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Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

Jumper

A-List Customer
Messages
450
Location
Kentucky!
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Well, I can't go any higher, there's the $11 shipping to think about.
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,790
What exactly do you mean by 'lighter'? Pricewise or leatherwise?

Leatherwise. Although still very substantial, white label Vanson jackets weren't made in Comp. weight hide. They're like earlier Schott. Which is a huge plus in my opinion, as you get the same fantastic Vanson style without cumbersomeness of their trademark heavy hide (which, granted, sometimes is a bit too much). Much nicer aging, too.
 

Wildhorses

Practically Family
Messages
538
Location
France
Well, I can't go any higher, there's the $11 shipping to think about.
I thought $11was the price of this jacket, that would have been fair for what it really is.
It doesn't matter if it's 100 years old at this point.
Do they know that 22 oz denim japanese amazing jackets exist today ? A totally different story.
Collection and resale...
 

Coriu

One Too Many
Messages
1,154
Location
Virginia
What is it about this jacket that is desirable? No agenda for asking...I'm honestly trying to understand. I like "rough," but this seems a bit much. If not for wear, is the thought that if I stash it away, it will be worth a lot of money one day? If so, how would its condition impact its future value? Or is this jacket a novelty for someone who collects Vansons?

When it comes to antiques, there is a fine line between the desirable trait of looking like an antique and being in such rough shape that it negatively impacts value....and possibly one's willingness to display it in one's home. LOL
 

mendelboaz

One Too Many
Messages
1,242
Location
The Netherlands
What is it about this jacket that is desirable? No agenda for asking...I'm honestly trying to understand. I like "rough," but this seems a bit much. If not for wear, is the thought that if I stash it away, it will be worth a lot of money one day? If so, how would its condition impact its future value? Or is this jacket a novelty for someone who collects Vansons?

When it comes to antiques, there is a fine line between the desirable trait of looking like an antique and being in such rough shape that it negatively impacts value....and possibly one's willingness to display it in one's home. LOL

The jacket is still in great condition, the scuffs you see only seem to be surface level. I see no apparent cracking or dryness of the leather. The jacket has broken in beautifully, it'll probably be very soft and comfortable to wear. It will most likely have a great drape because of how broken in it is, and also because the hide is thinner than competition weight. The grain is fantastic, and the brown shows nice patina throughout. And besides those big pros, both the hardware, lining and stitching all seem to be intact.

I would be curious to know what it is you look for in a leather jacket and what qualities you would find desirable; also what is it about this Vanson that you find so undesirable/a bit much?
 

Coriu

One Too Many
Messages
1,154
Location
Virginia
The jacket is still in great condition, the scuffs you see only seem to be surface level. I see no apparent cracking or dryness of the leather. The jacket has broken in beautifully, it'll probably be very soft and comfortable to wear. It will most likely have a great drape because of how broken in it is, and also because the hide is thinner than competition weight. The grain is fantastic, and the brown shows nice patina throughout. And besides those big pros, both the hardware, lining and stitching all seem to be intact.

I would be curious to know what it is you look for in a leather jacket and what qualities you would find desirable; also what is it about this Vanson that you find so undesirable/a bit much?

Thanks for sharing your insights. It sounds like your intent would be to wear it. If so, no doubt it would be comfortable. I was not sure how easy it would be to fix up the scuffing, if one chose to do so. The "bit much" was referring to the wear/damage, that's all.

It's not just this jacket. There are numerous jackets I've seen on here that have made me wonder, "What are they going to do with that?"...ie fix it up and wear it, keep as is condition, etc. I'm curious if some people have a hobby of getting these older, worn jackets and reconditioning them. I could see that being very rewarding.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,293
There are numerous jackets I've seen on here that have made me wonder, "What are they going to do with that?"...ie fix it up and wear it, keep as is condition, etc. I'm curious if some people have a hobby of getting these older, worn jackets and reconditioning them. I could see that being very rewarding.

Jackets that look worn out to 99% of non - leather jacket enthousiasts are actually the best buys. People cannot see past a little surface wear and think some jacket is old and worn out while it's actually in excellent condition.

Here's a recent example.

Ebay listing:

3B647256-3924-4BA7-A250-128FEC3E4E5E.jpeg


After some tlc

79AF8EDF-0563-4825-A066-197A7B287874.jpeg


1672102C-6F09-416D-B0EF-C907DA8C4C68.jpeg
D7EDB455-E22A-42D1-8DD2-FFB9681D0E46.jpeg
 

Coriu

One Too Many
Messages
1,154
Location
Virginia
Jackets that look worn out to 99% of non - leather jacket enthousiasts are actually the best buys. People cannot see past a little surface wear and think some jacket is old and worn out while it's actually in excellent condition.

Here's a recent example.

Ebay listing:

View attachment 340140

After some tlc

View attachment 340141

View attachment 340144 View attachment 340143
Very nice! How about the wrinkles/creases in that Vanson jacket? I've read some posts where it was mentioned that they are a dealbreaker for some.
 
Messages
16,790
What is it about this jacket that is desirable? No agenda for asking...I'm honestly trying to understand. I like "rough," but this seems a bit much. If not for wear, is the thought that if I stash it away, it will be worth a lot of money one day? If so, how would its condition impact its future value? Or is this jacket a novelty for someone who collects Vansons?

When it comes to antiques, there is a fine line between the desirable trait of looking like an antique and being in such rough shape that it negatively impacts value....and possibly one's willingness to display it in one's home. LOL

What is it about any leather jacket that makes it desirable?

It's Vanson so quality, durability and great fit is pretty much guaranteed & certainly worth the $, with the additional bonus of it being a very good looking, true & honest cafe racer style.
Another arguably important aspect is that this is a very early, white label Vanson, something that only fans of Vanson will value but regardless, a small thing that only adds to the value of this piece.

On top of that, it appears to be in that best possible vintage state a leather jacket can reach. I'd personally assess it as being just about perfect in every way and I'd wager most of the forum agrees with me.

I personally don't understand what is it about this jacket that you find to be in an even remotely rough or undesirable state? As @mendelboaz pointed out, other than creases in the leather (desirable trait because nobody likes that new leather jacket look) and those few surface scuffs, the jacket seems to be in a fantastic condition with no apparent damage anywhere on it.

And I even love the color!
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,800
Location
SoFlo
Very nice! How about the wrinkles/creases in that Vanson jacket? I've read some posts where it was mentioned that they are a dealbreaker for some.
Are you referring to creases on the sleeves? These are super-desirable as they have been formed by use of the jacket. The creases you don't want are formed when the jacket was scrunched inside a bale of used clothing for a long time and under high pressure. These never come out and are highly undesirable. I don't see any such creases in that Vanson.
 
Messages
16,790
The creases you don't want are formed when the jacket was scrunched inside a bale of used clothing for a long time and under high pressure. These never come out and are highly undesirable. I don't see any such creases in that Vanson.

I don't see them any different than sleeve or any other creases.

My personal favorites, though, are the ones that form on the lower back.

IMG-20181110-121556.jpg
 

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