beautiful jacket, ridiculous price? - YouLookFab Forum

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beautiful jacket, ridiculous price?

Mochi

Veteran

And as if they'd have it in my size. But sometimes it's just amazing how they price these things. "Free People" seem to be trust fund babies, I guess!

http://www.freepeople.com/ria-.....er-jacket/

Gorgeous leather and design, isn't it? But come on, for a jacket that's unlined...and look at the sweater material on half the sleeves? They can't even give you full leather sleeves for $1200? And what happens when that ribbed material wears out or gets a hole or tear? How would you repair it?

(Fake outrage, with a tiny bit of sour grapes thrown in

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Raisin

Veteran

I kind of like the sweater material inside the arm, it adds more dimension and interest. I sort of like subtle details like that. And the patterning on the leather is subtle and interesting. A bit pricey though for sure!

Mochi

Veteran

I guess you could consider it a mixed-media jacket and it does add some textural interest....but leather is higher quality and more durable, and the price doesn't justify not using leather throughout. In my opinion.

Anonymous

They do that with the sweater material so they can have very slim cut sleeves that will stretch to fit different sized arms.

Mochi

Veteran

Ahhh, that would make sense. Is it a material that can take a lot of wear and tear, though? (I'm not buying the jacket, but am infatuated with it, you can see I just see something getting ripped and then the whole jacket's useless. I think it's only an online item? Would love to take a look at it in person. Of course, I can never buy this anyway. Whatever, right?

Raisin

Veteran

No...I don't think there's really anyway to "justify" the price, even with full leather. It's just an expensive jacket. But I do like the look, even with the mixed media! If I actually had the money to get it and I loved it I wouldn't let the fact that a bit of it was not leather deter me. But I will never have to make that decision, hahaha!

Case in point though, I sort of "needed" a new winter jacket and just got one on sale in Montreal while I was there. My other one is still in fantastic shape after 5-6 years, buuuuut the super high turtle neck bothers me to the nth degree! I don't like things on my neck and the wool makes it scratchy (why the heck did I buy it?) The old on is very nice though, made of great quality wool. I went to the same retailer and fell in love with a black jacket this time, but it's not wool. It's some sort of blend of synthetic fabrics, and has leather details. I bought it anyway though, I love it, it's warm and more comfy that the wool actually, and it looks so fab. I almost said maybe I should wait to find a real wool one, but then I was like who cares, I love this one! I also think the material on the arms of that leather jacket could add to the ease of movement, since leather is a bit restricting. Anyway, just my thoughts!

Mochi

Veteran

The jacket is currently on order (not in stock anywhere). If it ever comes to an actual store, I would love to take a look at it. The leather is just gorgeous.

Claudia

Veteran

Jackets with those knit paneled sleeves make it so much more versatile and so many of the higher end designer leather jackets have this feature: they stretch for ease of layering over a sweater or other under-layers, keeps a sleek but movable/bendable fit, good as an outerwear jacket in cooler temps, but also great as indoor wear in the colder months with this venting material. So I am a big fan.

Also, unlined leather jackets are versatile for the same reasons listed above, but also can be a sign of an extremely well made and finished leather item: you can't hide poor finishing under a lining.

All that being said, this is a really great looking jacket, but not for this poster's budget! I would have to admire it on someone else.

Mochi

Veteran

That's really interesting, Claudia. Even taking this particular jacket out of consideration, it's good to know.

I once had a discussion with a talented amateur seamstress about a leather bag I liked that was unlined. She told me that without a lining, the leather would stretch, or at least stretch more than you'd want. I guess, apples and oranges.

Claudia

Veteran

Leather does stretch, and the knit sleeve panels would help avoid too much leather stretching on the sleeves like bagging out at the elbows or shoulders, and as for the unlined body of the jacket, it would be ideal to be able to easily stretch where it was snuggest or pulling to get a custom fit on each wearer.

If I could afford this jacket, I'd be interested in buying it. I love it.

morethanbeige

Veteran

Very cool jacket for me to admire from afar...

Niefern

Like in many things, you would be paying for design and style and not so much for materials or quality. I guess if you have the money and really really love the jacket and it will make you happy, it would be worth it.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

This is a beautiful jacket Mochi. My thoughts on my experiences with leather jackets.

I have a leather jacket with fabric in the sleeves - it's about 3 years old & the fabric does pill a little but the comfort & fit factor outweighs any pilling for me.

I also have an unlined leather jacket which I bought one size down on the insistence of the SA. She was right but I was in a cold sweat until the darn thing stretched:) I is beautiful soft leather & I get the comfort factor of a cardigan with the stylishness of a jacket - which I love.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That is a very cool jacket! Embarrassed to admit that my blue IRO moto was not much cheaper, but the darn thing is soft as butter and extremely well made. (My most expensive item of clothing ever, except for my wedding gown). Plus I plan to wear it until I'm old and grey, and then some.

Maybe it will go on sale? I also balk at the idea of something so expensive unlined, but I understand what others have said about that not necessarily being an indicator of quality. I just wish it were somewhere where you could see it in person to gauge whether it's worth it! It really does look like a special piece.

Mochi

Veteran

Well, I did pop into the store while I was downtown today, but they said it's only going to be an online item. As I remember, you don't get free shipping with FP, though at least I could return it in store. But really, if there's not a huge chance I'm keeping it, I don't want to bother, and I'm not going to buy it at that price (and even discounted, it would have to be a really high-quality item that I knew was going to last for years). However, in my head I'm doing all sorts of Shoe Math games. I actually am supposed to be getting some money (I was hit by a car while on my bike. *Two* years ago. I have this lawyer supposedly trying to get money from the insurance company. Not counting on anything though he insists we'll get some pain and suffering money. So buying something really nice is part of my fantasy, though I am not dumb enough to take the plunge before seeing any cash!

Janet, just for fun I went into Intermix and looked at an IRO jacket and it was also unlined. I hadn't looked at it from the angle that this may be a sign of quality.

MsMary

Veteran

Interesting about the lining. Sort of like how you should never buy a rug with a backing -- you should be able to see the reverse side of the pattern, and it should look as good as the right side.

It's a gorgeous jacket, all right. I have to admit, though, that "rich hippie/trust fund baby" retailers like Free People set my teeth on edge a little. Like, what 21 year old is going to be able to afford those very young-lookking clothes, you know?

Mochi

Veteran

I know, MaryK, I know. And in the store, everyone was around twenty. It's not just that it's high-priced, but that the intended vibe is boho, free spirit, la di dah, not someone who's about to pay 1.2K for a jacket or a couple hundred on a pair of boots.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

Rick Owens also has knit insets on his leather jackets. I've wanted one for years but they are even more expensive--up around $2400

Thistle

Veteran

Beautiful jacket. Looks like it was designed for a younger crowd, and I know my life cannot accomodate such a delicate and beautiful piece.

While I cannot help you rob a bank for this one, I can cheer you on!