Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,081
- Location
- London, UK
I have a leather blazer in my wardrobe that my mother saved up for in 1973, as a present for my Dad. I don't think he ever wore it. I wore it out quite a bit in the mid nineties - the Nirvana years - typically with denim, plaid, and Ramones shirts. Haveen't for years. I keep it out of sentimental value, but it's unlikely to be worn again. Unless I need a jacket the lapels of which I can also hangglide with.... 
I did once try it on with black tie (in place of a DJ), but fortunately decided not to leave the house like that. The thing about the leather blazer in place of a wool one is that it is neither one thing nor the other. It's a good shorthand for period fashion (70s set stuff) or a down-at-heel / out-of-fashion detective (more-recently-set-stuff), but worn like that it just looks neither one thing nor the other - and consequently, in my eye, less 'tidy' for work than a leather jacket which isn't trying to be anything other than what it is. I've worn a lot of leathers to work over the years in academia. They're a great alternative in that period of the Autum or Spring when a blazer isn't warm enough, but a blazer and a coat together are too much. Mine are short jackets - halfbelts, a Highwayman, A2s, a Bootlegger. When wearing them like this for work, I'd bear in mind a few things:
- how distressed is it? Always best for the office to stick with a tidier jacket. This is where goat excells in particular; I'd avoid any hide which will quickly show patina or which looks beaten up.
- Colour? Seal, Russet, black ,burgundy all work, but imo to look 'professional' (even while casual), you need to match a bit more (belt, shoes, w.h.y.) than you can get away with doing if going out in jeans.
- Decoration - shouldn't need saying, but while an A2 or an M442a (goat would me my preference, seal or russet) can look great with this sort of 'sporty-smart' look, patches and artwork are not going to look the best with it all - especially if folks where you work are gonig to think Top Gun or 'armchair military nut' rather than see it for a historical nod to your favourite bomber crew or w.h.y.
IMO, how you carry it is also a thing. If you don't wear it like it's a big deal, you won't look like a poseur.
I did once try it on with black tie (in place of a DJ), but fortunately decided not to leave the house like that. The thing about the leather blazer in place of a wool one is that it is neither one thing nor the other. It's a good shorthand for period fashion (70s set stuff) or a down-at-heel / out-of-fashion detective (more-recently-set-stuff), but worn like that it just looks neither one thing nor the other - and consequently, in my eye, less 'tidy' for work than a leather jacket which isn't trying to be anything other than what it is. I've worn a lot of leathers to work over the years in academia. They're a great alternative in that period of the Autum or Spring when a blazer isn't warm enough, but a blazer and a coat together are too much. Mine are short jackets - halfbelts, a Highwayman, A2s, a Bootlegger. When wearing them like this for work, I'd bear in mind a few things:- how distressed is it? Always best for the office to stick with a tidier jacket. This is where goat excells in particular; I'd avoid any hide which will quickly show patina or which looks beaten up.
- Colour? Seal, Russet, black ,burgundy all work, but imo to look 'professional' (even while casual), you need to match a bit more (belt, shoes, w.h.y.) than you can get away with doing if going out in jeans.
- Decoration - shouldn't need saying, but while an A2 or an M442a (goat would me my preference, seal or russet) can look great with this sort of 'sporty-smart' look, patches and artwork are not going to look the best with it all - especially if folks where you work are gonig to think Top Gun or 'armchair military nut' rather than see it for a historical nod to your favourite bomber crew or w.h.y.
IMO, how you carry it is also a thing. If you don't wear it like it's a big deal, you won't look like a poseur.
