This week's Flashback Friday is one of my favorite - and most expensive - clothing items. Last spring I invested in this camel leather jacket from Banana Republic. I hardly ever spend this much on one item (it was $150 with a coupon), but I loved it sooo much. How much? If you can see yourself wearing the jacket with nothing but a white t-shirt and jeans, you know it's love. :-) Other ways I knew it was okay? I had a $250 budget that month, and wasn't in the market for anything in particular, so I knew I could use my budget on this "splurge" and still have plenty left over.
Tell me - what items have you splurged on? Which outfit in today's feature is your favorite?
I adore that jacket. ADORE. I can imagine it going with so much, and in so many seasons. Well worth it (and even better that there was a coupon involved)!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found your blog (through A Working Mom's Closet) and I'm adding you to my Reader.
this was a great splurge item and the coat looks great on you. you can never go wrong with a neutral colored jacket as it will really go with everything!
ReplyDeletecute and little
I love this post! I've always wanted a camel leather jacket - it's gorgeous on you. My favorite is the all white with the jacket on top. But the leopard top one is fierce too.
ReplyDeleteMy fave outfit is the one with the cheetah print. Wow that is a good idea to set up a clothing budget that way you stay on track and shop for investment pieces not just many cheapy low quality things. Thx for all the ideas and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI dread it when you show that gorgeous camel coat. In a good way, mind you. I've been looking for an inexpensive and very nice one in a nice brown color for what seems like years.
ReplyDeleteThey had the cutest camel faux-leather jackets at Target a few months ago!! I would check there!
ReplyDeleteI love the white on white outfit! I could never do it with my dogs around though. Hahaha. I live in a very cold area of the country (last week was -37 degrees) and so I invested in a expensive but cute pair of uggs that keep my feet warm and are more stylish than just snow boots.
ReplyDeleteStacey and Clinton always say 'think about cost per wear' and that's how I usually justify insanely expensive items I buy for myself:-) it does make sense though, sometimes it's better to invest in 1 top quality item and wear it a LOT than to buy 10 crappy ones and not even get any real wear out of them... what's your say on this J?
ReplyDeleteOh :( Target isn't available in Canada lol. That's okay, I'll keep looking!
ReplyDeleteThis jacket is such a great piece to have, easy to dress up or down, I say it was totaly worth the money!
ReplyDeleteI love this new Friday feature on your blog!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you don't wear flat shoes or boots much, how come?
ReplyDeleteI like all the outfits, it's impossible to pick a favorite one sorry J:-)
ReplyDeleteI really love wearing heels and the feeling of being taller. I also have humongous feet for how tall I am (size 10 and I'm 5'7"). I think heels help disguise how long they are! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy fav looks are 1, 3 and 5...it's a gorgeous jacket!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I definitely considered how much/how many times I would wear the jacket when I bought it. This is pretty much my go-to jacket if I'm running out of the house and living in Florida it's about the most heavy layer you need year-round. I usually spend the most money on handbags, because I get TONS of wear out of them, but a leather jacket is also a great investment if it works for your lifestyle!
ReplyDeleteAgree! 1,3, & 5
ReplyDeleteHelp me out J, I'm 5'7" too and have always had problems with wearing heels. Not that I can't walk in them, it's just that I feel gigantic like I'm towering over everyone which makes me feel embarassed and so then I just tend to stick with flats:(
ReplyDeleteIs this self-confidence issue? How do I get over it?
Please help, I would love to be able to wear my heels proudly.
Ok i know this is so off topic... but oh how I love the fact that you are not one of those look-and-worship-me-im-so-cute bloggers... thank you for not being fake... ok that's all you all continue now lol..
ReplyDeleteAnna, I have heard this from girls before. No idea why, but I LOVE towering over people! Is that crazy? My husband is only an inch taller than me, but I still rock the 4-5" heels all the time. I once had a shoe salesgirl tell my hubby - "don't you love that she's your tall, supermodel wife?" I couldn't agree with her more. :-)
ReplyDeleteI LOOVE this jacket. I got a black BR leather jacket last year majorly on sale but am definitely regretting not getting this color. Tan is so versatile. J, do you think having tan and black leather jackets would be excessive? Do you ever get very similar things but in different colors? I do with Ts and tanks obviously, but I don't know if it's silly for something this spendy.
ReplyDeleteI once splurged on a ridiculously expensive winter coat, but it ended up being the best investment I've ever made in my life. Still refuse to wear anything else in winter, that coat was worth every single penny!
ReplyDeleteI find the experience of posting photos of myself to be totally embarrassing!! But I love fashion and I love sharing tips with you guys so you're stuck with me for now, haha! :-)
ReplyDeleteTory, I had that same question this fall. I wound up going for a faux-leather black jacket from Forever 21 instead of splurging on a real one. I'm not a huge leather jacket fan, so I couldn't justify spending that much on two of them. They actually make some really cute faux versions though, I would try that first if you have any concerns!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I've commented this before, but I really like the color of this jacket. I don't think I would go to it right away at the store, because I tend to go straight to black or gray, but this color seems like a great addition to any closet. I need to learn to break away from the basic colors!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of girls that proudly wear heels like that, wish I was confident enough to wear heels all the time, this is something I'm gonna be working on.. I love heels, they make girls' legs look great! Yeah you are definitely rockin them:-)
ReplyDeleteActually it shows, and to be honest it makes you look way cuter than some bloggers who spend hours doing their fancy professional photo shoots posing and faking it.... so I agree and thank you for keepin it real
ReplyDeleteSome of my top splurges include boots jackets purses well anything leather really.. :) and watch from accessories department.. Let me ask you the opposite, what do you NOT spend a lot of money on?
ReplyDeleteYes, leather is a top splurge item for me too! Stuff I won't spend $ on: cotton t-shirts/tanks, jewelry (because there are so many amazing inexpensive choices out there), shoes (because they get so much wear and tear and never last that long), and casual or work dresses (because they aren't as versatile as separates in my opinion). I also try to find good deals on jeans, sweaters, blouses, skirts - pretty much any other clothing item - but if I love something enough I will occasionally spend a little more on those! ps. I should do a blog post on this, thanks for the idea! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you actually care to take the time to reply to your readers J., I have so much respect for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I think talking to you guys is the best part!! I wouldn't have it any other way. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like # 1 and would wear it to lunch with friends on the weekends. # 3 is perfect for work. I'm curious if you ever shop on eBay. I have found some great deals (NWT - new with tags). For example, I just purchased a Loft jacket that is $98 on their website (http://tinyurl.com/4hyk8mw) for only $35 including shipping on eBay. I can't wait to wear it!
ReplyDeleteKim, I rarely shop on eBay, sometimes I look for purses but that's really it. It's such an amazing site/idea, I wish I had the patience for it! That's such a great deal you got!
ReplyDelete(one of the many things) what i love about your posts is that you always pick out something that I never would go to in a store and show how to style it. and this colour leather jacket is a perfect example since I would never go for the tan colour when there's brown around. I'm surprised at myself that I check your blog everyday haha! as always, you rock!
ReplyDeleteMy fave was the white tee and white jeans, hands down. All the looks were great, but that was the best.
ReplyDeleteAnna, rock your heels, sweetie! I can't walk in heels any more, and hate it, believe me. Getting dressed up and then having to wear ballet flats just isn't the same. So wear those heels and strut your stuff as long as you can, please.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I am coveting that jacket. I wish I had a cute leather jacket in every color.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites this Friday are the top left and top right. Although the jacket with the leopard print is pretty cute, too.
i love the jacket with dress combo, but i would have paired it with heels instead of the gladiator sandals, *but* i'm so not a fan of gladiators on my feet. also love the white ensemble and the grey skinnies. excellent as always!
ReplyDeleteWhat size are you wearing? Based on your bio you wear size 0 in shirts...and I wear size 4-6 usually. Does that mean your jacket is an XS or a S? I needed a reference since I am majorly scouring the internet for this jacket in my size, and all I see so far is a size M, but I don't want it to be too big. I'm thinking I need a small...but if your jacket is S then I know the M will be perfect for me. I am babbling... your help is apppreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket is an XS. I am pretty petite up top, so a size S is usually humongous on me, especially at Banana. This jacket is fairly fitted, and if you plan to wear it open you might be able to get away with a size M!
ReplyDeleteThanks J. I am going to go with the M. BR should be sponsoring this website. You are such a great spokesperson for them.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites clockwise are Numbers 1, 2 & 5. Love love that leather blazer and have a similar one from Banana I have had for at least 6-7 years.
ReplyDeleteLove this and your other suggestions on how to pair pieces together.
ReplyDeleteI have bought several leather jackets in the past and was wondering how someone could feminize the BLACK leather jacket? I've seen people pair it with a cute dress.
Thought I'd ask you for more suggestions?
Thanks Susan! I have a black leather jacket on my wish list for fall 2012 and I've been dreaming of pairing it with a lace dress, distressed denim and a t-shirt, or shorts, strappy heels and a silk collared shirt, to name a few!
ReplyDeleteMy splurges: A banana repubic leather jacket, $200.00 with 50% off. A second hand Louis Vuitton bag: $450.00...both which I have had for years and use so, so often.
ReplyDeleteI also totally agree with your statement if you can wear it with a white tee and jeans you know its love..I often wear my BR leather jacket with a loose white tee and jeans :)