From cropped leather to snakeprint, the ‘going out’ jacket is your autumn hero
image via @chloesevigny/instagram
words by lara daly
The main event.
Melbourne temperatures are about to drop into single digits overnight, marking the end of balmy evenings and the ease of stepping out in a single layer. There’s a particular kind of sexiness that comes with dressing on summer nights and the shift in season has thrown my trusted outfit formulas off balance.
Heavy coats feel premature but leaving the house without outerwear isn’t an option (unless you’re 18, then that’s a right of passage). This is where the ‘going out jacket’ comes in: a piece that offers enough warmth while still holding its own as part of the look.
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Looking for the right one inevitably lead me back to the indie sleaze era, when outerwear was arguably at its best. Kate Moss, Alexa Chung and Chloe Sevigny all understand that throwing on a jacket isn’t an afterthought, it’s the main event.
Cropped leather jacket
An oversized bomber or Anthony Bourdain-esque leather blazer serves a very different purpose to a ‘going out’ leather jacket. Look for something cropped with fun details, like Lucinda Babi’s zip-up Departure jacket – a ’70s mustard lambskin with mohair collar and cuffs. Belted Aviator styles like this brown one from Karen Walker also fit the bill.
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Snatched jacket
Jeans-and-a-snatched-jacket is a perfect autumn going out look. An older style from Kahe, the Take It Off jacket is rigid denim made of two parts; a button-down bodice and a removable bolero, hence the name. Another good option is the Victorian-inspired Couture jacket by Melbourne designer, Jess Grindell. Closely tailored and fit for an office siren, because as Jess puts it, “power never hides in oversized silhouettes.”
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Fitted military jacket
The vibe is rock and roll, Kate Moss at Glastonbury circa 2005. You’ll have the best luck trawling eBay or Vestiaire for this style, defined by its sharp shoulders, stand collar, epaulets and metal details. Vintage Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester or Balmain is the blueprint. Skinny jeans optional.
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Animal print jacket
Leopard is a classic for a reason, and no one knows that better than Ganni. If you’re feeling experimental, you could channel Bambi in this fawn St Agni number or embrace your inner Nicholas Cage with a snakeprint blazer from Dries Van Noten.
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The glamour of a fur jacket is undeniable but let’s be real, it’s got to be vintage or faux. Australian label Unreal Fur has some really fun colourways, like this mint green and brown leopard Foliage Jacket. If you’re keen to go down the pre-loved route, find a fur specialist near you who can advise you on the type, age and condition so you don’t find yourself shedding on a night out.
Sexy suiting
There are so many Australian and New Zealand designers putting a modern spin on suiting. The ‘going out’ blazer really comes down to cut and styling. Courtney Zheng’s Inge Wool Silk Duchess blazer is a statement silhouette – sharp shoulders and bold peak lapels, designed to be worn against bare skin.
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Karla Špetić is another local designer known for her unexpected take on suits. Case in point, her sleek and tailored Harp blazer is designed with open panels at the hips to show off what you have (or don’t have) on underneath.
For more statement outerwear ideas, try this.
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