How do forums effect you ?

[TLW '90]

To me it seems there would be no jacket community without the internet because I don't know of sny shows or meetups...etc like every other hobby has.
So aside from that how has the internet jacket community effected you ?

If it suddenly stopped existing entirely or you just took what you currently know and bowed out completely, would you still purchase the same way and as frequently as you already do ?
Or without the stimulation of jacket content would you no longer have sparks of buying desire ?

 

[Guppy]

I've learned a lot about different mskers, styles, fit, and materials from the forums. I definitely bought a lot of the jackets I own because of what I learned from being here.

 

[TLW '90]

I've learned a lot about different mskers, styles, fit, and materials from the forums. I definitely bought a lot of the jackets I own because of what I learned from being here.

I have too, and more than one piece I bought as a direct result of something I saw on here.
I think I might get a bit lost without the forum because I still don't know that much yet, but I can imagine many seasoned enthusiasts who are mostly just here to share and could probably live the rest of their life just buying as they have been without this forum.
It would be less enjoyable I'm sure, but they probably don't need help spending their money.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

I'd definitely have purchased differently.

This place is a treasure trove of knowledge for all things leather - ranging from materials, tanning methods, history of designs, vintage and repro makers and so much more.

There are definitely enthusiasts who found their own resources to gain knowledge on the subject, who would still purchase the same way. But they've helped spread the information to people like myself, who before joining this forum had no clue.

As for US-based events, the only one I'm aware of is Inspiration LA - although that's not solely for leather jackets but more about vintage-ware in general.

 

[Bfd70]

The forum is a never ending commercial selling me jackets and boots i don’t need. The trade off is it keeps the existential dread at bay. When i ban myself i buy less.

 

[sal]

I think forums, across the spectrum, yield invaluable research data when looking to purchase anything. Without them it is all hit or miss.
not say ing that would be a bad thing though.

 

[handymike]

This forum has seen me through quite a few stages of my life. It began when I turned 40 and wanted a vintage leather jacket. Then along came 2 kids, and TFL kept me calm during tantrums and still while holding the kids through naps. Covid was easier due to the folks here. Now I’m divorced (she never understood the “jacket issues”) and while I’m downsizing, I still log in most days.

But yeah, too many jackets and the whole selvedge thing was because of my involvement here.

 

[Bawheid]

I was "into" leather jackets well before becoming a "Lounger".

Used "for real" as a motorcyclist of near 50 years now.

The Forum made me more knowledgeable on the matter for sure, but I did already know a lot.

Bought my first Eastman Horsehide jacket 36 years ago.

I was (and still am) a big contributor to multiple motorcycle forums , particularly in the technical sections.

Again that's 50 years of useful knowledge build-up given to like minded folks for no ask.

As on all forums you just have to actively avoid the drongos and trollers. All part of internet life today....

 

[Jon Crow]

TFL is a good craic for me, interesting people, good posts learned a few things as well

 

[TLW '90]

Before joining this forum I had gotten more interested in jackets beyond just always having a favorite jacket every few seasons or so for as long as I can remember ( I even still have my 1st favorite jacket from my toddler years ) ,and I made multiple terrible Ebay purchases before.
I have gained a good deal of knowledge in the few years I've been here, but I have still not learned enough self control to make sure I get every detail I can before impulsively gambling on Ebay.
My 1st jacket purchase after joining this forum was much much less of a failure because I made a point to learn some things first, but I've still made far more losing bets then I should have at this point.


I now know just enough to skirt by if I didn't have this forum and I could probably continue purchasing as I have been, but there's too much knowledge I need.
There's also the content here that helps fuel and inspire my purchases, I can just browse everything available on Ebay, but that only gets me so far.

 

[handymike]

Every once-in-awhile it’s good to go and explore the parts of TFL outside of the Outerwear section.

 

[zebedee]

I learned a lot and bought too many jackets. It also saved what was (arguably) left of my sanity during a 3 month solitary lockdown in Shanghai during the pandemic.

 

[NZJono]

Before joining this forum I had gotten more interested in jackets beyond just always having a favorite jacket every few seasons or so for as long as I can remember ( I even still have my 1st favorite jacket from my toddler years ) ,and I made multiple terrible Ebay purchases before.
I have gained a good deal of knowledge in the few years I've been here, but I have still not learned enough self control to make sure I get every detail I can before impulsively gambling on Ebay.
My 1st jacket purchase after joining this forum was much much less of a failure because I made a point to learn some things first, but I've still made far more losing bets then I should have at this point.


I now know just enough to skirt by if I didn't have this forum and I could probably continue purchasing as I have been, but there's too much knowledge I need.
There's also the content here that helps fuel and inspire my purchases, I can just browse everything available on Ebay, but that only gets me so far.

I had no clue about leather jackets before I joined 7 (!) years ago. I don’t contribute much but I’ve learnt to appreciate good style, bought a few leather jackets that I mostly still have and hopefully look a bit more stylish in the process. I don’t take it too seriously but it’s been interesting.