FashBlog.com

I've gone through many different fashion phases in my lifetime, so I can honestly say that there are relatively few items of clothing that I have never worn or owned.  From go-go boots to purposely ripped and bleached jeans to blouses with bulging shoulder pads, I've tried many different things before finally settling into the rather conservative style that I favor today.  However, one very common clothing item that I've never owned is a leather jacket.  

Personally, I have mixed feelings when it comes to leather jackets.  On the one hand, I get a rather negative image of biker gangs sporting black leather jackets with lots of zippers on them.  On the other hand, I have seen many people wearing tasteful leather jackets that really add an element of refined style to their look.  Obviously, I would have complete control over the type of jacket that I buy, so these concerns are perhaps not a valid obstacle to the purchase.  Nevertheless, they are always present in my mind when I'm shopping.

Another thing that has prevented me from purchasing a leather jacket to this point in my life is the whole care aspect.  I have heard so many different stories about caring for leather jackets that I can't separate fact from fiction anymore.  For example, I used to work with a man who loved leather jackets, and he would regale me with stories about the exquisite care and attention that he devoted to these items.  He had all kinds of chemical treatments and followed a regular cleaning and maintenance regimen.  I'm not sure exactly what it entailed, but it seemed like a lot of work that I just didn't want to be stuck performing my own clothes.  Then again, I've had many friends who have owned leather jackets and coats without having to take much extra care of them at all.  And then there are those who have spent hundreds of dollars on leather jackets only to have them end up drying out and cracking after a little while.  I honestly don't know what to think or believe anymore.

Finally, I've held off on the purchase of a leather jacket because of the price.  I have never spent more than $200 on a piece of outerwear, but I know that in order to get a high-quality leather jacket I would have to shell out even more than that.

When I consider all these factors together, it just seems like too much of a hassle to go through for one purchase.  But still -- I have to admit that there are several leather jackets that have recently caught my eye, including one that I found right here through the Eddie Bauer link at ClothingStoreOnline.com.  So once again, I am caught in the middle of this surprisingly tough decision.  

I'm not sure how my personal leather jacket saga will end.  Perhaps I'll just ask for the jacket as a gift.  Or, I suppose I could just go on and continue wearing wool or down jackets as I have my whole life.  Only time will tell, I guess!