What Is The Method to Your Leather Jacket Madness?

[dudewuttheheck]

I think I am probably mostly in C, but with some elements of A and B. I have gone through phases, but not to the point of buying multiple of the same jacket or anything like that. I have only done this once, but it wasn't a phase. It was just that I found a jacket model that I liked and fit me well. Right now, I'm really liking cross zip sports jackets, but each one I'm getting is different in style and color. Plus, I'm selling one of them so I'll only have two in total at the end of the day.

I can be impulsive very rarely. I did that with my Freewheelers roughout type III jacket, but that's it.

Mostly, I am fairly strategic. I don't want to cover every single category, but I do want to make sure that I don't double up on everything. Right now I have a black straight zip motorcycle style jacket, one roughout denim style jacket, one mid brown half belt, and one dark brown cross zip sports jacket plus a couple jackets I'm selling. I will also add a mid brown cross zip sports jacket which will kind of double up in two categories, but that's because I have a LOT of mid brown boots so it's a jacket color that I can wear the most often.

That's another way that I strategize- I personally care a lot about matching my jacket leathers to my boot leathers pretty accurately. I build my jacket and boot collection partly in conjunction with each other, making sure I have a good variety of colors that go or match well together so I can wear them together.

 

[ABCD]

I will only buy new what I can't buy second hand (eg FL and Thedi).

I only buy second hand if it's in unworn or in gently worn condition.

I only buy vintage if it's in very good condition.

I currently haven't set any limits for myself as to which style or how many jackets I can buy. If the price is right, I buy whatever I can find.

I'm having a lot of fun handling a lot of different styles from different makers, documenting them by taking fit pics and closeups of all the details.

 

[Monitor]

Mostly A, though mixed with B.

Been thinking recently how I have been using this heritage clothes deal as a crutch of a sort toward developing a style of a sort, using it as a safety net, something tried & tested and it's definitely not where I want to stop and stay forever. Same as I don't want to base my entire individuality just on a leather jacket. Or a price tag.
There's so much fun stuff out there and I want to keep on exploring. I don't think I'll ever stop wearing leather, though as I genuinely love it but I also don't suppose I'll make another custom order or buy a particularly pricey used leather jacket.

Brands mean little and prices guarantee nothing to me. So... We'll see.

 

[Aerielle Max]

This thread is really interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Hm, interesting topic.
My wishes are too special, to get much leather jackets.

Filter:
1. lightweight
2. quality Suede on realistic price

Both are rare to get.
Im still in love with my black goat Suede blouson and the lightweight Nappa blouson. And my 2006's undestructable pork(split) Suede jacket.

 

[dwilson]

100% C. Although I only own 2 "real" leather jackets. I also am extremely make driven with my known love for all things Flat Head. So I wanted a brown flat head jacket and a black flat head jacket. I waffled between getting a black cafe racer, citizen or biker and eventually landed on my Delraiser. However if a black cafe racer in my size was readily available there would be a strong chance I'd have that one instead.

 

[red devil]

Next step is a crosszip, if you don't know, your subconscious does

I am an explorer on a long journey

 

[hondurasdave47]

You didn't have to out me like that lol touché

LOL. If all of my jackets fit the way yours do, I would also buy all of the jackets!

 

[navetsea]

I personally believe now from past experiences, if I love a hobby, then I will thread on it slowly, and to keep some mysteries unexplored as long as I can, same like playing sandbox RPG video game you love, you wont be main questing back to back and finish the game in 3 days right. I rather spend 30 days just walking around talking to townies, doing side quest, playing mini games, leveling up, installing some mods, making my own mods in between main quests. Would take me 300 days or more to finish or even leave it unfinished to come back later.

 

[Coriu]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the responses and learning about each one of your perspectives. Hoosier Daddy's post struck a chord. Regardless of what we are collecting, over time, I think we "settle in" to that which we really like and there is a certain satisfaction in the calm.

 

[jadub]

I’m looking forward to settling in with same great fitting jackets in a variety of styles made of great leather. I can’t remember if there’s a letter for wanting to experience all the quality leathers out there but that one would be me. Leather has that special something.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

If possible, I suggest going through Thurston Bros. and Carrie for a fit jacket and adjusting your sizing concerning certain brands. Can alleviate disappointments and re-do.

 

[jadub]

I have a B6 through Thurston but that has to be the extent of my custom purchases for a while. It is a spot on fit I think and was a very good experience. On the second hand market I’ve had one miss and one possible miss with the PHWM I recently got here. As it turns out I’m really enjoying the break in experience with the PHWM. I enjoy the hunt for a second hand jacket too. I wish I were the same size as many people on this forum I can tell you that!

 

[Coriu]

A simple approach would be to break things down into three or four categories, depending upon your climate:
-Dress-half belt or some collared jacket styles
-Everyday-Trucker
-Riding-Cross zip/Cafe racer
-Winter-insulated, parka type

I really like the trucker for everyday wear. I think it is the most versatile of all leather jackets. Do others feel the same way? A nice one can be used for casual dress, ie at a business meeting, without being too intimidating.

I don't hear too much detailed discussion of leather for "dress." I think that should be a consideration, ie selecting a jacket(s) for your wardrobe that could be worn for dressier occasions.

I've learned the joy of collecting is being able to share, and see the response it elicits. That's a limitation of jackets. I collect rare plants, and whether people like plants or not, they normally love walking through the gardens.

Although I love leather jackets, I've never said to even my closest of friends, "Hey, why don't you come up to bedroom and we'll go in my closet together. I have something I'd like to show you." And I'd much rather have paintings on my walls than leather jackets My point...experiment and don't limit yourself to collecting only things that are hidden away in a closet. Been there, done that.

 

[nick123]

I now mainly have a wardrobe of entirely A-2s and USN jackets. My lust for civie jackets is in hibernation for the time being.still think cross zips are absolutely rad and have loved Highwaymans and 30s half belts but am now dry in that department.

Let’s hope it stays this way, because I’ve put all my cards in one basket! Reached a point where I feel largely content with the collection, except I have a bunch in the closet that are just sitting there. About 8-9 daily wearers, really got the Goodwear bug so I can relate to Jonesy. Until the dreaded summer around the corner...

Maybe one more epic civie jacket and I’ll be done for a while. Then it’s time to pour efforts into affording a house or whatever...if I ever go Japan I plan to head home with a McCoy’s J-100 or something.

 

[mtrlr]

Madness..er no. Over the years I have tried several different maker's leather jackets. After I found my preferred fit and finish with certain brands and sold off the previous 'try ons', I ended up with six leather jackets that I alternate wearing and am completely satisfied with.

The end jackets....
View attachment 328245 View attachment 328247 View attachment 328248 View attachment 328249 View attachment 328250 View attachment 328251

The previous journey jackets....

@HoosierDaddy What's that black cross zip? Looks great.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

It's a Schott 'Retro' '30s style MC jacket that they made for a short period of time. Thanks.

 

[jonesy86]

The understatement of 2021 so far.

Ya think?

 

[Brmn]

For me the main axes are leather type and style. For example I want one really good horsehide double rider, one goatskin aviator, and one lighter suede or lambskin piece. That way the rotation feels purposeful, each jacket fills a different slot. But I also try to keep things balanced price-wise: sometimes I’ll pick up a more affordable piece if it fills a gap, other times I’ll save for a higher-end one that feels like a long-term keeper. If I find something that does the job better, I’ll replace it, but I try to avoid redundancy now.

 

[Edward]

I've had about a million versions of a word document saved on my laptop with my wishlist for years. Usually classified initially by colour, then hide, general style, weather (specifically this is about lining, and whether there's room to layer... Many leathers I prefer them to fit over just a shirt and waistcoat or shirt and neat sweater, not hefty layering for the cold...). It evolves and changes over time as different things become available or my priorities change. As to what I buy, though, there are only really two key rules: I have to be able to wear it, and I have to actually wear it. I don't have the storage space or the budget to own just for a collection's sake. Big part of why I no longer look at genuine vintage (pre-1960) as an option. Rarely if ever those would fit me, and if they do and are in wearable condition they're out of my budget, and if they' be wearable and affordable, chances are I'd be too previous about "a piece of history" to really enjoy it...