My Old Leather Jacket…

casual date night outfit over 40

It’s leather jacket weather!

Well, in the evenings it is; during the day it’s a bit too warm for a leather jacket. But in the evening you might need an extra layer, especially by the sea.

I’ve had this leather jacket for years. And there are times when I hardly wear it. And then all of a sudden I rediscover it and wear it non-stop. I’m like that with my clothes: I go through phases when I wear something all the time for a while, and then I move on to something totally different. But for now, I’m into leather jackets big time, and I’m going to be wearing mine with everything.

And don’t even start with that ‘how to wear a leather jacket over 40 / 50 / 60 / whatever’ bullshit… I know a lot you out there are enraged by all sort of lists of what you should and shouldn’t wear after a certain age, defiantly declaring that age doesn’t dictate your clothing choices. Good for you. But I have zero interest in that debate.

No, let me rephrase that: I don’t understand the debate. As a typical Generation X teenager, I practically grew up wearing jeans and leather jackets. And that has been my default uniform for the  most part of my life. So, as I get older… what else could I possibly be wearing?!? 

Besides, all my life I’ve been bombarded with media images of women much older than me wearing leather jacketsminiskirts, graphic tees etc. Maybe it’s a cultural thing: nobody cares what Finnish women are wearing… 

But, just in case you’re wondering about the age-appropriate look in nursing homes some 30-40 years from now: there are going to be a lot of us GenX oldies in our ripped jeans and leather jackets and tattoos, cranking up the volume to hear our punk and heavy metal. And it will look perfectly normal, because it is.

Anyway, I wore my beloved old leather jacket to dinner in a summer restaurant. Yes, a leather jacket and fine dining do go together.

Another weekend, another summer restaurant…

Exactly how many summer restaurants (= open only in summer and only accessible by boat) are there in Helsinki? Well, to be honest, I don’t really know, probably many more than I’ve visited. But, Professor M is a bit fussy about his restaurants, and he has his favourites, and we try to visit those at least once every summer. That keeps us busy at weekends…

So, this time we’re going to a restaurant on that island in the background. Yes, that big grey wall… It’s part of an old fortress (scattered over several islands), and the restaurant is there,  inside that big grey wall.

Särkänlinna

Särkanlinna

The shuttle boat takes just a couple of minutes. There’s not much else (besides the restaurant) on the island, except the marina of course. There’s always a marina…

date night outfit over 40

statement earrings

how to wear cargo pants over 40

Outfit details:

leather jacket: Karen Millen (old) /top: Monsoon / trousers: Oska / bag: Kate Spade /

 shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana / earrings:Viktoria Boldt

location: Restaurant Särkänlinna

How do you wear your leather jacket?

Tiina

FOLLOW:

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleSydney Fashion HunterThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirGet Your Pretty OnHappiness at Mid-LifeA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en RoseFashionably Employed,The Fabulous JourneyLiving on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleSheela WritesShelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink Friday

14 Comments

  1. Jill James
    21 August 2017 / 7:45 am

    Always a good time to wear a leather jacket , I can see why this one is an old favourite. I have always enjoyed wearing leather and have over many years acquired quite a collection so I will continue to do so .I love the idea of a Summer restaurant and the area looks very pleasant . Your jacket and the rest of your outfit just the thing for a Summer dinner and I do love those earrings.

    • Tiina L
      24 August 2017 / 5:08 am

      Thanks, Jill. I love a good leather jacket but I seldom wear a leather skirt. And I have two of them! By the way, these earrings are also leather…

  2. mummabstylish
    22 August 2017 / 8:04 am

    Well I too shall be wearing exactly what I want, and what I think suits me! I love your look and totally agree with you. a leather jacket is top of my list atm, although I may have to wait till Christmas to get it! Jacquiwww.mummabstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      24 August 2017 / 5:17 am

      I have always worn what I want and never paid any attention to any of those articles. Therefore, I have no need to fight them, either. I sort of wish all women would just quietly wear whatever they want instead of 'rebelling' against 'rules' that don't exist. But then again, my way of dealing with all stupid (but harmless) ideas is to simply roll my eyes and ignore them. I want to save my energy and fighting spirit for more worthy causes. Besides, if we just wear what we want, without explaining or justifying it, people find it normal for women like us dressing the way we do.

  3. Shybiker
    23 August 2017 / 3:16 am

    Very cool. Nothing beats a black motorcycle jacket. You look great.

    • Tiina L
      24 August 2017 / 5:17 am

      You said it, sister!

  4. Shelbee On The Edge
    26 August 2017 / 3:26 pm

    Tiina, this post is magnificent! Because of this right here:"But, just in case you're wondering about the age-appropriate look in nursing homes some 30-40 years from now: there are going to be a lot of us GenX oldies in our ripped jeans and leather jackets and tattoos, cranking up the volume to hear our punk and heavy metal. And it will look perfectly normal, because it is." It is genius! And I love it. And you look freaking amazing in your leather jacket. Thanks so much for linking up with me! #SpreadTheKindnessShelbeewww.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      26 August 2017 / 5:35 pm

      Thank you. I'm getting a teeny bit fed up with all those bloggers defiantly declaring that they wear whatever they want and nobody should tell them otherwise. Maybe because I find it perfectly normal that women older than me wear whatever they want and look fabulous…

  5. Nicole Mölders
    27 August 2017 / 3:15 am

    Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. The contrast between your long metal earrings and your curls is so cool. The leather with the lace trimmed top is another great contrast. I love that portrait photo of you.

    • Tiina L
      29 August 2017 / 7:10 am

      Thank you Nicole, what a sweet thing to say. I have hated my curls all my life, it's only recently that I've decided to make peace with them.

  6. Jessica Jannenga
    27 August 2017 / 3:38 pm

    Love the earrings.. very rocker.. and the leather jacket is the perfect accompaniment.. i look forward to wearing mine too!thanks for linking!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      29 August 2017 / 7:11 am

      Thanks, Jessica. I sort of fall in and out of love with my leather jacket. Right now I'm loving it. For the time being.

  7. Emma Peach
    28 August 2017 / 9:34 am

    I'm the same with my leather jacket – I go ages without wearing it, but when I do I remember why I love it so much. I totally agree with you on the subject of rules and lists of what to wear/what not to wear over a certain age. Those articles are clickbait and shouldn't be given oxygen. We have far more important things to do than worry about than that nonsense! Love your bag and earrings. Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      29 August 2017 / 7:12 am

      Absolutely! Yes, starve clickbait of oxygen, stop reacting to it, that's a better policy.

Leave a Reply