Imagine owning a wardrobe of leather jackets. Evidently they’re a closet essential, as I recently discovered from a work wear panel and an article about Sally Krawcheck. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to find two options from bust-friendly retailers: last year’s still-available quilted jacket from Pepperberry, and the “ultimate” jacket in Bordeaux from Saint Bustier.

There’s also Leah’s favorite fall clothing item out of her entire wardrobe, this leather biker jacket from Wilson’s Leather.

Since we don’t have a lot of real leather options, I’ve started looking at faux leather. My search just began last Thursday on a mall scouting trip, so I share only one busty faux leather jacket with you today, this cable-knit textured faux-leather jacket from NY & Co. The vertical seams down the front, plus the knit side panels kept the size L from giving me a smashed-boobs look when zipped. They also kept it from giving me a boxy shape–the garment followed the curves of my waist and back.

Fascinatingly, I just tried the NY&Co “Your True Size” calculator, and it also put me in a size L after asking me for my height, weight, size in another brand, AND my bra band and cup size (including options below a 32 and above an American G!). I would love to hear your own results if you try jackets from this brand.

At the same panel, I learned that bombers are big this season, especially in luxe fabrics for fall and winter, and they can even replace your classic cardigan. I wasn’t very excited by the news because jackets that end in a poof at my waist generally turn me into a top-heavy snowball.

That’s why I was REALLY excited when a friend told me about long line versions of the bomber jacket. I haven’t tried the Express jacket below, but I will the next time I’m at the mall. Those dropped shoulders are a good sign that sizing up to fit your bust (if necessary) won’t make the rest of the jacket look baggy. This jacket also comes in a gorgeous pale pink and your basic black.

The reason I didn’t try the long bomber jacket is because I got distracted by the olive puffer bomber jacket below.

The size chart says I should be in an XL, but the L fit me perfectly. There are no special seams down the front and no knit panels, so I’m guessing the reason I don’t get a smashed-boob look here is the generous cut of fabric that causes the blouson-effect at the ribbed hem. Do you have any theories for this?

The quilted lining means this is practical for transitional weather.

This was my first bomber jacket to try, but it won’t be my last. I want to find out if most bombers will fit big boobs, or if it’s a matter of brand. I hope it’s the bomber factor because I love this floral one from NY&Co. What have you discovered?

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