As the temperatures begin to cool I’ve finally started to put together what I might like to pick up for fall. The most expensive clothing item so far that I’ve been toying with is the classic draped Rick Owens leather jacket…yes, the one that’s been around for years and years that everybody famous has. Seriously, if you do a Google Image Search for “Rick Owens Celebrity Jacket” you’ll get an idea of what I mean.
Rick Owens Jacket, $2440 (smooth version)
As much as I have loved this jacket over the years I can’t help but wish that I had purchased it years ago. I remember right after college already one of my friends was lusting after this jacket and finally bought it..and that was around ten years ago! It may just be my imagination, but I really think that the price back down was something like $1000…and it’s more than double now. Plus, there’s also something a little dampening about being so late to hop on the Rick Owens jacket bandwagon…I’m kicking myself for not buying it years ago! I could have looked so much cooler and been nodding to goths on the street for years.
So now I’m asking…how do you all feel about buying items “late in the game”? After a few price increases and perhaps a lot of exposure…does that lapsed time ever serve to influence you not to buy an item? Or are you immune to these superficial aspects, and just buy what you like without a care? Tell me your ways!
PS: Anybody actually have this jacket, and care to chime in on whether I need to get it? I’m also considering a Vince jacket at less than half the price!
36 Comments
Prêt à Porter P
August 19, 2013 at 8:15 amIf I already have something I don’t care who else has it, but if I don’t have it, and it’s overexposed I’d likely wouldn’t want it anymore.
I would try both on and see which you like better. And whether or not for the cost is more practical for your life.
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 9:33 amHi P, I’m kind of the same way, I try not to let myself be influenced by the media, etc but unfortunately I am a sheep like that!
Sabrina
August 19, 2013 at 8:17 amI say get it and get it now! I have a few of them in different color and style and I absolutely love them! They do go with everything and I think it is worth every penny. I’m a typical fashion follower and I am always late in the game 🙂 – just got my first pair of dicker booties this last week and plan to get another pair in black.
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 9:34 amHi Sabrina, so glad to hear that you like them and have a few! I’m also a follower, I never get the “cool items” ahead of time, lol. Dickers are great, so comfortable and I wish I could wear them more (I have stumpy legs so they don’t always look good!).
Anna
August 19, 2013 at 8:39 amI’m such a limited consumer of media that I couldn’t care less if something is overexposed. The “IT” status never factors into my purchasing decision. I bought the Celine trapeze because it was the right bag for ME, not because it adorns every celebrity/fashion blogger’s arm (incidentaly its popularity didn’t turn me off either). I say that if you can afford it and it makes sense in your wardrobe, go for it. If it’s something you’ve wanted for a while now, you won’t regret the purchase.
I’m personally not a fan of Rick Owens; it’s Alexander Wang that stole my heart (his designs aren’t so harsh), but to each their own. Here’s to a good decision making!
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 9:30 amHi Anna, I like the Celine Trapeze very much and I think that it’s design is such that it will have a lot of true staying power. I like Alexander Wang as well, actually over time I have found myself liking his designs more and more (including those at Balenciaga).
Lara
August 19, 2013 at 8:41 amI have this jacket, and it’s my favorite item in my closet! I bought this jacket last December from Barneys, and everytime I wear it somebody tells me that I look great, or at least that my jacket looks great. I don’t really care whether something is at its peak of popularity or not as long as it looks good on me. I think it’s classic enough to stay around for a while, and I’ll just pretend I’ve had it for years. My style is somewhat similar to yours. In fact, I shamelessly copy your style, and buy a lot of the items you feature in your blog (sorry!). I live in Texas where the jacket season is very short, but you would get a lot of wear out of it living in the bay area.
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 9:27 amLara, thank you for your thoughtful comment and I’m so glad to hear you like the jacket. Please don’t apologize for buying anything that I do, I am flattered that you would even consider me in your buying decisions. If you come across anything that you particularly love please do share too, love hearing from those with similar style!
Jill
August 19, 2013 at 9:27 amI think you’d look great in either jacket. I kind of love the Vince jacket even more than the Rick Owens. Is it bad that I’m picturing that jacket with some of the bags you own? I can be influenced if I see someone, celebrity or not, wearing something I’m considering adding to my own closet, but it always comes down to whether it’s right for me. Let us know which jacket you decide on!
Adele
August 19, 2013 at 10:02 amYou should only buy a piece because you love it & not worry about over exposure. For an investment piece like this I would equate the splurge to how much wear I’ll get out of it.
Let us know what you finally choose.
Happy Monday Katherine xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Groupthink7
August 19, 2013 at 11:27 amI think you should buy it if you love it. I am a fan of both Rick Owens and Vince. However, the Vince jacket is not all leather. I would pass on it. If I am going to purchase leather; especially a leather jacket; I don’t want the mix media (i.e. cloth material on the arms or back). Get what you love.
LC
August 19, 2013 at 11:19 ami`ve been staring at this for years and still haven`t pulled the trigger. i borrowed my friend`s for a shoot one time, i wanted to slap myself stupid for not picking it up when it wasn`t as expensive! still on my lust list..hopefully will get it one of these days..i just can`t justify spending it on outerwear!
Groupthink7
August 19, 2013 at 11:29 amI am sorry. I just noticed the cloth on the Rick Owens jacket. If you love it; buy it. However, for the price point you can get 100% leather all over.
Jessy
August 19, 2013 at 11:44 amI actually like being late on certain trends because it gives me time to think about whether I want it or not. At times, I might regret not getting it earlier, but if I really really want it even after all that time (like in your case), I wouldn’t mind forking out the money for it despite the increase.
Stacey
August 19, 2013 at 12:15 pmHmmm…. I would find another jacket. I think that wide lapel is going to look dated quickly. Look at how everyone was wearing those wedge sneakers and now they look super dated. If you really love this style, then I think the Vince version is a nice compromise. Otherwise, I would stick with a more classic style for big splurges (I don’t like lapels on leather jackets in general, but that’s just a style preference).
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 1:25 pmThanks for your honest opinion Stacey….do you like more of the moto style leather jackets? I love those too, I have a light bomber from SWORD (which I now think may be out of business) – you are right that they are more “classic” shapes
Michelle
August 19, 2013 at 12:20 pmI say get it Katherine…its a timeless piece and I know you would ROCK it! I was slow to get the Charlotte Olymia Kitty flats, but now I have them I just adore them. Morning….
Kayli Schattner
August 19, 2013 at 12:35 pmIf I had the money I would definitely buy the jacket. It’s so classic and amazing. I definitely wish I would have bought it when it was still new and less expensive!
Girlie Blogger
August 19, 2013 at 12:55 pmOuch! Hefty price, but it’s lovely. From the picture alone, the leather looks extremely quality. I’ve kids, so I don’t feel right spending over $2000. A few years ago, though, when I had no one to spend money on, I’d probably get it as an “investment piece.”
Sanita
August 19, 2013 at 2:22 pmI would say, don’t. I personally always think if you love something that much you will have it almost straight away (or trying it on 3 times in my cases 🙂 )
I fund my 100% leather jacked in Burberry sale for about £300 and it was marked down from £1200 so all you have to do is wait until the right one comes along. Also you might want to look at the “All Saints” leather jackets. the price is good for the leather they sell and they are very trendy too :))
p.s there will aways be something that you love and can’t/ did not got on the time …..
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 4:22 pmThat sounds like an amazing deal Sanita! Congrats on the steal!
Jenny
August 19, 2013 at 2:41 pmNo need to be self-deprecating or ashamed of your interest in a “older”/previous season’s item. If you like it, go for it and rock it. Honestly, no need to care what others think or if they have it too.
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 4:23 pmYou are the mature shopper who I know I should be listening to! 🙂
m
August 19, 2013 at 6:52 pmI have this Rick Owens jacket. While the price might be a bit on the more expensive side, it is worth every penny, regardless of whether everyone else has it. The fit is remarkable and it is comfortable at the same time!!!
Katherine
August 19, 2013 at 7:01 pmThank you! So glad to hear that you find it comfortable!
bisbee
August 20, 2013 at 5:47 amIf you really love it, and you can afford it, then get it! I prefer the Vince version – and the price!
TC
August 20, 2013 at 6:33 amI usually don’t subscribe to fashion trends as I’m not blessed with a model figure / stature on which everything looks fabulous; in fact, it’s quite the opposite! And I’m the kind of person who will buy a runway piece and deliberately keep it unworn in their closet for a few seasons because it’s too recognizable. When I am finally comfortable enough to take it out, I’m so behind the trend that I actually end up in front of it what with the fashion (trend) cycles so abbreviated nowadays – LOL! This is a long convoluted way of saying buy what you like and wear what you like whether it is in fashion or not. This jacket in particular is a classic and if you look awesome in it, go ahead. This is a forever piece so I personally don’t bother with knock-offs or derivatives (so long as I can afford it. I mean I’d love a Dior or Valentino or Chanel couture gown but it’ll never happen…maybe never…). Can’t wait to see the reveal 😉
Katherine
August 20, 2013 at 11:21 amThanks TC – I am also very far from a model stature and there are many items off limits to me that I must stare jealously at from afar. I am with you deep down on the derivatives point – when I’ve purchased them in the past I haven’t been happy and have always ended up getting the original anyway.
guest
August 20, 2013 at 12:02 pmIt’s beautiful but maybe not exactly your style from what I’ve seen here at least? But whatever you do buy, may you wear it in good health!
Guest
August 20, 2013 at 1:16 pmI just bought this jacket a few months ago. It is gorgeous and the fit is AMAZING! Looking forward to wearing it this fall. Who cares if we bought (are buying) it now rather than early in the game? Would you be concerned about buying a Chanel flap or Hermes Kelly later? Sure, the price increase is a bummer but other than that, who cares?
I love the jacket! Think it is such a cool look and feel. I say go for it if you feel the same way!
Katherine
August 20, 2013 at 3:31 pmSo glad to hear that you are liking the jacket! You make a great point about the bags. Can I ask what size you ended up taking – did you take the true size or did you go one larger?
Naaj Rona
August 20, 2013 at 2:38 pmAs much as i love the jacket i wouldn’t spend that much money. Firstly, i don’t have that much money to spend and secondly, i just don’t have that much money.
If you can afford it and is something that you will make the most of it then go for it.
Naaj x
Marlene @ chocolatecookiesandcandies
August 21, 2013 at 3:47 pmKatherine, I’m with you about not being a trend follower. I’m always a trend too late. Oh well. You know how I lusted after getting the RO jacket. I bought an All Saints and the fit just wasn’t good for me. I got rid of it in the end. When I finally bought my RO jacket, I understood why it’s so lusted by most people. The fit is just incredible. It runs small so you’ll have to take a couple of sizes up (mine’s size 40 and I normally wear size 36 in Chanel or 38 in Isabel Marant).
Joyce
August 21, 2013 at 5:18 pmBuy what you like.
Ultimately if the piece can make you happy, it has served its function.
Others who have this jacket bought it not long ago, so you are not too behind! Further, do you consider yourself always at the head of the game? If not, it appears that you will have opportunity to wear it even if it ever becomes dated. Let us know your decision!
Elizabeth
August 25, 2013 at 7:38 pmI have this jacket and have had it for maybe a year and a half. I thought I was behind the curve but did not care, and still don’t. I did find it on sale for around $1K so don’t despair!
RO doesn’t really date IMO because his styles year to year are consistent. There are a few versions of this jacket and they’re all great; I like the one with the big, wide, almost taffeta-lined lapels. It means you can wear it over a floor-length black gown or jeans.
Bottom line it is a classic piece in luscious leather.
Katherine
August 25, 2013 at 8:19 pmHi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing you experience! So glad to hear you are still liking the jacket and that is a great sale price! Can I ask where you found it?