and cropped style of the jacket. It is cheeky and the look is growing on me as I continue to look at it. Sounds like you are convinced about the "getting a leather jacket" part and are just not sure if this is the one. I have learned a lot just reading all the comments (yours included) and seeing how you come to a decision. This has been very helpful, because, unlike you, these decisions are almost always difficult for me. I love your style and am inspired by your process.

Well, I might be the only spanner here, but since you are still ambivalent, I'll give my two cents.

To ME, this biker style doesn't feel like you at all. I see you as more artsy and with more soft and architectural elements, whereas this is very classic Biker to me.

The fit also seems off to me... not short enough to be truly cropped and shrunken to wear with dresses, and not long enough for pants. It also sort of looks like it fits up top but them balloons a bit at the waist - so not quite boxy and not fitted, either. Looking back through the comments, it seems like Denise sees what I see?

Finally, I look at a leather jacket as something you will have a long time, so you should love it. What happens if you keep this one and the perfect one crosses your path afterward?

Wow, more great thoughts! Thanks so much! I was going to log on and hide all the pics, but maybe I will let them stand for a bit more, for "educational" purposes :).

Thanks, Una. Your comments are therapeutic!

Scarlet, I appreciate you weighing in about the lining. I do think a natural lining tends to go along with a higher price, so I have to mull that over (i.e., do I want to search for and spend a lot on a leather jacket?).

Denise, I appreciate your comments--no need to apologize!! I agree if my chest were smaller, it would look more uniformly boxy and perhaps be more of a look that I could go for. Maybe since I'm not flat-chested I need to look for one that's longer and has some seaming to it.

Laura, thanks for your thoughts about wearing one as outerwear. I do think we have different internal thermostats--I would never wear a leather jacket in 60 degree temps! Too hot! I can wear a medium-weight jacket (like leather or medium-weight wool without a thick lining) when it's mid-30s up to mid-50s, depending on if it's windy, sunny, etc. so I think I would be able to get some use out of it as outerwear.

Thanks, Glory, for weighing in.

April, yes, I see what you are saying. I do like the edge that leather can bring, especially when I see it on others :).

Thanks, MTB. I'm glad this process has been useful to you! Thanks for chiming in!

ETA: Thanks for your comments, Rae! You are on the mark, I think. I am definitely returning it (no more ambivalence). I do like the biker thing (goes with my love of rugged & androgyny) but I typically wear things like this more for non-work days, which I don't post as often on YLF, so maybe you don't think of that vibe as me? I probably wouldn't get a straightforward black biker jacket, but the color of this one and how it seemed sort of refined (somewhat understated zippers, if that's possible!) drew me to it. I agree with you on the fit--it's just off a bit. Thanks for your detailed analysis!

The lining nor the price are ideal. But I love the color and texture.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/pr.....-WNProduct

Jonesy, I love everyone's analysis and input and it sounds like you're making the correct decision.

One thing to consider (about the 'next' contender), is having the sides altered. Jean (greenglove) did this with a leather jacket she had and was happy with the result, wearing it more because of the improved fit. Of course, she already owned it and felt the fit was a bit off . .

Anna, that is really beautiful! My two favorite colors are olive green and dark red, so this hits my sweet spot :). I saw an Acne jacket at NAS and the workmanship was fab. It is probably too cropped for me (and the poly blend lining, as you mention, isn't ideal), but the texture is gorgeous!

ETA: Thanks, Sara! Jean does have quite the fab cropped leather jacket collection!