New York's all right if you're a metrosexual

October 9, 2006 5:47 PM

How tacky is it for a man to wear an apparently woman-cut leather jacket?

Today I was at the Salvation Army on 46th and 11th in Manhattan, and I found a nice real leather jacket, in perfect condition except for a spot on the pocket area. The salesman gave it to me for $7, which is ridiculous considering it's Banana Republic and almost new. It looks like this eBay picture, except I think the lapels are slightly narrower. As you can see, it's a woman's jacket. It seems to me, though, that a jacket is a jacket, not a dress, and there can't be that much difference between the male and female versions.

I am young and somewhat metro (skinny jeans and such, you know the type), and it fits me perfectly if I wear it unbuttoned, but I still can't shake the sense that by wearing it I'm committing some faux pas for which the NYC fashion police will slaughter me. Any innate fashion sense I have is totally failing me at the moment.

So, MeFi, have you ever known of anyone pulling this off? What did he do to make it not seem so, I don't know, fruity? I'm not at all averse to hitting St. Marks and accessorizing with studs and patches (may Darby Crash (pbuh) forgive me).
Right now, I've got a black-and-white Jam pin in the top left lapel.

posted by nasreddin to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (35 answers total)

Aw, please...panache goes a long way, which you undoubtably know if you're wearing skinny jeans and the like. If you don't slink around like Mom made you borrow your sister's jacket, you'll be fine. And honestly, most people won't notice. May want to remove the buttons, though (putting a pin or patch over the buttonholes) or replace them with smaller buttons.
posted by desuetude at 5:58 PM on October 9, 2006

It's not totally apparent to me that it's a woman's cut (the shoulders aren't padded, the jacket length isn't abbreviated relative to the arms, nothing fancy on the cuffs/collar, and the waist isn't nipped in; but that could just be how it hangs).

If it fit, I'd wear it.

Might run into some confusion if you check it, but if someone asked you could always brag that you got it for $7.
posted by porpoise at 5:59 PM on October 9, 2006

Unless someone is paying close enough attention to where the buttons are it doesn't look like it's a jacket that will be too obviously feminine. But a black leather jacket? That fits well? And cost $7? Wear it with a swagger and a devilish grin and no one will be the wiser.
posted by macadamiaranch at 6:00 PM on October 9, 2006

It looks like it would be fine with whatever you wanted to wear it with. I agree with desuetude, though, do something about those buttons as it will definitely stand out as a ladies jacket when you have it unbuttoned. Perhaps sew up the holes and xfer the buttons to the proper side?

If you were a bigger guy I don't think you could pull this off, but if you're "somewhat skinny" and metro it should be fine.
posted by Happydaz at 6:01 PM on October 9, 2006

If I saw you walking down the street with this jacket on, I'd register the following information: "there is a young man in a black leather jacket over there."

Maybe some people notice that stuff, but for me the variation between different makers of jackets seems to be larger than the difference between male and female jackets. The ability of the average person to distinguish between the two is further limited by the fact that women sometimes wear men's jackets.

I think the proper attitude to take in this situation is that if you like the jacket, anybody who gives you grief about it can pee up a rope.
posted by Hildago at 6:02 PM on October 9, 2006

I think it would be okay. The only thing that looks womanly to me are the flaps over the pockets, but maybe you could have those removed.
posted by christinetheslp at 6:02 PM on October 9, 2006

Yeah, the waist is nipped in (it's only obvious if it's buttoned, although there is a slit in the back that goes about a third-fourth of the way up). The bottom of the jacket reaches to about midway down the zipper of my jeans, which I guess is pretty standard. Otherwise, it's not frilly or padded or anything.
posted by nasreddin at 6:05 PM on October 9, 2006

Yeah dude, I say go for it. Wear whatever the fuck you want.
posted by number9dream at 6:07 PM on October 9, 2006

If it looks good on you, who cares what kind of wearer its designer had in mind? It's yours now - go for it. Wear it with confidence and nobody will question you. Just remind yourself what a badass fashionista you are for getting such a great coat for so little money and put a little swagger into your step.
posted by Mars Saxman at 6:08 PM on October 9, 2006

fashionista

fashionisto
posted by rafter at 6:18 PM on October 9, 2006

It's not clear from the photo - does it have bust darts? (there appears to be some extra material folding over there). If it does, I'd advise not wearing it (but then again, I won't be bumping into you and thinking "hey! that guy's got a woman's jacket on").
posted by tellurian at 6:25 PM on October 9, 2006

What's a bust dart?
posted by nasreddin at 6:35 PM on October 9, 2006

Apart from probably having darts, lots of people (well, me anyway) will notice that it buttons up on the wrong side. They may not care, but they'll notice. If you care what people think about the way you look (and, because you posted this, you seem to), you won't wear this jacket.
posted by dg at 6:37 PM on October 9, 2006

The buttons being on the left are a dead giveaway that it's a woman's jacket. Then again, not a lot of folks would notice that. If anyone says anything, say, "It's my last piece of clothing since before The Operation" and watch their response.
posted by adipocere at 6:38 PM on October 9, 2006

Apart from probably having darts, lots of people (well, me anyway) will notice that it buttons up on the wrong side. They may not care, but they'll notice. If you care what people think about the way you look (and, because you posted this, you seem to), you won't wear this jacket.

Agreed, though again, we're in the minority - that said, I have a few friends who could pull it off - i.e. not even try to hide it was a woman's coat. These men are good looking. Really good looking. They play in bands. With the kind of fashion choices and touseled hair that drive otherwise sane women (and men) to propose running away together 10 minutes after they've been introduced.

You need to decide if you're that man -

Good luck.
posted by jalexei at 6:52 PM on October 9, 2006

The worst that will happen is that crusty old men like me will look at you and think, "Kids these days," because the buttons are on the wrong/female/left side. So if you really think that'd be terrible, you might want to avoid this.

Otherwise, go for it. Some chicks would probably dig it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 6:56 PM on October 9, 2006

we're in the minority
posted by jalexei
Hmm, I wonder if that's correct. Maybe the darts (I have my doubts though) but surely the buttons! I agree with rest of your comment though - spot on.
posted by tellurian at 7:01 PM on October 9, 2006

Skinny jeans make men look girly as it is, so adding a ladies cut jacket into the mix might add to the overall subtle femininity of the outfit (if you're thinking of wearing those two together).
posted by RoseovSharon at 7:05 PM on October 9, 2006

The slit up the back could be a little femmy, if you care. Cover with patch or sew it up with Xs in heavy thread or cord.
posted by desuetude at 7:08 PM on October 9, 2006

What's a bust dart?

The vertical tuck beneath the part where the boobs go, so that the jacket is a bit narrower just underboob.
posted by desuetude at 7:11 PM on October 9, 2006

If the waist pulls in, and the bottom flares out, I'd say no. I always look through women's clothes for stuff for my (manly) frame, and there are a few things that I know just don't look right; this is one of them. Also, of course, anything that is fit for breasts. But, especially if you're into skinny jeans, the flare out at the bottom probably won't work (it might be so minor that its not an issue, tho).

You'll up the chances of it working if your style tends towards the femme: making this jacket look dudely will be a task, IMHO. Seeing as you're trying to avoid looking fruity? Dunno. The cut of the lapels will make that difficult Good luck!

Post some pix and I'll be able to tell you for sure. Because I am a fashion oracle who has all the answers.

Though ultimately the only fashion rule you need to worry about is how you feel in it. Go for it!

/fashion ramble
posted by wemayfreeze at 7:13 PM on October 9, 2006

Well, I don't know if this shows you what you want to know, but that would be a typical use case. Sorry about the quality...

/feels vaguely embarrassed posting pictures of himself on askme
posted by nasreddin at 7:41 PM on October 9, 2006

Oh, the lapels are much better than the eBay pic you showed us. You're fine.
posted by desuetude at 7:53 PM on October 9, 2006

Indeed, you are in the clear.
posted by of strange foe at 8:11 PM on October 9, 2006

congrats dude, best spent $7 ever. wear it with style and if anyone gives you grief then I 2nd Hildago's 'tell 'em to go piss up a rope' theme.
posted by lonefrontranger at 8:59 PM on October 9, 2006

Ya you're good. Curious what it looks like buttoned, though, as that's where the flare shows up most.

DON'T MEAN TO BE A PEST THO!!! I worry, that's all. I'm a worrier. I have a totally sweet (women's) pea coat that I totally picked up for free from the side of the road. I try it on every time it gets cold enough to use and am always disappointed by the flare. I don't want you to suffer the same constant, low-level, disappointment that I suffer on a bi-monthly basis!!

And: thanks for totally taking the plunge and posting a pic!
posted by wemayfreeze at 9:07 PM on October 9, 2006

You'll probably be fine. If nothing else, it will be kind of funny when you go to a party at someone's apartment this winter where all of the guests coats are piled on the guest room bed.

At the end of the evening, when the host says, "Who does this Ann Taylor coat belong to?" you can say, "Me. Really. I'm serious. Shut up."

Seriously: be thankful you have the physique to pull off wearing this coat, and don't worry too much.
posted by 4ster at 9:08 PM on October 9, 2006

(I know it's not really an Ann Taylor coat. That was just for illustration).
posted by 4ster at 9:10 PM on October 9, 2006

Yeah, buttoning it is a no go in general, I actually removed the buttons as suggested earlier in the thread. It just looks plain silly, both because of the flare and because according to Codex Fashioniensis Liber Unum it's illegal to button the bottom button. I plan to wear it over a hoodie or something if I need it to be warm; that or I can be PONX RAWK and mash it together with safety pins.
posted by nasreddin at 9:13 PM on October 9, 2006

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I seriously appreciate it.
posted by nasreddin at 9:20 PM on October 9, 2006

wear it ... i had one like that for a similar price and never thought twice about buying it ... i still have a black leather winter coat that is probably a woman's i bought for 12 bucks

damn right i wear it
posted by pyramid termite at 10:12 PM on October 9, 2006

rafter is wrong, it's fashionista regardless of the gender of the -ista. Just like it's always barista. Un fashionista, una fashionista.

I knew a skinny guy in high school who wore a loud-print shirt with highly evident bust darts, and it drove me crazy. Without seeing the jacket on you, it's hard to say whether they're there at all. But even when it drives me crazy, I feel that a person should wear what makes them happy.
posted by xueexueg at 5:46 AM on October 10, 2006

you don't need to take out the label, as banana republic is well-known as a unisex manufacterer.

but, the problem that i have with the jacket (in the picture you linked later in the thread), which immediately gives it away as 'made-for-women', is that the sleeves are the same length as the hem-length. i mean, who cares about a flared waist, wide lapel, or lame buttons, etc? the problem is that the length of the jacket (in proportion to the sleeves) is at a recognized length for women, while mens' jackets are cut longer. so i can see something is definitely 'off' with the cut.

but this is nyc where you are wearing it, and you are young/slim/short/effeminate enough to pull it off. but honestly, a longer jacket would be much more flattering on you.

btw, when you couple the jacket with a hoodie, be careful. because you'll want to detract from the shortness of the length of the leather jacket, not emphasize it by swimming in a much longer sweatshirt.
posted by naxosaxur at 7:17 AM on October 10, 2006

rafter is wrong, it's fashionista regardless of the gender of the -ista. Just like it's always barista. Un fashionista, una fashionista.

I know. A joke (given the context of the thread).
posted by rafter at 1:31 PM on October 10, 2006

Buttons are on the other side for men's clothes so they could grab their swords with their right hands. If you're a pacifist or a lefty, you should be wearing women's clothing anyway.
posted by mike_bling at 1:31 PM on October 14, 2006