So is this a classic?
Hmm, so I'm on my second classic and already I'm going a bit off piste.
Well - I don't think it's off piste for some, but for me, it definitely is. However I have to put it in now as I'm wondering if it's something I need in my wardrobe and it really is the perfect time to buy them.
Today I'm talking about a Biker Jacket.
Ok so I do have one of sorts - I've had it for donkeys years and I have to say I love it. But I don't wear it that often. Why? I don't know. It just never seems quite right. I feel slightly too try hard in them and fear that there's a hint of a female Alan Partridge about me.
I somehow manage to look more Rick Parfitt than Rick Owens in it. And I think that's because I never know really exactly what to put with it.
But when I do get the outfit right with mine, I absolutely love it. I really really do. So it's essentially about getting the appropriate outfit and they can be a godsend. And I think that this season - with my dress obsession getting out of hand (will I actually end up wearing them during the day.....??), they may come into their own. Because actually, it's pretty hard to team a jacket over a dress - it's hard to get the right length coat and a blazer can look, well - all a bit worky...or just too dressy when you're going to the supermarket.
However... a little biker jacket could be the answer to all our prayers. And I know that so many people (that I know in real life for a start) wear them all the time and look freaking ace in them.
So I'm going to give it a go.
My two go to places would be All Saints and Mint Velvet. I'm not going to mention Rick Owens but if money was absolutely no object, then it would be a Rick Owens for sure. So actually I am going to mention him, but just the once.
See it and weep.
Rick Owens Washed Leather Biker Jacket £1,395 (only over £1000 more expensive than anything else here. Snort)
Now this isn't an exact replica but I have to say for a gazillion pounds less - this would be my choice. I love this. I would go so far as to say, I love it pretty much the same as I love the above RO one.
Black Leather & Suede Jacket £259 from Mint Velvet
Some more traditional jackets at All Saints and this one I have tried on so many times. I love it but I just don't know up till now if I'd get enough wear out of it. Maybe this will be my season?
Cargo Leather Jacket from All Saints £298 in black/grey This is a great shade. It's not a dark gothic black, it has a softer hint of charcoal to it.
However for an even softer option, suede could be the solution and especially a paler version. I love this one. RIdiculously impractical but these are the sorts of jackets that do look better with a little bit of wear to them. As this probably doesn't include splashes of red wine or curry, I'm not sure I could justify a pale suede jacket. But doesn't mean I don't still love it.
Suede Western Biker Jacket in light khaki from All Saints £328
But fear not there are still some bargains to be had at Mango (thank the lord for Mango). As well as being very competitive prices, they are really good quality leather and suede.
Leather Biker Jacket was £107.99 now £53.99
I have to say though, I am still very much drawn to the less "biker" aspect of biker jackets which is probably why this one would get my vote. Even though it's pretty much just a leather jacket...but a gorgeous gorgeous one at that and sometimes it's better to accept a variation on a theme if that works for you. And you'll actually wear it.
Pocket Leather Jacket was £143.99 now £71.99
Full on suede and a waterfall shape which can be super flattering and easy to wear. It's also less full on Hell's Angels if that slightly puts you off. The suede, combined with the grey shade and not black means it's a lot softer and more feminine than some.
Mint Velvet Steel Suede Waterfall Jacket was £220 now £99
An alternative to this style could be the same shape but in a lighter fabric.
I spied this at Banana Republic and just loved it. A pretty in pink pastel sugary jacket in an edgy biker style. Perfect.
Banana Republic Multi Zip Moto Jacket £110
In the sale - bargain at Mint Velvet.
Mint Velvet Grey Jersey Biker Jacket was £129 now £39
Then of course, there is the pleather option. I've decided if it's good enough for Stella McCartney, then it's good enough for me. Of course, there is pleather and there is pleather and definitely some can be better quality than others. However generally, in recent years, they have improved markedly and often it's really hard to tell the difference.
These really do come into their own if you're not sure how much wear you'll get out of one. I have fessed up and said I don't get that much wear out of mine. I will also come clean and say that I do have a navy pleather one. From Penneys. (so Primark). For the sum total of about 20euro. Which, I have had for about 4 years now and which I do wear about as often as my leather one which cost 20 times as much.
And this one I've found is probably my favourite of all of them. (so I may have ordered it....arrives tomorrow) Am very much hoping it doesn't feel like I'm wearing an industrial bin bag - in my head, it's not going to look as shiny as it does here... this isn't going to bode well, is it?
ASOS Tall Biker Jacket with zip detail was £55 now £24
They also do it in a non tall version although that's £27.50....
I do think though that sometimes a less shiny version does look less plastic and more leather (I can't say I have the highest hopes for the above jacket but I have a couple of other things to send back to ASOS so in for a penny, in for a pound....) and I love the slight padding on the shoulders of this one.
I'm assuming that it's slight padding as opposed to Dynasty style shoulder pads.
ASOS Structured Shoulder Biker Jacket with Quilted detail was £65 now £45.50
So are you a biker chick? Or is it something that, like me, you've always struggled to get your head round. I'd love to hear if you've mastered the style and how you wear yours.
I shall be doing some trying on of them shortly - when it gets slightly chillier. I did go shopping today with the three small things and I managed the sum total of NADA for me. Not even a hint of a look. I did school shoe shopping at Geox for the two boys (with a free watch which they are over the moon about) and a trip to Smiggle which was the equivalent of a really nice pair of shoes for me that I spent on smelly rubbers and pencil cases (which they LOVE. So worth it..... hmmmmm)
Lunch at Wahaca (best Gluten Free options ever if this applies to anyone) and seats in the Campervan which is perfect for the boys. All in all, we survived.. (even though I was at mutterings through gritted teeth by the end, I will admit)
Home and off for a swim with friends and now I have a huge (not healthy) salad waiting for me. With a glass of wine. I have tried to abstain in the holidays. Which was a stupid idea so I abandoned that after an hour.
Porcelain blue print dress - & Other Stories
Tan lace up sandals - Forever 21
Whiskey Medium Marcie Satchel - Chloe
Playdates for everyone tomorrow morning at ours, I'm getting up at the crack of dawn for a lovely long walk with the dog but I shall be back with the start of my holiday packing saga.
I have a Mulberry cream cropped biker bought from the factory store in Somerset about 5 years ago. I have only worn it about 3 times but each time it has been over a little dress. Think I'll get it out and give it another try. Thanks for the reminder x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do - blimey, sounds AMAZING x
DeleteI wear my leather jacket 183 days a year. It's probably the cheapest cost per wear item I own, even though I paid close to half s grand when I got it. It's literally the only outerwear I wear between April and October.
ReplyDeleteoh you see I WISH I could love it as much as this. I think I need to try harder x
DeleteOh my I love the pocket one! Very wearable.
ReplyDeleteI do own a real, heavy, leather biker jacket from Camden Market in the 1990s. It was bought off a stall and still had receipts in the pocket! I usually wear it on Bonfire Night as it's the warmest jacket ever...
oh that's FABULOUS! I had one from Next in the 80s - it was a parker style one with a hood and omg I wish I still had it.x
Deletei have 2 biker jackets, a black one and a tan one. I wear them so often, with jeans, dresses, skirts. I love how practical they are as they seem to go with so many different things. mine are soft leather and light weight which helps. great with scarves as well when the weather is cooler. I cant imagine not having them as part of my wardrobe to be honest.
ReplyDeleteYup, I KNEW lots of people loved them as complete classics. I definitely need to rethink this and try harder x
DeleteI love the tan Mango one but S has threatened to leave if I buy any more leather/suede jackets.............
ReplyDeleteoh he SO won't...!!
DeleteI love my biker jacket and it goes with everything. The one you have picked from All Saints is really nice - you should definitely wear yours more! Lx
ReplyDeleteI so should, shouldn't I?!
DeleteOuch....45 plus not good with black biker. Muted olive/suede grey with a big cashmere scarf does the trick.
ReplyDeleteLuckily I'm 42... I don't think it matters at all - especially if you put the right accessories with it. Having said that, I haven't managed to master them at all. And doesn't everything just look so so soooo much better with a huge cashmere scarf? You can never have too many!
DeleteI have a dark brown jacket from Oasis that you featured last year. Love it and wear it a lot, it doesn't have a collar so is a little less bikerish. Also love the blue other stories dress, visited the store the other day, different!
ReplyDeleteOh I remember that, it was a fantastic buy. Yes, the store is amazing but you need ages in there, don't you?!
DeleteI love my biker jackets! I have a pale grey Clements Ribeiro one (thank you tkmaxx) which is very fitted and more spring/summer and a Mint Velvet pleather black one which is slightly padded, and more "biker", so warmer and wear more in autumn/winter. The grey one I wear over tees and jeans/harems or t-shirt dresses. The black one with mostly jumpers/ jumper dresses, scarves and beanies.
ReplyDeleteI find they go over most things really. The ones you've shown are lovely (I don't need any more). I think I must be a bit of a biker chick as I also own several biker-style boots too!
They look good with fringed bags too ;).
Tanya
oh I am SO late to the party - I simply must must try harder!
DeleteHi :)
ReplyDeleteI love these kind of jackets! Today I wear one - in office - I think in the right combination it works :)
btw. I am 41 one too :D
Greets from the EDELFABRIK
Chrissie
Excellent outfit! Looks amazing xxx
DeleteOooh I love a leather jacket. Got a Kooples one from Vestiaire Collective a couple of year back. Okay so I haven't worn it every day, every week or every month even, but I LOVE it when I do wear it. I would advise to spend a few pounds on one otherwise when you wear it you will remember it was not the one you really wanted to buy (speaking from experience - my M&S pleather one is earmarked for ebay) Look forward to seeing which one you choose. Btw I always think I'll abstain from alcohol and chocolate in the Summer Holidays but halfway through day one I am longing for both! Thank goodness for tummy control swimsuits ;)
ReplyDeleteGood point but the ASOS one arrived today and for £22... well.... I'll take a pic tomorrow!
Deleteoh and YES welcome to the holiday drinking club xxxx
DeleteI have two. A shrunken black biker jacket from Karen Millen which I LOVE the idea of but actually it only gets the occasional outing. And a Mocha coloured soft suede I got this year from the Selected brand. I've worn it loads this summer over white, pink, cream, beige, denim. The soft shape and neutral colour fit easily with my existing stuff. Do have a look at Selected.com. They are a lovely fit and feel for much cheaper then even 'mid range' brands such as All Saints. Mine has been on the go constantly since May and it's still perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds gorgeous. Love Selected clothing - I'm sure it's a Scandi brand? Certainly sold in out little scandi shops here. Definitely worth hunting out though, thank you for the reminder x
DeleteI have 2 All Saints leather biker jackets bought 5 yrs apart and i LOVE them both and wear them LOADS over dresses and with jeans in sumner and spring and in winter i wear a parka or fur gilet over the top £ per wear it is peanuts - they never date - make sure you get butter soft leather ( i have browny black one and bluey grey one ) happy shopping!
ReplyDeleteYou see I just don't wear mine that much. DOH! Must try harder. But I know that other people absolutely absolutely love them x
DeleteI get the uncertainty, I have tried and tried but I think ultimately I don't find leather jackets all that comfy - warm skin, cold leather... (wow, I sound really old lol). Also, I think black is harder to wear eg it looks awful with denim in any shade of blue IMO,
ReplyDeletehmm maybe it's that. And yes maybe it's with the black although I do like it with denim, I will say!
DeleteHmm...maybe I should try one on and re-decide. I'd written them off as not my style, but that was years ago. Thanks for the suggestions x
ReplyDeleteI'll try if you will!
DeleteI've got one from TopshoP years ago with an Asymetric zip and low round collar & 3/4 length sleeves. Love it and will keep it forever
ReplyDeleteButtery soft leather too
DeleteI've got 3 pleather biker jackets, one us a very warm padded one with a hood and the other 2 are lighter, one is black with a round neck and no collar so slightly less "biker" and the other is a light aqua colour great in spring. They look great with skinny jeans, boots and a greet scarf! I love them all...
ReplyDeleteoh I am SO on my own in not getting to grips with these. I will definitely give them another go x
DeleteDo I have a similar quilted jacket in black with tan edging from Massimo Dutti? I'd forgotten about that...... wouldn't say mine was biker though. Toffee one sounds gorgeous. And yes, the black MV one is mazing, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thanks for featuring the ASOS jacket. Mine arrived today and like you I was dubious upon ordering but I LOVE it! Such a great jacket at a fab price. Thanks again. X
ReplyDelete