So I was going to do a post on sandals....

..... but Spring seems to have gone on a sabbatical - let alone Summer.  I had the day to spend with the 9yr old as the two boys had been dispatched to football camp.  In the rain.  Thank goodness that they let the small ones play indoors as I have zero idea where the waterpoofs are (actually I know where one is but I fear the littlest has grown out of his - note to self - could always stop feeding them) as I fought my way through the plasters to make breakfast and packed lunches this morning. 

WIth a house full it was off to Bluewater for me and the eldest.  I had planned on getting ahead of the curve and start the sandal shopping - all set for me and for the blog.  Well that was a waste of time.  I'm either too early or too late.  There was zip, zero, nada.  Or the shops are just going to be full of sandals that I don't like (of this there is a high possibility). 

So benchmarking that and seeing that the weather is verging on November temps, it got me to thinking about gaps in my wardrobe.  Which, to be fair, there aren't many.  But one thing which I don't have (although I do have a plethora of other jackets so clearly this is hardly a necessity) and I certainly could make use of is a black leather jacket of the biker variety.   The fact that I have blogged about this before (although not succumbed yet) and am still keen, makes me think it's not just a passing whim.  I know when I have blogged before, people have mentioned that they think perhaps they're on their way out fashion wise as they've been around for a while. 

It seems to me though, that these days, pretty much anything goes.  There are things that come into fashion that haven't been around for a few years (dungarees for example) and don't quite make the cut (for most... I know some people still love them and you can still buy them, but I wouldn't say they were mainstream.  Certainly not in my neck of the woods anyway)

Then there are other things which come out of nowhere and are still around years later - harems for example.   And the biker jacket, once consigned to the The Fonz and Danny Zuko's of the world is now a staple part of many people's wardrobes.

And I don't have one.  Ok so maybe the reason I haven't caved is that I do have a chocolate brown All Saints one which I bought 5 years ago and is still going strong - interestingly at the time I remember not buying a full on biker style one as I thought they wouldn't have any staying power.  So don't listen to me kids.  

Last year I got a thin quilted jersey one from Whistles in the sale which has served me very well and has proven to me that I do like the style and it does go with my wardrobe.  In fact, the other night when I was going out (Saturday night when I had my boyfriend jeans on) it did occur to me that a leather biker jacket would have worked perfectly.  

I did have a sneaky try on of a couple last week (we needed a change from granny chic shoes and 70's jumpsuits and trousers) and it's a slippery slope.  

Let the research commence.  I am now officially on a mission to find the perfect leather biker jacket.  That I don't have to sell a kidney (or probably two to be fair) to pay for - so that rules out anything with Rick Owens in the label. 

Starting with the one that I truly fell in love with at All Saints.  Which obviously isn't one of their selected 25% off items. Obviously.  However it's not of their £300 plus ones (just).  Price aside, it goes straight to the top of the lust list. 

Reasons for it being so different from the others?  Well firstly it's not a true black - it's a grey black I would say so it's not quite as harsh as a full on black (if that makes sense?). And secondly the leather is lived in.  Not a shiny stiff leather but a soft, malleable, already worn in for you, leather.  Gorgeous.  Plus a big collar which I love but probably won't be for everyone. 

Cargo Leather BIker jacket £295 from All Saints.  These come up small on the arms - I always take a 12 in All Saints jackets.





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Next was Whistles (actually I did this last week) to try on their Ziggy Leather Biker Jacket at £350 (ouch).  This is more structured than the All Saints one and not as fitted on the body, although this is a 12 so a 10 would probably be better on me fit wise - but would be no doubt too tight on the shoulders.  I could get away with it though I'm sure - looser on the arms definitely than the All Saints ones. 




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Reiss now which has always been a fave of mine to ogle at the leathers.  I know a couple of people who have them and they do look amazing and as good as jackets with a four figure price tag. 

This one caught my eye as it's a bluey black and not a black.  Definitely a hint of ink to it which again, softens it slightly I think. 

Jenn Blue/Black Short Collar Jacket  This is a Medium.  £375





My other favourite leather jackets are at Mint Velvet.  They didn't have when I went into John Lewis today but I've tried them on before and they really are a gorgeous fit and the leather, again, befits a much higher price tag. 

When talking about trying to make a biker jacket less butch - my two faves at Mint Velvet are firstly the one with the rose gold hardware.



The next option that I've already mentioned which they have at Mint Velvet is to have an ink blue version .



Special mention must go to these which are new at Mint Velvet and I haven't seen in the flesh yet, but I'm itching to go and try on.  Speaking of RIck Owens earlier - all hail the MV tribute.  Yum. 










Muubaa are a lovely leather jacket company.  We have a local boutique here called The Clever Dresser which has a fab selection but you can normally find them on ASOS and The Outnet in the sale. 





A two tone ombre style Chocolate one is available at ASOS if you don't want black. 




But it doesn't have to be expensive.  The pleather versions on the market can be really great.  I tried some on today and was really impressed.  I have a navy one from Primark which serves me well.  It's not a true biker as in with the flappy over bit (I'm not entirely sure that's the technical term...) so it's more like this one from Dorothy Perkins. 

Proof that you actually need to go and see this things in the flesh (or have a keeno like me go and do it) is how totally pants it looks online. 




It's definitely not a browny/khaki grey like it looks above - it's much more of a light charcoal and doesn't look remotely as plasticky as it looks above.  This is size 10. 




Now New Look came up trumps - they call this a Brown Leather look Double Zip biker jacket  for £39.99 but it's a dove grey.  Clearly it's not brown in their pic or in the flesh. 







And leaving both mine and the 9r old's favourite till last (she's in the background trying to persuade me to buy a maxi skirt....I have promised her I will blog on them!) 

I thought this was "ok" off the hangar.  On?  Oh.  My.  God.  I love it.  The only reason I didn't buy it was that - well, I'm on a quota and I need to think about whether I can justify it and whether I do really "need" it.   I shall be going back tomorrow to try it on again (taking the 9yr old and her slightly older friend there for shopping on their own - ie I follow at a distance - and lunch)  I reckon done up, it's going to have very much a Rick Owens vibe to it (one can dream....) 








And in brown (which looks amazing) glossing over the fact I already have a brown leather jacket. 



Two other places on the High Street that always have good pleather are Oasis and Warehouse. 

This from Warehouse caught my eye.











Or there's actually a real leather one in the sale at Oasis for £50!  Yes just £50.  Stocks low - be quick.  All sizes available. 




So this is my photo that the 9yr old took today.  Wind machine effect courtesy of standing near the door.  It was freezing cold and we may have been slightly late to pick the boys up from football, hence there isn't one of me with the sweatshirt in all its glory.  Fear not, there will be more.  


White vest - H&M
Black semi coated skinnies - 2nd Day
Bat sweatshirt - Zoe Karssen
Leopard print coat - Fenn Wright Manson
Ponyskin skate shoes - Next
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang 

Tomorrow out again for the day with two small girls. 


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29 comentarios:

  1. I was always on the lookout for the perfect black biker jacket, and having lost quite a bit of weight last year, I treated myself to a Whistles Patti jacket in black - 40% off at John Lewis one day with a freak price-matching event, which brought it down to about £180! Absolutely love it, wear it all the time. And following on from your New Look choices, I managed to snag a real leather jacket with faux sheepskin lining in their sale a couple of months ago - £30! It's a perfect vintage looking suede leather in brown/tan, a size too big but sheepskin always looks better oversized, I think.

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    1. What an amazing buy - both of them actually! Didn't see any real leather jackets in NL but was v impressed with their pleather. x

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  2. Ah Kat ... noooooooooo! I was so happy reading this post, thinking to myself 'I neither need nor have the budget for a leather jacket' so I was safe! But then, aarrrghh, then you showed that New Look jacket with the suedette collar. And of course now I'm seriously tempted. Feck!!!!! Because I really don't need one. Can you please buy it tomorrow and I can enjoy it vicariously??!!!

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    1. ha ha ha. What I will do is try it on done up so you can how even more fabulous it looks...?! I really REALLY don't need one of these either - would love one of course but don't think I Can justify it....

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  3. I have been searching for a leather jacket for ages - sometimes to much of a chicken to spend £350+ on the one I like at whistles. Hubby says don't you dare Susi Quatro but I like them........... That new look one very rick Owens in shape & style like you say. X

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    1. You see I do think real black yes, there is sometimes a danger of it being all a bt Suzi , that's why I went for my Chocolate one. Love the New Look one but do I need it...??

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  4. The New Look one is very nice and does have a Rick Owens look to it, but I thought you wanted a black biker style....will you not just still want a black biker one if you get it? Although at that bargain price maybe it doesn't matter. Love the All Saints one, might have to take a trip there myself for a pit of a trying on session.

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    1. Oh god yes I'll still want the All Saints one come the winter for sure..... But like you say the NL one is such a bargain... Hmmm I will go back today and see. x

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  5. I bought a Michael Kors leather biker jacket, all soft and worn, but every time I put it in I feel like an aged Cher impersonator so take it off! Such a shame and waste of money!

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    1. Cher, Suzi Quattro, Rizzo - the list of people you don't want to look like are endless. HAve you tried wearing it over a dress which I think makes it slightly less obvious? But I know where you're coming from for sure. x

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  6. Kat, you are stunning. That is all xxx

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  7. The All Saints one at the top is by far the nicest (of course it is, it's the most expensive typically) but I was one who queried the biker fashion longevity when you posted before. Personally I think you should wait till the A/W trends start to filter through properly, and if you feel a biker style jacket will fit in, then pounce with the first round of discount codes, and invest in a good one. How much wear are you really going to get out of one over the summer anyway? Even if its pants weather, I think it will look odd to wear something so heavy in July/August.

    Also, I have two Zoe Karssen sweatshirts and I would echo previous comments about the quality, mine now look like dishrags after just a couple of washes. I know you hate to, but I'd hand wash yours carefully and it might last a bit longer. I'm gutted after paying full price for something that now looks like it came from Primark.

    Sorry I have to post anon, i'm not signed up to any of the other options.

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  8. Never thought I'd covet a biker jacket but I'm loving the Dorothy Perkins one - off to order and you get 15% off with code WELCOME15. What's not to like! Thanks x

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  9. Scratch that, there is 20% off with VCTREAT20!

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  10. I think I have that Muubaa one you posted, if not it's very similar. And it's lovely. But...my O/H recently bought me a grey Todd Lynn one from Debenhams of all places. And it really is a beauty!

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  11. ooh that whistles one... drool hahah and just to tempt you even more im selling this vince elephant grey suede one on ebay which you might like :) very very rick owens 'inspired'... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271447591419?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

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  12. I agree, you *need* a leather moto jacket. I prefer the classic style, based on the Schott Perfecto jacket. I would since I've had mine since college and it's only gotten better/cooler with age. But I have a nut brown cropped and double-breasted button leather version as well. I'm thinking of getting a third moto jacket in pale pink or white.

    http://valleyoftheshoes.wordpress.com/

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  13. Too much temptation!! I do think leather is the way to go now you know you have that gap in your wardrobe. Love the all saints one also...you'll be passing it on to H...will be a life long item (perfect justification for all £££ purchases!!) x

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  14. I bought the Oasis £50 jacket, ooooh! lovely for that price! I am 6 ft (size 14-ish) , bought the large and the sleeves are perfect for me, the body could do with being an inch longer but I'm not complaining AT ALL. I chopped off the flappy leather bits on the zip pulls - less is definitely more.

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  15. I plan to make the investment & buy a real leather one at the end of Summer so will have to choose wisely! Some gorgeous ones here! The pic your daughter took is just stunning & as Oprah always says.....every woman needs a wind machine! Ax

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  16. Does the all saint biker cargo jacket stretch much? The 4 US fits me but the 2 US, while quite snug is the one all the All Saints salespeople vote on and say it will stretch quite a bit. Do they really stretch that much? Or should I stick with the 4 which gives me a little more room. I just don't want the 4 to stretch any more.... Help!

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  17. It's amazing jacket color is also unique Thanks for giving new ideas for how to wear jackets with different look. I like to buy celebrity leather jackets. thanks for sharing for fashionable post

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  18. She is looking so beautiful and gorgeous in pose. I think this jacket is made for her that is why she is looking so splendid. Best Essay Writing Service UK has given the light for the academic students.

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  19. Pretty cool outfits. you looking stunning on these jackets. keep sharing with us.
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  20. Beautiful ladies leather jackets ... Try Kelly Reilly Yellowstone Shearling Wool Coat for this winter & enjoy...!

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