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WIW: Should I keep this leather jacket?

Staysfit

Veteran

This was going to be a run of the mill WIW post. However, when I looked at the picture, I started to have some doubts about my Cole Hahn leather jacket. I believe it's 2-3 years old. I originally wore it with an Equipment ladder stitch placket shirt and J Crew matchstick jeans. I added a zipped pic, and a closer pic for detail. I'm not sure what I don't like about the jacket, but I don't wear it very often. It pretty much sits in my closet unused. In fact, I forced myself to wear it the day I took these pictures. It isn't uncomfortable. The leather is butter soft. It kept me nice and warm, and was a good layer over the shirt. The color is in my palette. I think the style is in keeping with my style descriptors and my personality. Maybe it looks frumpy? Is it the fit? I can't figure it out?? Help? What do you think?

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25 replies

Latest reply was from tulle

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. Looks great, and the colour is amazing on you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love the new specs with the small earrings in #1. Perfect. I also like the statement earrings in #3 with the t-neck and specs.

Marley

Veteran

LOVE the first outfit with the blouse hanging below the jacket. Super cool! Id definitely keep this and wear it. That blouse is beautiful.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I don't know what's not to like about the jacket, I think it's gorgeous. I love the color too. Is it the length that gives you pause? Sometimes I question items that hit at my hips. Honestly, it doesn't look frumpy at all, it looks fabulous.

Roxanna

Veteran

Sorry to disagree with the group - I love the colour of the jacket, and the leather does look butter soft, but it reads a bit 'mommish' or matronly to me. I'm not sure if it's the collar, the length or the zipper, or all three together - somehow it looks a bit dated and doesn't quite fit with what I've seen of the rest of your style. Of course, this is only an opinion (an the only negative one at that) so if you love the jacket, then by all means keep it!

unfrumped

Veteran

I like it but can see it could read more conservative. I think juxtaposing as in outfit #1 works great, while the fitted turtleneck piles on more classic.
I'm interested in this thread because honestly, my leather jackets would need to be wearable for more than 2-3 years and yet even those items fall prey to " dated". Motos may be more immune, but the moto style works least well for me, with pants.
I would say, it's very keep- able especially when mixed with more trendy items. So it will depend on yours own style filter and whether you just prefer to let it go and get something new.
Also I use these " pause moments" to think if it's the style, or whether other toppers than leather jackets are more useful you. That turns out to be true for me, so I'm not trying to find another more perfect leather jacket.

Deb

Veteran

I can hear what you are saying Staysfit. Sometimes it is just a matter of good styling. I like the way you've styled it in #1 and the blue, brown and white look very good together on you, but the other looks lack lustre. I wonder how it would look with a white or an off white crew neck sweater or tee shirt? I think lighter sweaters would liven up the brown. Maybe add a scarf instead of a turtle neck or a decorative necklace. Just play around with styling and I think you can make it work. It looks better open rather than closed by the way.

unfrumped

Veteran

My other observation is that not all leather jackets work with everything. So " the one" is a myth. If you can play with this one and make several really fun outfits, maybe another jacket in your future will serve a diffetent purpose, create different looks, and all be good.

Marilyn

Veteran

I like the lapels and the colour is lovely. It fits you nicely. Perhaps because moto style jackets are everywhere and this jacket is a bit plainer it seems off to you. ??

Staysfit

Veteran

Angie, Thanks! I'm having fun playing with my new glasses and pairing them with my clothes. They're a great addition and definitely add a positive dimension to my style.

I think I misinterpreted your post about earrings the other day. I tend to think of bold earrings as large, heavy, and long. Even though these earrings are light weight, and only 2 inches they are definitely bold. I might have classified them in the frumpy zone you were referring to, but really they aren't. I have a small collection of bold earrings like this that are 2 inches or smaller. I may be adding to the collection now since I like the look! You were right!! I absolutely can wear bold earrings.

Marley, Thanks for the positive feedback. I think this is my favorite blouse.

Karie, I think when things hit me at the hips it looks like they cut me in half. Maybe that's the issue here? A little shorter or longer is better with my proportions.

Roxanna, something about it looking matronly hits a chord with me. I think it needs something trendy to spice it up a bit as both Unfrumped and Deb suggested. I like that it's simple and even classic looking, but there is maybe something too conservative about it?

Unfrumped, Perhaps I need to think about the possibility that I may not pick the leather jacket from my closet because I find other types of toppers more useful. I had been planning to purchase another leather jacket in a color (instead of a neutral) but your words are making me reconsider.

rachylou

Veteran

Boy I'm conflicted. I prefer #2, even though maybe it could use more pizazz overall. But with the shirt it seems mannish to me. I feel it needs softness for balance.

Staysfit

Veteran

Unfrumped, your additional thought is also good. If I purchase another jacket, I was thinking about one in either sky blue or red. I was also thinking of getting a completely different style. I think there are probably some great looks to make with this jacket, and I need to work that out. Maybe another jacket will be good for different looks.

Marilyn, You make a good point. I think leather moto jackets are very popular, especially where I live. I have tried to find a leather moto jacket without success. They look a bit fussy on me, and maybe stiff. I get lost with all the detail. I have two moto style cardigan sweaters instead, one with a large collar and one without. I prefer them. I also tried this Armani coral leather jacket, and loved the style. It was pretty much perfect, except the color was too orange and made my skin look sallow. I had to return it. If I could find the same jacket in a great color, that would be the one for me.

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Zibbets

Veteran

Gorgeous jacket. Keep! I love it both ways.

Grey Rainbow

I like all of your styling so but would wear cognac colored footwear. Jacket relates to your hair color, so I'd want to bring that tone to my lower half as well. It fits you really well and has a clean, minimal modern shape.

Laurie

Veteran

I really think this is a wonderful jacket on you. #1 is fantastic. Why don't you try it with a light neutral look - cream jeans and top (love that long blouse look)? I think we're reacting to the very plain dark colors in the 2nd look, although I still like it, especially unzipped.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow. I don't think the brown leather jacket is at all frumpy or dated - and I think it's a great match for your style, Staysfit. Your new specs make it look modern.

I'm glad the earrings doubts are sorted. xo

Deborah

Veteran

I also find the jacket looks dated. It's the lapel/collar in particular that reads very conservative and dated. The shape is good, as is the fit but to my eye it lacks that modern element that I find is necessary with a leather jacket.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have not read the other responses yet so as not to color my initial impression. I really don't see anything amiss with this jacket for you! Especially with the styling in #1. The color, fit and style look really nice on you. I would say the cut runs a slight bit on the conservative side, which might be what is catching your critical eye? So if you're looking to push things into a bit more contemporary territory, I could see looking to a different style.

The bottom line is how you feel in it. Sometimes, once I feel that way about an item, it sours in my eye and I never quite get back the love I once felt for it. However, sometimes it's just a matter of styling it more thoughtfully.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here is my client Karen (73) wearing exactly the same Cole Haan leather jacket in black. The collar has been popped. If I thought it was a dated item, she would not be wearing it.

How you FEEL in it is a different story, Staysfit. You are the best judge of that.

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kkards

Veteran

Staysfit, could it be that your not reaching for this jacket be that it's not new? Maybe you're just slightly tried of it? I often find that I stop reaching for much loved item after a while only to find myself back in love with it a year later.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am late to this discussion but I was going to say that it's all in the styling. This is such a beautifully simple, classic shape that it lends itself to many different kinds of outfit. I think it looks great on you and if you go to work in your fab closet and try it with different pairings (pop that collar! scrunch the sleeves!) you will soon see its merits!

karymk

Veteran

The jacket looks like really nice quality and its a perfect fit on you. How about lay out a bunch of different outfits with it and see if there is something you can tweak. Maybe a tee shirt under the jacket-- a stripe for spring. I like it with the jeans. Keep working it because I think it's worth keeping.

Staysfit

Veteran

Angie, I think I saw that picture in a blog post before? She looks elegant and beautiful. I think I need to look in my closet and find something else to wear with the jacket. It may be the way I styled it. I think I'm most unhappy with the jeans. I like my blouse and earrings.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good call, and keep us posted. YOU have to wear the jacket - not us. So it's your feelings when wearing it that are most important.

tulle

Veteran

That is a GORGEOUS jacket--the luxe quality of the leather comes across even in photos, and the fit is perfect. I'm with Unfrumped: Just because you don't reach for it every day doesn't mean it's not closet-worthy. I like the way you've paired it with the delicately detailed white shirt--very fresh and pretty.