Categories: General fashion

Vintage leather jacket – An old favourite

I defy you to guess the year that I purchased my still favourite black leather jacket. I will give you a clue in the charts that year were:-  Madonna with “Like a virgin”, Culture club with “Karma Cameleon”, Phil Collins with “Take a look a me now” and Stevie Wonder with “I just called to say I love you”.

I remember seeing the jacket in the window of the Agnes B shop in Paris. It was love at first sight. As I had two small children at the time and very little disposable income I saved up for about a year, putting aside a small amount of cash every week into an envelope marked “dream jacket”.

It has been languishing at the back of my wardrobe for a while surviving many a wardrobe clear out. Somehow I just could not bear to part with it despite the fact that the style was “demode”.
I recently discovered that my treasured dressmaker could tailor leather et voila my jacket is transformed and continues to give good faithful service. It was worth the investment, and as far as I am concerned is ageless. The key is to continue to update the items you wear it with.

If you choose a good fit in the best quality leather you can afford and a colour and style that suits you a leather jacket always looks fresh and chic.

If you did not guess the year of purchase it was 1984. Do you have any favourite pieces that you just can’t bear to part with?
Thank you for reading. I really love to hear from you and appreciate the time you take to leave comments.
Fashion and Style, Beauty tips, Lifestyle
Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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  • Terrific advice!! The key IS to update the pieces you wear with it and how you style it. You look fabulous in it!
    I have several "dinosaurs" in my closet that I adore and bring out occasionally. They are quintessential items for me and are as appropriate now as they were then.
    Great post. Have a stylish day!

  • What an amazing story and an amazing jacket which still looks amazing on you! I wish I could save up small amounts of money for the things I really want x

  • Wow, I am an absolute sucker for leather, I like adding it to my outfits for a bit of edge. Your jacket is timeless and perfect! Definitely worth the investment :)

    Hugs

    Beata

  • Your jacket is wonderful and how brilliant that you've had it ' updated ' ..... it looks as if you have just bought it !
    I'm afraid that I find it very difficult to part with anything !!
    .... and, many thanks for your comment today and for wearing pink !! XXXX

  • I too purchased a leather jacket from Agnes B more
    than a decade ago. At the time, it was the most
    expensive item I had ever bought. It still is
    the top five of expenditures. But this jacket--styled
    after her ubiquitious snap sweater--has served me
    well with everything from jeans to evening gowns
    and it has accompanied on many a trip--most recently
    to Madrid and Morocco.

  • That jacket looks fabulous. How sad it makes me that I let my Agnes B. black leather jacket go, thinking I'd never wear it again.

    xo Mary Jo

  • Barbara emailed me this comment.

    Wow you look fab-u- lous ! in your re vamped leather jacket & right in 'le mode' I was never & still not a dreamer for leather wear & as to morrow is my 70 (something ) birthday I think I'd be a little over the mark. I really like the way you have put together your 'ensemble'.

    Thank you Barbara and everyone else who has been very complimentary.

    Leather like us gets better and better with age.

  • I am looking right now for a leather jacket. Since I am petite it is a little difficult to find the right fit and doesn't over-whelm me. Love yours!

  • Agnes B in the 80s was so cool, everyone else was doing power dressing and she was the original Isabel Marant, with fluid shapes and muted colours. I once saw her at a market in Cap Ferret near Bordeaux, she was so stylish and eye catching, yet completely appropriate for buying fruit and veg.

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