Will this finally be the year..

... that I fall in love with a biker jacket? 

Ok I should probably rephrase that, as it's not that I don't love them.  It's that they don't love me.  Or I should say, I'm not really too sure how to wear them.  I'll fess up.  It's the Danny Zuko thing.  I just feel vaguely knobbish in one.  

I love them on other people.  In my head, I can arrange a gazillion outfits with them that all look amazing.  But when I go to put them on, I feel like a tool. 

I've probably spent way too much time thinking about this but I *think* I've finally worked out why. 

I've been looking at the wrong sort.  So those who know me well, will be starting to smell a rat here and maybe start to guess that this is the start of an elaborate plan to justify the purchase of my perfect leather jacket.   This dilemma has not been helped by the (blasted) Selfridges MUST HAVE list, which of course, lists my ideal jacket as The one to have.  Therefore it's not my fault.

Do not shoot the messenger boy...

I've been looking at the wrong types of biker jackets.  I really really want to love the All Saints ones.  A couple of my really good friends have them and they look so amazing in them.  I like to think that I don't actually look like one but I certainly feel like an ever so slightly too butch tranny on a night out.  Which isn't up there on any "ideal look" list.

So I've had a long think (insomnia's a pig but it's great for mental research.  Some of my best ideas, I've had at 3am.  When we say "best" we usually mean "expensive") and I think the solution is a leather jacket that's softer.  

Something more fluid, still fitted but with less of the bulk and hardware of your more typical "biker jacket" (Zuko stylee...). 

I basically mean a Rick Owens jacket.  But that's silly money.  Seriously, you could buy a car for the price of one of these so my mission for today is to find some that are more budget friendly. 

But you already have one, I hear you cry.  Now I do (not a Rick Owens jacket by the way.. In. My. Dreams) but a rather good tribute that was the ridiculously eye wateringly expensive sum of £24.50.   ASOS Tall last Summer and I love it.  I have actually worn it loads, as opposed to a chocolate All Saints jacket that I have probably worn less and I've had it for five years.  But my ASOS bargain isn't fitted.  It's fine with trousers but I really think, over a skirt, midi dress, or culottes (which is what I'm planning on wearing it with) it needs to be the more fitted variety.

And here in, lies my dilemma.  I need one that does up.  One that I can wear with my midi skirt from LK Bennett (I kept the 12), ankle boots and a fitted jumper (that I also don't own.. details schmetails).  For lunch next Friday.  

So what are we looking to emulate?

These utter beauties. 

Rick Owens Tail back leather biker jacket £1145  Although that has a dipped hem at the back and I'm not sure about it... And let's face it - for that sort of money it needs to be perfect (ideally it would make tea as well).



Or this one..

Rick Owens Classic Leather Biker Jacket £1090



And I'm not sure if this is the same?  I'm thinking it probably is.  I have to say I am super drawn towards the extra long arms (I'm assuming the models don't have extra short arms..) 

Rick Owens Draped Collar £1089




Or there's this in the charcoal at Net a Porter in the sale but only in an 8.  Which, alas, I could not shoehorn myself into.  If I though I could and wouldn't look like a spray painted sausage, then I'd try it.  But I tried a not great, thin version on in Zara today and the Medium was too small....

Rick Owens Washed leather in grey was £1395 now £698



And now they're merging all into one.  And frankly, the more you look at them, the more - utterly ridiculously - £1000 as opposed to £1800 seems reasonable.  Must. Stop.  Bonkers money and surely there must be some other options on the high street we can look at.

The best that I've found as a tribute is this which I absolutely love but I really want a leather alternative.  As in a suede, or brushed leather or something that's leather but not a shinyish leather.  Which I appreciate doesn't make sense.  Basically I just want the Rick Owens one.  Darn it.

Having said that - for the money, surely this has got to be worth a look?

mbyM Valentine leather jacket £230





And another leather version from Freaky Nation. 

Blow up Leather Jacket was £150 now £120



And that's pretty much it.  Hmm. So we move onto the drape front style ones which I can't remotely justify as I have the ASOS one which, although it's pleather, serves the same purpose.  

If you haven't got one and don't want one to ever do up, then these are marvellous.  I LOVE mine.  It's just not great with a skirt..

ASOS Leather Jacket in Grey was £130 now £91




And a version in black leather.

YAS Yascastro Leather jacket £130



Warehouse also do a real leather version with a detachable faux fur collar.  Love this one.  They say it's fitted and buttery soft which sounds divine. 

Faux Fur Collar Leather Drape Jacket from Oasis £160









And then there are some other options of the more traditional variety but I've tried to look at them in slightly less stiff leather (as in my head they scream ZUKO). 

A washed leather is a great alternative. 

Tall Washed leather jacket from Topshop £165




But if we're looking at non leather or suede, than have I managed to find some bargains. 

Black leather look suedette trim jacket from New Look £29.99





And a similar version but with some zips. 

Black Suedette Contrasted Bonded Waterfall Jacket £29.99






All in suedette at Oasis.  This one I think is perfect if you're more used to wearing blazers.. it's just a blazer with a little edge. 

Suedette Waterfall Jacket £48 from Oasis




And a slightly different version at Warehouse - a suedette with a leatherette collar.  The reverse of the usual.   They do this every year and I tried it on years ago.   I would have got so so much wear out of it, had I bough tit.  To be honest, it's nicer than my ASOS one but I love the longer sleeves on the Tall version I snagged.  

Zip Detail Waterfall Jacket from Warehouse £50



And that's it. 

So I am just contemplating how much wear I'll get out of the actual Rick Owens one. (OUCH).  But that (along with a Givenchy Nightingale...) is the one thing I have wanted for years.  And maybe I should just bite the bullet and get one for my birthday this week.  We're off to Bicester on Tuesday so I should probably see what there is on offer there (I was looking for sandals but I'm more than happy I think with my black trusty Burberrys and the super cheap Zara leopard print ones that I got in the sale two years ago).  

Will I get enough wear out of it...  hmmmmmmm. 

Outfit from yesterday - lovely lovely treat day.  Breakfast out for a friend's birthday and then round to another friend's for lunch.  Before the rat race of three lots of swimming and cubs (football apparently wasn't on) and then a lovely glass of wine and a movie with the kids.  The poor husband was working late so we had more left over party food from the freezer when he got home.  I'm not sure what we're going to do when we run out.. It certainly isn't going to make us through till next Christmas.  Do they do their special ranges at Easter?

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Into This grey jumper - Bella Freud (look on Bella Freud for bargains. This was my birthday present to myself..)
Wide leg cropped trousers - Me+Em
Grey reversible coat - Whistles
Mira black chelsea boots - Ash
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci 

And today - breaking out the new Nikes which I have been sitting on for a fortnight.  I ummed and ahhed as I actually think they're too *cool* for me, but as the husband said he liked them, I kept them (I had a discount from my first online order with & Other Stories and I couldn't find them anywhere else.  I assume they're old stock?  But I LOVE the colour).  The husband then said, "what the hell are you wearing them with?".  I give up.

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Navy straight cropped trousers - Me+Em (in the sale online) 
Navy polo neck - Zara
Camel coat - Zara
Grey Air Force 1s - Nike
Whisky Medium Marcie Satchel - Chloe

So I was up at the crack of dawn taking the boys to football and the dog to the park (her weekly date with her brother) having had only my two glasses of wine last night (about which I am very smug).   And then thought it would be a great idea to take the 11yr old and her friend to Bluewater.  That would be a no.   What an utterly hideous place to be on a Saturday.  Truly truly unpleasant (and I'm hugely sorry if I made your trip any more grim if you were anywhere near me in the variety of queues I had to stand in, snarling and growling like a grumpy old woman).  Returning the variety of stuff I had ordered the week before last when I was home with a houseful of sick children.  I have only myself to blame.  

I did decide though to keep the 12 in the LK Bennett skirt as opposed to the 10 (so I can breathe.  Which is always handy).  It looks so good with my sandals that I have (therefore I don't need anymore .. drat) but I do definitely definitely need a top to go with it.  It's not even a "need", it's a proper need.  Which, I'll be frank, I can't usually say about a lot.  

And I have a cunning plan...

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33 comentarios:

  1. I have 3 biker jackets ( all of them pleather) and my fave 2 are slightly softer and draped and I can do them up if I need to. My least fave is definitely the one of stiffer material. It's not as comfy to wear and feels heavy. The others I love love love and wear so much in spring summer and autumn and for evenings out ... So I would definitely agree it's all in the shape and the style/cut .... Once you have found the perfect one you will wonder how you managed without it, super useful!

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    1. You're absolutely right. I shall continue on my quest....!

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  2. I got a gorgeous soft leather biker from mint velvet in the January sales. Its 'ink' (i.e not quite navy or black)and just goes perfectly with all my denim- blues and greys.

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    1. They do the most amazing jackets, that's a great call. I wonder if they do some more styles as they're all quite traditional biker I seem to recall? I so so nearly caved on the black with the rose gold hardware from a couple of years ago. was gorgeous. x

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  3. Hmm I don't think so as I have a brown All Saints one which is an amazing fit but it's a heavy jacket, if that makes sense?! I think it's the weight of the leather that makes it harsh? I do have a Massimo Dutti black and camel one that has been relegated to the loft to the "I might wear it one day"... pile....... !!!

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  4. I have a great one from Karen Millen a few years ago. More understated than you'd expect. It's shrunken, washed black leather. The secret is the stretchy panels in the arms and sides. Sound horrendous I know but they give it a fitted look and are super comfy. It's great over little dresses and skirts but not so good with jeans.

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    1. I think you're onto something there. I've shied away from them before as.. I'm not sure why.. but this is what makes them the very snug fit and that's what you need. Ironically I think that's why pleather is better too in lots of cases as it's not as chunky as most more cost effective leathers. I think definitely I'm looking for over dresses, skirts and culottes.. Maybe boyfriend jeans in the summer, but I'd be thinking more black, ecru and grey as opposed to blue denim. I have so having a complete falling out of love with blue denim!

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  5. Funnily enough you were the one to help me end my biker quest. Bought the the AllSaints Colwick during the Thanksgiving sale which is prob their plainest biker (no zips, just pressed stubs) and in the softest sheep leather. Anyway hope you find your go-to biker soon!

    How is the fit on your new grey Bella Freud sweater? I ordered the same one in red but went with an XL as I think I'm larger than you on top (UK12) and you said yours were an L??

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    1. You see - they look amazing on other people - the leather is definitely the best on the high street, I'd say.

      NOW NOW NOW - the new Bella F sweater - I got the large but completely randomly, I find it a much looser fit.. God I hate to say it, but I probably could have gone with the medium... BUT it has much longer sleeves which I love on the Large and it's perfect still to wear with skinnies which the red one isn't really as it's snugger. It's not massive by any stretch of the imagination so you should be ok with the XL. xxxxx It's absolutely gorgeous by the way! xxxx

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  6. The only place for biker jackets is Whistles. Soft buttery leather in Navy or Khaki this season. I've had mine for 5yrs and it gets better and better. Don't get me started on their leather wrap skirt either.
    Angi x

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    1. Yes, they're gorgeous and the leather is amazing but I still find them ever so slightly bulkier than I"m looking for? But I can imagine it ages amazing well. They just never go out of fashion. Do you have the leather wrap skirt? If not, there is an amazing dupe in Topshop. GORGEOUS. I hate to pry myself away from it as a) I don't wear skirts and b) I already have a leather and a pleather!!

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  7. You've hit the nail on the head. BUT I do have a Whistles quilted jersey biker jacket that is lovely.. I'm wondering about black leather culottes, black fitted jigsaw polo neck, black suede chelsea boots, jacket and red bag for birthday lunch.... Or black pleather pleated skirt, Bella freud red jumper and boots.. and jacket...... It's perfect tbh to go with shiny leather bottoms as it's a complete contrast fabric. I think I might do that and not *rush* into getting another jacket!

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  8. Allow mw to help you: https://www.muubaa.com/jackets-c1/bikers-c11

    I have a blue jacket - soft, some fabric as well as leather so it's not so 'hard', super flattering. I wear it all. the. time.

    You're welcome.

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    1. You are absolutely right, Muubaa is definitely some of the best leather out there. Buttery, soft and gorgeous but still not quite what I'm looking for! They're easily on a par with the All Saints leather but have a much better variety of colours and styles. Perfect if you're looking for that more traditional biker jackets. I think I've come to the conclusion that I maybe don't want any embellishment at all (which probably means it's not a biker jacket.. duh....!!) Those prices though are AMAZING! (I have to say I am rather rather taken with the anthracite one...) What's the sizing like? To be fair, I've never actually tried one on....

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    2. I agree the prices are amazing, I paid more for mine about three years ago. I wonder if they are closing down? The sizing is true. not too small, not too big. JUST RIGHT! I don't like those heavy biker jackets that weigh you down and veer the butch line. What I love about Muubaa is that it's light and I feel feminine in it.

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    3. Good point.. We have a local boutique who stocks them, maybe I'll go and try one on!

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  9. I've got a really soft pleather biker jacket that I love but don't wear nearly enough as I always feel like I look like I'm trying slightly too hard to be cool!! Although having said that, I always get compliments when I do actually wear it & no-one believes it's from good old Primarni so maybe I should wear it more......

    The RO ones are gorgeous, I can see why you're swaying! X

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    1. AHA! Yes, I have a blue p(leather) one from Primarni.. actually I'd forgotten about that, but it's marvellous. It is really Biker though but might work with a dress.... I fear that I shall now just be buying more dresses to justify a new jacket. This is the one thing I say NEVER to do when I'm giving shopping advice! Slippery, slippery slope.....

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  10. Hmm they all look great - I got a leather grey/green one from Whistles 2 years ago too man buckles, too T-bird-ish so quite careful not to wear it with blue jeans or my biker boots - which ar 2 things I LIVE in.... Probably going the Decluttering way. Not such an amazing buy! �� My sister has a great grey waterfall one from Muubaa - much chicer xxxx

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    1. Eeks "many" not man.... Spellcheck.....

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    2. So pleased I'm not the only one who just can't do the buckles. Although that's not a great way to find out they're not really you? How about with dresses? Trouble is I only have a couple of dresses.. I do have leather skirts but leather on leather - dear lord. I see you Danny Zuko and raise you Suzi Quatro. That'll be a no.

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  11. I love reading your blogs, as much for your amusing turn of phrasing as for the fabulous fashion you hunt out - but now I find myself lusting the Rick Owens, when before I just moved on quickly and didn't compare the beautifully cut with the value version .... now there is a little pain in my side ...

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    1. oh gawd I'm so so so sorry. It's not going to make it any better if I say I've been looking for a high street version for years, is it? I WILL go and try them on so we can see that they just ming - would that be ok?! (and thank you for your lovely comments xxxx)

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  12. Hi Kat, a long time weekly reader but never posted. I love your writing and ideas! I have the same predicament as you, being petite biker makes me look very strange. I want something paired down and fitted with a feminine slant but it doesn't seem to be in fashion at the mo or at least in UK. I wonder if there would be more choice in Spain or Italy....

    Did you know that Trouve does a RO dupe? It has very good reviews:

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/trouve-leather-moto-jacket/3676624?origin=coordinating-3676624-0-3-PP_3-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-14&recs_type=coordinating&recs_productId=3676624&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=3&recs_placementId=PP_3&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=14&recs_referringPageType=item_page#select-gallery-thumbnail-4

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    1. Aha.. sold out. BOOO!!!! And thank you for your lovely comments.. You're right - there are very few pared back biker jackets that do up, as opposed to ones that are just a drape front of which there are loads more. There is one on Zara but I tried it on instore and it just was SO thin (to be fair, they do call it a shirt... ) and I couldn't work out whether the fabric was cool or just super tacky and cheap. Duh.....

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  13. It was Myriam btw :). Also look at Veda x

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    1. The name of the Trouve jacket? I'll look it up thank you x

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    2. I can't remember, should show on the page even if sold out but come to think of it the Veda is much more similar to RO, looks gorgeous and half the price x

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  14. Haven't looked in ages, but I have a Mango one that is ridiculously RO.Bought it after seeing a comparison between them and it is pretty much indistinguishable from the original. I've not worn that much either because, for some reason I can't put my finger on, I just feel a bit of a knob in it. It is just that squeaky leather jacket vibe I find hard to pull off.

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  15. This little number at H&M has caught my eye a few times - obvs not leather but not pleather either, a sort of faux nubuck which looks much more premium. Worth checking out if you want to trial the style for under £40
    http://m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0316657001.html

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  16. There is a Mint Velvet black leather/rose gold one in a 12 on Ebay at the mo.

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  17. All these jackets are looking really nice and I also want to try such a nice jacket for attending corporate events as well. Do you think it will go well for an event and if it is possible what should I team up with them?

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  18. Wow! Thanks for sharing this fashionable post your outfit is amazing looking gorgeous. I like to buy celebrity leather jackets.

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