Stylist POV: All the best leather jackets you’re going to love for FW24

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Hi friends,

It’s less than two weeks until Election Day, how are you doing? I’m feeling pretty optimistic, but not overconfident. Just listened to this brilliant podcast by Ezra Klein titled ‘What’s wrong with Donald Trump’ which I highly recommend. He, as in Ezra Klein, is so genuine, rational and balanced, I love.

While that’s going on, over here in fashion distraction land, I’ve got leather jackets on the brain. I know I'm not alone, the market is positively flooded with so many iterations - blouson, funnel neck, bomber, aviator, biker, cropped, shrunken, oversized etc.- it could make your head spin! I'm here for you babe. I've scrolled and clicked so much, I'm afraid I'm losing a sense of reality; but then again, nothing seems very 'real' to me anymore, besides a supple hide, that is. So if you need something tangible to swaddle yourself in while the world does it's crazy, unpredictable thing, stick with me and read on.

What is it about this closet staple that keeps us so enthralled? Is it its inherent cool factor, or its ability to effortlessly straddle the line between edgy and sophisticated? Whatever the reason, the leather jacket remains a perennial favorite, adapting to trends while maintaining its timeless allure.

I've narrowed them down to the very best, with options at different price points so check out the links where I’ve added great dupes inspired by my luxury heroes, as well as some outfit styling inspo!

FUNNEL NECK

I'm going to credit the one and only Phoebe Philo for the craziness around funnel necks right now - as in a high neckline and a closure all the way up to your chin. Ever since she launched her eponymous line, only a year ago, the industry has been interpreting her design codes once again, looking to her as a kind of fashion Oracle. Regardless, funnel necks just look cool and offer a chic way to tuck in and stay warm against the wind. They come in a variety of shapes, like 80s oversized, belted and peplumed and perfecto to name a few. The blouson jacket from YSL, which is absurdly expensive yet somehow almost sold out everywhere, is the option I’m lusting for at the moment, see below, but so many other good ones...

*Top Row, from left to right:*
**ZIMMERMANN**  Illustration oversized leather jacket. I’m pretty obsessed with this one for it’s roomy size and juicy color.
**KHAITE** The Farris leather jacket, oversized enough to fit a chunky turtleneck, but light and supple enough to avoid looking round. (*NOT PICTURED: But if you like the look but not the price, you might consider* *The Farris in satin and cotton* *instead. Or this* *beige water-repellent version*  *which I bought, and is still on sale at FarFetch.*)
**CHLOE**  belted leather jacket. Had to include this one despite that barely anyone can afford it…click on the button below for more inspired options
*Middle Row, from left to right:*
**THE ROW** Adonis Lambskin leather and shearling aviator jacket. For all of you TopGun-loving fans (*NOT PICTURED: Vintage lovers rejoice though, cuz a quick search on Etsy for ‘distressed pilot aviator leather jacket’ came up with a treasure trove. Or you can just get the* *SAINT LAURENT version*)
CO leather parka
**PRADA**  Vintage Leather Biker Jacket. Shrunken, zipped and snatched, the classic Perfecto reimagined. Price is out of this world, so also check out the link
*Bottom Row, from left to right:*
**MAGDA BUTRYM**  leather cinched waist jacket for all you Phoebe addicts, this one isn’t a full funnel, sometimes you just want to go *half* funnel
**AURALEE** Brown Heavy Lamb Leather Zip Jacket, the best alternative to the uber-expensive YSL heroes. Also comes in black.
**SAINT LAURENT** oversized leather jacket. Almost sold out, but a few sizes left at MyTheresa, or YSL. Here’s a slightly alt shape that is also very good. (*NOT PICTURED: I know we all wish we could buy the real deal, but for my dupe lovers, click on the link below to see a much WIDER EDIT of jackets and more price points! yay!)*

Shop FABULOUS FUNNEL NECKS and more…

A super chic everyday look. Double the funnel with a cool TOTEME top and emphasize the bold silhouette. The perfectly proportioned barrel leg on these COS jeans are super flattering and really cool with a short heel, especially with this PROENZA mary-jane ballerina pumps; make sure to check out my last post about Ballet Flats if you need convincing. Finish it off with these amazing SAINT LAURENT Jeanne sunglasses, BOTTEGA mixed-metal earrings and SPINELLI ring, a very cool BALENCIAGA Rodeo bag, and radiant pore-free skin. 👌🏻

Shop the FUNNEL NECK look

bomber

Beloved by sports fans, streetwear enthusiasts, and high-fashion lovers alike, the bomber jacket originated as a practical piece for military pilots in WWI, but like many other military-inspired fashion trends, soon permeated the culture and became a go-to style for punks, mods and rappers. Today, it goes from sporty to luxe, cropped to oversized, perfect for style-conscious babes seeking ease and comfort with a bit of edge for their day to day.

Shop BAD ASS BOMBERS and more…

A sophisticated take on the cropped Bomber - paired with LOEWE high-waisted pants with an assymetrical pleat and an artfully draped high-neck blouse from COS, this look is boss enough for work or any event afterwards. Add some uber-cool accesories like TOTEME black leather gloves, the perfect PHOEBE PHILO shoulder bag, and square-toe sculptural heels from BOTTEGA. Also love these affordable Phoebe-inspired ball earrings from LIÉ STUDIO and these v.cool matrix sunglasses from the KHAITE x OLIVER PEOPLE’S collab. Chicest girl in the room.

Shop the BOMBER jacket look

aviator

Much like the Bomber, the Aviator jacket is another military-inspired and Unisex shape that’s all the rage right now, even the man in your life might want to borrow yours. With big pockets and details like epaulettes, waist-belts and detachable shearling collars, the rugged Aviator works with everything from jeans to dresses.

*Top Row, from left to right:*
**FRANKIE SHOP** Viper leather jacket, comes in black and dark chocolate and is under $1k! (*NOT PICTURED: Check out* *this excellent dupe from MAJE*)
**PRADA**  long belted blouson leather jacket, also comes in a shorter version, but personally I'm obsessed with the long line, equally obsessed with the similar handbag with belt-detail. (*NOT PICTURED: good alts in the link below*)
**ALEXANDER MCQUEEN**  oversized jacket. This one looks tough enough to get you nearly through winter! (*NOT PICTURED: a couple of handsome dupes for you, like* *this one from DUNST, or this one which I randomly* *found on ETSY, possibly becoming my new go to spot for finding vintage leather jackets, I had no idea what a treasure trove it is!*)
**PHOEBE PHILO**  zip jacket. *sigh* don't get me started on the perfection... (*NOT PICTURED:* *This one for a fraction of the price* *looks GOOD*)
*Bottom Row:*
**NOUR HAMMOUR** Drey The It Girl jacket, comes in 4 delicious colors, pretty much timeless and perfect.
**SAINT LAURENT**  High neck leather jacket. This one could really live on any of my boards, it's a funnel neck, a bomber and an aviator rolled into one!
**REISS**   Giving you YSL, but at a Reiss price point.

Shop AMAZING AVIATORS and more…

Masculine/Feminine, Soft/Hard, this look is a study in contrasts. Soften the rugged PRADA Aviator with a feminine lace slip dress from FAITHFUL and a yummy brown ALLUDE cashmere sweater. Wear with socks and MIUMIU sneakers for day, or black opaque tights and PHOEBE PHILO black glove booties for night. On trend masculine SAINT LAURENT tortoiseshell eyeglasses and PARISA WANG gold drop earrings add more interest, while a TOTEME dark brown suede tote bag finishes it off with the perfect texture.

Shop the AVIATOR jacket look

I could easily create more boards for Leather Blazers and Suede jackets, two other huge trends, but I know the jackets and looks above will keep you busy browsing for now, and just think how cool you’ll feel slipping one of them on with everything from jeans and sneakers on the weekends, to smart trousers and dresses for work and evening. This is the enduring appeal of a leather jacket - effortless, cool and practical. I’d love to know, which is your First Option?

BEFORE YOU GO…

Stay with me a little longer as I shift the conversation from what to Wear on your body, to what to do to Heal your body, because while leather jackets and great fashion are fun and fabulous, none of that matters one bit if you're not feeling healthy, energized and full of vitality. Tough personal experiences have taught me that lesson really well; get your mammograms ladies…

The brilliant people at the Gaia network have put together an extraordinary lineup of speakers for their upcoming 2-day online conference on Nov 9-10th, inspired by the award-winning documentary HEAL. Nine world-class experts, on everything from nutrition, ayurveda and somatic bodywork to hormones and psycho-spiritual development, will be sharing cutting edge research and insights into their work as well as practices you can start using right away.

HEAL, a doocumentary

I'm particularly excited to listen to LAUREN ROXBURGH, a fascia whisperer (if you don't know what fascia is, get ready to have your mind blown), and GREGG BRADEN, who's just on another level all together with his understanding of science and how it meets spirituality.

You can stream the conference for free, or upgrade to a paid version that you can keep and rewatch forever. I've been taking advantage of online conferences such as this since the early months of the pandemic and I can't tell you how much I've learned along the way. I highly recommend signing up for this one as it's going to be really informative, with INCREDIBLE thought leaders, so you’ll learn a ton, if not for yourself, then for someone in your life who might be going through a challenging health situation right now.

Final note, if you like what you see here and you’d like to talk about working with me one-on-one, I’d love to hear from you, send me a note! And any feedback and comments are appreciated so please feel free to email me at natasha@the-first-option.com.

Thanks for reading today friends. Until next time, a song for Leather Jackets, which you’ll love to wear Night and Day…. xxxN