How do you decide which leather jacket to buy?

I am in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe after a few years of neglecting it and having a baby in the meantime.

I have gotten most of the basics so now it is time to move on to the finishing touches - the FUN part!

I am really jonesing for a leather jacket (or two...)

How do you decide the color, style and fit if you are buying leather? I am trying to find something that will be classic enough to last, therefore justifying the cost per wear, but still awesome enough to give the right pop to my outfits. I would like it to serve two functions - casual and work and I really want real leather.

I am just getting into the leggings/skinny jeans thing and just ordered my first pair of tall boots (cognac).

I work in a business casual environment but am expected to look smart and polished. I love the idea of using a leather jacket instead of a blazer. As much as I would like to rock the moto jacket it is probably a little too fashion forward for the office.

I have focused on Nordstrom and found two contenders.

tan:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/be.....tback=1052

black:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....ltback=283

Here are my questions:

1. Are these fashionable enough but still classic to justify cost?

2. Can I mix a tan or black leather jacket with cognac boots? Can someone show me a WIW so I can visualize this look?

3. Should I look for a cropped length to wear with the leggings/skinny jeans? I am new to this look so need guidance.

4. Anyone have either of these jackets? Feedback online looks good but would love YLF comments if anyone has one.

5. Other jackets or sources to consider? I need size XL.

THANK YOU!

abc

14 years ago

Claudia

Veteran

Just wanted to say that tan Bernardo jacket is making my heart skip a beat. LOVE! It's in my "Wish List."

Black is strong, classic and edgy, but I prefer the softer look of other neutrals. It's just a matter of personal taste and perhaps how your coloring looks with black.

Queen Mum

I think both of these jackets should have staying power... they both seem on-trend, but yet fairly classic. ANd they are both beautiful.

I love the look of black and cognac together.. it keeps things from being too harsh.

I don't think you necessarily need a cropped jacket for skinnies... jacket lengths seem to be coming down this year so I'm almost inclined to think you're better off sticking to a bit longer than super cropped.

Claudia...yeah, the Bernardo makes me drool too. It is expensive, but I am trying to get more quality pieces with staying power therefore making them worth the investment.

I have blonde hair and fair skin. Not sure how that factors into the black vs tan.

Queen Mum, I did not realize about the jacket lengths coming down, I am not as up on fashion as I used to be. Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the feedback so far!

abc-- don't take my word for it,but it just seems to me that cropped was all the rage the past couple years, and now we're seeing a tad longer and classic. I could be completely wrong though.

abc, Angie is very familiar with the merchandise at Nordstrom. Maybe she's seen the Bernardo jacket in person and even had it on clients and can give you some feedback on it.

It is expensive, but not too bad if It's The One. Cost per wear is really a consideration.
Can you call a local Nordstrom and see if they have it and can hold it for you to try on? I'd be really tempted to order this so I didn't lose out in getting my size.

Parsley

I only have a minute before I have to dash out the door, but here's my 2¢ worth:

In general I think black is more versatile, but that depends on the colors in your wardrobe.
I like the idea of a leather jacket instead of a blazer, but certain styles will be more conducive to that than others.

I really like both of the jackets that you posted. I actually ordered the first one online, and it was almost great for me, but not quite, so I ended up returning it. On me, in order to get the jacket big enough in the bust, the bottom flared out and wasn't fitted at the hip. If you look at the model you can see that it does the same thing on her. Of course that would depend on your body type. Maybe it would be better on someone who's more of a pear shape.

The neckline on the second one would bother me if I were wearing it indoors instead of a blazer. See how it's kind of high and looks like it's sticking into the model's neck? Maybe I'm too picky, but that's the kind of detail that would bug me.

One that I've been looking at and now that it's half price, I may just pull the trigger on today is this one:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cl.....et/3195108?

I tried it on in the store a while back, and loved it. In fact a strange man sitting nearby waiting for his wife chimed in and said he really liked it- I guess that's a good sign!
I think it would be perfect to wear instead of a blazer- in fact it's really more meant for that than for outerwear.

Another one I really like is this one, but maybe it's too moto style for you, and it's not on sale. It does look a little softer than the usual moto jacket since it's not black:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ma.....et/3248009?

It comes in a good range of sizes.

Gotta run- good luck with your search!

Parsley, that chocolate color Classiques Entier is simply gorgeous!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know both jackets well, and they are beautiful! It's impossible to suggest the better option at this point because we don't know how they fit your body.

You really need to try them both on. Take a few pics and report back to us!

You can absolutely mix black with cognac.

Thanks for all of the feedback and suggestions.

I guess I just need to order them and try them on. I will be back in the US on business in early Dec - guess I should order now and ship to family or a friend so that I am sure to get my size.

Claudia, I saw the links you posted but the colors do not work as well with my wardrobe as tan or black. I am not sure if I will have the same fit problem you had with the Bernardo, guess I will just have to try it and see.

Stay tuned...thanks again!

goldenpig

ABC, I think either leather jacket would be great. I don't think you need a cropped one, especially if you are wearing it like a blazer. I think tan/cognac would be a little softer and more work-appropriate, but I would go with whichever one fits with your wardrobe colors better. If I had to pick only one though I'd go with the Bernardo tan one! That looks so nice!

This probably won't help (unless you need enabling!) but I actually bought both a black and a cognac leather jacket recently! Here are the ones I ended up with:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....her-jacket
(I got the black Tahari Richelle in #3-7 and the cognac Lafayette 148 in #19-24.)
I've worn both to work and they are great substitutes for blazers. Absolutely worth the money--I can tell they are both going to be workhorses in my wardrobe--great for work and for casual outfits.

The John Carlisle jacket in my post (#8-15) is on sale and comes in both black and brown (they call it cognac but it looks like a dark chocolate to me), if you like the moto style.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/jo.....ltback=132

The Tahari Vivien in black also looks like a nice option (I got a different Tahari, but I like it):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/jo.....ltback=128

This black Michael Kors is nice, I tried it on although it is a bit plain (I tend to like more details):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mi.....ltback=128

As for mixing black and cognac, absolutely you can! Here are some WIW's so you can get a sense. Here's a work outfit with cognac jacket and black boots. And another one of a casual outfit with cognac jacket and cognac boots. And another work outfit with black jacket and black boots. I don't have one with a black jacket and cognac boots but I should try that!

Good luck with your leather jacket search! I hope you find what you need and hope the cognac boots work out too (just bought a pair myself too)!

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