Which materials would you splurge on? - YouLookFab Forum

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Which materials would you splurge on?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I've been ogling winter jackets and coats and have come across some exquisite designs--similar styles, different fabrics. Each jacket was gorgeous, but for different reasons (see photos). I was surprised that the leather jacket (lamb) only cost 1.25x more than the polyester, which had me thinking about price points of polyester garments, durability and longevity.

If you were to splurge on a jacket, would you choose leather, wool, or polyester, and why?

ETA: I am interested in knowing whether you prefer to splurge on particular fabrics/materials, or if that's an irrelevant factor for you.

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27 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

abc

Veteran

I think the criteria are different for the different type of garment, your lifestyle, your climate, what you've already got in the closet, tastes, preferences, fabric likes/dislikes, etc etc etc.

For me a splurge would be a leather coat bc it just seems more luxurious than the other fabrics you listed, but I do know you can find luxe wools (see burberry).

You didn't ask but #1 is a killer coat. #2 is just ok when put side by side with #1 - IMHO.

Liz

Veteran

I don't think I could answer based on materials -- this is going to be so individual to you and what you like (I've never had a desire for a leather coat, so that wouldn't be my splurge). I'd probably buy whichever style I thought would give me the most wear and happiness -- regardless of what it was made of.

Joyce B

Veteran

It depends on what works best for your needs and on your style but I love number 1.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I can only give you my opinion which may or may not differ from yours. To me, the answer lies in aesthetics. Both leather & polyster can be equally useful and splurge-worthy.

I no longer love apparel in black leather. To me it reads too 'rock star chic' and while black is my favourite color and the most dominant color in my wardrobe, I prefer brown, tan and burgundy in leather.

But having said that, I owned just one coat between the age of 19-24 and it was a long black leather trench that I literally wore to death. It finally died when I wore it in snow and then stood too close to a bonfire while the coat was still wet. It literally 'died' when the flames almost licked at it. I was more rockstar cool back then with my piercings and navel baring tanks and frayed jeans and love for hard metal, but I no longer associate with any of those things.

These days I prefer a more classic dressing style and if was to choose between these jackets, I would pick the more classic black quilted jacket in #2, simply because I know it fits better into my style story.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I prefer #1.

sterling36

If I could only pick between these two coats I prefer #1. However, like everyone else, splurge worthy really depends on style, lifestyle, weather etc.

kkards

Veteran

is coat #2 waterproof? then that may change my opinion.
same with lining, is #1 or #2 lined with something that would make it wearable in the middle of my winter (i.e. average temps 20F), because that would also influence my opinion.
also, i'm one who will pay more for items depending on were they are made....

Dee

Veteran

I prefer #1 also.

In terms of materials, I am most likely to splurge on leather, because it lasts forever. Over time, it just wears better, whereas most poly starts feeling dry or cracked. After that, it would be wool because it is noticeably warmer than poly.

Anonymous

#1, the leather jacket. But leather works well for my dry climate with cold winds. Yes, I would and do splurge on leather, cashmere and silk. I have a hard time paying much for polyester.

Carla

Veteran

Firecracker and I were discussing the same thing regarding bags. Stella MacCartney does vegan bags, and asks as much as other designers ask for their leather. Cashmere, silk, leather, are always splurge worthy - as is anything one of a kind/hand crafted.

I prefer #1.

Anonymous

I would definitely go with the leather. For one thing, it's probably warmer than polyester, but mainly you'll probably get to wear it a long time. I'll be the outlier and go for jacket #2. I prefer the silver hardware to the gold.

Diana

Veteran

I would splurge on both leather and wool because I think they look luxurious, feel nice, and age well. I admit to having an anti-poly bias and won't pay top dollar for it, but honestly I think some of that is a visceral, non-logical reaction. Come the apocalypse, I'm sure we'll be left with cockroaches and indestructible polyester. I DO think a lot of it feels icky though!

That leather jacket in #1 is to die for.

Vildy

Veteran

It's a tough question for me because in the olden days wardrobe books used to school you in distinguishing between different levels of quality amongst the natural materials. Still true but you don't see it emphasized much other than in trad menswear blogs/articles. There's leather and there's leather.

As for what I would splurge on, it would usually be a print or color or hard-to-duplicate style features. All of those would be difficult to find clones of so that would sway me.

Anonymous

I think if you want to wear the item(s) for years they have to be timeless so I would splurge on the fabric, whether it is leather, wool, etc. My husband bought a leather jacket a number of years ago and the leather and stitching are phenomenal. He has worn it for about 20 years and no visible signs of wear. He did have the lining replaced once by a reputable tailor who worked with leather.

If I would splurge on something, I think I would more closely at the stitching and tailoring.

retailgirl

Veteran

As far as materials go: I'd always splurge for cashmere. Or any fine wool, for instance, Loro Piana. I don't personally care for leather clothing, but if I did it would have to be buttery. I do love suede. I used to love silk blouses, but now I like nice all cotton shirts. Natural fibers always trump synthetic for me.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I paid more for my leather moto jacket than I would have been willing to pay for a cloth coat. Mainly because I think I could make a cloth coat (and have done so), whereas I would not make a leather moto jacket. Leather is generally more expensive than wools, so I think that impacts my answer, too.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'd probably go for the poly because it would be better in the rain, and easier to take care of. Leather would be sumptuous but also have a rock and roll vibe which isn't appropriate for every occasion.

In general I do think leather shoes/boots are worth paying for and they last longer than fabric or synthetic. Purses and jackets, though, I think the synthetics are awfully good these days and they're easier to take care of and you don't have to worry about them as much with moisture and dirt.

I almost never wear wool, because I find it so itchy - I've got a couple of coats but definitely nothing that touches my skin like a sweater or pants. If I did wear wool maybe I would think it was worth paying more for.

unfrumped

Veteran

My answer is "it depends" though I don't want to be limited to these 2 jackets.
It has to fit your style and your "environment" and how you plan to wear it.
#1 looks very cool but from the photo it does not look like a good layering jacket--although that might be a sizing issue.

I emphasize purpose because--for a fun casual or smart casual jacket for chilly but not frigid weather I would "splurge" on leather IF it's in my style, weight fit, and so on. (I did this already!) to have a leather jacket
because I like having an option in that material.
For indoors, professional-wear jackets, a splurge would be the best wool or blend and best design and construction-
For a dressy outdoor coat, cashmere-wool type because I love that fabrication.
Like Maneera, jacket #2 might fit my workplace aesthetic better than that particular leather, so it might be more versatile and get more wears, whereas, #1 might be more fun if going for a hip, fitted jacket over tank or T .

elpgal

Veteran

Of these two, I like the #1 better. Not a fan of leaver for jackets but will splurge on leather shoes that are leather lined and synthetic gear coats. I find a lot of leather jackets that are lined with icky poly and I get super hot in them.

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting. I splurge on wool, but perhaps I should rethink that since I live in puffers.

Lisa

Veteran

I would (and have) splurged on wool coats. Unless it is extremely cold, I'll sport a wool coat for our winter season, giving the item a lot of use. I adore leather, but I don't seem to wear a leather jacket often enough to justify splurging on one.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Leather or wool, without question. Polyester has its uses, but if you're going to splurge, get the real thing!

Roxanna

Veteran

Fabric is very important to me, and I love the feel and look of good fabric. So I splurge on buying good leather (substantial and soft, with good sheen), cashmere (2 ply and substantial), wool (merino with good drape) and silk (thick with good sheen.) Cotton and polyester I am less picky about.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

@RunCarla, I have had the same thoughts about Stella McCartney's line, too. Pleather aka vegan leather simply doesn't last as long and is much cheaper to produce. With polyester, I have mixed feelings, because it, too, is also cheap to produce and I'm not sure how much better higher end luxury polyester is compared to lower end alternatives. Then again, if polyester products were priced significantly less, this would attract to much attention to the idea that you're paying for a product, rather than a design, concept or brand.

Astrid

Veteran

I'd definitely splurge on wool or leather, not on polyester. But then a good manmade fabric can be worth it too, compared to cheap ones. I think it always depends on what kind of item we are talking about. I'd spend some money on a decent rain jacket if I want to keep dry, but I wouldn't spend the money that is usually asked for polyester blouses or tops these days. No way. I also think that a bit of an investment with wool and leather items can make all the difference when it comes to longevity (but of course expensive doesn't automatically equal good quality).

JAileen

Veteran

I would splurge on natural materials: leather, wool, cashmere, alpaca, camel hair. I might also splurge on non natural materials for gear. If something is waterproof and well designed, for example. We go birding a lot and I have given away perfectly nice things that either weren't waterproof or windproof or warm enough. I'm sure whoever found those things at the thrift store were happy.

LaPed

Veteran

I agree with JAileen - the only time I'll pay top dollar for synthetic fibers is for gear purchases. Rain shells, good running shorts and tights, etc. My nylon mesh trail runners cost as much as most of my "nice" shoes (and I have to replace more often!) but I can't imagine hiking and backpacking in anything else.

I'm more likely to splurge on wool than leather. I'm just not a big leather wearer, while wool -- knit, boiled, tweed, woven, all of it! -- is more in line with my (life)style. I find the proliferation of wool blends that are mostly poly, acrylic, and rayon extremely frustrating. I realize some people cannot wear wool due to allergies but I don't like companies charging top dollar for cheap fabrics.