Delayed Sticker Shock.

[Xopher]

So I will be the first to say that Yes I have a jacket addiction. I've been researching and buying jackets for about 7 years now, mostly WWII flight jackets. But I just had a very startling realization..... I don't know the exact number of jackets I have....and I estimated that I have spent no less than $5000 on jackets..... When a number is put on it, it really opens my eyes. $5k on jackets..... do you think I have a problem?

 

[handymike]

not yet

 

[bn1966]

You need therapy before it gets worse....

 

[sweetfights]

I posed a similar question- yes we are sick or else the rest of the world is stylishly deprived

 

[Monitor]

$5000 altogether?? Man, I think there were months when I spent close to that and that's the money I never even had to begin with. It was seriously sad and got to the point that I had to make a pledge to never again buy a new jacket.

Or at least not one at a full price. . .

Because I just bought a new jacket few days ago.

 

[ton312]

I dare not even look at what I've spent. I don't think I could effectively record an accurate log. One thing that has helped me feel significantly less guilty is selling stuff that either falls from favor or that doesn't get used. I've had a turnstlye running for a good 10-15 years. Catch/release and repeat. Lately I've found some joy in finding things that are less expensive, maybe a bit unusual/rare and take a bit more digging and patience to come across. I've got one more custom Aero coming down the pipe...it's my exit piece. I'd love a Thedi but I'm going to retire from these jackets for a bit and see where I'm at a few years down the road. The itch will always be there but I'll satisfy it with a smaller scratcher.

 

[jacketjunkie]

I am still looking for that exit jacket. Thought plenty of times before I had found it, turns out I was wrong every one. I'm starting to wonder whether any jacket can actually satisfy that hunger or whether the exit jacket illusion is just the next step towards personal insolvency..

 

[photo2u]

I tried to stop collecting. I was out for some time but I am back again. Since I purchased the HD I have been getting some biker type jackets. Thanks to some very nice gents in this forum I have made excellent trades. Currently, I have a bug for a j23. I bought one from a fine member here but I need one in the brown color.

My bug started more than 30 years ago with the first purchase of a Schott bomber type. I used to call it the bear due to its weight and the custom real sheepskin vest and detachable collar.

 

[dubpynchon]

I wish I could go back in time to when I’d only spent €5000 on jackets, I’d sit myself down and have a good talk with myself... but it would make no difference. It’s incurable.

I find the only time I’m not thinking about a new jacket is when I’m waiting for another to be made/ delivered. In summer I think about sheepskins and in winter about leather. Help.

 

[bluesforchallah]

What's even worse, the amount of money I've probably spent on tobacco or black market Marijuana over the course of my late teens and thru my 20's and into my 30's is staggering. Though marijuana has been legal here in Washington now for a couple years (recreationally), and therefore brought prices down, it's still been more than 15 years since I've "roasted a bowl".

At least you've got something to show for it and can still get some return on your investment.

 

[El Marro]

I think I spent close to $5000 in my first year collecting jackets. I have slowed down quite a bit but I never know when the fever will return...
Some of the jackets that we've seen from Thedi on here in the last week or two have got my temperature rising!

 

[BobJ]

That is less expensive than a lot of things people collect.

It is a hobby that draws you into learning about things you might, otherwise, never had known.

Through this forum I have learned more about leather than I ever thought I would in ten lifetimes, how it's tanned, different types, zippers, linings, historical civilian styles, military styles, how they should fit, early days of aviation, WW2, different types of WW2 airplanes, bombers and battles, motorcycle culture, punk and pop rock culture, British rockers, the 59 Club, ton ups, Frank-N-Furter and fishnet hosiery (thank you Edward), artisan made boots, clothing, denim and, of course, leather jackets.

And, what I have come to value even more than all that, is getting to know the people here, learning from them, chatting with people from all over the world, with vastly different personalities, cultures, and lives. And, in spite of all that, we have a warm and lively conversation going on here because of our shared interests.

It's a worthy hobby, you get a lot more than just a collection of jackets for your money.

 

[technovox]

Sure, 5k may seem like a substantial bit of green for a collection of quality leather jackets. But look at it this way- as far as collecting goes, it could be much, much more worse...say if you were collecting post war art, vintage cars, Italian motorcycles, Rolexes and Pateks, horses or yachts. In retrospect, I've found that leather jackets have given me one of the best returns for the amount of joy and distraction I've derived, when compared to other collectibles, dollar for dollar.

 

[Fanch]

I particularly liked the response of @BobJ who is probably the only one of us that doesn't need group psychotherapy for jacket addiction. And don't get me started on collecting guns and watches.

 

[nick123]

I've done some shameful things to finance the addiction, which I will refrain from going into. That aside, I think we get a mini-education in our quest, as BobJ more or less said. Had I not been introduced to the subject, I'd be still looking at the waist-line and going "wtf are they on to? The belt is not cut in half! The belt is in-tact!"

 

[ton312]

That is less expensive than a lot of things people collect.

It is a hobby that draws you into learning about things you might, otherwise, never had known.

Through this forum I have learned more about leather than I ever thought I would in ten lifetimes, how it's tanned, different types, zippers, linings, historical civilian styles, military styles, how they should fit, early days of aviation, WW2, different types of WW2 airplanes, bombers and battles, motorcycle culture, punk and pop rock culture, British rockers, the 59 Club, ton ups, Frank-N-Furter and fishnet hosiery (thank you Edward), artisan made boots, clothing, denim and, of course, leather jackets.

And, what I have come to value even more than all that, is getting to know the people here, learning from them, chatting with people from all over the world, with vastly different personalities, cultures, and lives. And, in spite of all that, we have a warm and lively conversation going on here because of our shared interests.

It's a worthy hobby, you get a lot more than just a collection of jackets for your money.

What great point @BobJ! It's always good to be among birds of a feather. And there's no doubt this forum flys together. We may occasionally disagree or have dissimilar intrests but by and large, we are all here united under one common ground. Excellent post Bob and very true.

 

[Worf]

Over the years I've collected, bass guitars, home audio gear and jackets/coats/hats. This is my far the cheapest hobby of all of em. And it takes a lot less space as well.

Worf

 

[CBI]

yep, all well said...there are so many hobbies that cost so much more.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

A few points.

1. Compared to a lot of us, that's not all that much money on jackets.
2. There are so many other hobbies that cost a heck of a lot more money.
3. As @BobJ said, I have learned so much from diving into this hobby as well as the world of raw denim and quality boots, shirts, etc. As a history major, this kind of hobby is such a perfect fit. It's more than just a hobby for me, it's an integral part of me at this point. I would sooner stop buying clothes forever and keep what I have than have to give up what I own and buy 'normal' or high fashion clothes from now on.

 

[Monitor]

I am still looking for that exit jacket.

Well, you found mine.