NAS leather coat-off: Marc NY and LaMarque brown jackets

In my ever extending search for a brown leather jacket, I've tried several NAS options, one of which was an Angie's pick and one not:

LaMarque 'Ariel' leather jacket
Pics 1-2. This called my name for several reasons: the color is exactly the saddle brown I've been looking for, and the style is very simple with no extra embellishment. In other words, maybe a bit boring, but not likely to go out of style any time soon. The leather is nice and soft but the sizing is off, which I believe is one reason Angie didn't give her nod to this one. The Medium was far too big, while the small is a bit narrow in the arms with high cut armholes.

Marc New York leather jacket
Pics 3-4. This is one of Angie's picks and I can see why. The leather is buttery soft, and the fit is perfection. It feels more casual than the LaMarque jacket, and the brown is quite dark. If you're looking for a fab chocolate leather jacket, this is it. Unfortunately, I had my thoughts set on a lighter color, and I'm not wild about the stitching on the sides of the jacket.

What is the YLF common experience on leather stretching over time? After a summer of loose fit clothing, I'm having a hard time getting a feel for whether the LaMarque jacket is just snug and will relax over time, or if it's just too tight. And maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and the chocolate is a better color than the saddle. Ack! Help me choose!

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Nordstrom

LaMarque 'Ariel' Leather Jacket

$450.00 $224.98

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Nordstrom

Marc New York By Andrew Marc Front Zip Leather Jacket (Regular & Petite) (Online Only)

$398.00 $198.98

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10 years ago

abc

Veteran

I think 3-4 goes with your hair better.

jackiec

I'm no help. I do love the saddle colour, personally, I love the jacket from the front but the back looks too big. Is this the small?

kellygirl

This is tough. I prefer the fit of the darker jacket because it looks more fluid and relaxed. The cognac jacket is gorgeous but it doesn't have the same appeal on the body. It looks stiffer. I hope someone will chime in on whether the leather will relax.

I like the color of the saddle brown, but neither jacket seems right for you.

CocoLion

(website)

I prefer the color of the LaMarque jacket on you. But if the fit is off, don't do it. You will not reach for a jacket that is tight in the armholes. Considering how many tops are cut roomy or fluid, not to mention with drop shoulders, large armholes or dolman styles, this could be a real problem.

rabbit

I have a black LaMarque jacket that is a similar cut/collar but has vertical seams in the back and some contouring at the hem. Unfortunately I'm not sure I can answer your questions.

I wear a medium and it fits fairly snuggly all over, including the arms and underarms. I don't think I've found it particularly uncomfortable however, maybe a little tight when I'm driving (arms raised) with a sweatshirt underneath (I would test that position out with a thicker underlayer). I usually wear it over tees or thin wovens with short and long sleeves. The leather is very soft and somewhat relaxed, and I feel like it's shaped a little more to my body over time, but I haven't noticed the arm-holes getting significant looser or anything (I've worn it about 20 times so far since I bought it in the spring).

If I were you I would be reluctant to buy a jacket that feels uncomfortable though, and I'd probably want to hold out for the color that works best with the rest of your wardrobe and is what you really want. FWIW I think both colors look great on you from what I can see.

Active Member

Over time a leather jacket will relax and mold to your shape but it won't stretch as such. I honestly don't think that you will get rid of the folds that you can see in photo 1 when you have your arm straight by your side or some of the wrinkling that you are getting on the back on photo 2, and the armholes probably won't get much, if any more comfortable.

Interestingly, the model has the same issue with the armholes being too high and the arms being a bit snug.

On you I prefer the back shaping on the chocolate jacket over the LM jacket - because leather doesn't drape you have to rely on seams to give the shape, so princess seams on the back often give you a better fit.

I like both colours on you, but if saddle works best for your wardrobe and is the picture you had then hold out for that. I understand where you are coming from, I have brown leather boots that I don't wear that much because they are just not the shade that I had envisioned.

Mamapicklejuice

Ha, the LaMarque is the other jacket I was looking at (although ultimately I didn't include it in my Ask Angie post). The Marc jacket is currently sold out in size small for brown, so don't be too hasty to return it! I am torn on ordering the medium for myself as we are quite similar in size, and the small looks so good on you. (I don't think I really have any bulk sweaters...will have to check.)

Beth

Thanks for so much wisdom!

abc, I hadn't really thought about the contrast between hair color and jacket. It might be that darker brown is simply a better color for me. It wouldn't be the first time I barked up the wrong tree!

jackiec, I see what you mean and yep, that's a Small.

Kelly, the LM is definitely stiffer, both in terms of leather and style. I doubt it'll relax much given the style.

AJ , CocoLion and rabbit, thanks for keeping me open to the thought that I might just need to keep looking. You're all hitting on the point that I could be looking at a wardrobe orphan before it even hits my closet due to fit issues and overall "rightness."

RB, your observation about the fit on the model is right-on and one I hadn't noticed. Even if both jackets go back, this is a win from an educational standpoint!

I think I just need you to ghostwrite all my posts from now on.

Maybe I should just ask Angie to merge my post with yours - haha.

LOL, MPJ, are we on the same wavelength again?

My love for the LM jacket is based mostly on color. It's the prettiest cognac I've seen yet. But it is stiff and the fit just isn't right.

The Marc jacket truly is fab. The armholes are cut high (but not quite as high as the LM) but I often find that to be the case so it might just be me. You might be just fine. The Small is a much closer fit but feels fine since the leather is so soft, if that makes sense. The Medium was looser in the body and the sleeves were slightly too long.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I love the Andrew Marc. It looks like a better fit - a little roomier - and a tad more fashionable too. Can you knitwear underneath it, Beth?

Angie, I can fit most knitwear under it except for very bulky knits, which I have few of anyway.

Or should I size up to a medium, do you think? I ordered (and still have) both.

Great. Then you are SORTED. xo

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