Wearing A Leather Jacket in Malaysia
By: yetmee
I dare not say everyone should have a piece in their wardrobe, I mean at a sweltering 37 degrees Celsius on an average Malaysian day, a leather jacket wearing aspiring fashionista will get more than a few strange looks before she passes out for sure! Of course leather jackets used to be connected to bikers , gangsters and hookers. But yet, I can’ t resist. Maybe wearing one is like a step to the wild side, of oneself. In fact, I confess I have been coveting a black cropped one from Zara since it was brought down to the selling floor since early February 2009 as part of their Spring Summer look.
My hesitation so far, well… the wearability for one, although I have some occasions in mind already like that club outing, the fashion launch, the concert, that fancy shcmancy dinner at a swanky restaurant for friend’s birthday do and the list goes on. And there is the “investment”, yesss…the exact word I am looking for. A good leather jacket (bomber chic and biker chic found mostly in the stores) can nix up to RM599 (Zara), RM449 (MNG) and RM900 (Topshop
from Kate Moss) and Massimo Dutti’s goes up to RM1,999. The return of investment is about 2 maybe 3 wears in a year unless you are a Mat Rempit or travel half the year to winter-y parts of the earth .
I mean, when one wears leather be it jacket or pants or suit except in this case , one wants to wear it like something special, a part of a bigger look, right? Wrong. So when I put my money down on the “jacket”, I know it is versatile enough that I can wear it for casual , daily and even formal event because leather is really quite versatile. And for me, clothes and fashion is all about the attitude and leather spells it loud and clear. Leather breathes, so it warms in cold weather and cools in warm climes, which explains the mystery of Mat Rempits and Harley bikers using leather jackets as a uniform, I guess.
In fact, design houses like Loewe, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior have really glamorized and made leather functional as a garment material, working on embellishing leather with embroidery (very delicate process hence expensive), weaves, sequined, mixing and matching with other materials and playing with the colors. Whilst wearing a whole suit of leather may be a bit over the top in Malaysia, but I cheer this day because stylists are really putting leather jackets and biker jackets on the Malaysian runways and buyers are definitely putting their money down on the selling floor.
However, I would put a caveat on leather being worn with fishnet stockings or tops or worn too short, that would be just too “street” for my liking. My favorite looks are biker jackets with pushed up sleeves over frou frou skirts (short or long), cropped leather jacket with well tailored pants and definitely, give your tame LBD some attitude by putting a biker jacket or a cropped jacket over it. Leather and lace sweetens the tone to the hard opinion associated with leather.
Pictures: www.neimanmarcus.com, www.vogue.com, www.sartorialist.com
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Comment by juwita jalil
3:19 pm on April 20th, 2009 :
It surely is a cool piece to wear. Just like knee length leather boots. But then again, won’t people be staring at you like your from a circus or sort? Tempting I must say. A bit tad too scared to try though. I wish Malaysia had four seasons.
Comment by karenmarie
8:22 pm on April 20th, 2009 :
Yeaps, people will stare, maybe because it is very hot here. Maybe for night events? But then again jacket’s to be worn outside
Comment by yetmee
9:37 am on April 21st, 2009 :
You know, to make a stand of any kind takes great courage. That also would include the choice of attire , people will stare anyway. Do what pleases you… not wat others may think.
You will be surprised when you are convinced about somethingg, people buy into your idea and may think you are super daring or super stylish…or super weird but at least it’s setting your own standard!
Comment by Laetitia
2:38 pm on April 23rd, 2009 :
Yet Mee…You’re right!
Comment by Ben
8:12 am on April 24th, 2009 :
if sweating is not a problem for you, wear a leather jacket.
but personally i would never wear leather jacket in Malaysia, wearing a leather jacket in Malaysia is like wearing a singlet in Siberia.
There are always options like cardigans, if you live in Malaysia, you just have to give up things like that.
p/s: I guess I am quite glad that its winter here now, and yes, I am wearing a leather jacket when I’m typing this.
Comment by yetmee
8:48 am on April 24th, 2009 :
oh hello… where you at? lucky you… but still we aspire…But why must one give up on things?Is it not possible to have a compromise and make the most of situations?:-)
Comment by Je
1:01 am on May 4th, 2009 :
Well, I was browsing in Topshop One Utama the other day, and I saw a girl in a tudung wearing a leather jacket, stonewashed slim-fit jeans and converse sneakers. I thought she looked FABULOUS. And the leather jacket definitely didn’t look out of place. In fact, after seeing her pull off the look, I’m now buying a leather jacket myself =)
Comment by yetmee
12:18 pm on May 4th, 2009 :
Good for you Je!! I am sure you will look FABULOUS too!
Comment by linda dahlan
6:19 pm on May 4th, 2009 :
i am soooo in love with black leather jacket…but havin problem in searchin one for maself..been wonderin if any of the online shops sell them…
Comment by fashionistaz
10:12 am on May 8th, 2009 :
love those jackets!! wish i have less sweat glands, so i can wear them
Comment by FAPORT International
3:34 pm on June 12th, 2009 :
I just love pink jacket..very nice, very nice:)
Comment by Chic and Classic
5:07 pm on August 28th, 2009 :
A big no no! You’ll ruin the leather by sweating excessively! A no-no for Malaysian weather.
Comment by Denise
8:33 pm on November 20th, 2009 :
I got 4 pcs of leather jacket, which I bought them in Sydney, italy n MNG Malaysia. Each around rm500. Even though I only wear it when I travel to cool countries (once in 2years!!) but I love them so much, can’t resist it if sells around rm500. But I did wear it awhile in my room when Aircon on, hehe..
Comment by yetmee
12:13 pm on November 23rd, 2009 :
hi, Denise, i also recently bought a suede jacket myself and I am wearing them everywhere, it really isn’t that much warmer to waer compared to a wool jacket… try and see , no need to wear in Aircon room only…I see lots of girls wearing it these days intown and at fashion events…:-)
Zara btw, has got some real good deals these days…
Comment by beben
10:23 pm on November 27th, 2009 :
where can i get the cheapest leather jackets here?
Comment by yetmee
3:22 pm on November 28th, 2009 :
Hi, I am not sure where is the cheapest…but Zara got some nice ones in pinks , blues and white at RM399…
Comment by beben
6:33 pm on November 28th, 2009 :
still too expensive for me..under rm100?
Comment by Ladies Leather Jackets
3:42 pm on January 18th, 2010 :
Those leather jackets are really eye catching especially the yellow and pink ones…
Aliza