4.29.2016

wardrobe building 101: the best leather jacket under $500


the official start of spring – aka leather jacket weather – calls for a great leather jacket. 

problem is, quality leather doesn't come cheap and the sky's the limit when it comes to luxe leather options (Rick Owens, i'm looking at you). problem solved: this perfect cropped version by Oak popped up on my radar and i had to share. i love the cropped sleeves and the slightly shrunken fit –ideal as a top layer over lighter spring tanks and dresses. (tip: try to avoid too-long or baggy sleeves on a leather jacket.) also, there's just enough hardware for the classic moto look without going overboard.

what do you think? do you have a favorite leather jacket in your style rotation? 


11 comments:

  1. SSENSE has truly fantastic sales that go up to 70% off, which is why I was finally able to snag a Rick Owens jacket for about $700. Definitely not cheap, but as you know, it's absolutely worth it. One of the best purchases I've ever made.

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    1. word. the only thing better than winning the lottery to fund RO is RO on major sale ;)

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  2. Try therealreal.com I'm hoping a Blk leather jacket comes up in my size.

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  3. did you order this jacket? i had some terrible experiences with OAK in terms of quality and customer service and no longer shop with them (wrong item/size sent, overcharged to my card, incorrect fabric content listed in item description, return received with no refund ever processed etc etc) and found that there are many complaints about OAK as a company for all of the reasons above and more- they were bought out by American Apparel which makes all of it make sense...i had placed orders years before and had great customer service and items. just wondering if you were fortunate enough to receive a quality item that they made?!

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    1. hi! yes i just got this myself (in XS), a bit of an impulse find as i was hunting for a cropped shrunken leather jacket. it looks to be fine quality and the fit is right on. i haven't shopped a ton of OAK items but i do have a RO-ish wrap cardigan from years ago before they were bought by AA, and it has held up really nicely.

      hope that helps!

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    2. PS if you have concerns about dealing with their shop you can always get a specific piece from other retailers that carry their line and have a solid customer service reputation.

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  4. After YEARS of searching for "the one", I bought the gorgeous S.W.O.R.D. Novara jacket last year. It was a bit of a gamble because I'd never heard of the brand before (I don't even think you can purchase that particular style anymore), and I was buying it second hand online. But it's turned out to be the perfect mix of classic moto style with just enough feminine details, in a thick, buttery-soft leather. It was definitely an investment, but one that's truly become a workhorse of my wardrobe, and I couldn't be happier with it. Agree with Cbermud1 that a good leather jacket is one of the best purchases you can make!

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    1. that sounds like a great secondhand find! and my leather jackets have always been yearlong workhorses. :)

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  5. The madewell Swing Leather Jacket is perfect. It has the best collar, soft washed leather, super flattering beats all models. I would rush and get it, it sold out rapidly. I like it a lot more than a standard moto jacket.

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  6. I'm quite partial to All Saints. The leather is wonderful and buttery, and there are a myriad of styles to choose from. I have a Kerr one and I love it. And If I lived somewhere colder than I do now, I'd probably get another All Saints. But my wallet is happy that one jacket is more than enough for where I live.

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  7. I live in a tropical country, but finally gave in to a years-long longing for a leather moto jacket during my trip to London. I got mine from All Saints (the Kerr) and I love it. It has smooshy, buttery leather and I really liked the quilted detail on the shoulders. I think most All Saints jackets sell for less than $500 in the US. And they're on sale now and there's an extra 20% off, too. I'm a little upset that I paid full retail now, actually. Haha.

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