MAILBAG: Leather Jacket Crisis
Subject: Leather Jacket Crisis
I need your help. I’m looking for a leather jacket that looks like this S.W.O.R.D. Lucca Leather Jacket, or this Mike & Chris Alastair Leather Jacket, but isn’t so pricey. I’m looking for just basic black, brown, or grey shades. I just can’t see anyone paying over 300 for a jacket. Your help would be so appreciated!
Subject: Re: Leather Jacket Crisis
Doll, I totally hear you on the ludicrousness of paying over $300 for a jacket. Here’s our problemo: The bulk of leather jackets originally priced below $300 look significantly cheaper than their overpriced counterparts. If the economy weren’t taking a nosedive, the latest and greatest in leather would be a month’s rent out of your reach. Luckily, the economy getting its ass kicked means a kickass leather jacket for you…at a fraction of its original price. Booyah.
Case in point: Bluefly’s 3-Day Coats and Outerwear Sale (extra 15% off already-reduced designer goodies!), which is happening, um, now. Here are my faves so far. From left:
MICHAEL Michael Kors Hooded Zip Jacket, $303.45 (from $595); Marc New York Standing Collar Zip Jacket, $293.25 (from $575).
Again, from left (doy!): Kenneth Cole Reaction Pintucked Leather Jacket, $237.15 (from $465); Mackage Lambskin Wool Knit Jacket, $352.75 (from $638).
You’ll note that I’ve highlighted the original prices of these jackets in BOLD. This is NOT so you splurge on a jacket you have lukewarm feelings toward just because it’s a fab deal. It’s to illustrate one of life’s greatest truths: Everything. Goes. On. Sale. I know you want a leather jacket, like, yesterday. I was just as desperate once, for a handbag. But if you want to buy something you can rock for years to come, you’ve gotta wait it out.
In the land o’ the Cheap JAP, the hardest thing about ponying up for a big purchase - leather jacket, handbag, whatevs - isn’t the cost. You’re willing to spend approximately $300 on your coveted item; a completely reasonable number, as leather jackets lie in the same splurgy poo realm as bags and such. Alas, you’re drawn to jackets in the $700-$1000 range because, well, they’re the best. Do we solve your problem by buying something in pleather or settling for GAP’s ill-fitted wannabe leather bomber jacket? Eff no. We do the hardest thing: We wait. It might not get us what we want this season, but it will ultimately get us something we’re obsessed with at a price we can actually afford. You’ll have this jacket fo eva, so for the time being, sit tight. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. You might just get that Lucca after all.
Mwah!
Cheap JAP
Kvelling and Kvetching
Well said
@ 1:15 pm on October 19th, 2008I was going to comment that the Gap jacket wasn’t bad, but then I saw the price tag. A $300 item from Gap?!?!? Who cares is it’s leather? That is so awful! Blurgh. The jackets you posted about are much better.
@ 1:59 pm on October 19th, 2008Wait, that sounds like I don’t care what material something is. I do. What I meant was, even if it is leather, nothing from Gap should cost $300.
@ 2:00 pm on October 19th, 2008Bluefly is the BEST for this sort of thing. I bought a leather jacket from them in May that I adore. It’s Andrew Marc, it was originally like $500, and I paid $215 including shipping. And it’s gorgeous, and gets me compliments all the itme.
@ 6:36 pm on October 19th, 2008Leave a Reply