Too Old for a Short Leather Jacket?

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

OK here is a question for the fashionistas of the group.

My wife is of the opinion that I'm too old (I'm 52) to wear a short leather jacket and that I should be wearing longer jackets that are thigh or just above the thigh in length.

By short I'm referring to any jacket that is waist or belt level like an Aero 1930 Slim Half Belt or an A-2.
She thinks these jackets are for "younger" people.

What are your thoughts?

I would definitely love to hear from the Ladies (Gents please feel free to weigh in)

Dave

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

I'll start off. Personally, and this is strictly my opinion, I think she is wrong. But in the spirit of full disclosure I have several short leather jackets, so I guess I have a vested interest in my stance. I think it comes down to the individuals body type, how they pull it off (carry themselves: are they confident when wearing the jacket or not), and of course the fit. In the end, as many have said before, all that matters is what the wearer likes.

Now what do you think?

Dave

Feraud · Dec 7, 2012

Speaking imho, I think it depends more on your weight/frame than age. Shorter jackets look better on average build men. Stouter fellows benefit from a bit of length.

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

Feraud said:
Speaking imho, I think it depends more on your weight/frame than age. Shorter jackets look better on average build men. Stouter fellows benefit from a bit of length.

+1

Baron Kurtz · Dec 7, 2012

IMO, the only consideration is how it's going to look on your body. Age isn't a factor. Some of the body tendencies as men get older can be problematic though …

Again, IMO, short leather jackets look awful on men with overly large bellies (like, huge 'ol beer guts), whether they're old or young. It is a style, again IMO, that by far looks best when the waist is at most the same size as, and preferably smaller than, the chest. Otherwise the gut tends to stick out in unsightly fashion under the jacket or stretch the jacket badly.

[EDIT] Yes, Feraud put it far more succinctly.

Feraud · Dec 7, 2012

dmdmorris said:
She thinks these jackets are for "younger" people.

Btw, when you discuss this with your wife again and she doesn't see the logic of your position try pointing out the illogic of hers.
Ask her to point to a young person wearing a short jacket. The trend for young people today is all droopy, sloppy, and oversized.

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

Feraud said:
Btw, when you discuss this with your wife again and she doesn't see the logic of your position try pointing out the illogic of hers.
Ask her to point to a young person wearing a short jacket. The trend for young people today is all droopy, sloppy, and oversized.

Excellent idea. Although she is very "conservative". She tends to wear only long outer jackets. The reality of the situation is that she and I may never see eye to eye on this, but that's ok. But I don't want "her" opinion to be the topic of this post, even though I started out referencing her views, I'm really more interested in a group view or consensus.

Dave

HoosierDaddy · Dec 7, 2012

Well..using that rationale..it would be mandatory that I sell all my leather jackets since none are long coats..and I'm evidentally way over the limit(13 yrs older than you). However..I have no plans to do that.
Never much cared for sitting down on long leather coats every time I take a seat. Maybe when I get saddled with a walker..I can just stand all the time,though...

HD

jack miranda · Dec 7, 2012

I'm with HD: I've got more than a decade and several short

jackets on you, and age has nothing to do with how long a jacket you should/should not wear.

tonypaj · Dec 7, 2012

If one wants to be pedantic, I'd consider height and body proportions (legs/torso), as well, combined with weight or beer bellies and such. You will find pretty fast what fits you. Age makes no difference.

Hammer Down · Dec 7, 2012

Stick with twead and wool. You're too old for any leather at that ripe age, you old duffer ; )

Metatron · Dec 7, 2012

Feraud said:
The trend for young people today is all droopy, sloppy, and oversized.

I think it was in the 80s and 90s but high-street fashions tend towards the skinny look nowadays...

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

Hammer Down said:
Stick with twead and wool. You're too old for any leather at that ripe age, you old duffer ; )

LOL she who must not be named would agree! but I love em. Now when is that next flight to Chicago?

Fanch · Dec 7, 2012

I think that most of us are on the same page with this: Age is irrelevant. However, body built is. Most of us have our own preference, and mine is a shorter length jacket that falls 1-2" below my belt. Fortunately I am built more like a stick rather than like an apple.

tonypaj · Dec 7, 2012

Also, the length of the jacket depends on what you wear with it. The whole outfit counts, not just the jacket. There are jackets I wear with jeans, and jackets I don't. Or khakis, or dress pants, and then you throw in the shirt and shoes/boots, or accessories. The combination counts as much as the length of the jacket. Just look at photos here, and you will find out soon what I'm talking about. Some just brilliant, some less so.

Buzp · Dec 7, 2012

Wait, you are one of the "younger guys". I've got friends even older than I who still look fine in short jackets and I would even opt to be buried in one except my sons won't go for that as they want the hand-me-downs.

seabass · Dec 7, 2012

Awww were about the same age, My wife has no problem with it.....
Go for it.
just dont wear low rise pants & your good....
you young whippersnapper you !

Hammer Down · Dec 7, 2012

Boys who for once dressed for their mothers, often grow up to become men who dress for their wives. Screw the wife. Dress yourself. Literally.

dmdmorris · Dec 7, 2012

Hammer Down said:
Boys who for once dressed for their mothers, often grow up to become men who dress for their wives. Screw the wife. Dress yourself. Literally.

+1 I definitely agree. But having said that, either your not married or your deaf.

Worf · Dec 7, 2012

Gut and Chest to Waist differential have more to do with whether you should wear a short jacket or not. Which is my personal experience. I'm older than you... if you look through my posts you can see how bad A2's looked on me when I first got here then take a look at some of my later pics, particularly the A-1 after some weight loss. The tape don't lie....

Worf

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