Jess and Jase (old): Deconstructing the RZP: Wherein I disgress and harangue about leather jackets, among other things

RZP Season 2, Episode 3.

Oh Tay. I know that all of your bitching and moaning is really just wrongly-placed insecurity over not being the only "styling assistant" in Rach's newly growing business. But you know what happens when you grumble too much? Brad gets put in charge of dressing Annie for the Oscars, including getting her changed into the surprise performance piece, and he totally kills it! He shuts it down!

Not to mention, although Tay had to help Rach pull the outfits for Liv's wardrobe, Brad was the one that got to be there when Liv came to try everything on. Because he's not such a Debbie Downer. And Rach's clients all seem to love to work with him. Did you hear how he says that he's "partied with Liv" on several occasions? Has Tay ever "partied with Liv"? And, what is Liv doing out partying? Doesn't she have a son she's supposed to be raising?

Aside from saying that every girl should have a killer pair of red heels (check), Rach also gives us this bon mot about how essential a leather jacket is: “Throw a leather jacket over a ballgown. Throw it over a romper. Throw it over anything and everything. It’s the quickest way to get that edgy, cool, I-didn’t-try-too-hard look.” Now, I can see what she's saying (conceptually), but I don't think I will be taking this piece of advice to heart because I am just not a leather jacket girl. Even those new shrunken ones that are more like bomber jackets.

Don't leather jackets remind you of the '90s? I remember my first year in Philly, everyone was wearing those ugly leather jackets in the winter that looked something like an unfortunate combination of a blazer and a peacoat.

(Maxwell Spense Leather Blazer from Wilson's Leather.)

These days, the leather jackets are cuter, I admit.

(Jacket from ShopBop, Mike and Chris "Janus" leather jacket.) (Also, as a side note, my mom would DIE for me to have this model's hair.)

But, I dunno, there is still something...icky to me about wearing an entire jacket made out of leather. If you get even just a little hot (or go to some restaurant with a pervasive food smell), can you just imagine what that thing would smell like?? It is a good thing I live in LA where it rarely is cold enough to justify leather so I can continue to ignore this fashion trend.

However, because I am full of contradiction, I am totally digging the trend of the leather (looking) legging, notably Sass & Bide's Black Rats.

From Net-A-Porter, which notes, "Pair these ruched wet-look leggings with a tunic or oversized tee for a directional day-to-evening style. Shown here with a McQ blazer, a Rick Owens Lilies top, Christian Louboutin shoes, a Philippe Audibert bracelet and a Chloé clutch."

This leggings-and-a-boyfriend-blazer-with-cuffed-sleeves look is ubiquitous now. Am I too short to pull it off? Also, I don't know about the whole wearing blazers outside of work thing. I mean, I have to wear a suit most days, and the last thing I want to wear "out" is part of a work suit (or at least something that looks like it is part of my work suit). I also feel like girls that wear blazers out to social events look like they take themselves too seriously. True? What do you think?

ANYWAY, back to the liquid leggings. Currently, ShopBop is selling grey "Black Rats" for $176. But! Last weekend I found a pair of shiny leather-esque leggings at Target for $12.99! (They also had lace leggings and side zipper leggings!)