Friday, April 19, 2013

Biker Chic



You may remember that in the last few months I was strangely drawn to motorcycle leather jackets.  This was surprising to me, because even if a moto leather jacket is one of the iconic staples in woman's wardrobe, I never wanted to own one. I think that part of the reason for this new atraction was shopping too much at J.Crew in the last few years and, in consequence, getting bored with too many pencil skirts and cashmere cardigans.  Suddenly, I was craving something a little more 'edgy'.

I was still not sure how much I would actually wear it, so I decided to look for synthetic, not real leather.  When I saw this jacket at UNIQLO, I thought it was just the thing to try.  Overall, I think UNIQLO offers some excellent prices on basic items and it is worth checking out. I also tried on Celia Birthwell 3/4 sleeve dress, which was surprisingly nice and comfortable (and knee length if you style it with a drop waist, instead of hiking it up).
 

I got the jacket in size Medium, which is my regular size and was a good fit, with room for a sweater or other layer.  The cut is classic and simple without too many embellishments.  It looks good open and closed.  Sleeves are quite long on me, which is good news for most because I have proportionally short arms (I am 5'6).  Because it is synthetic, it is very light  and does not smell, two things I always disliked about leather jackets.  Plus, no animals were harmed in the process of making it :) 
 

The jacket comes in black and three other colors: brown, blue and ivory but I was going for classic, not original, so black was my choice, but I liked the brown version a lot.


I really like the shape of it and it is very comfortable in current weather.  Despite my initial hesitations, I have already worn the jacket several times, so I have the feeling that by the time this season is over, the cost per wear will already justify the purchase ($39.99).


I like it with jeans, heels and something longer on top but is also very cute over flower print dress. In general, I would usually try to add something feminine to soften up the look, even if it is just a pink t-shirt.

I think my style is evolving again and this time it is away from J.Crew aesthetics, that I am just getting bored with. I haven't bought and kept anything from J.Crew since December and the longer "the separation", the less I am attracted to it.  I probably missed many new arrivals that have debuted since I have last checked the stores, but after quick scanning of the website, the only things that I would like to wear now are the midrise toothpick jeans in white and a pair of silver metallic heels, both of each I can probably get at other retailers.

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That's all folks!

Have you bought anything at Uniqlo?
Do you wear moto leather jackets?

Are you craving anything at J.Crew right now?

29 comments:

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  2. Those proportions look really excellent on you AJC. I have a synthetic leather jacket from Joe Fresh that I bought on super sale for a specific themed event. I should try it out in my regular wardrobe. My "old" black leather jacket (not too edgy, RL) went off to donations a while back. The black and the finish on the leather just felt too harsh on me now. I have pssed by Uniqlo on holiday, that's it. Also largely off the Crew, only the occasional staple tee or belt with DH's stuff. Do like the Kira and Tabbie sandals, but definitely can find similiar elsewhere.

    Have a fine weekend!

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    1. I think you should definitely try the JF jacket with your regular wardrobe. Joe Fresh and Uniqlo have a similar vibe and price points but imo Joe Fresh is slightly more preppy while Uniqlo is more edgy/urban.

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  3. loving that jacket on you! I know you'll have a lot of use from it. I have a single-breasted zip-up jacket in black leather with a few "moto details" from my days of stalking Loehmann's for Donna Karan Collection items - well, I passed it on the way home from work, so every once in a while, I'd dash in for a look and come out with a bag. The jacket is quite old by now, and won't wear out. Still love it, it sharpens the look of everything I put it with.

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    1. Thank you Fred! This jacket does seem to go with everything.

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  4. The jacket is fantastic. I have always had an aversion to pleather, but it makes sense to buy it instead of leather in many cases. I hate the thought that animals are killed for my clothing and accessories. Anyway, totally understand your move away from JC. My purchases have also gone down, and it's been really great. I have picked up items from a smattering of retailers - Gap, Dillards, Old Navy even, and it is pretty refreshing.

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    1. Hi J.CrewJD, I hear you o aversion to pleather, I was always the same way but I have converted. They do make it much better these days and I like the animal friendly aspect of it. I agree, it is refreshing to step outside the crewlade...

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  5. I like that jacket a lot. I have never shopped at Uniqlo, no stores here and their web site was never on my radar. I like the idea of synthetic leather, but I admit I like the weight of a real leather jacket. I bought a fake leather moto jacket (tan color) at a re-sale store recently to try out. For $20, it's worth a try.

    I still buy from J. Crew but not as much as I used to. I have what I need, but still get sucked in by certain things. I really like their v-neck linen tees this year.

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    1. thanks cate! Funny that you like the weight of real leather, this is what always turned me off, they can be so heavy, same with some handbags... Price is another (significant) factor, of course.

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  6. Funny I'm off the crewlade completely as well. Well for me it was the pink skirt disaster, a real final straw. That was in January and I have since closed my account.
    Instead I have turned to Brooks Brothers and Brora for anything I have purchased, and I did buy a couple of Chanel skirts on ebay as well as some shirts from Kiel James Patrick.
    That jacket is great on you and it really seems like your style. You are looking so well! Have a great weekend.xo

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    1. Thank you Dani, I remember the 'pink skirt fiasco', so awful of J.Crew. BB is such solid quality and Brora is uncomparable when it comes to cashmere. I was just thinking about it when i put on my cashmere robe from them. I wear it almost everyday from fall to spring, third year and there is hardly any pill. Imagine how JC robe would look after this amount of wear and tear? Not a pretty mental picture, I am afraid.

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  7. Hi AJC! I meant to comment to your comeback post but my phone is too slow these days and I had been too busy to comment from my computer. Anyway, I missed you, glad you are back.
    My style has evolved too and I haven't bought much at JCrew that I kept this season (well, compared to previous seasons) and I realized that many things that I bought were under the influence of the Crewlade and not really my style. When you look at the website on a daily basis you kind of start thinking that you need this and that but it is in fact boredom (in my case).
    I have been looking for a moto jacket too and I wouldn't mind real leather if it weren't for the price. In my opinion you have to go very high-end to find a leather jacket that looks classy and doesn't have the "leather smell", especially a black one, so the faux leather ones are a good option. I have to say that the best that I tried in terms of fit and look is a H&M ivory one in cotton twill with faux leather details and sleeves. However the faux leather was very plastic-y looking (shiny) and I couldn't deal with it. I ended up ordering a SW3 Bespoke faux suede on shopbop, that I had tried previously in a store nearby and looks like the real thing. Unfortunately it was too big on me in the S (only size available) and I had to send it back but I am trying the silver version in the P, we'll see if I can pair it as well as the black. Yours look nice and fits you very well!

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    1. Hi Ema, you are actually one of my inspirations because every one of your posts reminds me that I like things a little more modern and urban than the usual J.Crew fare.
      What I like about this jacket is that it is not shiny at all and very soft. In fact I could be easily fooled into thinking this is real leather if I saw it on somebody and did not examine it closely. Maybe that only shows my ignorance but you are right, some lower quality leather can be very smelly and heavy.

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  8. AJC and Ema - too funny - I was just about to post that I bought a black faux leather one from H&M right before my trip to NYC and which I love (and wore to the concert homage to Bowie last night) - I would have bought the ivory one, too, EMa, I liked it that much, but they didn't have my size the day I was trying them on.


    Think this coat looks great on you and is a fun addition to your wardrobe!

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    1. Please post pictures of the outfit tomorrow!

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    2. Oh, I saw it, it looks great, perfect concert outfit!
      Now I need concert tickets to something...

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  9. This jacket really suits you and the price is ridiculous .Haven't seen the UPS man for so long I'm sure he's forgotten my name. Back in the good old days I'd bake him cookies at least once a week. I'll probably shop there from time to time but I really did a 360.
    Have a great weekend and I'm so happy to see you pop up on my screen again.

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    1. The price does not hurt, that's for sure ;)
      It is funny, every time I see UPS truck I start to salivate like Pavlov's dog, then I remember I did not ordered anything for months...

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  10. It's very sleek for a biker jacket and it looks great on you. Very cute to have the embroidered heart on the tee peeking out at the bottom of the jacket. I've never shopped Uniqlo, it seems to have a bit of a Joe Fresh vibe. I do have a biker jacket but it is thick pebbled leather and too heavy for spring. It sees daylight a couple of times every fall but that's it.

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    1. Thank you xoxo, I don't know why J.Crew does not make many cute tees like they used to... You are right, like I mentioned to GF, Uniqlo is similar to Joe Fresh, maybe a bit more urban.
      I can totally see you in a biker jacket despite your usual classy and polished style, black jacket must look great with your hair and shorter lenght draws attention to your looong legs :)

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  11. I keep popping into J Crew, but am not really drawn to much lately myself. I am crossing my fingers for some pretty summer things, because they usually have fresh hot weather items. The jacket is a great look for you!

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    1. Thanks KnitYarns, I too am hoping for some nice summer itesm, we have to go together to check them out.

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  12. Cool and chic biker chick you are! ;) Love the look.

    I have sworn off J.Crew shoes but I did buy the silver midheels you are considering because they had leather soles that are getting so rare with J.Crew. For me, they are perfect because they are pretty like the Mona pumps without all the misery of them.

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  13. great jacket - the fit is awesome.

    xo P

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  14. Wow it's so beautiful look i realy love this leather jacket.....
    check our store
    Designer Emporio Fashion Leather Jackets

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  15. It weren't for the price. In my opinion you have to go very high-end to find a leather jacket that looks classy and doesn't have the "leather smell", especially a black one, so the faux leather ones are a good option.Very cute to have the embroidered heart on the tee peeking out at the bottom of the jacket. I've never shopped Uniqlo, it seems to have a bit of a Joe Fresh vibe. I do have a biker jacket but it is thick pebbled leather and too heavy for spring...
    uk

    british flag slim fit motorcycle leather jacket/


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  16. lady you are looking so dashing in this leather jacket Online 3 Button Leather Jackets

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  17. Awesome post.

    http://skinwearsstore.com/
    leather jacket

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