fashion | leather it.

 Love any of these? Shop below.

Jeans, Lee Cooper @Biw W

Patterned Long sleeve top @Catalog Clothing

Jacket @Neo Rococo

Ring by Samantha Wills @Mocha (mine was ordered in the black)

Earrings @Mocha (similar here)

Suede boots, Gamins @Ironic, Brand Smart

Leather Handbag @Farage

Today’s outfit is lots of leather. I have never owned a leather jacket and always saw it as something un-me. But I succumbed! Like most things, you won’t know how it is like for you until you have a feel or try. Last week on one of my days off, coffee in hand, was strolling down my local shops. With a handful of boutiques to browse through, that was exactly what I did. You know how sometimes an item just jumps out at you? and you just feel this instant need to try it on? YES! That’s pretty much what happened to me. It was love at first sight. And yes, with a jacket…this jacket.

So off I went, picked it up from the rack (and bonus was it was being marked down, as I stretched my arm towards it!). Tried it on. And like a well fitted glove, it made me look and feel good. Then, I went through a brief 10 seconds, where there was a battle in my head. YES..or NO…YES…or No. And very quickly, my heart overtook, and my adrenaline levels calmed down. I walked happily to the counter to purchase my first leather jacket!

Since then, I’ve worn it to work, over a pretty structured dress (will blog it soon), and now also wearing it with jeans and boots. Love this piece. No regrets on this one. I was at the right place at the right time!

What made me buy this particular jacket? These are some of the reasons, which you could also use as a tip if you’re in the market for one, and not quite sure if it’s you.

# Right fitting. Because they are generally little stiff compared to fabric, getting the right slim cut would be great. They soften and stretch with wear anyways, which will give you a little more space.

# Right colour. I felt because it was my first piece, I would like to maximise my wear out of it. So went with black. Plus I had black boots to match.

# Right amount of embellishment. If you aren’t a leather jacket person, less is more. I think too many zips and embellishment can drown you, and may change the look of your outfit drastically. With this jacket, the shoulders are little puffed up, but I didn’t mind it as it gave me a better definition of my shoulders (Which are otherwise very narrow). The little zips add to the edginess but not in an overwhelming way.

# Right length. This for me is really important. It can either work for or against you. For me, just on the waist works well, as it draws the eye towards my waist. I have a slightly shorter torso, so it works well with a longer top under. Mid thigh lengths generally don’t work for me, as it cuts of my leg length, takes the eye there, which is an area I prefer not to draw attention to.

Here, I’ve worn it with jeans, boots, a statement piece of ring, and to complete it, a well structured leather bag. It all adds to the look, casual, edgy, smart.

Hope these tips will come in handy for your next trip out, if you’re looking for a leather jacket 🙂

Do you do leather jackets? If not…I would love to know what is holding you back? I truly and honestly would say don’t completely dismiss the idea. It is just a matter of finding the right cut, colour and fit!

xo monica