leather jackets, can anyone wear them?

[LazySusan11]

And look decent? I'd love a soft buttery non squeaky leather jacket I'm just not sure I can carry it off.

My style is fairly classic, jeans and cashmere jumpers mainly. Shall I go for it and where do I get a good one?

[fruitscone]

No, in my opinion not everyone can.

I for example cannot. My look is natural fibres and the minute I put on anything synthetic or anything shiny or leathery (apart from shoes!) I look like a prostitute.

Some people manage to look chic, Italian, swishy and fab in a lovely leather jacket. Others with a northern hemisphere complexion, like a squishy bread roll, tend not to achieve the desired look (like me). Which type are you???

[TanteRose]

Yep! I luffs my leather biker jacket - I'm 48

[Floisme]

I think they're classic, ageless and that there's a style and colour for everyone.

There are a couple of threads around with some really good links and suggestions, e.g. Jaegar Outlet, Whistles, All Saints, Oasis. (can you tell I'm looking too!) One THREAD has 'leather jacket' in the title and the other is about 'autumn/winter essentials'

Leather was a natural fabric last time I checked and it doesn't have to be shiny.

[Floisme]

Sorry about caps malfunction.

[2ManySweets]

Top tip: be prepared to go up two sizes in a biker jacket. I freaked when I realised my lovely new biker from Warehouse is a 16 but it fits lovely and I've had many compliments on it.

Plus you'll need it if you have big boobies 👀

[fruitscone]

Yep Floisme I know leather is natural - as I said synthetic OR leather... I have tried all these looks and styles and am the living proof there is no leather jacket for me, nor for lots of other people I see sporting them.

[LazySusan11]

I'm definitely not a willowy swishy Italian type! I'm 5ft 8 large of nork (FF) a size 14 goblet/inverted triangle shape.

Oddly I have a Barbour wax biker jacket and it looks good which I didn't think it would. So wondered if I could try a leather jacket though i'd prefer a non biker style.

[Floisme]

That's a shame fruit - most people I see in them look great.

[badabadabadabwee]

Very silly question but, when choosing a jacket, should you be able to actually zip it up?

I have very wide hips so in order to get a fitted jacket with a zip to actually do up, I have to get a really large size, so that the bottom parts of the zip will join each other. But that then means the jacket is huge on top!

On the other hand, if I get a jacket that fits my arms and back/chest etc, I can't get it to zip up.

[nickEcave]

I agree with fruitscone, I've tried numerous leather jackets over the years, always in colours that flatter me (autumn colouring) and that fit my short, large norked frame and they just look wrong. I can wear suede jackets, but leather makes me look like I'm pretending to be a rock star (or a prostitute )

[Floisme]

They do all seem to be bikers around at the moment. I like them and I think they suit me but I'd also really like to try a just-above-the-knee, single breasted, mannish leather coat and I can't see one anywhere. It's annoying how little choice there is. It's probably the wrong time of year to be looking but I started the hunt last winter and couldn't see one then either.

bada it depends on the style of jacket but if it was a biker, I'd wear it open so wouldn't worry about zipping. But I'm very vain and all style over function.

[Rinceoir]

bad I have a similar shape and definitely think jackets look better open on me and fitted on shoulders. I bought an Oasis waterfall black leather jacket a few years ago and still get compliments on it when I wear it. That sort of style might suit either?

[badabadabadabwee]

I agree that it looks fine unopened... I am kicking myself now, found a gorgeous Reiss jacket at an outlet which fitted me perfectly (apart from the not actually being able to zip it up thing!). I was with my mum though who totally talked me out of it, saying you should never buy a jacket you can't actually do up... sigh... Why did I listen to her!!!

[Pisssssedofff]

I bought s gorgeous navy one from whistles this year and I can honestly say I want to be buried in it, it's beautiful