You've given me leather/pleather fever. A few questions.

Ann in New England

I'm so in love with my new denim jacket, but was wondering what kind of similar item I could get to wear with jeans, when it hit me. So now I'm on the hunt for a leather/pleather jacket.

I'm leaning toward pleather because of something I learned here: try an item in its inexpensive form to see if you really wear it, then if you do, invest in quality. I love that.

But does pleather breathe? Is there a certain type of pleather I should be looking for? (I'm assuming all pleather is plastic, but maybe there are variants?)

I tried on a few pleather jackets in the store. None were just right, but i noticed that I was very warm and clammy -- and I'm normally almost always cold. Is this typical? They were lightweight jackets, and I don't think they were really meant for outerwear, at least not temps below 40 F.

13 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Mama Susie

Carole

Veteran

I personally can't wear pleather, if it doesn't breathe, I will sweat like crazy, and I'm not a sweater! Hopefully, you can find a moto at a reasonable price point and if it's the right style and fit you will find in a classic workhorse for your wardrobe. Good luck.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think with pleather it really helps if there are knit panels in the arms. It will be more comfortable, too. Not that I am an expert!!

13 years ago

Ann in New England

Active Member

Oh, Suz, that's a great idea! thanks.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Pleather has come a long way. I suggest paying attention to the lining: if it's in a breathable fabric, it'll be lots more tolerable.

Otherwise, all I can say is that I am on Team Runs Hot. At 47 I am constantly having hot flashes. Yet, my two pleather jackets are just fine -- even for indoor wear! Mind you, I live in Boston so it's not exactly warm here 9 months out of the year. And in our urban setting most of the indoor venues are old and not very well insulated and quite drafty.

Jacket # 1 (shown in my recent WiW's) is very light weight pleather, not sure what the lining is. It works because I nearly always wear it open, not zipped. Like a cardigan. And it's cropped, and has 3/4 sleeves with zippers, adding further ventilation. In fact, if it hits around 55 degrees I cannot wear this as an outdoor jacket: my midsection will be too cold.

Jacket #2 (cream pleather from AT a few years ago) is more substantial weight. Lining is breathable. I do wear this one as outdoor jacket. But, I also am apt to keep in on inside in colder weather, except unzipped.

I was surfing leather today and had to laugh at the term "vegan leather." I assume that is fancy name for pleather.

13 years ago

Ann in New England

Active Member

Shiny, thanks. I'm near Boston, too, so similar weather. (Also, we're the same age, so I imagine the hot flashes are imminent). Is the Jacket #1 you mention from Forever21? I have never ever shopped there, but I do see it mentioned on these forums quite a bit. I'll have to take a look. Maybe I'll take my teen daughter in with me and pretend we're shopping for her!

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I second what Suz said. I have a hard time with my skin not breathing in leather, but those with knit panels in the arms seem to work way better. Haven't been clammy in my white pleather jacket yet. The Express "minus the leather" jackets are very popular and have this feature - Claire and a few other YLFers have these and love them. I've also seen them in Bebe pleather jackets (like mine).

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Ann, anytime you want to go shopping, PM me! Yes, F21, and that's exactly what I did: I was with teen DD's shopping for them, not me. We had already paid and were leaving and I saw it on the rack. I grabbed it and I slipped it on... and had the security guard promptly reprimand me; you can't do that at F21. No matter how long the dressing room line is, no matter how headsplittingly loud the music is, you have to go to the dressing room to try things on. They are strict there at F21!!

But I saw it fit (within those 5 seconds before the reprimand) and it was like $10 or something insanely cheap like that... I figured if it didn't work I'd give it to one of my DD's. But nope... they could not possibly pry it out of my cold hands...

I never ever ever expected it to last as long as it has. I expected it would start cracking or something, seeing as how cheap it is. I mean yeah, it IS cheap, no doubt. And if I could replicate in real leather, I'd do in a heartbeat.

And I'm rambling. Call this "Ode to Pleather Experiments."

13 years ago

Ann in New England

Active Member

What a great story, and fitting for a (p)leather jacket! I'd love to go shopping some time, but I think I'd be intimidated. You have such great style, and I've learned so much from you in the few short days I've been here!

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Ann, no reason for intimidation! I love shopping with and for other people. Spend their money not mine. Shop vicariously in the regular size department. Combine colors that don't work on me, or shapes I wish I could wear but just don't have the figure. I had so much fun doing this with my girls, and their friends... but alas they are at college now.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Ann; in my experience, higher quality pleather jackets are okay at breathing (although I wouldn't try to run very far in mine) - I find if they are lined with a nice material, it helps!

13 years ago

Mama Susie

Active Member

@Shiny: That is so funny about your F21 story... I ALWAYS slip jackets and sweaters on without visiting the dressing room, have definitely done so at F21. I think if I was reprimanded I would laugh (not trying to be sassy but it is just funny to me). I'm guessing they might have issues with shoplifters? Ah but I stopped going to F21 after a panic attack due to three stories high store full of clothing from top to bottom!

Sorry to be OT! I tried on a pleather jacket recently and didn't find it too sweat-inducing. Maybe just try out different styles whenever you get a chance?

13 years ago

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