Just chiming in again to say that I saw this at Zara last night and the leather is so divine! It's really a gorgeous jacket. I badly wanted to try it on myself, but it's not the right time for me. I'll "wear" it vicariously through you! I checked out the Express and H&M pleather ones and this is on a whole other level.

I vote keep.

This is verrry interesting, and clearly not a slam-dunk. I have nothing to add that hasn't been better voiced already, therefore I'm keeping my virtual mouth shut

Good luck deciding, Suz!!

Suz, I thought about this some more as I did my morning chores, since leather jackets are on my mind as well. And I wonder, does this jacket need to the ONE and ONLY leather jacket in your wardrobe, forever and ever, amen? I think your style, lifestyle and climate has room for a classic moto like this one, which will add toughness and a dose of rock-chic to your outfits, as well as a second (and third and fourth?) jacket in a different cut and softer tone--taupe or brown or whatever other neutral works for you. Grey? Olive? Winners even has some amazing blue ones (bright clear turquoise and medium almost-cobalt, among other bleus) right now in a very simple cut--I tried one on yesterday. I really think you could easily get tons of wear out of two or three different leather jackets, and that all would play a large and important role in your wardrobe. I think you only need to consider whether this moto is the perfect edgy, slightly tough leather moto, not whether it's the perfect be-all, do-everything, wear-with-everything leather jacket. Because such a thing does not exist, IMHO.

Of course, for all I know this is stuff you've already thought about, in which case please disregard my ramblings! I'm thinking through this as much for myself as for you

Thank you all again for your perceptions. Unfrumped, Gaylene, I appreciate your weighing in at length with your wise thoughts.

Unfrumped, the weird thing is, it does not FEEL at all tight. I am very sensitive to constriction in the arms and shoulders and in fact had to return an All Saints jacket to Crazyone (forum member) at one point because although technically the right size, for me it was unwearable. I strongly dislike the sensation of a too-tight back. And this jacket, while it feels a bit snug in the front when zipped, still allows for easy arm movement and even some layering. So I am wondering if the tight appearance across the back may be a trick of the flash. In any case, leather stretches quite a lot, so for a fitted look it can be important to buy it on the snug side. And that complicates the problem with the arms - they may only grow longer in time!

Well, no decisions yet. I will maybe play around a bit in the closet.

suz, that is a good point. The tricks of the camera may do that and appear to kabosh something that is a non-issue. So definitely feel free to eliminate that as a problem.

I also like Ariadne's comments in the sense that when I hear "classic" as a goal and maybe the one item doesn't appear that way to me, I think, oh, this is not the one. But if this jacket really looks good styled with even several other items, it may be something that moves your style forward ,and it doesn't prevent you from having a any other kind of style of leather jacket for other outfits.

I'm dealing with the possible reverse--I am the recent owner of my first leather jacket that is likely much less cropped and fitted that some others would like, but it is perfect for me over sweaters and to zip up and feel very warm and luxurious when outside, and the sleeves are not too long (!) and it was love at first sight. After the first bloom of love, I started thinking, this is my one and only leather jacket, did I end up buying the wrong one? And instead, I've since like Ariadne been thinking that aha, leather fits into my wardrobe because it can be mixed with so many other fabrics, and just like other blazers or jackets, I may have more than one , and if I do, I'm likely to go lighter (color and weight) and more fitted for the next one so that it will be a somewhat different look and use.

While feeling great is important for any item of clothing, it just seems the quintessential element of the leather jacket--so if that leather is great and feels great and supple on, then that is huge, and the photos likely don't do it justice.

Suz -- I haven't had time to read all of the responses but wanted to weigh in.

1. A good leather jacket is hard to find (I am discovering). I upped my budget to $500-600 and still am struggling, wondering if I need to go to $1000 to find that forever jacket. I am looking for perfection -- not too long arms, not too cropped but not too long either.

2. This one looks great on you. If you can somehow work with the sleeves (I use fashion tape on my taupe BB Dakota unlined leather jacket which also has a zipper -- it works like a dream!) I would get this. That is, IF you feel good about this jacket being more rock n roll than avant garde. That would be my only hesitation for you (not the fit -- it fits great for the price point).

3. I want to kick your DH for saying that to you! Sorry.

Well, I love the way the jacket looks on you and think that a black moto could be a FABULOUS addition to your wardrobe! It sounds like the sleeve length is the deal-breaker. I don't mind at all the way the long sleeves look, but it's your comment that they are a bit uncomfortable and just get in the way that concerns me. Since this is your first foray into the moto jacket world, do you have time to try on a few others and see how they compare?

I looked at it several times and /i like the fit of the jacket.I have a pleather jacket with the same sleeve details and zipper at the wrist that was no problem at all to have shortened.

Maybe you are just not used to the feeling of a leather jacket .Wool coats or even denim jackets have a more confy feeling to them , imo.

Also I have learned at my own expense leather jackets are supposed to be bought form fitting because they have a tendency to mold themselves and give out a little.

Celia, did your seamstress replace the sleeve zipper with a different one, or how did that work?

She didn't replace it, simply shortned the sleeve and cut the zipper shorter(does this phrase make sense?)

Again, Suz, you didn't ask me , but I had jacket sleeves with zipper detailing shortened. It was done by my mom, who's a very experience (though not professional) seamstress.

I can't take a pic now, but she removed the zippers and sewed it all up so that it was an inconspicuous seam (jacket was wool).

Can you also replace or redo the zipper? I would guess you can, but obviously the work and cost entailed would be greater.

Edited to add that I had no idea you could shorten a zipper.

Thanks, Celia.

I didn't know you could shorten a zipper like that, either. I guess I can take it to her to find out.

The issue will be cost. The jacket is not super expensive. I'd be willing to wait for the perfect one (and pay more) BUT I think maybe this is one of those items that I don't need to have "perfect" if it is pretty darn good, and in a way, paying a bit less to try out the new look makes a lot of sense. However, if alterations will add considerably to the price, then I think it becomes not worth it. I could wait for something better.

Suz, I forgot to add that I recently did have the sleeves of a jacket shortened that had a zipper detail. I don't know if they shortened the zipper itself (can that even be done?) or just swapped it for a shorter one. It wasn't a leather jacket (it was my Classiques Entier one seen here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ut-to-play), but it might be helpful to know that it can be done!