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Have you ever owned a biker jacket? You know-the fashion-forward versions of what motorcyclists wear to shield them from 80 miles-per-hour windburn…Personally, I have not. I do have a similar type in red, but it falls short of the real thing, or even the fashionable type.

After gazing upon photos of the new biker jackets, I figured they’d make a good topic for today’s column. They’re something that today’s woman would probably wear to school, stores and casual activities.

Biker jackets are usually found in shades of grey, black and blue denim. (Of course, the real ones are black or brown leather.) The jackets are basically form fitting across the bust and waist, and in addition to skinny sleeves, can slim a woman’s silhouette with the elimination of useless bulk. (This is in comparison to real biker jackets, which are bulky in order to shield the wearer from cold and elements.)

All of the models I have seen have had zippers on varying degrees of slant from the hem all the way up to under the collar lapel. (It’s suggested that the jacket be roomy enough to be zipped over the chest, which gives you some idea of the way they’re supposed to fit.) Just about every version has also had some amount of metal studding-decorative or practical-around the waist or collars, and a couple styles even have epaulets.

Due to the strength of such a piece, a woman would be wise to keep the rest of her ensemble low-key. Obviously, jeans, tighter-fitting pants, or pared down straight skirts will keep the attention on the jacket. Since there is so much detail in the front of biker jackets, it would be difficult to wear any king of long necklace with it, and even short necklaces or chokers could take away from the overall look of such a piece.

Since a biker jacket is not considered girlie or feminine, it may be a nice change for a gal who normally prefers that image, to show others that she’s not stuck in a certain look.

Biker jackets, can, however, be expensive; the ones I saw started at $225 for a fleece version and ranged up to $675 for a cotton one. There are other limitations to consider as well: First, they’re not the jacket to wear by anyone who has gotten used to hiding her hips and derriere; they’re all waist length or a little longer. (This correlates to the real biker jackets, which must be short in order to allowing maximum maneuverability while riding and not get in the way by flapping in the breeze.) For women who are accustomed to wearing longer tops, they may be uncomfortable with this feeling and not like their tops being longer than their outerwear. Secondly, biker jackets create a “tougher” look than the traditional car coat or blazer. For some women, this may not be the image they wish to present in some circumstances, especially if they are a little older. (Some women over 40 can carry off the biker-chick look easily; others feel so awkward that it shows.) Third, the biker jacket’s practicality is somewhat limited. Even heavy-duty cotton does not offer much protection from temperatures below 55 degrees, and, lacking hoods, they also don’t keep rain off a hairdo. Considering that many folks don’t even bother with jackets when it’s warmer, it seems that a short, cotton biker jacket is more of a decorative accessory item than a functional weather response. At prices that average over $300, that’s a lot for what may be limited use.

Several styles should be tried on before purchase. Such a short top can change the line of a woman’s body by “cutting” her almost in half. Some versions may hit the hips at a place that makes them appear wider, while others can appear to create a thick waist. A woman may find that, by wearing skinnier-legged pants and high boots, these flaws may be reduced, but then she’ll need to decide if those types of clothes are always what she’ll wear with the biker jacket.

But it can’t be argued that biker jackets have panache. They are worth checking out to see what they can offer to a wardrobe.