OK, OK, Uncle

Fine. 

I can admit it. 

I may have been wrong about the jean jacket.

Thinking back to the mid-80's, I loved, loved, loved my trim-fit Levi's jean jacket.  It completed what was my favorite outfit for the longest time - a thick white cotton t-shirt, Italian-restaurant table cloth red-and white checked Esprit shorts (size 8, bitches), a red fringed sash, pristine Keds with squashy white aerobics socks, a red bucket Liz Claiborne purse worn messenger-bag style, and the biggest hair you ever saw.  What made the jacket even better was the big U2 I painted on the back in the EXACT same pattern/color as the band's name on the Unforgettable Fire album.

I miss that jacket.

I miss the smug self-satisfaction of size 8.

(I don't miss the bear-claw bangs, though.)

Anyway, I'm thus opening my mind and heart to the possibility of wearing a jean jacket again and thought I should make that point public.

(Yes, I am procrastinating the real work I need to do - how did you know?)

Besides, how freaking cute would a little tailored denim jacket be with this purse?

No, I don't own this bag. 

(And I never will if I don't stop procrastinating and do my work.)

Comments

[Kelley Hassencahl]

I love the bag who makes it

[andie]

I'm a jean jacket wearer- I have a slightled fitted one that is tailored to give a distinct waistline. Looks cute with skirts, dresses, and pants, too.

embrace the jean jacket!

(i followed you from manic's... hope that's ok!)

[LLori]

Truly luv my 'ol Byblos blue jean jacket can't seem to part w/it. The purse is Art; however, Costco has jewelry (Italian) that costs less & you can wear it everyday w/any color outfit..day or nite, yummy. Yes, purses have gotten pricey. Just my two cents ? Luv Theory in everything . . they've gotten a lot of my $$$. Have Fun buying/shopping for your Book Tour!!! Enjoy!!! Humor (your book) . . it boosts brain-power & immune-cell function (per Dr. Roizen & Dr. Oz). w/Happiness, miracles happen . . often to those who are positive. Pinot Grigio, please!

[Cyndi]

Aw, come on. In style or no, I wore this very jacket (http://www.freewebs.com/purduepicc/pictures/bourbon.jpg) again yesterday and swear I looked adorable.

[rebecca homecca]

This post has me remincing about my high school jean jacket. I remember the day I bought it. It took all my birthday money...But was so worth it. I was totally bitchin in that jacket. I am trying to block out the memory of the bangs, however...
Oh, and yeah they are totally out. Despite what you may have heard.

[JuneBlossom3]

I miss being an almost-10. *sigh*

I'm IN LOVE with that bag.

Saw "bitter" in the bookstore the other day. Was reminded friend has not yet returned book. Also reminded that I AM DYYYYYYYYYYYIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG TO READ "Such a Pretty Fat"!!!!!!!

[Leslie]

I say go for the jacket! I have a fitted denim blazer from Express that is one of my absolute favorite pices--it looks great over a basic tank or tee with some candy-colored capris.

[Leslie]

I say go for the jacket! I have a fitted denim blazer from Express that is one of my absolute favorite pices--it looks great over a basic tank or tee with some candy-colored capris.

[Sara]

Ok - I saw the handbag on Neiman Marcus. $845.00!! While I would love love love to own this purse, I found a similar one at target.com. Search under Mossimo - Small Satchel - White.

I haven't bought it (yet) and it doesn't have the cute flower pattern but it's pretty and similar to the more expensive one. Also - you could buy a nice scarf with a flower motif to tie around the handle. I'm just sayin - that's a lot of money for a handbag.

Just my two cents...see ya.

Sara

[Sarah Grace]

I don't know about the jean jacket but I have been rocking the jean mini skirt lately - poor form?

I miss my WHITE jean jacket, circa 1989.

[Izabis717]

I love the bag, however I would be homeless if I wanted to afford it. However I cant do the jean jacket. It looks good on some people but I cant seem to make it work for me. Yesterday I ventured home to see my parents and my mom was wearing a canadian tuxedo and I made her change :)

[Karen Mc in Dallas]

Ok, I'm one that loves my jean jacket. Looks great, even with a little black dress, black flats, and pearls even!

[Leigh]

A little off the subject, but with summer on the way...check out these dresses! And the lounge pants! And the undies!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

[Marcia]

I love my jean jacket! I'm able to go semi casual with it when it's not even dress down days at work... whoo hoo!! Plus I just feel "cool" in it (i.e. younger... LOL!) Very verstile, and I actually got a nice one from Steve and Barry's for a mere $14! :D

[Kelly]

note: TAILORED jean jacket...like, blazer style jacket...definitely not 80s style jacket. totally different creature.

definitely in. definitely cute. and would look awesome with that purse.

[T]

I still have my jean jacket from 1988. It is too big on me. Yeah, I'm one of those women. I am still the same size I was at 18. Back then they called it a 3, now it is a 0. The jacket is too cute and means too much for me to pitch.

[D]

oops! ding dong! I see that your name is listed after the post. So, in fact, my comments were not logged under someone else's name. Sorry!

[D]

My post was also logged under somebody else's name (Shannon D.)????

Strange

[D]

The keds brought your entire outfit together for me. Back in the day, we were obsessive about our keds. The most important rule about the keds (besides whitness), the laces had to be undone. It was a sin to tie them up. FYI - A denim jacket is always cute with a spring dress.

[Shannon D.]

well ladies, after reading and posting comments on the infamous jj, i decided to get my circa 1993 classic cut GAP jj out and try it on. Heh heh. Two words: BOLERO JACKET. (it's not really, but sure fits like one now, 15 yrs and 60 lbs later)

[Shawna]

Screw the jacket... I have to have the bag! How mad could the bank manager get about a missed mortgage payment when s/he gets a load of that litttle gem dangling from my arm????

[Heather]

Shelli...I guess you could tell I am living vicariously through my daughter!!! If I weren't 38 and a homicide detective....Oh who am I kidding? If I had the freaking outfit I would wear it....I do have a Lilly Pulitzer white denim jacket I bought end of season last year (see: homicide cop, must buy end of season) And I am telling you I am GOING TO WEAR IT TO WORK THIS SPRING....am the only female...the only thing that will save me is that the Sheriff here dresses straight out of "Preppy's 'R' Us" white and tan saddle oxfords, white pants, polo shirts and all...he is good looking and so gets away with it....

[Nicole]

My Jean Jacket from the mid-80s is now on its third owner. I passed it on to my oldest nephew (it was a guys jean jacket), and he just passed it on to my youngest nephew, who is totally getting into the 80's skinny jeans and Chucks look.

[Kelly Marie]

Do they still sell aquanet?That smell would bring me back.

You all have sold me, I need to buy a denim jacket now!

[Lisa]

I will NEVER give up the denim jacket. I wear them till they are just bare thread denim vapor, then I buy a new one. Levi's jean jackets are a classic.

[tutugirl1345]

The key to a great jean jacket that doesn't look like its leftover from the 80's is a dark color and a smoother fabric...I have a great theory one I wear all the time, and no on says it looks like its from the 80's.

Oh, and as far as the idea that jean jackets make you look like a "suburban mommy", I'm 22 and in (a very fashion obsessed) college, and 50% of the girls I know own and wear jean jackets.

[amanda]

That bag screams : good things are going to happen with me hanging off your body.

Sigh. Everything I own that serves the function of storing stuff, whether it's a cabinet, a pocket or a purse- ends up with unidentifiable goopy, gummy funk coating its interior. I would be loathe to defile that bag in such a way.

[Lys]

Listen - I know some high hair and the 80s left a gal with an aversion for all things Aquanet/hairsprayed. Even my stylist knows to not put that can near me at all *LOL*

That purse is delish! Price tag - hmmmm... but I think this next book will definitely put the bag within reach, no?

[Michele]

I haven't been a size 8 since I was 8. Years old, that is.

[iamlandlocked]

Isaac Mizrahi (whom BTW I would love to be my best friend) says there are certain things that are never in style OR out of style--they just remain wardrobe staples for year after year. I know he includes cowboy boots and ponchos on this list, and I would bet jean jackets, since he works in denim so much. I think it's just the cut and wash that make a jean jacket more or less trendy. Right now everything seems to be tailored (read: for skinny girls) and dark (more slimming, but I can't wear the tailored jacket anyway, so what good does it do me?). I have a medium-dark, not so fitted jacket that I still wear to the beach on cold days, walking my dogs, and for general bumming around. I console myself with the fact that these basic jean jackets are never in or out of fashion with two important style icon groups: cowboys and rockers. And both of those embrace cowboy boots, so I am doubly validated when I wear mine with the jacket! I have plenty of cute flats, cropped Audrey jackets, etc., but there is something infinitely comfortable about wardrobe go-tos that never fail throughout the years and have weathered our worst fashion disasters. Think of a jean jacket like your pearls, Jen: timeless.

[Kim]

Yeah, it's #21. I'm such a dork. Sorry to be such a posting freak.

[Kim]

Okay, the link totally doesn't go to the picture. It's #20 in the Spring 07 collection. And it's hott.

[Kim]

I have a fabulous Yigal Azrouel denim jacket that I heart...it looks like the one in the link, only obviously in denim. I also have a Levi's one. But I totally get what you were saying. I had a little shame about them at first, but I'm clearly over it.

Have you decided what date you're coming to Indiana yet? I'm making the long journey from Milwaukee and can.not.wait.

http://www.yigal-azrouel.com/

[Poppy]

Color me clueless, but I had no idea that jean jackets were either in or out of style. They just are, like straight leg jeans, penny loafers, khakis, polo shirts, pearls, and button down shirts.

I was sure that fabric was the Marimekko poppy print. I have a huge tote bag and matching toiletry cases in that print--picked them out at the Crate and Barrel outlet. I enjoy the piss out of them (they're worth the price of admission for the pun factor alone) but they didn't cost $850.

I mean--that amount of money for canvas? It would be tragic when it got dirty. And you just know it would.

[samO]

While I admit that I DO still own a very cute, tailored, denim jacket, that thing hasn't seen the light of day in over a year. Come to think of it, it's going in the GoodWill bin TODAY. I have some mixed feelings about denim in general. I live in AZ so it's only wearable in the cooler months; i.e. under 55 degrees. I think it really makes one look like they just gave up on their outfit and like they are trying to hide something; like a spare tire or a fat ass. Both of which can be fixed with spanx. No one needs to know that I look like a stuffed sausage UNDER my clothes though!

Seriously though - it is kindof a tired look.

[Michelle]

Sorry, but I don't like the bag...jean jackets are, however too cute. My friend wears them alot, and they are so cute on her! Am I still permitted to post, Governor? (With the whole, "I don't like the bag." comment...".

[Christine]

Actually, you can rock a jean jacket that has U2 on the back in Seattle, as long as you carry the requisite amount of irony on board.

And when you come here in May, please remember, we are not warm here. Not warm at all. In fact it snowed yesterday. Feh.

[Christi]

Love the purse! Don't love Liz! Yeah, I have 2 kids, rock the burbs and crafts, and I might wear a JJ with khakis and wedges and I'll rock your world while doing so-effortlessly! Have you met me? I am the woman you wish you were!

[Kim]

Everything old is new again.
My 14 year old has a Levi jacket with a big Harley eagle logo sewn onto the back that rocks her world.
I have the re-invented jean jacket for baby boomers who want to cover some of the posterior: a blazer from Target circa 2 years ago. It's denim that says casual, combined with blazer that says professional = a perfect university work look.

[Shelli]

Do you have a picture of you in that outfit?

[Heather]

Ok, glad you restated your stance on denim jackets.....My daughter got one for Christmas.....White JCrew knee length shorts, white Polo knit shirt (with pink Polo-man)collar jacked up, with white flip flops and Vera's Pinwheel pink and green hipster...........she looks adorable.......sorry though, no 80's hair. I think the pictures of me in high school have scared her from ever having big hair.....

[Carolyn]

I just started reading Bright Lights, Big Ass. And I gotta say.... I love it! I had several laugh out loud moments. Even had to read a couple passages to the Hubs.

You are awesome. Keep up the good work!!

By the way..............Love the bag!

Carolyn

[Carolyn]

I just started reading Bright Lights, Big Ass. And I gotta say.... I love it! I had several laugh out loud moments. Even had to read a couple passages to the Hubs.

You are awesome. Keep up the good work!!

By the way..............Love the bag!

Carolyn
http://thebarberbunch.blogspot.com/

[Kat]

I have to go no with a jean jacket. I've tried, oh how I've tried. The answer is still no.
And yes, the bag is cute, but not $850 cute, and I can justify the purchase of almost anything (when I was unemployed (I use the term loosely, really I mean lazy for three weeks), I went on a spending spree and ended up with, amongst my entire savings account worth of other things, a $500 trench-coat which was ruined after an episode on weight loss tablets which saw me not eat for a week and then fall off the steps of the bus when disembarking. Not classy.)

[Shannon D.]

Trish- total agreement on the skinny jeans. Seriously the worst way to denim. Even for skinny girls. Gag. And yes they make your feet look big. I remember when tapered leg jeans were what everyone at school wore, and tight rolled (peg legged) at that, and so of course i followed the trend. Well i also had ginormous feet- size 9 and a half and was only 5"3 or so. So i had huge freak feet for my height. And i recall always thinking that my feet looked even more waterski-like due to the skinny pant legs. Needless to say, i was more than a little thrilled to welcome the wide leg pants trend into society! Definitely proportioned my huge feet a bit better. Vive wide legs! And fashionistas- jean jackets ARE ok- so long as they're not frosted denim, bedazzled, or puffy sleeved, double denimed, or puff painted. Lol.

[MsMickey]

I have gotten to where I hate all denim. I do own 2 pairs of jeans.But I hate denim jackets, they are NOT cute on anyone, denim dresses, skirts, shirts, etc are U-G-L-Y and unsophisticated. The purse is a whole other story, I love it, I want it and it would be cute with pearls.

[Trish Weidig]

Shannon D.,

I am SO there with you on the skinny jean phenomenon. I mean, what is THAT about? And with ballerina flats, no less! The teeny flats make my feet look like they belong on a Barbie, which gives the optical illusion that my hips are WIDER in comparison now that they are accentuated by the skinny jean and balanced above the miniscule Barbie ballet flat feet. The end result is I end up looking egg shaped! (That is, if I had bought the heinous outfit, which I definately did not because I am convinced that skinny jeans would make even KATE MOSS look pudgy.) So, I propose we nip this early-80's skinny jean thing in the proverbial skinny-tight butt right now and jump to the mid-80's tunic tops with the WWF-style chunky belts. You in?

Oh, and "meaty" sounds a little like hamburger.... We are waaaaaaaay more sophisticated than hamburger. We need a cooler name. Want to be the "Filet Chicks"? Ooooh, what about "Femme Filets"?

So,

[Shannon D.]

Because seriously- was there a group of skinny bitches who got together and decided to make skinny jeans cool again just to be condescending to us ahem, meaty girls?

[AJMick]

Yes, folks, your name sits under your post when you comment on Jen's site.

As for the jean jacket? I actually have two, one a dark denim with pink quilted lining by Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Why? Why not. I embrace my '80's childhood... it's not Pepe or Guess, it's Mizrahi. My other one is fitted and a little distressed and I wear it with all black and kickass heels on days when I want to feel a litte rock 'n roll. Hey, I'm a chick working with all men... the rocker look intimidates the hell outta them and what's better than that? Oh, and I had a very whitebread, country club upbringing.

Stop taking yourselves so seriously! It's a jean jacket for goodness sake! But one rule I must agree with... don't double the denim.

[Shannon D.]

Sorry- i don't dig that bag. However i do believe a jean jacket can be cute still today. I still own my high school jj purchased at the GAP circa 1993. It's of the darker denim variety and still kind of cute. I don't wear it though b/c it's too depressing squeezing into it when i remember it being large and roomy back in the day. Sigh. To those dissing the jj- it's a classic- it will keep reappearing over and over.sure beats tapered leg skinny jeans.