This year, I'm all about leather moto jackets. I have a couple faux leather jackets already lingering in my closet--a bomber style from Nordstrom and a shearling lapel moto style c/o Lucca Couture from a few years ago--but they're both years old, and a black, real leather moto style with an asymmetrical zip front has been on my wishlist for years.
The most affordable leather jacket on my list is the Wyatt Black Quilted Leather Padded Shoulder Moto Jacket. For some reason, I really love quilting on leather moto jackets, provided it's not too bulky or cumbersome; the quilted details add intriguing, pleasingly symmetrical focal points--and additional warmth as an added bonus.
Wyatt Black Quilted Leather Padded Shoulder Moto Jacket - $250, orig. $425
However, while the Wyatt Moto Jacket is the cheapest on my list, I'm a tad bit concerned because I can't find any reviews. In fact, this jacket seems to only be available at Bluefly. Now, exclusive lines don't bother me per se, but the ideal brand I had in mind would be well-reviewed and/or known for good quality leather jackets, and would have at least a few customers sounding off about the fit and durability. With that in mind, I set out to find an affordable, yet slightly-more-loved option.
So, after a few hours of feverish searching, comparing, and image searching, I found my most likely contender, which is...
...The Muubaa Abila Quilted Biker Jacket! I love the quilting around the arms and shoulders, as well as the button collar, waist buckles, asymmetrical zip, and side pockets. (Side note: I can't believe there are a bunch of leather jackets out there that don't have side pockets--isn't half the point of a leather jacket to keep you warm?) Additionally, all the reviews I've read seem to say that Muubaa, a UK brand established in 2007, is a celeb and consumer favorite (various bloggers, along with the likes of Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Ashley Benson, Avril Lavigne, Miranda Kerr, a bunch of models, etc.) and is worth the splurge.
Muubaa Abila Quilted Biker Jacket
Originally retailing for around $625-$700 something in US dollars, there are now a few sites I've found offering this baby up on sale. We'll see if I pull the trigger in the next few days weeks! ;)
Even if I've found my perfect contender, we can still cry over the fact that this gorgeous Rika Chris Jacket in Black/Burgundy is still available in my size... and is still a very unaffordable €400.00, marked down from €925.00.
That's $507.88 in US dollars, not including tax, shipping, or import duties, in case you were wondering and/or commiserating with me.
Now, you may think $500 seems about standard for a nice European-made leather jacket by a designer brand, handmade of good quality lambs leather and dyed with vegetal dyes. (And Sarah, you may be thinking, you just said you were considering purchasing the Muubaa Abila, which is around the same cost...)
Well, let me differentiate. I love the burgundy contrast (burgundy elbow patches not shown) and the quilting, I really do. (The collarless silhouette I'm not too sure about, but that's a different story.) But ultimately, I don't think I can currently justify paying that much for a jacket I could only wear occasionally. This jacket seems to be more of a statement piece than a signature piece--it would steal the show whenever I wore it, which means I couldn't get away with wearing it on a daily or even weekly basis. I'm not bold enough to wear burgundy with every single outfit, and I don't think this style is quite as versatile as the Muubaa Abila, nor do I know whether the style would stand the test of time. Purchasing the Rika Chris would be a bit like buying the Acne Mape Leather Jacket in silver instead of black--eye-catching, for sure, alluring, certainly, but practical?
Not so much.
Sigh.
For anyone who'd like to mock my pain/share their wealth with me, the link is below.
For the vegan leather lovers out there, you're in luck! (First of all, because vegan leather is so much cheaper than real leather.) While on my quest, I stumbled across this gorgeous Ann Taylor number in the rich Winterberry hue. The styling is so classic, and the faux leather looks thick and warm and good quality--if it was black and real leather, it'd totally be a top pick. Of course, me being covetous and consumeristic, I still want this one as well. Anyway, I'll update soon on the size/fit/quality, as my kind and generous grandfather recently purchased this for me and it's waiting at home!
For a more classic shade, check out the BLANK NYC Faux Leather Jacket in Frankenstorm.
[BLANKNYC] Faux Leather Moto Jacket - $103.60, orig. $148
As I've said before, I'm a big fan of [BLANKNYC]'s faux leather. So far, my experience has led me to believe it's good quality and realistically textured.
Anyway, what do you guys think about leather jackets? Fall/winter staple or overrated outerwear?
