The best leather jackets have come a long way, from being an
outlaw's uniform to part of a Ralph Lauren ensemble. But with its earthy smell,
there's still a sense that the guy wearing it is trying to go against the grain
just a little. Now that temperatures are low, guys are often tempted to abandon
their blazers and sport coats and show up for work with a hip leather jacket
over a dress shirt, tie and slacks. It's a way of hiding conformity under a
cloak of rebel garb.
"It
depends on your office culture," says John Shaw of Alex Sebastian for Men
in Costa Mesa. "In some places, walking in with a leather jacket is
absolutely fine. In others, where even most sport coats are considered too
casual, you'd be breaking new ground." Laura Downing of Laura Downing in
Laguna Beach says: "It's more acceptable now than it was a few years ago.
With the widespread popularity of Friday 'dress down' days, it's more
acceptable now to mix casual and dress clothing."
As
a rule, don't expect your jacket to be welcome at a formal business meeting or
job interview. "It's a mix of formal and casual, which may be something
you don't want to project to a client or employer," says clothing
consultant Brian Mayne of Mission Viejo. "If you're wearing your leather
jacket to work, make sure you hang it up as soon as you get to your desk."
One
style of jacket that seems to cross the line of formality is the leather blazer.
Although not technically business wear, it does look a little dressier than
your typical bomber-style leather jacket. "People who like the look and
feel of a leather jacket but don't want to look too casual often try
these," Shaw says. "They're distinctive without making you look like
too much of a rebel."
Another
issue that surrounds leather jackets is how much "babying" they get.
If you're the kind of person seen in restaurants folding your precious leather
inside out before putting it on your chair, or anxiously listening for weather
reports to see if a sprinkle will keep your jacket closeted, you may be an
overprotective owner."Treat your jacket well, but it doesn't have to be
pampered," Mayne says. "The best leather jackets can stand a little
rain, or a few scratches here and there. You've got to accept that it's going
to get a little worn; you can't keep it like new forever."
http://www.ericdress.com/list/Online-Coats-101899/
No comments:
Post a Comment