My first biker jacket: MN made me do it...

[TressiliansStone]

This is Mumsnet's fault. Don't remember how – some thread about a party frock or cheap leggings... You know how it goes.

Anyhoo, I have just tried on my first leather biker jacket, and it is DA BOMB.

But I have Questions...

How tightly is it supposed to fit? Will it stretch?

The Medium clutches my hips and rides up in the small of my back. No space for a chunky jumper underneath, although four thin layers fit just fine.

The Large accommodates a thick fleece with ease and allows a little swivel on my hips. However it drowns me at the shoulders, and the larger funnel neck looks odd zipped up. (My face is tiny and easily overwhelmed.)

My heart is with the Medium. But an extra pound of fat in the wrong place, and I'll never zip it up again.

What to dooooo?

Pressed seems too soon!!

Vinted and Depop.

I'm not sure I love either on you OP, but what we think isn't what is important.

If you aren't sure (which is why I'm thinking you posted) then why not say your budget and others here may have seen something elsewhere that may tick your boxes.

There is an incredibly helpful bunch here.

It's not a biker jacket is it? Just a fashion thing. I only say this because I'm a biker. My jacket doesn't look anything like that. Have you ever even been on a bike? Mine gives me room to breathe, It allows me to move. It keeps me dry. It stops me getting road rash, in case I drop the bike. Yours won't do that. Fashionistas.

I don't like it I'm sorry to say.
I think you could find better.
Fwiw though the large doesn't look as big as I thought when zipped, but doesn't look great unzipped, so I'd go medium.

There is an incredibly helpful bunch here.

I know! So many really lovely, genuinely helpful people on S&B. I don’t often post, but hang out and take notes.

And you are all leading me into the ways of temptation! I should not be buying such an item at all, but ended up on eBay looking at a Michael Kors for under £50 last night...

For avoidance of doubt, I'm not looking for a jacket to wear on a motorbike. It’s many years since I was even a passenger on one. I fancied the fashion item which shops often describe as a biker. Nor do I care about this season's: a good jacket would last me 20 years.

Secondhand is fine, but I fear this is an item where I might have to kiss a lot of frogs. The seller would need to accept returns, and, being heavy, postage could mount up quickly.

The jackets in the pics were about £60 (I think they must have been overstock.) What are my chances of getting anything under £80 in the sales or secondhand?

I’d be looking for:
• simple collar (Collars are always tricky for me; anything vaguely scoop-neck makes me look like a pin-head. This collar looked best stood up at the back.)
• minimal zips and fussiness
• tan
• ideally more cropped than the current ones

I’m approx 38-29-38.

Medium. You don't zip them up. Enjoy!!

You don't need to be a biker to wear a biker jacket.
Don't get faux leather either because it looks awful.

https://www.leathercompany.co.uk/ladies-c3/leather-biker-jacket-tan-lola-p5469/s17055?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmterm=ashwood-leather-biker-jacket-tan-lola-size-14-size-14-0003888404&utmmcampaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzfuNBhCGARIsAD1nu-DZowooOC5BO4t20gpjeyboDWQl22fbDulMji9e2YSvKcO6BJDnnYaAjfVEALww_wcB

House of leather is reasonable

This is the style you should be looking for.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st742987/132867#132867?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=organic&utmcampaign=organicshopping

@Herecomesthesun70

[[https://www.leathercompany.co.uk/ladies-c3/leather-biker-jacket-tan-lola-p5469/s17055?utm]]source=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmterm=ashwood-leather-biker-jacket-tan-lola-size-14-size-14-0003888404&utmmcampaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzfuNBhCGARIsAD1nu-DZowooOC5BO4t20gpjeyboDWQl22fbDulMji9e2YSvKcO6BJDnnYaAjfVEALww_wcB

I like that a lot.

I agree with PP - it's not a biker jacket and while I'm trying to be constructive I really don't like it either, and I think you can do far better.

Have you thought of second hand? I buy most of my nicer clothes on eBay, Vestiaire, Depop and so on (I have more expensive taste in fabrics than my budget allows!) and I got my oxblood leather All Saints jacket on eBay for £165. If you can wait until after Christmas there'll be all sorts of unwanted stuff popping up 😀

I was typing while the links above were posted but if that's the style/colour you want I think the Leather Company one is much nicer

Not a biker jacket - more like a man's 70s style one maybe?

The links are good, certainly look for one a lot shorter and don't wear with jeans.

I'm enjoying the links.

Shorter would be great. I'm really surprised at the "don't wear with jeans," though. What do people usually wear them with? (I don't do little floaty dresses.)

This is the Michael Kors one I'm slightly tempted by on eBay, if anyone would like to critique it.

It's a Large, so 39 - 40.5 inch bust per Kors size guide, but I don't know how reliable that is.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michael-Kors-Tan-Leather-Biker-Jacket-/193939906194

I perceive jeans as a bit costume-y maybe? But you're looking at tan not black so I am probably worrying unduly. This is old but cute I think if not keen on a dress or skirt:
susiesoso.blogspot.com/2016/09/biker-girl.html
Reiss have styled their 'Tallis' jacket with a tube knit skirt or high waisted 70s flared jeans on the model, actually prefer the jeans!

www.mandco.com/leather-jacket-pine/109589708000014.html?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzfuNBhCGARIsAD1nu-9b60Nf75Te-8Gb-eCiH5OosldQmB1PXKD16DyllkS-SjGWLGsaQ-waAsfwEALw_wcB

I have a similar style biker in black op, I like to be able to do mine up as I’m constantly freezing. Usually wear it open when going out but can zip it up for the chilly evening journey home, big scarf covers the front anyway.

In saying that I’ve not worn it in a good year as I’ve still got lockdown 1 fat 😳

I also like to be able to do my jacket up. I’d wear it undone at the start of the night but like to be able to do it up for the chilly walk to the taxi rank etc.

The simplicity of that M&Co one is nice.

I also now have the urge to try on half a dozen from The Leather Company. Even ones I can't afford.

[quote TressiliansStone]This is the Michael Kors one I'm slightly tempted by on eBay, if anyone would like to critique it.

It's a Large, so 39 - 40.5 inch bust per Kors size guide, but I don't know how reliable that is.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michael-Kors-Tan-Leather-Biker-Jacket-/193939906194[/quote]
Oh dear no. It looks like something from the 80's.

As you're an hourglass, try looking for a cropped one? I have one that stops at the waist and it looks ace either zipped up or not.

Found a pic!

My advice would be:-
Black not brown
Slightly cropped so it finishes on the waist not below, as PP suggested
Faux leather can look just as good as real
I wouldn't zip it up, they look more stylish undone
You can get collarless versions, if the collars. Other you
Avoid epaulettes or waist belts, that can look overly fussy
Order a few to try from somewhere like ASOS and you will get a feel for the right length/styling for your body shape.

Good luck! 😊

op sounds like you don’t want a biker, it just a nice leather jacket.

The Micheal Kors one is fine, I would work it would show a mark really easily and look rubbish very quickly.