How do you treat your hard-to-replace (vintage, expensive/high-end, limited edition, etc.) jackets?

[Chomcat]

Do you baby them, wear them like any other jacket, or keep them safe at home purely for collection purposes?

I've only recently gotten into collecting jackets, many of which are not the easiest nor cheapest to replace in the event they're lost, stolen, or ruined. Before, I wore modern mass-produced jackets with little regard as to what could happen to them since I knew I could always replace them with something else or buy a new one.

But now, many of the jackets that I wear are fairly niche vintage reproduction items that are often released with a limited stock and are sold out for months or years at a time; assuming they'll be restocked at all. Others are vintage pieces that are becoming increasingly harder to find not only in near-mint condition, but also aren't insanely priced. Because of this, I noticed I've been trending towards babying a lot of my jackets, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does occasionally make me think twice about wearing certain jackets.

So now I'm curious - how do you approach your jackets that you consider hard to replace?

 

[Bfd70]

2 totally different things. If you’re collecting rare old pieces like @tmitchell59 or @jeo it makes some sense to treat them as valuable. If the jacket just happens to be expensive by whatever your definition of expensive is, I don’t see any joy in owning it yet worrying about it getting damaged. Wear it like you stole it.

 

[ChewingWax]

2 totally different things. If you’re collecting rare old pieces like @tmitchell59 or @jeo it makes some sense to treat them as valuable. If the jacket just happens to be expensive by whatever your definition of expensive is, I don’t see any joy in owning it yet worrying about it getting damaged. Wear it like you stole it.

Exactly

 

[Rgcards]

Treat them like work wear

 

[tmitchell59]

I've only recently gotten into collecting jackets

Welcome to the Forum and jacket collecting. You have come to the largest collection of information regarding vintage leather jackets. Myself and many others have put pot full of information through out the threads here. If you want to learn and share this is the place to be.

I would also, say there is no other forum with the amount of information ,on any matter, regarding contemporary makers. Fit, Feel, look. Easy to get lost or consumed. I forget where I'm at.

That is my endorsement of the Forum.

In regard to your question; what do you believe?

A Vintage leather jacket is similar to a Vintage Car, Vintage Guitar or actually anything something someone chooses to collect. You treat it accordingly. Each jacket is unique and has a value to you, so each my recieve a different treatment. I'm certainly quite careful when I wear or play something of value; just common sense I think.

I do wear vintage jackets out. Many can pass for new and many are quite comfortable and practical. I have enough to wear in about any weather.

Plenty of folks here own/wear vintage jackets and many are next to new in wear and appearance. Folks from all over the World! rather nice.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Can't help it,, i baby them :-(

 

[barnabus]

Everything is for every day. What are you saving them for otherwise?

 

[Monitor]

I sell them.

 

[Eagledog]

I'm in the wear it everyday camp. If it turns into a closet queen that is never used I move it along.
I really can't think of a time when I destroyed a jacket by wearing it.
If I'm changing oil on my truck or motorcycle I switch to an old coat. Cutting down a tree, stacking firewood, painting a building, I switch to the same old coat. The old coat still looks great after 30 years of chores.
You have to decide for yourself. If you are prone to ruining clothes maybe you should save them from destruction.
If your day revolves around trimming thorn bushes, maybe get something that can stand up to harsh conditions.
Just enjoy wearing them, unless you are collecting museum relics for a display.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Like has been shared already, most of us treat our jackets "too nicely", or we just do not wear them enough.

I have a true vintage Bates from the 50's that is rather delicate, I have to be very careful putting it on/taking it off, especially since it is un-lined. But I still wear it around some and it does draw some comments from people when I do. I think the jacket appreciates being used, not just hung up for display. Nothing wrong with that approach either.

But for modern reproduction's, or even around 90% of the jackets we discuss here, I would suggest taking a look through this thread, as one user here really broke in his Aero to incredible effect within a few years.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...106-kotr-indian-mix-biker-jacket.97528/page-8

 

[Madhouse27]

If someone is collecting jackets with no intention of wearing them, do they still buy them in their own size?

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I only buy jackets that I have the intention of wearing.

My rarest and most expensive vintage jackets are generally worn less often, but I do still wear them consistently. It also depends on condition as well.

I have a couple of "beater" jackets that are either more durable or in rougher condition and are less rare/desirable that I wear to work most or the time. Still, I wear all my jackets several times per year. In fairness, I don't have anything expensive enough to completely baby anyway.

 

[ragtime_joe]

New, non vintage jackets should not be babied. They look better broken in. If you are worried about it losing value you might as well just sell it. Otherwise what is the point of owning it? Just to admire it?

 

[Rgcards]

I probably misspoke, misunderstood. If it's a truly irreplaceable or rare jacket, of which I really don't have any due to my difficulty in fitting into vintage sizes, I would wear this only in social situations; dinner, movies, hanging out with friends. I wouldn't wear it like work wear for hiking, riding , working outdoors. But if it's just an expensive jacket, well they are leather jackets and I treat them as such

 

[Chomcat]

I only buy jackets that I have the intention of wearing.

My rarest and most expensive vintage jackets are generally worn less often, but I do still wear them consistently. It also depends on condition as well.

I have a couple of "beater" jackets that are either more durable or in rougher condition and are less rare/desirable that I wear to work most or the time. Still, I wear all my jackets several times per year. In fairness, I don't have anything expensive enough to completely baby anyway.

I also buy jackets with the express intention of wearing them, and so far, I've been good about that.

Funny enough, I trend towards hard-wearing jackets that are made to take a beating, yet even with some of those I find myself being overly careful about not getting them (too) dirty or damaged and such. I guess this is just the perfectionist side of me taking over, not wanting to flaw an item, especially one that's pristine.

But like others have mentioned here, everything will eventually become worn, so I might as well accept that fact so I can enjoy them more.

 

[Jon Crow]

I've just restored another for wearing, a old civilian/private purchase A2, I'm going to enjoy wearing and letting it be seen now

 

[TINML]

Sorry for theradjacking but can anyone recommend a silicone free waterproof spray for an expensive lambskin jacket?

 

[Edward]

I have a natural hoarding instinct that needs to bed carefully managed. One of the reasons I like jackets is they have a practical purpose and don't just take up space in my tiny flat (given I live in central London on an academic salary, I'm never going to bed able to afford anything much bigger than a small flat, absent a lottery win). I only buy stuff I can and will wear. For the most part I've stopped buying any actual vintage. While I appreciate the value of original pieces, for me this is all about wardrobe items I can actually wear day to day. Buy it new, I'll wear it as intended without fear of ruining a piece of history. The stuff I do buy, it's clothes. I won't abuse it, but it gets worn and used. And ultimately, I am now facing selling on a few much-loved pieces, including some of my earlier Aeros, because my shoulders have widened over time and I can't wear them any more. I've chosen not to have children and my brother's kids aren't interested in these things, so there's no point holding onto them. I have enough stuff I have absurd sentimental attachments to without adding jackets to that list.

 

[Worf]

I've only 3 or so items that I consider "grail" or valuable enough to be considered "Hanger Queens".

1. Good Wear A1 in South African Capeskin brought from a fellow Lounger. Considering the maker and the rareity of the skin feel it definitely belongs in this conversation. Someone'll have to tell me if Capeskin is even offered by ANY jacket makers anymore.

Sorry, old pic, only one I got.

2. A vintage Kersey Wool Pea coat from 1953 I believe that I've been wearing for a few years. Peacoat here on the lounge helped me score this one. (Sorry, I had a pic now I can't find it!)

3. A very old wool hunting jacket from the '50's that I scored off the bay back when you could get good stuff off the bay.

As to wear, I wear them as weather and time permit. I don't "baby" them but I'm very "careful" with the Good Wear as I'm not sure I could even get it repaired if I HAD to.

Worf

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I've only 3 or so items that I consider "grail" or valuable enough to be considered "Hanger Queens".

1. Good Wear A1 in South African Capeskin brought from a fellow Lounger. Considering the maker and the rareity of the skin feel it definitely belongs in this conversation. Someone'll have to tell me if Capeskin is even offered by ANY jacket makers anymore.
View attachment 669745

Sorry, old pic, only one I got.

2. A vintage Kersey Wool Pea coat from 1953 I believe that I've been wearing for a few years. Peacoat here on the lounge helped me score this one. (Sorry, I had a pic now I can't find it!)

3. A very old wool hunting jacket from the '50's that I scored off the bay back when you could get good stuff off the bay.

View attachment 669746

As to wear, I wear them as weather and time permit. I don't "baby" them but I'm very "careful" with the Good Wear as I'm not sure I could even get it repaired if I HAD to.

Worf

That Good Wear is probably my favorite non-vintage jacket I've seen on this forum. Fits you perfectly and the capeskin is really something to behold. That hunting jacket is also quite nice!