What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

[Thuggee]

Awesome! What a cool pocket design, love it!

yeah have at agree the pockets are cool its whats attracted me to the jacket the front D pocket is very functional (Large iPhone)

 

[Thuggee]

You know, it just makes me feel good inside to see one of my jackets being worn all the way over on the other side of the world. From my hands and sewing machine in Minneapolis to you in Australia.
Mark (NorShor)

Love this jacket Mark, very unique with the pockets, this one will get a lot of wear here in Australia, are you able to confirm its horse or steer? was sold to me horse has no labeling in regard to leather used, have no reason to believe its not horse I also assume chrome tanned?

 

[torfjord]

I sold an Aero CR, a LHB, gave a SB to a buddy who wouldn't be able to afford one and sold another Aero to a friend who liked the look of it (it wasn't a great fit on me). It seems difficult, but a) I didn't miss them, b) I got to wear the Aeros I kept more (and appreciated them more) and c) I felt better. I'm trying to sell a Stockman and will probably sell the Goat HB at some point, too (unless I can get Aero to stick an external chest pocket on it). If I could, I'd just be left with a couple that I wear most often. I found that I started wearing other, non-leather jackets more often as well, which was a good thing.

There’s definitely something to be said for minimalism and getting rid of excess material possessions. When talking about I feel like I lack the vocabulary to make me sound any smarter than the Big Lebowski “things you own, end up owning you, man”.

I also can’t shake the feeling that I’m going in circles with this. I’ll acquire, sell off and then back to acquisition again...

I posted a pic in another thread Johnson Leather has one veg tan horse 3 oz i think size 40 and 42 in stock prlly could do a good price. I am looking at one of those (Maybe i should not tell you as you snagged that aero 59er I was watching...) now after your post. It is on their IG page second pic me thinks. I had an aero type iii I think one of the last ones with hand warmer pockets in seal brown vic. Was a 40 and too trim when I added some length the waist was like 19. I am back to liking shorter jackets again lol.

No worries from me! Those JL jackets look awesome but I’m set on an Aero trucker. You should snatch one of them up real quick before someone else does it though. Can’t imagine it’ll be there for too much longer.

 

[zebedee]

There’s definitely something to be said for minimalism and getting rid of excess material possessions. When talking about I feel like I lack the vocabulary to make me sound any smarter than the Big Lebowski “things you own, end up owning you, man”.

I also can’t shake the feeling that I’m going in circles with this. I’ll acquire, sell off and then back to acquisition again...



No worries from me! Those JL jackets look awesome but I’m set on an Aero trucker. You should snatch one of them up real quick before someone else does it though. Can’t imagine it’ll be there for too much longer.

Wasn't that 'Fight Club'? I think it was Tyler Durden's line (although in the novel it's a bit different). My approach to getting rid of them was just that they take up too much space, I travel for work contracts a lot (and often to climates that don't really suit leather jackets for more than a few months of the year), carrying more than two in luggage is daft given the weight restrictions and that - certainly the closer I got to (and then becoming) 40 - the less I wanted all this stuff that I'd spent the last ten or twenty years acquiring. I got rid of a lot of things and reduced clothing down to things I genuinely liked or things I needed for work. It's my aim to get down to three Aeros in total (and even that is excessive, to be honest), as the ones I sell to others they will wear more than I will, they'll get more use and, from past experience, that one Aero that I sell or give to a friend might well become their much loved 'signature piece', whereas to me it was a little-worn jacket.

I'm slightly suspicious of minimalism - you have to be able to afford the solid stuff first to be able to get rid of the bags of cheaper stuff - but I am definitely happier now that I can get everything I'd need for a two-year overseas contract into a carry-on or on my back. It also means that you keep more of what you earn, too. The eventual goal is to have one overcoat, a Carhartt and two Aeros. That'd be more than enough for most rational human beings. If I buy really smart stuff for work events - even if it's just a couple of very nice shirts - they only ever get used for that event and get stored for the next one. The cycle is what burns through money and - at least for me - was not that bad but was pointless.

 

[Finn Vigorous]

I'm on board with the minimalism thing. For me it implicates some kind of a functionalism, however: I try my best to get of rid of the jackets a) I'm not using much and/or which b) have turned out to be difficult to combine with other garments and/or c) are eventually too close to one another.

That said, I am aiming for a compact yet versatile leather jacket collection (all Aeros at this point):

From spring to autumn: a Sheene in Cordovan FQHH with sateen lining for everyday jeans and boots use, and a PHWM in Seal goat with cotton lining to use with button-downs, slacks and PTBs etc.

For winter months: Primo Work Coat in Battered Tan HH with Melton lining and a HWM in Black FQHH with wool lining.

I think there might still be room for a lighter colored everyday jacket in my wardrobe.

 

[torfjord]

Wasn't that 'Fight Club'? I think it was Tyler Durden's line (although in the novel it's a bit different). My approach to getting rid of them was just that they take up too much space, I travel for work contracts a lot (and often to climates that don't really suit leather jackets for more than a few months of the year), carrying more than two in luggage is daft given the weight restrictions and that - certainly the closer I got to (and then becoming) 40 - the less I wanted all this stuff that I'd spent the last ten or twenty years acquiring. I got rid of a lot of things and reduced clothing down to things I genuinely liked or things I needed for work. It's my aim to get down to three Aeros in total (and even that is excessive, to be honest), as the ones I sell to others they will wear more than I will, they'll get more use and, from past experience, that one Aero that I sell or give to a friend might well become their much loved 'signature piece', whereas to me it was a little-worn jacket.

I'm slightly suspicious of minimalism - you have to be able to afford the solid stuff first to be able to get rid of the bags of cheaper stuff - but I am definitely happier now that I can get everything I'd need for a two-year overseas contract into a carry-on or on my back. It also means that you keep more of what you earn, too. The eventual goal is to have one overcoat, a Carhartt and two Aeros. That'd be more than enough for most rational human beings. If I buy really smart stuff for work events - even if it's just a couple of very nice shirts - they only ever get used for that event and get stored for the next one. The cycle is what burns through money and - at least for me - was not that bad but was pointless.

Yes, you’re absolutely right about the quote. But I can really hear Jeff Bridges voice say it

 

[Downunder G Man]

I wore this jacket yesterday , although the photo is from a few weeks back.
We went a Harley ride south as the COVID-19 distance restrictions had been lifted on Monday.
A BEAUTIFUL 27C day , like the summer. Jacket off as soon as we hauled up in the shade of some peppermint trees.
Cafes all full , bearing in mind the 4m2 customer spacing , so we got take out bacon sandwiches and sat on a wall under the trees. Nine Harleys parked up on the sidewalk (pavement !). The coast road was heaving with motorcycles and "occasional" use cars , 1970's Corvettes , Cobra replicas etc. .
The jacket of choice was my Schott 641H café racer , fine on the way out , too hot at the lights on the way home !
Today we have the worst storm in 10 years , "once in a Decade" affecting the whole state of Western Australia.
8 metre swell , king tides , and maybe 100mm of rain in some areas. Apologies again for the "old" photo.

 

[zebedee]

Yes, you’re absolutely right about the quote. But I can really hear Jeff Bridges voice say it

 

[zebedee]

I'm on board with the minimalism thing. For me it implicates some kind of a functionalism, however: I try my best to get of rid of the jackets a) I'm not using much and/or which b) have turned out to be difficult to combine with other garments and/or c) are eventually too close to one another.

That said, I am aiming for a compact yet versatile leather jacket collection (all Aeros at this point):

From spring to autumn: a Sheene in Cordovan FQHH with sateen lining for everyday jeans and boots use, and a PHWM in Seal goat with cotton lining to use with button-downs, slacks and PTBs etc.

For winter months: Primo Work Coat in Battered Tan HH with Melton lining and a HWM in Black FQHH with wool lining.

I think there might still be room for a lighter colored everyday jacket in my wardrobe.

Several years ago a guy I was working with told me something that he remembered his Dad telling him: 'Keep your best clothes for you, not work.' I reckon this is good advice- 95% of your working days you can wear a crappier suit to, or one of five average shirts. Your good stuff is for you. The same is probably also true of wine, whisky and high grade class A drugs.

 

[Downunder G Man]

Several years ago a guy I was working with told me something that he remembered his Dad telling him: 'Keep your best clothes for you, not work.' I reckon this is good advice- 95% of your working days you can wear a crappier suit to, or one of five average shirts. Your good stuff is for you. The same is probably also true of wine, whisky and high grade class A drugs.

Chit I wear my "best" leather jackets to work, on a "rostered" basis , and my blackest jeans! Every day, 7 days of the week.
Gotta get the wear outta them suckers ! At work all the young 'uns call me "Leather jacket guy"..
For over 15 years I did ride a Harley to work every dry day , over 200 ride to work days in a typical WA year.

 

[zebedee]

Several years ago a guy I was working with told me something that he remembered his Dad telling him: 'Keep your best clothes for you, not work.' I reckon this is good advice- 95% of your working days you can wear a crappier suit to, or one of five average shirts. Your good stuff is for you. The same is probably also true of wine, whisky and high grade class A drugs.

Chit I wear my "best" leather jackets to work, on a "rostered" basis , and my blackest jeans! Every day, 7 days of the week.
Gotta get the wear outta them suckers ! At work all the young 'uns call me "Leather jacket guy"..
For over 15 years I did ride a Harley to work every dry day , over 200 ride to work days in a typical WA year.

Leather jackets are different- the best ones are bashed up and worn in- suits and shirts not working in quite the same way. At the very best place I worked, everyone was such an outlier that the management could barely enforce any kind of dress code - those were my Carhartt and Highwayman days. Most other places have had a fairly smart casual approach, or shirt and tie (where the 'second rank' stuff comes in). Some places you could come in early in whatever you felt like and have a suit hanging up to change into. I found that Pike Bros. Hunter Pant (that is, weirdly, their name -sort of 'out of breath stalker' meets 'I cannot find my skivvies') which are pinstripe allowed me to be fairly comfortable while still looking like I was conforming.

 

[Finn Vigorous]

Several years ago a guy I was working with told me something that he remembered his Dad telling him: 'Keep your best clothes for you, not work.' I reckon this is good advice- 95% of your working days you can wear a crappier suit to, or one of five average shirts. Your good stuff is for you. The same is probably also true of wine, whisky and high grade class A drugs.

Yup, totally agree with that. I have some Italian suits and classy Shell Cordovan shoes, well, just for me. But when it comes to leather jackets, they fall into work category, at least at the moment.

 

[El Marro]

Haven’t decided for sure, but I’m leaning towards their natural Italian horsehide (not Vicenza). I’ve loved natural leather for several years now. I’ve made several belts, bags and briefcases out of it. And it just feels like it’s high time I had a jacket made with natural leather. I think it would look good on a trucker too.

I think that leather is a perfect choice for a trucker jacket. Those jackets always look best once they are showing a little use and wear and the natural horsehide will do exactly that.

 

[Mrfrown]

Wasn't that 'Fight Club'? I think it was Tyler Durden's line (although in the novel it's a bit different). My approach to getting rid of them was just that they take up too much space, I travel for work contracts a lot (and often to climates that don't really suit leather jackets for more than a few months of the year), carrying more than two in luggage is daft given the weight restrictions and that - certainly the closer I got to (and then becoming) 40 - the less I wanted all this stuff that I'd spent the last ten or twenty years acquiring. I got rid of a lot of things and reduced clothing down to things I genuinely liked or things I needed for work. It's my aim to get down to three Aeros in total (and even that is excessive, to be honest), as the ones I sell to others they will wear more than I will, they'll get more use and, from past experience, that one Aero that I sell or give to a friend might well become their much loved 'signature piece', whereas to me it was a little-worn jacket.

I'm slightly suspicious of minimalism - you have to be able to afford the solid stuff first to be able to get rid of the bags of cheaper stuff - but I am definitely happier now that I can get everything I'd need for a two-year overseas contract into a carry-on or on my back. It also means that you keep more of what you earn, too. The eventual goal is to have one overcoat, a Carhartt and two Aeros. That'd be more than enough for most rational human beings. If I buy really smart stuff for work events - even if it's just a couple of very nice shirts - they only ever get used for that event and get stored for the next one. The cycle is what burns through money and - at least for me - was not that bad but was pointless.

For me it’s both about filling necessary slots in my wardrobe AND about collecting and checking out different makers, styles, and leathers.

After gaining more experience I’ll have a better idea of what pieces I’d really like to keep (or acquire).

Same goes for me and rum. I have a fully stocked liquor cabinet, but while I have one bottle each of gin and tequila, two of whiskey, I have like 7 or so of rum. Certainly I don’t need that many bottles of rum to make the basics, but rum is interesting to me and I like exploring what’s available and what you can do with it.

That being said I’ve had to put hard limits on my collecting: if it doesn’t fit in the liquor cabinet I don’t buy it. If it won’t fit in my winter/outerwear closet, I don’t buy it.

 

[zebedee]

For me it’s both about filling necessary slots in my wardrobe AND about collecting and checking out different makers, styles, and leathers.

After gaining more experience I’ll have a better idea of what pieces I’d really like to keep (or acquire).

Same goes for me and rum. I have a fully stocked liquor cabinet, but while I have one bottle each of gin and tequila, two of whiskey, I have like 7 or so of rum. Certainly I don’t need that many bottles of rum to make the basics, but rum is interesting to me and I like exploring what’s available and what you can do with it.

That being said I’ve had to put hard limits on my collecting: if it doesn’t fit in the liquor cabinet I don’t buy it. If it won’t fit in my winter/outerwear closet, I don’t buy it.

Minutiae, before you get those fingers in the trap, are almost non-existent, and then they are a universe. I'm fortunate: I won't spend more than Aero's prices (or, weirdly, less) and, although I really want a Himel Canuck and can afford one, I'm not paying those prices; even if the jacket is 'better'- to me the difference is negligible and the outlay too 'wide'. Just not that bothered (but everyone is different and mileage varies, which is also great). I'm just glad that my thing is literature, as books are cheap, JSTOR is free and I'm happy with a good reprint (although I can see why others like a First Edition...). And Aero was random, too- if I hadn't stumbled on here, I'd never have known that they were a company. I bought a Highwayman ten years ago (and then a few more...) but have got out relatively unscathed financially, only buying, selling, keeping or giving away eight in total. I own far fewer than that now and am generally content.

I suppose that I'd ideally like a Canuck, an Aero CR and a Novak 'Surrogates' style HB (though from which maker I don't know), but I ain't gonna do it. Sold jackets, bought them and given them away, and sure that I'm whittling down to ones I'll just keep, as the circular buying/selling/researching thing is too 'up and down' and not satisfying.

I could do with a shot of rum

 

[Monitor]

Minutiae, before you get those fingers in the trap, are almost non-existent, and then they are a universe. I'm fortunate: I won't spend more than Aero's prices (or, weirdly, less) and, although I really want a Himel Canuck and can afford one, I'm not paying those prices; even if the jacket is 'better'- to me the difference is negligible and the outlay too 'wide'. Just not that bothered (but everyone is different and mileage varies, which is also great). I'm just glad that my thing is literature, as books are cheap, JSTOR is free and I'm happy with a good reprint (although I can see why others like a First Edition...). And Aero was random, too- if I hadn't stumbled on here, I'd never have known that they were a company. I bought a Highwayman ten years ago (and then a few more...) but have got out relatively unscathed financially, only buying, selling, keeping or giving away eight in total. I own far fewer than that now and am generally content.

I suppose that I'd ideally like a Canuck, an Aero CR and a Novak 'Surrogates' style HB (though from which maker I don't know), but I ain't gonna do it. Sold jackets, bought them and given them away, and sure that I'm whittling down to ones I'll just keep, as the circular buying/selling/researching thing is too 'up and down' and not satisfying.

I could do with a shot of rum

Don't know what I'd answer you if you asked me what would constitute a worth in a leather jacket to me right now. Yep, a pricier leather jacket does look nice(r) but at this point, I can't imagine what would make it so different that would make me feel like paying an additional grand was so totally worth it and I'm saying that after I've just wasted near $2000 on a jacket a few months ago. I don't feel too good about it, to be honest and it's the last one I'll ever pay full price for. Not paying those prices either ever again.

I don't really know what I want anymore, I guess... I guess I'd really like a Memphis jacket, though. That's the one I'd pay money for. Maybe I should sell the LW and get that one instead.

But I can't really say what's this clothes business done for me anyway... Maybe that's the whole reason I feel this way. Collecting suck. We feel getting that certain something will change our lives in some way and it doesn't. Doesn't really matter at all and doesn't change a thing. Just time and money wasted. You are right. It's better not to own much - or anything.

 

[handymike]

There is still one pie-in-the-sky jacket for me! When John calls, I’ll get it made, sell all but one to pay for it...and be done-done.
Until then, I have a few to enjoy.

 

[Mrfrown]

@Monitor @zebedee et al - that’s why having limits and sticking to them is the best thing ever. I get to enjoy what I collect with absolutely no guilt. And if I don’t like something, then I’ve “wasted” my designated fun money but my finances, mental health etc all remain fine.

On topic: I’m in the process of putting thoughts into words for a review but this fantastic Hercules half belt came in this week.

 

[handymike]

What a fantastic collar!

 

[Mrfrown]

What a fantastic collar!

I thought you’d appreciate the length of it heh