Purple leather jacket - YouLookFab Forum

I saw a beautiful purple leather jacket today:
http://www.claudiastrater.com/
(it's the one you see when the website opens - I'm very interested in the skirt too, but that wasn't in the store yet).

The leather is extremely soft and not as shiny as in the picture (I was worried that it might look cheap, but it doesn't), and I love the cut and colour.
However, at $497 it's quite expensive and I'm trying to talk myself out of it, mainly because:

- It's not lined, so I wouldn't really be able to wear it much at all this Fall/Winter
- I already have an unlined leather jacket (taupe, different cut) for 'in between seasons' (not that I would mind a few more, oh no;-)
- I need to replace my wool winter coat this year and need new boots too, two big investments, and those should be my first priority methinks
- I'm not entirely sure the purple would be versatile enough to justify the investment (although it would work with my jeans, black straight-legged trousers, grey pinstripe trousers, black tweed trouser pants and grey pencil skirt right?-)

What do you think ladies? Should I pass this one up?

P.S. I didn't have time to try it on, so who knows, it might not even look good on me;-)

15 years ago

amy29

Active Member

Wow, it's gorgeous, but I understand why you'd pass. . . . all the reasons you listed above are very convincing.

judy

Veteran

wow, that IS gorgeous, Inge. That might be worth not buying anything else just to have! I have never owned any unlined leather, but recently saw...and touched...an unlined leather trench. It's suppleness was extraordinary...and it was pricey too. Are they really less warm? Animals seem to be quite warm but I don't have much experience with them. Sorry if you were looking to be talked out of it. That is one killer jacket...but I would definitely go back and try it on. I find sometimes that makes it so that item doesn't haunt me later...I know right then, yes or no! ...I mean, even if I can't afford it. :), then I'm kind of grateful that it wasn't as wonderful ON as off.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

LOL Judy, I know exactly what you mean. I will go back to try it on, definitelyn that's the only way to get it out of my mind. And it will be a relief when it looks absolutely hideous on me;-)

Less warm: I feel the cold very easily and I once wore the jacket I have now somewhere in March on a chilly evening and was shivering while waiting for the bus, so it could never be my 'main Winter coat'-(

But good to hear you both love it too, Amy & Judy.

Dani

Inge, the color of that jacket is great. Definitely go try it on just to see. Then, you can decide whether or not the reasons you listed above are good enough to resist buying it

Inge, at least take a photo of you in it in the dressing room!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

(I adore Claudia Strater, Inge).

Big drool! KILLER jacket. Love it and you should definitely try it on. That’s a statement piece you could wear in Autumn and Summer (when it’s cool). Spring I find very cold in your neck of the woods, so that’s not what I’d call a Spring coat. I hear your reasons, but if you feel you could wear it half the year and it fits, consider it. Also, make sure you can wear the right layers underneath. I can wear 3 layers under my biker jacket (cami, blouse and cardigan). I don’t think it should get bumped off the list yet! I’d rather have one killer piece than 5 nice ones.

Also Inge, you mentioned about a week ago that you were feeling down and discouraged (in Nicole’s thread). I was wondering how you were feeling now and whether we can help? I’m worried about you.

Monica

Wow, that is an amazing jacket, and unlined leather feels so luxurious. I do understand, though--I wouldn't buy a $500 purple leather jacket either. But I'd still try it on for fun.

Thanks everyone! After reading what Angie said, I'm starting to change my mind, guess nobody saw that coming right;-)

With the weather here, I should be able to wear it regularly from the beginning of May until the end of October. And it should last me quite a few years right?
So I'm starting to look at it differently: if I take the cost per wear in account, then I could justify buying it + a killer piece is worth the investment in my book too Angie;-)

OK, I'm going back next week to try it on (my camera phone isn't working Judy, but I'll see if I can take my other camera along, or I might just bring the jacket home with me). We'll see how it fits, I'll certainly keep the 3 layers in mind Angie.

And thank you for your concern, I really appreciate that!
It was just one of those weeks where everything seemed to go wrong, and aside from that I was suddenly feeling rather overwhelmed by the whole wardrobe rebuilding process. At the moment there's not a lot left in my closet, and most of it feels a bit blah. And then I went shopping, determined to find a great pair of pants and came home empty-handed (nothing was quite right: too small, too big, unflattering...), which didn't help things either.
To top it all off I came down with a nasty stomach virus and was in bed for most of the weekend. But I'm on the mend now and as you can see, I have rediscovered my gusto for shopping/fashion!-)

So, definitely feeling much better already and it's good to know you are all here for support and advice!

Oh Inge. I hear you on your frustrations. Hang in there. Your wardrobe will sort itself out. I promise! Hope you’re over that bug. Tummy viruses are fierce. Not fun. Take care my dear and try on that purple jacket! I’m champing at the bit to see it on gorgeous funky you!

Smiling now Angie;-)) And thank you for all the support!

I'm definitely not giving up just yet and you guys will be the first to hear (and maybe see) all about my follow-up visit to Claudia Sträter. (They have some gorgeous stuff indeed)

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