Leather Jackets ... again! - YouLookFab Forum

Last year I asked for the group's help with my leather jacket search but I ended up not keeping any. Now I'm at it again. I've been looking for a quality leather jacket for a long time and it's occurred to me that I feel about them as I do about a marriage: it's an investment and I only want to do this once!

I narrowed it down to a couple possibilities while I was in-store (selected with a SA). They are both excellent quality but different styles and I don't know which to choose. They are as follows:

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Moto (1, 2):Classic moto styling. Leather feels sturdy and great. This is my regular size (M, 10). It fits in the shoulders but it feels a tiny bit tight in the upper arms. I'd have to size up to wear anything more than light fall layers but I'm concerned it will it be too big if I size up to an L.

Nordstrom Signature (3, 4): This is the more streamlined style of jacket, with the knit panels in the sides and sleeves (like last year's Vince scuba jacket). It's a more tailored look and I'm concerned that the style feels more "suburban" than edgy. Also, is this style as timeless as a moto?

Extras (5/Finds): Just for fun, I've also added a photo of the non-NAS-but-sale Burberry Ashurst. It's not as exciting as a leather jacket but could be a good fall workhorse (and it's not either/or - I could keep this and still invest in a leather jacket). I've also added a Find of the Topshop Rosa Biker jacket. It seems so similar to the Derek Lam but I haven't seen it in person. I"m wondering if it's a good dupe or if I'll be disappointed by the quality of leather and the extra shoulder detailing, not to mention any possible fit problems.

All thoughts welcome!

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Nordstrom

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Derek Lam 10 Crosby Asymmetrical Zip Leather Moto Jacket | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Nordstrom Signature Nordstrom Signature Stand Collar Leather Jacket | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Burberry Burberry Ashurst Quilted Jacket | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Topshop Topshop Rosa Biker Jacket (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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6 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Ooh, such great jackets. I love the moto. The size looks perfect. I don't know your climate but will you need more than light layers? The Signature doesn't read suburban to me. It looks more refined. The moto makes more of a statement though. The Burberry is nice--can't go wrong with that! I tried the Rosa in store and thought it was ok. The fit through the upper arms was not tailored and it looked too bulky on me. I feel like the quality was on par with the price.

Kathie

I love the Derek Lam on you, and it doesn’t look too tight in the arms. The NS is a different, more refined, vibe, but less interesting. How does it fit through the shoulders/bust with your arms down? It’s looks poofy, but that could be because you’re holding the camera. The Burberry looks great!

kkards

so....it's hard to tell from pictures so i could be reading this totaly wrong...but looking at the 2 jackets. the Derek Lam reads more outerwear, and the Nordstrom Signature reads more topper....so for me i would be thinking about how i was thinking of wearing it...
i love me a burberry coat...only hesitation i have on this one is the lenght, i find that i like coats that cover more of my bum, but if you aren't in a windy or damp place may be less important

Janet

(website)

I think the Derek Lam looks great!

The NS is nice, but I get what you mean about it having less edge and seeming a bit more conservative than the other. It depends on what style you are going for. But I have the navy Vince jacket in that style from about 3-4 years ago, and I wore it a bunch the first year but now it's not floating my boat so much. I'm thinking of selling it.

The Burberry looks like a very good fit on you if you need a casual fall jacket.

bj1111

That Derek lam is outstanding on you. Edgy yet a bit refined without all the extraneous hardware. You wear it so well.

The signature looks so good on you too that I lemming’ed. Both different vibes. Neither suburban.

gryffin

Jules - I really like the DL on you. But it has to feel good on. Do you think it will stretch? Can you try the size up for comparison. The NS is very similar to the Vince. I bought the Vince because I wanted a very clean unembellished jacket. Cautionary tale - there was something about the front lapels that just made me feel frumpy. I would put it on take it off, style it differently. Finally I just donated it. I bought the All saints cargo jacket for less and love it. Go with your gut. You will never love it more than at purchase. My rule is if you can box it up, without running out of the room to take it into protective custody, then send it back. It’s too pricey a purchase to settle. You’ll know when it’s “the one.”

Ah, gryffin, you succumbed to the lure of that jacket too! I feel guilty that I don't love wearing it anymore. I'm thinking it might be good for my niece to wear to her job. It may be a little more appropriate for her to wear in a professional setting than for the rock'n'roll vibe I aim for.

Janet - I always fixate on it when I scan online. I love it on the model but I did not love it on me. I still don’t know why. I feel guilty about the wasted money but happy “the albatross” is gone. I think that’s it, like traditional Chanel jackets best on the young w irreverence. Just not edgy enough at my age

julesegr

Active Member

Gryffin - I think that's a very insightful comment, about Chanel jackets and the scuba style. Maybe that's what I was calling "suburban" -- I feel like the N Sig skews matronly instead of fashion-forward.

Suz

I love the Derek Lam on you. Classically edgy.

Jules - I love the chanelesque jackets. I looked forever before I bought the iro Shivani. At a certain age you need to tweak the classic to look edgy, hip, stylish on the mature. While the teens and 20’s can pull off the classic because they are young. The wink and a smile but each in their own way.

IRO IRO Fringe Trim Open Jacket | Nordstrom

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like the Derek Lam best too. Sleeves will need a good hack! Try it with light layers underneath - just to be sure.

rachylou

The Derek Lam is fab. The other is definitely more suburban ‘polished.’ If you don’t need that, hands down DL.

Thanks for all the love for the Derek Lam. I really do love it and it's exactly what I am looking for. I'm not too concerned with wearing it with heavy layers (winter in MI is true winter and calls for a different sort of coat) but I'm going to try it again with some more fall outfits and see if it's comfortable enough in this size. Does anyone know if I can expect it to stretch a bit with wear? Even 10% would work. I could also try the next size up to compare but I have a habit of buying things too large and am worried I might get fooled -- unless this is a style that can work slightly oversized? Would love your insights.

The NS will be going back to make room for another great jacket (I may start even stalking gryffin's Shavani!) I really appreciate the discussion about the style, especially gryffin/Janet's frank side conversation that had me realizing this jacket might end up going the way of the donate bin as theirs did. I also helps that I'm not worried about leaving it behind this time, as it seems likely this style will turn up again in next year's sale. I have a feeling I won't be looking back, though, which tells me sending it back is the right thing to do.

delurked

Another fan of 1. I’d try up a size, but like the look of the M on you.

Worth a try to look at the next size up too.

Anonymous

Jules- I think you should try the Topshop. I really like the quilting business on the arms.
Now it is not going to be as nice as the other two, but it still really spunky and it might be worth saving the money!
I actually like BOTH red leather JACKETS in different ways.

I don’t know what “suburban” means though. It is a dressier jacket, that’s for sure.

jill58

The Derek Lam looks great.

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