Leather on Leather Outfits
It was over 90*F when I stepped into the desert tunnel with little breeze, and surprisingly, the moments I was coolest were when wearing a jacket. I was sweating more in just a tank top. The only rationalization I can come up with is that the leather of my coats served as protection, an insulation from the sun’s striking rays.
For my wardrobe, having, at minimum, one pair of leather pants and one leather jacket is a must. Each piece can be dressed up and dressed down. Wear leather pants with a T, sweater, blouse, or button-up. Wear a leather jacket with denim jeans, over a dress, or layered over or under a shell/vest. Not only is leather always fashionable, it is also functional. I want my clothes to be functional, not just hanger ornaments. Leather keeps me warm during desert fall-spring early mornings and evenings.
Before picking up the jackets featured in this carousel (the black leather jacket being a 2000~ish Banana Republic piece and the brown leather jacket a more contemporary resale Billy Reid) this past year, I owned one leather jacket, a Prada teal moto from 2013, originally purchased retail from the 5th Avenue store (something I would never do today! Oh the prices!!) The interior lining is ripped around the armpits, turning to dust, and the zippers are rusted out and barely move. It is one of the most worn items in my wardrobe –a piece that is always ‘IN’ no matter the year, no matter the place, because in my fashion book leather is always appropriate. No wonder it’s been a fashion staple forever….well, maybe not forever. 100 years? That’s about forever according to today’s fashion timelines.
See more info on the first ever moto jacket at Scholtt history here and here.
If you are on the lookout for a leather jacket, I advise sourcing secondhand first. Comb the digital racks of eBay, auction sites, resale platforms like TheRealReal, and your local thrifts. You never know what gems you might find. There are so many colors on the market from the tried and true black and brown to blues, pinks, maroons, greens, and a rainbow of iridescent. Get yourself a year-round color or two.
