Keep or return: leather jackets - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return: leather jackets

stringy

Veteran

Today I tried on a dozen leather jackets. I bought two in the same style, one tan, one black. I'm not sure whether to keep them or not though - they're expensive and I'd like to make sure I'm not wasting my money.

Tan:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

Black:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

Black closed:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

Black, one button done up:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

This is a size 7. The salesgirls all had the same jacket, and say that it eases out a bit. For the Aussies, this is at Live, and the brand is Stella Forest.

The fit across the shoulders is great, but I'm not sure about the cropped length - will it actually keep me warm, since the jacket is too fitted to wear anything under it besides a shirt? I had intended to get something at hip length.

The one I didn't buy:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....directlink

Again, good fit. But seems boxy on me. A lot of the jackets I tried on seemed to flatten my already small chest. I think something tailored will help with that, but there's not a lot of choice.

The one I could order online now that I know my size in this store:
http://www.sportscraft.com.au/.....7_1001236/

I'm overwhelmed by the choices and would really like some input.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Katiepea

stringy

Veteran

Some other leather jacket options:

Jeans West
http://www.jeanswest.com.au/st.....Vests.html

Just Jeans, charcoal colour, crushed leather
http://justjeans.com.au/JU_nav.....ck=Jackets

Sharon

Veteran

I'm not really in love with this jacket on you.

I think it looks sweet with one button done up, but fully done up it doesn't really do justice to your shape. I can see what you mean about it flattening you out. It certainly doesn't look terrible, but as you say, it is an expensive item and it should look fantastic.

I wonder if it is worth trying the Sportscraft one - I've always found their tailoring to be really nice and the bit of extra length might give you some extra versatility over winter.

Scarlet

Veteran

Big fan of the tan color because it really complements your complexion. Obviously black is classic, but the tan really gives your face more light.
Chest flattening is kind of par for the course in my experience. My theory is thus: many of these jackets are not really designed to be closed. The jackets which are designed to be closed and do not flatten the chest don't look as good left open. You have to chose between the two or be ready to plunk down for both versions. This also relates to the keeping you warm enough question.
Finally, these jackets look good on you, but if you yourself are not super-excited about the jackets, I would return them because there are so many awesome leather jackets out there that you should be able to find one that you feel great about. Preferably in tan or brown.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Ditto everything Scarlet said, particularly about the flattening aspects. That's kind of what they are supposed to do.

I LOVE the tan on you much, much more than the black. Look for jackets in that shade, it brightens your whole complexion!

stringy

Veteran

I'll admit that although I love feeling like Suzie Quatro in the black, I think it'd only get nighttime use (have got an amazing sea green top that would look great with it), whereas the tan feels like an everyday option, great with denim and dresses and all sorts of stuff.

Both jackets are very comfortable, I like them so much until I look at them in the photo. Looking at them close up in the mirror in the store seemed great, but now that I'm home I've just got a niggling doubt.

The tailored Sportscraft one is only available in chocolate now, they seem to be running out of everything with the sale on.

stringy

Veteran

Oh, and for reference: husband likes the black, loves the tan, and thinks I was too harsh on the boxy Sportcraft one that I tried on. He thinks I should return the cropped black and get the boxy black one in it's place.

Traci

Veteran

Have you tried buttoning only one or two buttons somewhere around the middle? It may give shape, or it may look odd, you'll have to give it a try.

I quite like the jackets you got, but from the other links you posted, and your comment about wanting a hip length jacket, I really like this one http://www.jeanswest.com.au/st.....41102.html
I can't decide if it's a true black, or a very dark brown. On my screen, the color is warmer than the other blacks.

Louise

Veteran

I think if you don't love them return them. Both of my leather jackets I physically couldn't leave the shop without! x

chellebrate

I think they all look good on you. I'm in agreement with your husband. If it were me, I'd probably keep the tan, exchange the black for the other black.

stringy

Veteran

Traci, the middle buttons done up look ok, but not enough to give me a waist That Jeans West Kawasaki jacket is pretty nice, it's definitely a dark brown.

I loved them when I was in the shop - I wonder if I'm just getting anxious because of the price. If they were cheaper, I'd just keep them until another jacket blew my socks off.

Queen Mum

Veteran

It is really hard when we're making such an investment isn't it? I would feel the same way. I do really like the tan one on you... the black one not so much.

April

Veteran

I have a pleather jacket in a very similar style http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0635.jpg and as someone here pointed out to me, a snug-fitting cropped jacket is not really meant to be outerwear per se. With mine, I can only comfortably wear a sleeveless top beneath, so the jacket is more a piece of an outfit rather than something to throw on over an outfit, if that makes sense.

BTW, I love that caramel tan color on you!

Lisa

Veteran

I vote return both, I like the chestnut color better than tan with your coloring. The jacket, the sleeves look very long, and with so many buttons, they may be more prone to falling off/take a while to close up the jacket. I like the one you tried on but did not buy, partly because it's a zipper and partly because of the overall style. I'm a biggest fan of the one you can order online because it's the most classic style.

Encore

I think the tan is a better color....

Vix

Veteran

Wow, you just glow in the tan/chestnut one.

I'm with Scarlet on the 2 types of leather jacket thing. If you are going to wear yours more like a blazer -- with occasional buttoning to and from your transportation -- than I'd keep the tan one. [I like the longer sleeves.]

Otherwise I think I'd just start over entirely, possibly looking for heavier-weight jackets. Given your coloring, I think chocolate beats black hands down -- but the tan is stunning on you and will stand out to boot!

florida

Veteran

I don't think that they're bad, but they're not super, either. I think that the length looks good on you, and I like the color of the tan one A LOT! But the sleeves look a little long, and if you're not wild about them, I vote return.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Stringy, I REALLY like the tan jacket on you, just as you pictured it, open with a shirt underneath. I personally think it is very flattering and can envisage it working with both jeans and skirts. To me, you have a very feminine face with delicate features and I find this colour "softer" and less jarring against your complexion and bone structure.

I like the black as well, don't get me wrong! However, I do think it looks a tad harsh for daytime wear. If you really wanted black, I'd really want you to make sure you wore some colour around your face and possibly considered strenghtening the makeup to bring colour into your face so as not to look washed out.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Oooh great jacket. I think the cropped length makes it more versatile as it will work work with dresses as well as pants. Love the tan colour!!! I wonder if you wouldnt be better off looking for a different style in black though just t mix it up a bit, especially as there seems to be so many out there at the moment!!!

stringy

Veteran

Ok, how's this for a plan?

Keep the tan jacket;
return the black one;
keep looking for a black one in a different style;
find a winter coat to keep me warm, so that I'm not trying to make the tan jacket do a job it's not well suited to.

I do agree about the tan colour being a good choice for me. I didn't see many jackets in this colour so I don't want to let that one go.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

PERFECT!