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Thursday, October 17, 2013

my leather jacket story

Well, to be honest, maybe this should be called my leather jackets story... more on that in a bit!
Original post here, with all your great suggestions/comments
Last month I ended up ordering 2 leather jackets & after polling you smart & opinionated folks on Instagram, I was no closer to sending one home without a rose. 

You see, I have been on the hunt for a perfect leather jacket for 4 years. I wanted it to be soft, fitted, but not too small, badass, but not too casual, versatile & more importantly in my price range. I had been eyeing the selection at Zara for some time, but with most ringing in at $150+ (more like $200 with shipping, let's be honest), & not checking all my boxes, I was frozen, unable to click that darn "add to basket" button!

I was in a leather jacket drought. But as the saying goes, when it rains it pours!
Within the same week I stumbled upon this badass H&M leather jacket & this more subdued number from Chicnova. It was leather jacket nirvana.
Left original post // Right original post
So I did what any rational person would do, I kept them both. Seriously though, as a budget conscious blogger, the fact that I was keeping two very similar jackets made me think long & hard. But I came to the following conclusions:
1. The H&M + Chicnova* jackets combined rang in at under $120, about what I was looking to spend for just 1 jacket
2. While similar in that they are both black & {faux} leather, the jackets are actually quite different. I can see myself wearing one with dressier pieces, while the other one totally speaks to my inner biker chick (after all I have the burn to be legit!)
3. These are quality made pieces that fit me perfectly in their un-altered state... how often is that going to come along?
4. I won't have to purchase a leather jacket for at least twice as long now. The only way I am going to be looking at a new leather jacket is if I decide to make the bump up to real leather.

And because I can't be the only woman in the world searching for her leather jacket soulmate, I rounded up my 10 favorites for your shopping enjoyment!
(Psst.... they are all under $100!)
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10
Have you ever purchased multiples of your favorite items?
Any other recent leather jacket success stories out there?

*Chicnova provided me with a gift card with which I purchased this jacket. I would never accept/choose gifted items if they were not my personal taste. This jacket rocks, I would have gladly paid full price for it, out of my pocket.

P.S. Linking up with Laura's TN blogger linky today.
 photo AboutMe3_zpscb966eb2.jpg

18 comments:

  1. these are both gorgeous! totally with you there. i found my perfect one at the Limited of all places

    kw ladies in navy

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  2. I love all these picks, Jessica–number 4 is definitely my favorite!

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  3. I have an insanely comfortable, cute, and versatile chambray dress that I have 3 of just in case something were to happen to 1 of them (they were like $19 each so I don't feel too bad). They're my "confidence dresses" so I need to have one available on blah days for sure! Cute jackets!

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  4. I've been looking for the perfect leather jacket too! Madewell has gorgeous ones...but they are $400+....which is WAY overbudget for me. Actually loving number 6. And I love that you kept both jackets...they look fab on you :)

    Annie

    The Other Side of Gray

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  5. I found my perfect leather jacket last year actually and you're right -- it's SO rewarding! Mine came from Obey and I can't recommend it enough for price point + quality + perfect leather look!

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  6. No, unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find real leather for under $100 at a regular retail store. If you are set on the real deal, a Wilson's Leather Outlet might have better prices, or you could try your hand at thrifting. Happy shopping :)
    xx

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  7. Love that you kept them both! I think you are entirely right in your justifications - and the really both look fabulous on you!

    Shannon
    Clothes & Quotes

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  8. I am in the market for a great black (faux) leather jacket--thanks for sharing all these great options! I love the ones you chose :)

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  9. I guess you loved them both! The next one you get can be in a different color. I had a major hunt for a leather jacket a few years ago. First for black then a year later for brown. I got the black one at Victoria's Secret.com and my brown one from H&M. I wasn't willing to settle for faux so I paid above $100 but I love them to pieces.

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  10. Ordered the H&M quilted jacket the other day!! I couldn't get it out of my head, so I thought it was a sign I had to have it. I was looking for a quilted leather look. And it was a great price. Can't wait til it arrives!

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  11. I often buy multiples of a pair of shoes that i like, or a simple tee that I like the cut of (not necessarily cheap ones either, whoops!) - I've never owned a faux leather jacket, I suppose there have just never been any options in New Zealand which don't look cheap, instead, I've splurged twice. Once on a Claude Maus leather jacket, and once on a Whistles leather jacket. The quality of both have been incredible, and I imagine will last me a long time - plus they're pretty low maintenance!

    http://mademois-elle.com

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  12. How do you think the faux leather will hold up over time? I've been on the hunt for the perfect one for a few years, too!

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  13. I think you made the right choice! Both jackets are different so you will be able to use it differently.


    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  14. Choosing the right leather jacket is no easy task! It took me a long time to find the perfect one and I opted for one that's quite unique. I'm glad that you have more than one because they're such a staple and you're going to get so much use out of both! Love your picks, number 1 and 2 are my favorites!

    xo jen
    Pearls & Lace

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  15. I have purchased multiple items that are similar and the only thing that changed was the color!
    & I still have to find the leather jacket that suits me! :)

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  16. These are great examples! I seriously need a leather jacket this winter, loving number 2!

    x. Sabrina | Simply Sabrina

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx