Ask Everyone: Leather jacket length

Sylvie

What is the ideal length for leather jackets?

#1-#3: This is the jacket I bought last week styled with a dress. Does it need to be more cropped to wear with a dress? I'm getting the buyer's remorse that accompanies a big purchase, so I need confirmation I can wear this with both jeans and skirts/dresses.

#4-#8: These are various jackets I've tried on but not bought/kept just for comparison. #4 and #7 are more cropped and might have been good choices for skirts/dresses but they are also boxy.

Thanks in advance!

#9: Just added photo of my new jacket with pencil skirt and tank.

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13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. To be honest, I like #7 the best on you in terms of fit and length... Although, while it seems the tiniest fraction shorter, I'm not sure it is.

You know, maybe it's the dress fabric's weight v. that of the leather jacket that's giving the feeling of it being too long.

13 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think the jacket length is good. It nips in nicely at the waist. I can picture it over one of your pencil skirt outfits, definitely. I don't care for the jacket with the pictured dress though but the silhouette works to my eye. Just my 2cents.

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Thank you for chiming in ladies.

Rachylou: It's interesting that #7 looks shorter in the photos because the torso length is actually two inches longer than the torso length of the first one (ie the jacket I bought)

Kelly: The nipped in waist does save it doesn't it? I tried it on with a pencil skirt and I like the silhouette as well. If it was a boxy jacket, it would need to be more cropped.

13 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

In the new picture it definitely works!

13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

I didn't read it first and preferred 1-3...so I am soooo glad that is the one you bought!

13 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you made a good choice. The dress you are trying it on with may not be perfect with the leather jacket but it could just be the styling. What shoes would you be wearing? And would you wear darker tights? Both would make a big difference.

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Optical illusions!

I think it was the dress. With the skirt, the jacket looks totally different.

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I think this jacket is going to work best with pants, though I do like the skirt outfit you added in #9. For the dress, I'd rather see something more cropped. #4 could have potential for dresses, but I'm not sure it's quite cropped enough either.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First off, you bought the right jacket! It looks great on you, Sylvie! I think it will work brilliantly with pants and with skirts like your seamed skirt.

I don't like it as much with the dress but that is partly an issue of visual weight. The dress feels light (due to the colour) and a bit summery and airy. The jacket feels much heavier. I think if you paired it with a suitable darker dress that was also slim (like the pencil skirt) it would work well, due to the nipped in waist. It's a great jacket!

13 years ago

KathyL

Veteran

The skirt does make a huge difference! I wasn't loving it in the first few pics, and I thought the last one was a different jacket till I read the comments. I like it with the skirt much better than with the dress but I still think a slightly shorter jacket will work better for skirts and dresses.

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

@cinnamon fern and @rachylou: I do like it better with the skirt too.

@jayne: Thank you for helping reinforce my jacket choice.

@texstyle and @Suz: I'm about to toss that dress (as it's coming apart at the seams) but this is definitely a more winter-y jacket. As you've both suggested, it would look better with a dark dress, tights and boots.

@Aida and @KathyL: It never ends, does it? I will need to find a lighter weight, more cropped jacket if I want to wear it with dresses and skirts.

The primary wardrobe hole I want to fill with this jacket is using it as a lightweight piece of outerwear when wearing a trench seems too fussy. I am picturing throwing it over sleeveless tops or t-shirts and jeans. However, I think I will also like wearing it over an LBD and I will be experimenting a little more with my pencil skirts and dresses.

If anyone sees a cropped bright turquoise leather jacket, send it my way!

Thanks everyone!

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

LOVE the jacket you chose, Sylvie. I just bought a ruched cotton moto with much the same shape. Mine, too, if nicely shaped but a little longer than I'd like to dresses. If you're using for outerwear, a little length is a good thing, though --- warms the booty!

BTW -- I think a slightly longer jacket can work well with weightier or longer skirts and dresses.

13 years ago

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