Leather Jackets - and feeling a teensy bit rebellious (very long) - YouLookFab Forum

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Leather Jackets - and feeling a teensy bit rebellious (very long)

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I haven't bought a leather jacket in umpteen years. I had a beautiful burgundy suede moto jacket (well, a dressed up version of such) at one point, and then later on, I also had a cognac leather trench.

I'd really love to get myself a leather jacket for this fall and winter, but I'm wondering about what colour to get. I'm slightly 'paralyzed' by the idea that I should get a classic/neutral colour, but am really liking the looks of the John Carlisle teal leather moto jacket in the NAS sale catalogue. But, like I said - I keep thinking I should go 'neutral' or at least somewhat classic...since this'll be my *only* (and first) leather jacket to start with. I am not sure that black will work (blonde, fair skin, very light eyes) - though I'm kind of drawn to the idea of a classic black moto jacket. Or maybe I should get something cognac or grey or other neutral-ish colour?

Would it be dumb to get a teal colour?

So, what do you think? Go for classic black or other neutral, or do something totally different like teal? My first choice would be black, but I worry just a tiny bit about it not being the best choice with my light hair and fair skin. That said, Angie looks *fab* in a classic black leather moto jacket...and I still remember San's totally fabulous NAS black leather moto jacket from a few years ago - that one just knocked my socks off. I just about fainted when I saw how great a classic black leather moto looked on her.

Hmm...I think I'm almost answering my own question - I think I really want a black leather moto jacket, but fear it might be too harsh on me, or look silly ...I'm in my early 40's. Maybe it's just a matter of nerve? I've *always* wanted a classic black moto, but stayed away - and stuck with very preppy-ish classic for years. I don't need to be that person right now, but still feel like a Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket is just somehow ...over the top. (laughing here).

So...in terms of a leather jacket - what colour would you get if you were me? If you didn't have any leather jackets at all? Stick with something relatively classic? I mean, a leather jacket is going to be a departure for me without it being teal or a black leather moto ... and if I were to be "true to form" I'd get a brown, cognac or pale beige/sand coloured suede or leather blazer. Maybe a trench. But I kind of want a moto jacket of some kind.

Any ideas or comments?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Just nodding my head . . . I, too, was without a leather jacket for many years. And the one I had before was a bad fit blazer I think I wore twice
Last week I got what was, for all intensive purposes, my first leather jacket. And as you might have seen, it was not only an unusual color (blush) but also whacked off halfway and distressed! Not exactly the 'versatile' go with everything option . . . but I love it and am so happy I chose it.
Sometimes you have to follow your heart and not let your head talk you out of something you are drawn to.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I love the idea of 'blush' Mo - I'm off to look up your thread. Are you happy with it? It's different enough but still very "you" ?

Thanks for the boost - what you've said helps a whole lot - as in, not letting my head talk me out of something I'm drawn to. Much appreciated - thank you

jayne

Veteran

I think you will have to love what you buy. At fabover40 the one woman shows a coral leather butter soft jacket that is just divine. I would never have considered such a color in leather but seeing her wear it, and she wears it often, I am dreaming myself of daring to buy one. Since you have family that expect you to dress a certain way, I think it will take a special jacket to actually get you wearing it in front of them. And I think turquoise is probably actually an easier choice because it is not usually associated with leather and bikers. It is feminine and pretty. Get them warmed up with turquoise and then wow em with black moto later!

Sylvie

Veteran

The Trouve corded leather jacket (page 21) in the NAS catalog comes in Burgundy. I was going to try it out - you should too!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Seconding Mo on going with your gut (or heartstrings), VC. It's clearly a piece that is special to you, as opposed to a workhorse basic (you've done without so long, after all!); so get the most enjoyment you can out of it by going with what's attractive to you --- versatility is often a matter of us *finding* ways to wear our favourite pieces more often. Make sure it is a favourite, therefore!

Kate

Veteran

I understand. I finally bought a leather moto late last winter after looking for one for the several years. I had a more classic black leather jacket than I never wore that I finally consigned last winter after it had languished in my coat closet for many seasons.

Initially, I was looking at neutral colors, and black, for my moto, but like Mo, I ended up with a most unlikely color—a rosy purple. That's a far cry from what I thought I needed, but when I saw it, the beauty of the leather and the color just tugged at my heartstrings and wouldn't let go. Even though I purchased it at the end of the season, and by then the weather was too warm here to wear it, I'm SO happy I bought it. I'll get a lot of wear from it this year, and I'm looking forward to doing so.

If that teal jacket is really speaking to you (and it did to me too, when I looked at the NAS catalog), then that may be exactly the right jacket for you. Try it and see.

catgirl

Veteran

I would go with your gut. In the absence of that, black is very classic and can run the gamut with all styles from romantic to retro to rocker... But it can be harsh too. I have a surprisingly hard time wearing mine, even though you'd think it would be perfect for me. I think it goes best with a contrasting style, like a girly dress, and that just doesn't work for me.

A leather jacket is going to be a statement piece, so make it YOURS.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Totally echoing Una's thoughts/comments. My hubby bought me a leather jacket last year for my birthday and originally I was looking at taupe because it's a good neutral, but a purple very original style one kept pulling me and I ended up getting that one instead. I haven't regretted it one single moment. Go for the one you love!

Jem

Veteran

I vote color! I've been thinking about getting a leather jacket this year, too and am thinking maybe burgundy or teal. I've pretty much quit buying black anything, though, so those other colors are really better for my wardrobe. How about you? Do you wear black alot? Black is amazing with the right coloring, but can definitely be harsh.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm blond with green eyes and have three black leather jackets. I like the contrast though.

Meredith1953

Veteran

VC,
I love that John Carlisle jacket! The teal color is just gorgeous!

rae

(website)

Veteran

For leather jackets, my opinion is to "go big or go home." It's expensive enough that you should absolutely love it. If you love it, you will absolutely *find* ways to wear it more than you might think at first glance.

Diana

Veteran

Teal goes with everything. Seriously. I was eyeing that teal jacket but I'm pretty sure it will be too long for me, sadly.

That said, my black leather moto also goes with everything. I am pretty much the opposite of you in terms of coloring though.

I also have a cognac leather jacket that ALSO goes with everything.

Hmm, I'm no help, am I?

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thank you all so much - I will keep an open mind, and I especially love rae's comment, "go big or go home..."

Made me laugh..but it's so true, isn't it?

I don't know if it'll be a black leather jacket or some unusual (to me) colour, but I feel a whole lot better after having expressed my feelings here at YLF and gotten some really great feedback - thank you!

I'm kind of excited now - because I feel like I can just relax and go for the best jacket I can find, rather than feeling like I "have to" get some sort of non-black neutral, and/or that an actual colour would be too weird. Who knows what I will end up with, but at the very least, thanks to YLF'ers, I no longer feel boxed in.

You know how it is - the first time you get something, it has to be classic and non...well, non-something. Kind of like buying a beige trench coat as your first and only trench. How your 'good' wool winter coat has to be black or grey. That you need to do this first, before branching off to anything off the beaten track. Well, at least that's how my mind works, and yet, as I wrote earlier - I'm kind of feeling a bit rebellious, and not liking that idea. Not everything has to be beige, grey or what have you.

So we'll see Could be burgundy, could be teal, could be black or some other colour. Like I said, I feel much better having gotten this off my chest - this feeling that I had to get the 'proper' thing for the first one in my closet. Kind of like buying a grey suit, a beige trench, flat black loafers, the 'safe' pearl stud earrings or what have you. I'm *always* doing that!

Thanks again

cciele

Veteran

Can't wait to see what you end up with! Follow your heart

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

As far as leather jackets concerned I know the right one as soon as I put it on. I think a great leather jackets will speak to you in ways you cannot ignore...
I would definitely go for teal as the only leather jacket: teal is surprisingly versatile color.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I subscribe to the belief that everyone needs more than one leather jacket!

Go with your gut and have fun. There are a lot of fab options out there. I tried on that teal JC jacket today and it doesn't work very well on my short-waisted body (a small fit fine across the shoulders and chest but bunched up in the back because the length wasn't quite right), but it is a lovely color and a classic moto style. Go for color if you find the one that calls to you. Just take your time and enjoy the search!