Delayed Sticker Shock.

[Superfluous]

 

[jacketjunkie]

Well, you found mine.

Which one?

 

[Justhandguns]

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?

Haha, this is certainly the wrong place to whine about spendings on jackets!

If you are collection the originals, congratulations! The prices these days have rocketed so much that it is better than investing in the stock market! (Well, that is if you started collecting some 10-20yrs ago or even earlier).

I only have a small collection compared to the other fellow members, I stopped buying two years ago because of my other half . I think I have most of the patterns (styles) covered, A-2s, G-1s, nylons, bikers etc etc., the recent price hike also prices me out of reach for some brands as well, therefore, for my own consumption, I guess I have enough. Have I spent 5k on those jackets? Probably yes. Will I buy more? Certainly yes, but those jackets will have to be exceptional. Are they worth it? I would say yes, at least I can practically wear them. If you are talking about 5k worth of toys, that's just nothing! A brand new Rolex Submariner would set you back in excess of 7k, the 2017 Harley Street Rod is listing for 8.7k; the overly hyped iPhone X costs just over 1k (that will probably last for 2yrs of service). So there you go, jackets aren't so bad after all!

 

[Xopher]

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.

I think you are absolutely right. I think the jackets are just the physical manifestion of my love of history and aviation and the admiration of what our ancestors accomplished. I just got a really stellar ELC RW B3 and when I wear it, I feel like I am wearing knights armor. It is the shining armor of a generation that I am closest to and can still find people who fought in the originals. I guess it's an homage to those rare old birds who were to tough as hickory and sharp as a whittling knife.

 

[Xopher]

You guys really made me feel a lot better. You have some excellent points which I will remember. Our hobby is useful, high quality and lasting. I have no regrets now.

The comment "we fly together" made me think. We ought to have a squadron patch or something made, just for us Jacketeers...maybe some day we will see it in the real world and know it's one of us lol

 

[Fonzie]

It’s your money, so do what makes you happy. You’re not harming anyone with this hobby (I hope) and as the Franz Kafka quote goes:
“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bfd70]

Think it's been well covered, but
1. How much money constitutes a lot varies substantially person to person
2. Certainly costlier hobbies

 

[Monitor]

Which one?

That damn Cal, dude. I can't get over it. I've been looking for something in 11oz for years, ever since that Natal leathers. That's all there is. . .

 

[nick123]

You guys really made me feel a lot better. You have some excellent points which I will remember. Our hobby is useful, high quality and lasting. I have no regrets now.

The comment "we fly together" made me think. We ought to have a squadron patch or something made, just for us Jacketeers...maybe some day we will see it in the real world and know it's one of us lol

A tattoo. I would. I actually want to steal that cool dog logo Thurston uses, but perhaps turn it into a husky or cockatiel. I really would!
https://www.thurston-bros.com/

 

[jacketjunkie]

That damn Cal, dude. I can't get over it. I've been looking for something in 11oz for years, ever since that Natal leathers. That's all there is. . .

I mean, you could have it, I don't think I'll wear it much, it's more of a collection piece, but I'm afraid it's too short for you

 

[Monitor]

I mean, you could have it, I don't think I'll wear it much, it's more of a collection piece, but I'm afraid it's too short for you

Man, half of my jackets are barely 23". :3 If the sleeves are okay, I don't care about back length. But why in God's name wouldn't you wear it???

 

[jacketjunkie]

Sleeves are kind of on the short side, too. When I grab for a cross zip, it's the Langlitz, every time. That cossack collar and overall fit and mobility in it is way too cool.

 

[Bern1]

I didn't have sticker shock for the first couple of jackets. I traded Stuart for some vintage guitar gear.

After that the sticker shock was instant, nothing delayed about it. I went crazy for a year or two, then it abated a bit. I can go for a long time without thinking about jackets.......then I'll sign on to this forum and focus on a jacket that I just have to have.

Sometimes the jacket wins. Last one was an Aero Bootlegger, man I love that jacket!

Must keep saying no to the Teamster.......

 

[Sloan1874]

I actually hadn't heard of 'sticker shock' before, but, yeah, I did a rough calculation in my head last night and once I got beyond a certain figure, I stopped. My rationale has been 'yes, a lot of money, but taken over five years it's not that much and they all look crazy good, so I shan't kvetch too much.

 

[Guppy]

I think I have around $10k of jackets for sale... Which is obviously not counting the keepers. So... Yeah, it adds up! Won't be so bad once i get them all sold, though.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Bob J summed it up very nicely indeed.

I recently was reflecting upon how I got into this Hobby/Addiction/etc. At first, it was just the draw an intrest (and smell) of the leather itself, it was the later 80's and lots of people wore leather jackets in the US. I wound up over the years adjusting to liking the more Motorcycle style jackets and longer sleeves, with thicker hides. I never really liked the Lambskin jackets, it needs to have some "heft" and require the break-in for me.

Now, as Bob said, this community has taught me a lot, and the collection of the jackts is secondary to what I have learned here. I can honestly say that this forum is a great place to research, learn, and have a good laugh too! Even though there's been a cost in terms of jackets bought & sold, as indicated it's a lot cheaper than many "collections." Oh, and for referance's sake, I run an i-Phone SE which cost all of $49.00 two years back, I got 5 years out of my old i-Phone 4, which when I bought it cost $69.00. And I missed nothing at all.

 

[LaymanX]

$5000? ... ha ha ha

Let's see.. started off with a 1950's half belt from Aero, exchanged it with Aero during the 'storse' debacle, turns out it was actually FQHH but I didn't want to eat more shipping costs so I exchanged it for credit.

Used that credit to get a Highwayman.. wore it a bit, found it pretty blousey, sold it at a loss and bought... another Highwayman.

This one was super long in every regard, but I thought it could work. Maybe it could crease up a little? Maybe there was a hot water treatment somewhere? Nope. Sold it at a loss.

It's around this time that I started working with Carrie instead of Aero directly, so I ended up getting the infamous Sheene. You still see my fit pic in the top results in a Google image search. :/ I really did like this jacket, and for the life of me, I don't remember why I sold it.

But I did. And with that, I bought a Premier Highwayman. Now this jacket had the best FQHH out of all my jackets and was a pretty cool design.. but the collar just irked me and I found it a bit short, so I also sold it at a loss and bought the jacket I have now.

tl;dr... bought a 1950's HB, 2 Highwaymen, a Premier Highwayman, a Sheene. After trying all these cuts, I finally was able to customize the jacket I wanted, the 1940's HB (Using the base of the 1930's HB, with the stylings of the 1950's HB)

And all this is with just ONE brand.. I have similar adventures with Good Wear and Eastman..

 

[Siggmund]

Xopher, keep in mind that's it's not an addiction unless it interferes with your functioning* and/or you can't quit when you want to. That probably lets most every FL'er off the hook. - Who wants to quit?
Also, consider the entertainment value of collecting: fantasizing, fiddling about on FL, watching the mail; appreciating all the aesthetics: the leather, the color, texture, smell; the history. Total it all up and is it a good value to you?
* your mate will probably have an opinion about this.