For every dress that I try on in store that doesn't quite work for me (not counting all the ones that have just been laughably wrong), I seem to find a jacket that I fall in love with. I took a photo of my latest obsession. I keep thinking about it and might have to go back. I've let go of my old black leather jackets (except the Helmut Lang which I adore but the wrap/drape front makes it work only for specific outfits and especially dresses).

This one is faux leather but very nice, with a very soft and lightweight faux fur lining on sleeves and collar. I like the way the light fur lightens up the possible harshness of the black jacket against my skin. I only got a pic with it open, but it looks good closed too. Very reasonable price. If it hadn't been 80 degrees and I hadn't had somewhere I needed to be in 15 minutes, I would have probably worn it right out of the store. The only downside to this is that it is now getting too hot to even think about a jacket, so this one, and the Veronica Beard one, will be waiting for fall temps before I can wear them.

So my possible occasion dress budget seems to be going toward jackets instead! Surprise, surprise.