Time to retire my black leather jacket?

[ThursdaySoFriday]

Here I am clearing out my wardrobe again. I just pulled out my biker jacket after it’s latest several year hibernation and am reminiscing about my almost but not quite, and let’s face it mainly aspirational rock chick days in the 90s. Since then, this is a jacket, or at least it’s aspirational offspring (that upped a size as I had babies and the earlier jacket disintegrated with use), that used to come out every so often for a while and retreated every so often. But I’m beginning to wonder if it needs to remain in the wardrobe or in a memory box. I’m in my mid 40s now, greying all over, and thinking I could do with losing a stone, probably more. I love socialising, I love food and drink and I have no will power. But I can do it, I have done it before. And besides I could do with getting a bit fitter too. Perhaps I should consider colouring my rapidly greying, wiry hair, or going back to highlights. I gave up on my hair after my youngest a couple of years ago. It is just so much faff, and I resent spending so much time and money on stupid hair that just grows back. BUT even if I did all of that I don’t think I can carry this lovely little jacket off any more.

I am not glossy, tall or sinewy and nor will I ever be considered “fit”. In a line up I would be more Miriam Margolyes than Kate Moss. (I think both of these epic women are extremely cool, so no shouting at me. Although for the record, Margolyes is obviously cooler.) Then I wondered. If I shed the stone, and maybe the extra bit, and got the hair colour, could I just about carry this leather jacket off? I know it’s impossible for you guys to say without seeing a picture and that is SO not going to happen. I love the feel of this jacket, the reassurance of it and how it reminds me of me. But when i look in the mirror I think I look kind of ridiculous in it now.

Buuuut I don’t see why I should stop dressing as I used to because I have quite noticeably aged over the last 5-10 years. I tried doing a search for threads here on Mumsnet, but it was all “I’m in my 50s but look barely over 35, because of my great genes and because i work out and drink kale.” and all that jazz.There don’t seem to be many saying, like me, that I look older for my age, and will look my age no matter how many workouts or green juices I drink, but I still want to dress as I always have but not look like an idiot. In my case there is a lot of genetics to blame, all my forebears wrinkled and greyed early and profusely. But it seemed to matter less in those times. In photos all the women seemed to be wearing a pinny around their generous waist. The photos look like me. Short, frizzy, a little plump. Happy. But in an apron.

I'm 43, I just bought my first biker jacket last year, it's in a dark navy suede and leather from Tommy Hilfiger. I wear it with a soft scarf or a silk blouse under to blur the hard edges and I think I look OK. Dye the grey hair! I'd like to lose a stone though.

Just wear the jacket, unless it genuinely doesn't fit you or really looks crap - don't abandon something you love because of whatever age you are.

I'm 45, you will have to bury me in my leather jacket. Love them.

It's quite a different thing though, the black biker jacket and the colour one. I have stood in shops trying it and looking at mirrors not seeing it. But then I have always had black jackets. And I'm not sure I'm seeing my real self, my mid 40s self rather than some kind of whimsical effigy of what I think I look like. Perhaps I need to just sidestep into colour and rethink the hair dye. Let's face it, black probably ages me even more. I need all the help I can get if I am reluctant to put in the work!

I've had one since my early 30's. It only gets the occasional outing in spring so still looks new after 10+years. I love it. I'm now greying but that never made me think I should get rid of the jacket.

I'm 46 and I bloody love my black biker jacket. I'm little and not at all Mosse-like but who cares? I think it suits me.

I'm 50, love mine and have never drunk kale. Or had more than a passing relationship with the gym.

Don't talk yourself out of something you love. When you're tired of it you'll stop wearing it, until then....

I have the same leather jacket problem. It's a size 10. Post DC, I am a 16, greying, tired and older looking late 30s, unfit woman with better skin than pre DC thanks to MN S&B and giving up smoking and drinking I can't get rid of it though even though it makes me weep for my lost youth and size 10 waist every time I see it in the back of the cupboard.
Perhaps it's time we bought ourselves new leather jackets OP?😄

Keep it! I'm 45 and have managed to lose 2 stone in 6 months. I had quite a lot of clothes that I held onto for some reason, that I had when I was 10+ years younger and a size 10-12. I looked at them wistfully over the last few years, somehow my size 16 self just couldn't part with them. I never really thought I would wear them again, then I lostt the weight and suddenly they fit again! This includes a black leather 'Roxy jacket' which I always loved, my equivalent to your biker jacket. And actually, it looks quite cool on me now I am a size 12 again (OK maybe not cool but you know what I mean). So....don't get rid just yet...

The jacket fits me, but I'm not sure the look does. I think I'll hold on to the actual jacket, but I am not sure, even with shedding some stone and changing some hair that it will actually work again.

Ive been HOC'd and several years down the line, I've realised that there are things that suit you because they're the right shape/colour etc and then there are things that you make suit you, even if they're 'wrong' just because they're integral to your style.

Although FWIW I've always looked like a tit in a leather jacket

Don't think MM necessarily would though.

Oh I like you you're fun, someone I'd want to go out and consume buckets of non kale related beverages with

As for the jacket, keep it, for nostalgia purposes if nowt else.

I'm 40; just bought my first leather jacket and love it! Wish I'd done it years ago.

Wear it! As long as it fits, isn't falling to pieces and doesn't smell too bad , then why not? I bet you look fab.

I live in mine and I'm older than you. I have two black leather jackets, one tan, one grey and I've just bought a white one (not sure if I'm keeping that one yet.) I just throw them on over anything.

What is the alternative? I look awful in a raincoat/parka type thing, really scruffy and just wear that for practical reasons if it's raining on the school run. I don't like blazers, too smart for my look. I have one warm coat I might wear to go out somewhere smart in the middle of winter. What else is there?

Keep it!

I tell you what, OP, you might be worried about your leather jacket, but you can't half write. Start a blog or something if you haven't already - I'll read it!

I'm 50, I have 3 biker style jackets, one black, one tan, one distressed dark red (my favourite) - I wear them all and I'm a size 14, disabled with mobility problems (I do colour my hair blond though)

The good thing about getting older, is no longer giving a shit, if it fits and you love it, wear it, what's the worst that's going to happen?

I love the feel of this jacket, the reassurance of it and how it reminds me of me. I think that's how all your clothes should make you feel and is more important than what you look like.

I adore my biker jacket and I'm very far from Kate Moss (and also kale/the gym).

After years of highlights I've started having them mixed with darker blonde tones and it lasts sooo much longer as the roots are nowhere near as obvious - is that an option? TBH I kind of miss the lighter blonde but it's much more natural and low-maintenance.

I have a friend who is sixty, who wears black biker jackets well.

She's probably a size 16, grey, and has a really good sense of style/fun. She's always looks cool somehow.

I think a biker jacket can look good whatever your age/style/haircolour.

I think leather jackets might look really good on some women over 50 or indeed 60 but am not sure black leather suits me now (51). Mind you, I do have a brown pleather aviator with faux fur from Matalan of which I am still quite fond.

She's probably a size 16, grey, and has a really good sense of style/fun. She's always looks cool somehow.

That's exactly how I'd like to be descried when I'm older :).

I think either you're a leather jacket person or you're not (I'm not, sadly) and you clearly are, so wear your jacket with pride!

Wear it. FWIW I think the grey hair leather jacket combination can look awesomely confident.

I have no fashion advice but my general advice would be, if you have DC, hold onto your clothes for them even if you don't want to wear it. My lovely size 6-8 teenager DD is currently wearing all my 90s clubbing clothes and she grudgingly acknowledged that I may have some all right stuff, after all.

Actually, I am currently wearing my grandmother's very nice lacy peignoir type thing, so it obviously runs in the family

I'm planning to buy myself a new leather jacket for my 60th this year. Not black cos I look dreadful in it but grey.

I'm not going to pretend: Your body changes shape as you get older - especially after the menopause - and some things just don't suit you any more. And I think you're right about not seeing yourself as you really are in the mirror - I know I don't and photos can be a bit of a shock these days. So I'm careful. But I think I'm just as entitled to experiment and enjoy my clothes as a young woman.

As for leather - I think it's a pretty good fabric for older bodies because it has structure. And biker jackets are a classic - it's not like its still 1950. If you love it, wear it.