22 Comments

I love this and also am not normally “drawn to leather jackets.” I never thought about it but you nailed it - it’s my overtly preppiness! I had leather jackets in the 90s but only wore with black pants to “date nights.” I so appreciate how you laid this all out and made me think maybe they are a useful tool after all!! What’s next? Jean jackets? 😂😳

Expand full comment

LOL even I have my limits.

Expand full comment

Someone needs to snag this Khaite beaut from TRR (size L)! https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/clothing/jackets/khaite-leather-bomber-jacket-n4s8y

Expand full comment

This is so helpful! Us older gals went through a Joan Jett black on black leather phase that was ahem, a bit tough and this is so much of a better way to style leather jackets! Not that I miss my black ones - but will use to style my tan and brown ones. Thank you!

I hope someday you hear back from Hermes re the purse (shame in them, really!) and do a scarf styling tutorial and an Agnes B snap styling edit.

Expand full comment

Thank you for solving my leather jacket issue. I have leather jkts that i love and don't wear cos they don't look right. Too heavy, too over whelming. Too try hard. These points and graphics are on point!!

Expand full comment

Maybe you should try a leather jacket in another color- i of course don’t really know you, but I think chocolate brown, rich ran, creamy white or even a dark green or blue suit you better than black.

Expand full comment

I agree but I do think living in NYC ladies wear a lot of black! I wore tons of it - and had a few black leather jackets but then went gray and had my colors done - and got rid of all black near my face. I think when you are young you can still do it but as you age, not as much. I agree though- @Becky, you look so good in softer colors- not that you look bad in black!!

Expand full comment

Totally agree re black overall, but imo there’s something about black leather that’s just “more”. I thinking that a non black leather jacket would feel “loud”.

Expand full comment

Interesting! Black leather feels a bit ubiquitous to me but I still love it on others. There are so many great iterations around!

Expand full comment

The Kallmeyer is a dark brown with distressing. Doesn't read well because it rained all week in NYC and the light while taking the photos was terrible Maybe I should get off my iphone one of these days. :)

Karen, I struggle with leather being too showy so I think a leather in a color might be too much for me to handle! But yes, color does tend to work better on me!

Expand full comment

Fav here is the canvas bag recos! So many great ones.

Expand full comment

I bought a vintage black Roberto Cavalli leather skirt last year that I haven’t worn yet b/c I couldn’t figure out how to style it without seeming trite or cliche. I finally tried it on today with a simple white J.Crew lace trim cropped top and clear jelly sandals and it’s perfect! Planning to wear it this weekend on a NYC trip with my sister and I can’t wait. This newsletter couldn’t have been more timely. Thank you!

Expand full comment

That striped tote….I looked in vain for a reference or a link….

Expand full comment

Yes its old Little Liffner. I wish they still made it (and with a shoulder strap)!

Expand full comment

Google Lens reveals it may be a sold out Little Liffner tote, but this one is rather similar! https://shopdachainteriors.com/products/elisa-tote-bag-striped

Expand full comment

I notice your outfits used black jackets. One of the options you recommended is brown. Do any of these “rules” differ for making a brown leather j work?

Expand full comment

Same rules!! Brown is softer so easier to wear with denim I think. Otherwise, leather is leather! :)

Expand full comment

I love today’s read! But wait…explain please! “Friendly reminder that all anxiety-inducing sock stories are not worth your click!!!’

Expand full comment

Oh yes. There are all these clickbate stories now that says wearing ankle socks make you look old, blah blah. I hate clickbate! I don't really believe in sock rules in general, have to wear what works best for the outfit as a whole!

Expand full comment

Sock RULES??? Absurd.

Expand full comment

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/20/style/gen-z-crew-socks-ankle-millennials.html it’s a whole ‘millennial v gen z’ thing 😅

Expand full comment

It’s always something

Expand full comment