Moto Mojo

waxed cotton moto jacket, moto-style jacket, Chanel sunglasses, Hermès collier de chien cuff

For a couple of years now, I’ve been on the hunt for a leather moto-style jacket. I wanted a simple design, great fit, not too much hardware or detailing, and a soft, light weight leather. Nothing I tried met all of those criteria.

Eileen Fisher moto jacket, Chanel sunglasses, Hermès leather cuff

It turns out my perfect leather moto jacket wasn’t leather at all, but rather a waxed cotton twill. This is actually a much better choice for our climate than leather, and is machine washable!

Hermes leather cuff bracelet

Eileen Fisher moto jacket, waxed cotton moto jacket
No, I can’t actually ride it but it’s a great prop!

moto mojo 8

Jacket: Eileen FisherTank: Eileen Fisher / Jeans: Eileen Fisher (I’m nuts about these jeans too) / Boots: several years old, similar / Sunglasses: Chanel, similarEarrings: Argento Vivo, similar / Cuff: vintage Hermès, from Beladora, similar.

Check back next week for more on non-leather moto jackets, and some thoughts on styling them. (Yes, even for the office!)

Do you have a moto-style jacket? Is it leather of another material?

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66 Comments

  1. You look fabulous! I sent a link to this post to my sister, who rides a Vespa. She needs this exact ensemble!

  2. You look so COOL! And I love the idea of the waxed cotton jacket — leather is of limited use here in Madrid, because it’s too hot for much of the year, and then it’s too cold. Or raining. May have to trot off to Nordie’s website and see if there’s one in my size.

  3. You look SO COOL! I love this idea… just checked the Nordies site and in plus, alas, they only have 3x, which is much too big for me. May have to make one. Wonder if I can find waxed canvas fabric online…

        1. Kathleen, I found some waxed cotton on E-bay — British made, and since the Brits invented it, it’s got to be good. As for a pattern, there’s great looking one at Hot Patterns that I’ve had my eye on for a while called the “Agostini Moto Jacket”.

          (Pseu, apologies for the double post — it looked like they’d both gotten munched up when I clicked the post button… Weird.)

          1. Thanks! Emmaonesock has a few fabric possibilities. I’m looking at Kwiksews moto jacket too.

  4. I received a mailer from EF yesterday and noted this jacket. It looks fabulous on you! Are you going to try EF’s waxed jeans?

    1. Susan, I tried them and they’re fabulous, but I felt as though they’d be more of a “limited wear” item for me. The jacket I’d wear to the office, the jeans probably not.

  5. I can only echo all your other commenters — you look fabulous! I have a leather moto, yes, and it gets a lot of wear, although it’s tucked away for the summer — the cotton wouldn’t have to be, I guess!
    Are you doing the photos with a self-timer, or have you roped someone in to snap the shots for you? They’re really turning out well!

  6. Just a note, while this jacket is not currently available on the Eileen Fisher website, I did spot it on the Saks.com site. Susan’s styling of the jacket is MUCH superior to what Saks Fifth Avenue did for their website. I had to go back and look at the photos hear to make sure it is the same jacket. It is.

  7. GREAT PICTURES! We (us mature gals) need photos like this, stylish and with a snappy attitude. You look wonderful!

    blue hue wonderland

  8. Yes, I have 3, one in caramel leather, another in light chambray denim and the last, in a jacquard metallic stripe, of all things! Love them all, still looking for the quintessential black leather one, though. Yours is a fantastic choice!

    You’re looking fab with the blonde hair, those gorgeous sunnies and that Vespa! Hubby and I drove to Versailles from Paris on one just like it, same green shade! Brings back great memories!

  9. You look so cool! I’m thinkin’ the original “Breathless” movie, the French one, but without the cigarettes.

    Great idea having waxed cotton – that sounds perfect for So Cal. And I hope the Vespa owner didn’t come back unexpectedly and chase you away!

  10. Ooh, my dear friend’s favorite brand. I will have to alert her about this jacket in case she would like to try your badass look.

  11. The pic of you checking your lipstick in the bikes mirror could be a magazine ad! So sexy! I do love the jacket, but I’m not sure if I wouldn’t look “age inappropriate (64) if I tried one.

    1. Just an observation: The 2 rave reviews on the Nordstrom site are by femmes d’un certain ages!! I bet they look amazing, as I’m sure you would too!

  12. You look great – you’ve really nailed your style. I have a black leather moto jacket that I bought 30 years ago, and I still wear it. It’s gotten better and better with age. Very creative photos too – want that bike.

  13. I love the cut of the jacket and the material is just heaven 🙂 Speaking from personal experience, it’s durable, breathes nicely and ages beautifully. Bonus: it’s cruelty free

  14. WOW! Get you anywhere near a scooter and you become a styling demon. I remember your last scooter photo too.
    This is thee most awesome set of photos of you – zesty, fresh, oozing ‘tude. I love that your jacket is not leather which can be heavy and sweaty.
    So let’s see you in the next set of snaps with a dude on the back of your bike with you.

  15. Susan, I, too, have a fabric jacket that has a bit of sheen that is my leather-type jacket. I wear it every spring and fall and it looks great with jeans. It’s a basic jacket with a center zipper, small breast zippered pocket, and slanted zipper pockets, giving it the leather-jacket type look that I want. And I love that I can easily wash it! Congratulations on your find – it looks great on you! (Do you drive the Vespa?)

  16. The pictures are indeed to the perfection. And I´m so glad, that you did not buy a leather m-
    jacket, in your climates.

  17. Susan you rock the look, the moto jacket is a very flattering cut and style. I am rather attached to the moto jacket, mine is in brown – looking great with flare circle skirts as well worn with high heels! Your shoes just rounds off the entire look, ready to hop onto the scooter. Your photographs look like a shoot straight out of a fashion magazine!
    FF

  18. Oh my goodness. These photos make me happy and smiling just looking at them! You look so chic and I feel brave and inspired to go hop on a motorcycle. This is not my look — I’m not into moto jackets or boots, or even waxed denim — but you make me want to try the EF jacket. You have made me brave enough to try skinny jeans and the EF ones are soft and flattering. Thank you! This could be a professional shoot! The first photo is my particular favorite.

  19. What is it about you and motorcycles that looks so right – from an Italian movie star in chic scarf and dotted dress to a cool, don’t-mess-with-fascinating-me in black and blue?

  20. Wonderful jacket, and such a chic look.
    leather or not it is fabulous, and you say, even better.
    Love your boots too.
    Glad to be back, dear friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  21. These pictures of you are amazing, Susan…super cool! I looked at this jacket at Saks recently and it is a wonderful jacket…you made a smart purchase here! You look great and I love the shoes!

  22. I don’t own a moto jacket YET, but after seeing this post, I’m definitely on the hunt for one. Thank you for posting your great find. I’m also loving the prop, I think you do need to go for a ride.

  23. Love! I found a black Chanel-esque jacket at TopShop! Not leather but “pleather” and a good price. I have several moto jackets in different colors, but my FAVE is the one that Cyndi Lauper wore at her “She’s so Unusual” anniversary concert. Called the store the next day and got one of my own. Hot pink leather! LOVE!

  24. hi, I discovered your great post at Visible Monday! You remind me of me. I thinner me, but none the less we seem to have similar styles. I am following, now.

  25. I’m on a hunt for a black moto this year as well, also. Will make do until deeper in the season, though. Had a great one, but one of my cats decided to use it as a ladder to get to the top of the closet … then caught herself on it on the way down when I surprised her with disapproval. The cat is still alive, but on probation.
    You look delightful … I love your choice, and your staging. It looks very cool on you. Wish you hadn’t admitted you didn’t actually ride the scooter, though!

  26. Pseu, love the look. Does your husband take the photos? They and you are looking more and more professional. I actually saw this on Not Dead Yet which I linked to from your posts to begin with. Full circle.

    1. California Girl, no I take them myself with a remote shutter trigger. If le monsieur took them, it would take all day!