HEWI Moto Jacket Style has Expired for Me

Chris987

This blog post from 2017 resonated with me today. Angie's advice stands the test of time!

I brought home this moto jacket from Loft a couple of weeks ago. Find #1. This particular style of jacket is extremely difficult to fit on me; I've tried dozens of them. This one is a petite size, good fit, stretchy faux suede fabric, nice cognac color. I've been looking for something like this for a looong time.

The more I think about it the more I've decided to return it.

For my climate, this jacket would only be outerwear for my very short transition seasons and this fall I'm yearning for a lightweight thigh-length fitted coat instead.
I used to LOVE this color but these days I'd prefer darker/cooler chocolate browns
I have a such a casual lifestyle that classic blazers as part of outfits feel too formal most of the time. The moto style, which is very classic, feels similar
I think I'd prefer a slightly more trendy knit jacket style, like one of these other finds. Lands End has one too in a dark green ..
https://www.landsend.com/produ.....utes=19967

Comments welcome of course!

Loft

Petite Faux Suede Moto Jacket

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Shopbop

Shopbop - Designer Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

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Ann Taylor

Tweed Stitch Sweater Jacket

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Anthropologie

Avec Les Filles | Anthropologie Avec Les Filles Bonded Tweed Jacket

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J.Crew

Textured sweater lady jacket

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6 days ago

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

RobinF

Veteran

Yeah, that happens to me too. I long for something, search but never find it. A few years later I don't seem to want it any more. At least I save the money

6 days ago

Chris987

Veteran

EXACTLY RobinF!!

6 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Makes sense, Chris! HEWI love can fade when you finally find the item for all sorts of reasons. As you mentioned.

Good job staying CURRENT with your feelings about items because they CAN change. Your knitted jacket idea is a better one, and sooo on trend now too

Coat idea is even better!

6 days ago

Roberta

Veteran

The appeal of a moto jacket also faded for me. That Frame "lady jacket" is really nice! J Crew also has multiple variations on a button front jacket. Price points and availability are all over the place for this style! (a good sign of a lasting trend).

Talbots also has several versions (I can't make a Find), especially a burgundy faux leather quilted version that I think would suit SEVERAL Fabbers. https://www.talbots.com/emboss.....r=RICH%20B

6 days ago

Lisa

Veteran

You've brought up some great points, thanks for sharing. It's a good idea to stay current!

6 days ago

Jenny H

Veteran

I can relate. A moto jacket was one of my HEWI for so many years. Now I own two. I love them but in reality, they aren't very flexible in terms of the kinds of conditions I can wear them in (the temperature needs to be just right) so they don't get a ton of wear.

On the flip side, I had a knit blazer on my list for years and years and was never happy enough to keep any that I tried. I finally found one over Labor Day weekend and I love it and think I will get a ton of wear out of it.

6 days ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You know what's funny? I've been off my moto jackets for the last few years, but I hung onto them. This year I think I may be feeling them again -- but now styled differently! This time around with tucked tops and wide legged jeans and pants and flat shoes. Last time around it was more moto jacket layered over long untucked top and skinny jeans.

That said, good for you for knowing where you want to be taking your style NOW! I've had HEWIs that seem so urgent, and then they sort of fade out of my radar.

6 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good for you for going with your feelings on this. Sometimes the HEWI is just too elusive and by the time it shows up, it's no longer of interest. The rest of the wardrobe has changed. It doesn't fill a real hole. Onwards!

I have one moto. (I used to have several others, but passed them on ages ago.) I like this one a lot, and i do wear it (as per Janet's comment, with wide leg jeans or skirts, mostly) and it does not date (it's on its 9th year in my closet now)...but truthfully, it only gets about 10 outings per year, if that. And I can't imagine purchasing another at this point.

Massimo Dutti

Faded Blue Leather Jacket

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6 days ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I can relate to this. I have a few HEWIs on my list, but they don't make sense anymore. I have been looking at that Frame sweater jacket. Gorgeous colour.

6 days ago

Sal

Veteran

Smart to re-evaluate!! Funnily enough that weight of jacket is perfect for me in my climate.

Things do change and evolve and that's what makes it all fun.

6 days ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Excellent realization and analysis. I go on and off certain items over the course of years and, like Janet, sometimes change how I see things. Makes perfect sense not to add this to your closet now and choose a jacket that is what you want now.

6 days ago

Kate

Veteran

That's happened to me too, Chris.

As far as moto jackets go, I've had a number of them that I winnowed down to one over the years. I never got the kind of wear out of them I thought I would. The one I kept, which I think is now 13 years old, I certainly wear differently than I did back in the day. It doesn't get a lot of wear, but I do love it, and imagine it will remain in my closet for a good while.

6 days ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I am terrible at predicting which of the items will become workhorses and which will sit idle, HEWI, basic, statement, whatever. The nature of the item doesn’t matter. I can buy something thinking I will wear it for years and end up placing it in the holding zone or donation box within a year. For me, this has happened most often with dresses not jackets. I still wear my moto jackets every fall. Having said this, I also like the lady jacket and tried to purchase one during NAS but it was too short. A moto is classic yet I also like to keep things fresh. I can see room for both in my wardrobe. I like the look of the green jacket from Lands end. It has very clean lines and looks like it would pair well with most anything.

5 days ago

unfrumped

Veteran

So great to be able to analyze an item & make decision that clicks.

I can relate, not to moto per se, but by way of having a “ jacket identity crisis”. Not really a crisis, ha. But 3 bears sort of thing— this style is now too formal/stuffy/tailored, but this other style is too sloppy/ casual/ frumpy or casual fabric looks cheap, maybe this other one seems just right until it’s not.
Also like Janet, trying to determine at times if it’s the jacket or the support act. But then does the whole outfit maybe look good, but not anymore for the occasion I needed it for!

5 days ago

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Angie!

Right Roberta, lots of those knit jackets are available now. Thank for that Talbot option.

Lisa, good point. I'm feeling a bit too classic and not current enough this fall.

Jenny H - funny how some items work really well and others don't, isn't it. It not always easy to predict.

Good for you Janet - nice to wear something again after not wanting too for a while. I don't like the way wide leg pants look on me proportionally so I don't have that styling option but can see that it would work well for you.

suz that jacket of yours is gorgeous ... and it is never a bad idea to hold onto classic items w/longevity. There really is a place in one's wardrobe for thing rarely worn but kept for years.

Sty Fan, exactly! I can see you in that Frame jacket!

Sal, it certainly WOULD work for your climate. And you're dead right about the evolution being fun!

Jaime - well said!

Kate - agreed, it's great to keep things long term sometimes and let the styling around them evolve.

Staystif - I too am bad at predicting workhorses vs. ignored.

unfrumped, LOVE your "three bears" analogy - it is just perfect for this situation!! Goldilocks did get to "just right" eventually so I'll take that as a good omen.

5 days ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Great reflections. I edited down my moto jackets to two leather ones, and then did not wear them for several years for many reasons. The weather wasn’t perfect, or they didn’t go with my outfit, or my weight was up and I no longer felt good in them …etc etc.

I took them out of storage recently, and you know, I *like* them again. I feel new energy towards styling them around current trends and decided I would just WEAR them without overthinking (my personal failing).

5 days ago

Chris987

Veteran

Sounds like a great idea Aquamarine. "just wear them". I need to do that more often too.

3 days ago

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