What Are the Most Popular Leather Jacket Brands on TFL?

[jonbuilder]

I think it takes more experience to assess a vintage jacket's quality, condition, size and asking price than buying new. Also, when new into the jacket game I wouldn't want to wait one or two years for that d-pocket or half belt in my size to pop up on eBay, only to lose the auction because I misjudged the current market prices.

Vintage jacket market fluctuates, particularly in rare models. I not taking used jackets here but the 50s MC jackets and the 30s to 50s half belts and aviation jackets. Most are not sold at auction but with a BIN. My recent expenditure for vintage is about the same as the price of near new contemporaries like LW and higher than a near new Aero, Scott, or Vanson.
And yes it takes patience and time but the reward is worth the effort. I have been hurting vintage leather jackets for 25 years and have about 25 vintage jackets or one jacket per year. The only time they get sold is if I buy a similar jacket to replace one in the collection sort of a trade or upgrade maybe size or condition

 

[Coriu]

So far, 56 people have responded

Top 10 Points Leaders
1. Aero-69
2. Vanson-38
3. Schott-33
4. Lost Worlds-17
5(tie). Thedi and Cal Leathers-16
7(tie). Eastman/ELMC and Real McCoy’s-13
9(tie). Goodwear and Brooks-10

The next 6
Field Leathers, Freewheelers and Himel-7
Buco, JL and Levi’s -6

 

[Coriu]

Vintage jacket market fluctuates, particularly in rare models. I not taking used jackets here but the 50s MC jackets and the 30s to 50s half belts and aviation jackets. Most are not sold at auction but with a BIN. My recent expenditure for vintage is about the same as the price of near new contemporaries like LW and higher than a near new Aero, Scott, or Vanson.
And yes it takes patience and time but the reward is worth the effort. I have been doing hurting vintage leather jackets for 25 years and have about 25 vintage jackets or one jacket per year. The only time they get sold if I buy a similar jacket to replace one in the collection sort of a trade or upgrade maybe size or condition

Just had an interesting thought. 25-50 years from now...if all of the new jackets people are buying now still look relatively new, will there be a market for them? In other words, what would be the allure of a vintage jacket if it looks brand new and/or stiff?

I ask this question because with so many people having 20+ jackets, I cannot imagine these new jackets getting very much wear time. Back in the 50's, the average Joe likely owned 1 jacket that got a lot of use. So, that same jacket today looks like a vintage jacket.

 

[Coriu]

The following 20 Loungers have 20 or more leather jackets in their closets. I have added the approximate number of jackets owned by each. Anyone else out their belong to this elite club?

kingb-200+
tmitchell59-around 125
photo2u-112
mysteryo-around 70
tusche-57
rgcards-42
marc mndt-40+
jonbuilder-38
jmax-36
technovox and nickelman2005-30
salmosalar-29
coriu-28
toomanyhatsonlyonehead-26
mandarin-25
flying monkey-24
yamahana-23
jonesy86-22
red devil-20+

carlos840 ??-need to find the old post to see if he gave a number

 

[Coriu]

I could say the say think about women's jewelry and weddings. I estimate my jackets represent 20K to 25K about half what we spent on our daughter's one-day Wedding party. I will at some time sell off half of my collection but not now

That blows my mind about the wedding cost. I cannot even fathom it.

 

[Coriu]

I could say the say think about women's jewelry and weddings. I estimate my jackets represent 20K to 25K about half what we spent on our daughter's one-day Wedding party. I will at some time sell off half of my collection but not now

But jewelry and weddings are "essential" costs, unlike our frivolous leather jackets. A little advice for young, single men...do NOT engage your wife/fiance in philosophical discussions along these lines. Just DON'T do it. The result can be VERY ugly. Many thousands of men can attest to this.

 

[Pandemic]

Top 10 Points Leaders
1. Aero-69

Nice!

 

[Yamahana]

But jewelry and weddings are "essential" costs, unlike our frivolous leather jackets. A little advice for young, single men...do NOT engage your wife/fiance in philosophical discussions along these lines. Just DON'T do it. The result can be VERY ugly. Many thousands of men can attest to this.

AMEN! And don’t forget shoes.

 

[handymike]

Here is a thread I think is a good read alongside this one:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/favorite-jacket-owned-or-dreamed-of.101370/

Do our “favorites” match up with what’s in the closet?

 

[ton312]

Here is a thread I think is a good read alongside this one:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/favorite-jacket-owned-or-dreamed-of.101370/

Do our “favorites” match up with what’s in the closet?

That’s one Herc I REALLY want back. That’s a legit regret. Especially now.

 

[jonbuilder]

The following 20 Loungers have 20 or more leather jackets in their closets. I have added the approximate number of jackets owned by each. Anyone else out their belong to this elite club?

kingb-200+
tmitchell59-around 125
photo2u-112
mysteryo-around 70
tusche-57
rgcards-42
marc mndt-40+
jonbuilder-38
jmax-36
technovox and nickelman2005-30
salmosalar-29
coriu-28
toomanyhatsonlyonehead-26
mandarin-25
flying monkey-24
yamahana-23
jonesy86-22
red devil-20+

carlos840 ??-need to find the old post to see if he gave a number

Where is Guppy he must have 30 jackets

 

[Marc mndt]

In other words, what would be the allure of a vintage jacket if it looks brand new and/or stiff?

Why do you think today's jackets won't have an awesome vintage look 25-50 years from now?

This chp is probably from the 80s (it doesn't have a maker's tag so I'm not sure) so probably about 35 years old. I would call that a 'modern vintage'. Leather looks pretty awesome right?

Or this full aniline Shinki Field Leathers which is less than a year old and it's already developing some nice grain.

 

[JMax]

And a certain amount of wear and tear is cool. Go past that and I probably won’t buy.

 

[Khilij]

Here is a thread I think is a good read alongside this one:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/favorite-jacket-owned-or-dreamed-of.101370/

Do our “favorites” match up with what’s in the closet?

I think my one jacket does. I got a Vanson Chopper in Comp Weight because the shoulder quilting reminded me of a British motorcycle jacket my Grandfather used to wear. I can't afford to buy new jackets often because of my Grad Student budget, but to be quite honest, I'm not sure I want to. I'm very much happy with my one. Will that change in the future? Maybe. I've currently pooled together my money with my parents got to order a Vanson Oxford in their Brandy Vista leather for my Older Brother's birthday, but that's not for me. For now, I'm rather happy where I am.

 

[Coriu]

Why do you think today's jackets won't have an awesome vintage look 25-50 years from now?

This chp is probably from the 80s (it doesn't have a maker's tag so I'm not sure) so probably about 35 years old. I would call that a 'modern vintage'. Leather looks pretty awesome right?

View attachment 350542

Or this full aniline Shinki Field Leathers which is less than a year old and it's already developing some nice grain.

View attachment 350541 View attachment 350543

Why do you think today's jackets won't have an awesome vintage look 25-50 years from now?

When I was formulating the question, I was thinking of someone who buys a new, heavy horsehide leather jacket today, ie Lost Worlds, and wears it a couple of times a year(not to ride-just walk around) over the next 25 years. The rest of the time, it is hanging in a closet not exposed to light.

 

[Coriu]

Here is a thread I think is a good read alongside this one:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/favorite-jacket-owned-or-dreamed-of.101370/

Do our “favorites” match up with what’s in the closet?

When I created this thread, I was thinking ahead to this very question? OK, here is what people own, and then what people would like to own...if there is a difference, what are the factors behind it, ie availability, cost, size limitations, threat of divorce, etc.?

I believe this is good information for people new to the game. There is likely good reason people have in their closet today exactly what they do.

 

[Coriu]

AMEN! And don’t forget shoes.

... and let's not forget the new dress she just has to have even though the new dress I bought her 10 years ago is perfectly fine. This is one case where oodles of positive reinforcement does not work. Dang.

 

[technovox]

Where is Guppy he must have 30 jackets

And where is Ksozay? (Quantity & quality!)

 

[JMax]

Think_zot has got to have over 20. Juanito does too, or is close. Dan_t? Jejupe for sure.

 

[Flying Monkey]

When I created this thread, I was thinking ahead to this very question? OK, here is what people own, and then what people would like to own...if there is a difference, what are the factors behind it, ie availability, cost, size limitations, threat of divorce, etc.?

I believe this is good information for people new to the game. There is likely good reason people have in their closet today exactly what they do.

The jackets I buy are from ebay, garage sales, thrift stores, and craigslist. As I've said before, much of my enjoyment of this hobby is the hunt. I will admit that what I've hunted down, I do enjoy possessing although I certainly don't consider myself a hoarder. Most of the pieces in my collection could be for sale for a reasonable price if someone wanted them. I'm sure my wife would be thrilled to have a few less in the house. She's kind of a minimalist. I do have a few that I wouldn't sell. I was so excited to find just what I was looking for and finding it for a great price in my size. The stars were...just aligned for me that day. Maybe it sounds funny, but there are a few of my jackets that bring me happiness just looking at them, let alone wearing them.