A little bit of leather does you good.

And whilst we're on the popular subject of investment shopping, it's also a great must have item for Spring and into Autumn.  It is the leather jacket.  The reason for my sudden renewed interest in them is the falling in love again with my over 4 years old chocolate brown one from All Saints.  

I absolutely love this jacket and it has been one of the most useful pieces in my wardrobe since I bought it.  It wasn't cheap but cost per wear, this really has been one of the most cost effective items that I own.  

Recently, I've gone a couple of times to put on my black quilted biker jacket from Whistles which I had so much wear out of in the Summer but there are issues.  Firstly, it is snug on the arms.  Which is great in the Summer as I like it to be close fitting - I certainly don't want a great baggy number when I have bare arms.  But in the Winter, trying to get it over a couple of layers, does give one that certain Michelin man look which really is becoming to no-one.  Secondly it's bracelet length sleeves on me.  I fear it's not supposed to be like this but with my Mr Tickle arm length, it unfortunately is.  And it's too cold to go there right now.

Which leads me onto my annual love-in and drool fest over the Rick Owens Biker Jacket.  This is never going to happen.  Even in the sale they are still so far outside my zone of acceptability but this doesn't stop me from lusting after one.

Rick Owens Blister Washed leather biker jacket £1405

One of the reasons that I always manage to find something else to blow the budget on, is that now there are so many fantastic tributes on the High Street.  This one from Mango - if the leather is as buttery as it looks could definitely fill a Rick Owens hole. 

Mango Maxi Flap Leather Jacket at a rather more palatable £169.99



Actually prefer the shaping of the back of the Mango one. 





The other leather jacket that I've had my eye on all season and was so so hoping it would be reduced is the rose gold hardware one from Mint Velvet.  Their leather is absolutely stunning.  Excellent quality and whilst not cheap, for a very decent quality leather jacket is an exceptionally good buy. 

Mint Velvet Zip Detail Biker Jacket £259




Staying on the theme of black biker jackets, this one is a combo of fabric and leather.  I love 2nd Day (usually a jeans fan to be honest) - it's the quirkier range from Day Birger et Mikkelsen, the great Danish brand. 

2nd Day Biker Jacket with contrast leather panels £168 from £260




Moving onto a slightly different style but still a black leather jacket. 
Oasis Waterfall Leather jacket £98 from £140 - This is actually full price still on the Oasis site but seems to be reduced on ASOS.  I'm assuming this is perhaps last season's version although it looks exactly the same as the new one.  But cheaper.




If black isn't your thing and I'll be honest - it's taken me years to get over the Fonzie thing and is probably one of the reasons I own a brown one, then there are other coloured options out there. 

Speaking of brown this is a great bargain.  A reddier brown on the body with dark chocolate arms.  Just beautiful. 

Mango Leather BIker Jacket £77 from £139.99









Another brown version from Mango - new season.

Mango Leather biker Jacket in brown £119.99




Maybe it's not leather but suede that floats your boat.  This oozes luxury for me.  A really good buy for under £100.  Love the shape of this one.  How perfect for the Spring?  Fab to layer up now but great for those slightly warmer days. 

Peccary BIker Jacket from Mango in Camel for £89.99



Grey at All Saints.  Not the cheapest but I think they're cheaper than they used to be.  Certainly mine was in the sale and was around £250 and that was 4 years ago!  All Saints leather is truly amazing.  Even if you're not an All Saints fan, their leather jackets, for the money, are designer quality at (albeit top end) High Street prices. 

Cargo Leather Biker Jacket £298




Warning. M&S shocking pic coming up.  Now this is criminal as this genuinely is one of the cutest jacket I have seen in a long time.   Honest to god, you would never in a squidillion years know that it was from Marks - it's lovely.  The most unusual shade of green (in fact they call it peacock and yup, to their credit, that's exactly what I'd call it).  If you don't want a black or dark brown jacket then this really is one that would go with everything.  Gorgeous with black, stunning with navy, chic with shades of grey.  I might avoid teaming with tan as there is the slimmest chance of a woodland elf vibe but this is what I always think with green and tan so now tend to just swerve it.  Just a random foible of mine. 

Here is my pic.






And this is their pic.   Deep breath....


Not a lot to be said about that, is there?

Going back to Mint Velvet for a dark navy number.  This is new this season and actually, I don't know now which I prefer - the black or the delicious blue. 

Ink Leather Biker jacket from Mint Velvet £259



It doesn't have to be leather if you don't want to make that sort of investment.  You can still get the look for a fraction of the cost and the quality of pleather, as I've discussed before, has improved no end.  I love my navy pleather jacket from Primark (so much so that I would definitely consider upgrading it to the one above.....) 

A brighter cobalt blue if you fancy it. 

Blue Zipped Collar Biker Jacket From River Island £55




Warehouse Drape leather look jacket  £33 down from £55  I love this jacket - it really does feel like leather - super soft and now an amazing price. 




And a similar one from River Island but in Grey - Grey leather look waterfall jacket £60.  To me this also bears a resemblance to the Rick Owens one - can be worn open or closed.  Gorgeous. 









So there we have a selection of colours, styles and even two fabrics.  Are you a leather jacket person?  If so, what colour would you recommend and how do you wear yours?

Now to finish with, today is a story of two outfits.  One a success, the other.... (read below).  So on a positive note, yet again, cracking open some favourite gems from years gone by which have absolutely stood the test of time.