

I consider a leather jacket to be an essential outerwear. It elevates and transforms the simplest outfit. Wear it over a simple tee and denim and voila, you're as chic as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Personally, I can't do without mine as it's a piece of clothing that transitions well from one season to the next. The important thing is to choose one that has the right fit. I prefer mine to have narrow sleeves and a slimmer construction all around as a bulky cut will overwhelm my petite figure.

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Photos courtesy of coolspotters com and edited by me |
I've been hunting for the right black leather jacket for quite sometime now. I've made my fair share of mistakes. My first love would have to be Rick Owens. His leather jackets are sublime but his ever increasing price range proved to be well beyond my reach. While I would've jumped at a chance to own an Isabel Marant Keni or Sade leather jacket, once again, I could not make myself plonk down an eye watering £1520.
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Photo credit: Net-a-porter |
Thankfully, Isabel Marant has decided to re-introduce a hybrid version of the Keni and Sade to her Etoile line. Enter the Kady which is currently priced at £685 in the UK and €750 in France. It looks like the Sade without the belt but with the quilted paneling near the shoulders and chest like the Keni.
The Kady is made of 100% lambskin but this time, the leather has not been overly processed such as the Keni which has the shiny crinkle effect. The leather on the Kady is more matte and smooth with a slight crease effect. It is quite a substantial jacket and the material is thick enough to wear in the colder months especially if you plan to layer. The jacket itself weighs in at just slightly over a kilogram. The lining is made of 100% cotton as opposed to silk but she has chosen to line the interior of the sleeves with polyester.

I had a chance to compare the Sade with the Kady at a Isabel Marant store in Paris recently. Both the sales associate and I couldn't really see a marked difference in terms of quality though the Sade is far heavier thanks to the belt. The Sade jacket, however, is made in France whereas the Kady is manufactured in India.
The best thing about a leather jacket is that they tend to get better with age. In her book, Parisian Chic, Ines de la Fressange recommends putting the jacket under the mattress for a few nights or perhaps walking all over it to achieve an aged appearance. I haven't tried this method before but I suggest adding a few star jumps to burn more calories if you're planning to walk on the jacket. The Etoile Isabel Marant Kady is available to buy here in the US or here within the E.U.
***Update: I've received a number of emails inquiring about the sizing of the jacket. I normally wear size 2 Isabel Marant jackets from previous collections. The size 38 Kady fits me perfectly. I've worn 2 woolen jumpers (thin ones) and a t-shirt under the leather jacket. I was able to zip it up comfortably. If you're a size 0, you'll need a 34 (Bless you for being that tiny. I'm so envious), 1 = 36, 2 = 38, 3 = 40, 4 = 42. Hope this helps!

I tend to be a little slow when jumping on the technology bandwagon. Now that I'm a little more proficient on Twitter, I'd love you to follow me here or click on the grey birdie on the top right hand corner.
You see, you are one of the cool girls! I look horrendous in leather, as if I'm playing dress up. Even at 19 I couldn't pull it off.
ReplyDeleteTabitha, you don't want to see me at 19. I wore huge glasses that took 2 decades to be "cool". My favorite outfit was my University of Canterbury sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants.
DeleteI love leather jackets. I was going to invest in an expensive one and was on my way to pick it up when I happened to walk by Zara in Sydney...I was browsing and came across one there. I decided to go with a cheaper version to see how I go with it before forking out a lot more money on an expensive one. I've worn my Zara one a few times but not enough that I would go out and get another one :s And I already follow you on Twitter :)
ReplyDeleteThese are all amazing. I'm not sure I can pull off a leather jacket, but I'm seriously considering it! :)
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
It's absolutely drool worthy! I actually prefer the Etoile version - (not a fan of that belt. I think it would just get in the way."
ReplyDeleteI'm going to dream about this one!
Get one, Laura!
DeleteI too like the Etoile version , a lot . I love wearing my black leather jacket from All Saints . All Winter it did me proud, and now the Summer is so p*** poor that it's been great now.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't look like mutton in mine, as that's a phobia ! Think it works , and I like leather jackets on older women anyway so long as the footwear isn't tarty and the skirt too short . One thing at once is my motto .
Hear! Hear! I've seen my fair share of older women (I'm sure I'm in that category) stumbling around in stilettos, too tight dresses which emphasized every bulge and a leather jacket. Not a good combination.
DeleteAll Saints jackets are very well made. Very affordable too. Don't get me started on the weather....
Love the tan colored jacket. Love everything tan i think!
ReplyDeleteCongrats with this amazing leather jacket! It's a beauty! xx Kayin
ReplyDeleteOnce again another awesomely informative post! Thanks for all the deets sweetie and congrats on your new purchase! I know you're going to wear it a ton. :)
ReplyDeletexxTheresa
I like the Kady which you've got and prefer without the belt as too much detail on a jacket for small people tends to overwhelm. I've looked at leather jackets before but was never sure if it was going to make me look a bit butch. I'm petite but not a delicate flower by any long stretch of the imagination so would worry incase I looked a bit heavy. i'm sure whichever way you wear it, it will look pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I really like her style! And Isabel Marant jacket looks phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on GFC, if you'd like follow me back:)
http://adollwithoutstyle.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the breakdown of her leather jackets, I'm glad that she made a more reasonably priced jacket.
ReplyDelete- Aliya:)
Ah I love leather but sometimes I feel like it's so hard to pull off if you don't have that 'bit of bad-ass-ness.' I'll have to try it out :) Thanks lady!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Patty, you don't need to have a bad-assness to wear leather jacket. BUT I must say, they make feel more youthful :P
Deletegreat jacket, i think they are so important in our wardrobe!
ReplyDeletexx
Ohhh congrats, I love it!! The leather looks so soft and I adore the quilting. I must try this one. I can't wait to see how you style it.
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks for the heads up about the Sam Edelman trina sandal. I tried them on and they are perfect. Now I just need to decide whiskey or natural :)
what a great comparison of her leather jackets...great reference...thanks!!
ReplyDeleteYes the leather jacket is a wardrobe essential for sure. I was lucky enough to find one i love at zara a few years back.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post Marlene. It's nice to be able to see all the details of the jacket before buying as I'm sure the race will be on for this beauty as soon as it goes online.
ReplyDeletexx Mandi
www.findmeamuse.com
Leather jackets are tricky. Off course I always love the most expensive one! I'm going to Twitter now to find you! Teri
ReplyDeleteLeather jackets look so edgy and cool, I never knew it would be better to age it. (haha it's like cheese...) But I can never find a leather jacket that fits me well, it's always either to big on the shoulders or too tight :(
ReplyDeleteleather jackets are definitely a must! the hard thing is finding one that is flattering for your figure and not too bulky, yet thick enough to keep you warm! and haha yeah, I'm a bit slow with technology as well sometimes. just followed you on Twitter!
ReplyDeletethankyou so much for your lovely comment on my blog btw. yeah, it's my bf who takes my photos for me :)
metallicpaws.blogspot.com
Got to love a leather jacket! its a must have! xx
ReplyDelete{Satin&Souffles}
Ah, I have yet to find THE leather jacket. They look sooo good on everyone, but are so hard to find in the right cut / color / size. I think I just have strange proportions, LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat jacket is gorgeous! I love the quilted look and zippers. So awesome Marlene!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
This is such a wardrobe staple that it's worth investing in... I am on the lookout for a leather jacket so you can guess where I'll be heading soon - while telling my husband that I'm making a long term investment in our future - surely a vintage leather jacket is going to be worth something ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on yet another great jacket to add to your wardrobe! I personally like this one best of the three but, then, I usually prefer Etoile to mainline IM. This one is a forever piece.
ReplyDeletewow i really like these jackets. wasn't too sure about the round collar but after seeing rosie's pictures i'm totally sold! and i can't believe you know so much about the background of these jackets! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe leather jacket is an staple in my closet, it might be a cliché, but that's the way it is for me...black skinnies, white t-shirt and I am done.
ReplyDeleteLove the kadi, it's a piece that is worth the investment.
Great choice dear, I'm super jealous !!! Great comparison of all these amazing jackets too, well done ! I'm happy to read you because I've personally never met any of these and now it's like I have. I would fall for the Kady in a second if I could, but even if it's from the Etoile line it's still too expensive for me. I'm currently eyeing two leather jackets from Zara which I find quite cool for the price but I've only seem them online and still need to see them in store. Anyway, I've been wearing leather jackets for years and I love them. I have a good collection of black leather jackets from which my favorite is a Muubaa jacket, I can't seem to go anywhere without it. xx Marta
ReplyDeletePlease do you know how Sade fits? true/small/ loose? Im à regular eur 38 and can get à 40 or 42, want it to fit loose as seen in Rosie. What do u recomend? Love Agnes
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm regular eur 38 and I tryed yesterday Kady on me..and I liked more size 42, because you can still but some woll pullovers under..of course, if you like that the jacket fit you like a second skin, take size 40 :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove your article! I tried the Isabel Marant Etoile jacket yesterday and I did love the fact that it's lighter and cheeper than the Isabel Marant but I thought the sleeves are too short. I have it on hold till Monday ... I will try it one more time. Did you see the red one too?
ReplyDeletexxx
Nina
http://trendsurvivor.com/
Thank you! The sleeves are just right for a shortie like me. Yes, I saw the one in red. It's more of a muted red which I thought was beautiful. Very versatile too. I decided to go with the black because that's what I lack in my wardrobe.
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