The Item I Wear to Death: My AllSaints Leather Jacket

In our biweekly series, editors share "the item they wear to death," whether it be a basic white tee or a super-trendy jumpsuit. Prepare yourself (and your credit card) for some guilt-free shopping.

For a long time, a leather jacket felt like a "one day" purchase for me. When I first moved to New York City, I noticed this investment coat on every street corner, the epitome of je ne sais quoi style to me. I knew I needed one to complete my new, all-black (very New York!) wardrobe. A leather jacket, however, is nerve-wracking buy: Get yours wrong–too big, too small, poor quality—and your fantasy of being an elusive cool-girl slips away (until you return it, that is).

I spent years hunting the internet for the absolute perfect one. My journey took me to clearance-price cropped motos, oversized (and overdone) versions, and statement zip-ups with way too many buckles. When I finally stumbled upon the AllSaints "estella" leather biker jacket, I realized I might just have found the one. The tailored cut and streamlined silhouette made it feel timeless, but ribbed detailing on the sleeves added a punch of edge…without being too Joan Jet. This, I decided, could be my foray into rebel-chic.

As with any investment purchase, I was nervous about taking the plunge. I wanted to be certain that the "estella" jacket was truly the one. Cue an entire year of me hesitantly hovering my mouse over the "purchase" button. Every time I got close to checking out, I would freeze up at the thought of dropping hundreds on a jacket, so I patiently watched the website, willing a sale with Jedi-like mind control.

Finally, it was my chance to pounce: Black Friday 2018. My dream jacket dropped nearly 50 percent in price, and the "purchase" click never felt easier. More than a year later, I can confidently say my buy was well worth it. I wear my jacket in lieu of a blazer at the office, adding edge to otherwise buttoned-up workwear. I sport it with jeans and white sneakers for a casual Saturday brunch. I layer it over a floral dress on a crisp spring days. I layer it under a puffer coat on chilly winter nights. Some might say leather jackets are a seasonal token style, but I disagree: Styled right, my leather jacket remains a go-to any time of the year.

If you're considering adding this staple to your wardrobe, don't wait a year. Shop mine, plus other options, right now.

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