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Where to buy used vintage leather jacket

BIGMIKE71

New in Town
Messages
18
You've received a lot of good advice on how to track down a jacket, and taking the measurements of a good fitting jean jacket or leather jacket can be really helpful for your first purchase. I agree that you should first buy a relatively inexpensive jacket. With that jacket you'll be able to have all of the ideal measurements when you want to get a higher-end jacket. Another important measurement would be the back length from the base of the collar to the bottom of the hem. Once you're comfortable with a few jackets, you might want to order a custom jacket, made to your exact specifications. You can research the best zippers and sizes for your jacket, lining material, best pocketing material (e.g., cotton Sveylt), bonded polyester or nylon thread, ideal thread size for displaying a contrasting color, etc., etc. Some companies will allow you to make a jacket using all of your researched parameters. The FL is a great start for research, and members oftentimes place some really nice jackets in the classifieds... Good hunting!
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
(Back length Base of collar to bottom)
Where do I measure to get this measurement?
Thanks
If you look at the classifieds listings here you will see how people do this measurement. I highly recommend poking around all the listings so you can see how things are measured and what type of prices things go for
F3B22170-F81C-41D8-8B1D-C326C95294C7.png
. Having said that I found this image with a quick google search. It’s not a leather jacket but it’s the same exact way. You lay the jacket flat and measure from the bottom of the collar to the end of the jacket.
 
Last edited:

Wardo1974

A-List Customer
Messages
330
Like anything vintage, they aren't made anymore and are in limited quantity. Cars, guitars, firearms, etc. It isn't like there's a magical site where everything you need is laid out for you to buy, I wish there was! It's going to be hit or miss and you'll simply have to watch regularly.

I think you're fortunate though as your measurements are more common. The past six months as I have gotten into wanting cool leather jackets, the most common experience for me is seeing a picture of a wicked looking jacket, only to see that it's much smaller than I need. I think if you're patient you'll find what you need on most of the major sites in short order.
 

BIGMIKE71

New in Town
Messages
18
Like anything vintage, they aren't made anymore and are in limited quantity. Cars, guitars, firearms, etc. It isn't like there's a magical site where everything you need is laid out for you to buy, I wish there was! It's going to be hit or miss and you'll simply have to watch regularly.

I think you're fortunate though as your measurements are more common. The past six months as I have gotten into wanting cool leather jackets, the most common experience for me is seeing a picture of a wicked looking jacket, only to see that it's much smaller than I need. I think if you're patient you'll find what you need on most of the major sites in short order.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
Just to whet your appetite, you might want to check out the home page for Aero Leather Clothing in Scotland, particularly their sales page. Then just sit back and watch your addiction grow. Cafe racers are great, but wait till you see what else they've got.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Also keep an eye on bargain and vintage on thurstons page. The occasional aero cafe comes up for a bit off retail. And they usually have a decent amount of real cheap cafes to try.
 
Messages
17,490
Location
Chicago
Be prepared to have more misses than hits. Decide what you like. Learn the names of brands that no longer exist. Create a saved search. Learn the names of current producers. Create a saved search. Buckle up. Bear down and enjoy the journey.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Be prepared to have more misses than hits. Decide what you like. Learn the names of brands that no longer exist. Create a saved search. Learn the names of current producers. Create a saved search. Buckle up. Bear down and enjoy the journey.
Exactly why I said try a few cheaper ones first. Because I’m well into my obsession, then there’s you a master, who’s still figuring it out and hitting and missing haha. All jokes aside it’s true. Always ask for measurements and expect to miss on more than you hit. Also expect to lose money. You are lucky if you get your money back, almost always lose....you may get super lucky and find one of the jackets rightfully or wrongfully worth a fortune like a Buco-J100 or j-23 in grandpas closet.
 
Messages
17,490
Location
Chicago
Exactly why I said try a few cheaper ones first. Because I’m well into my obsession, then there’s you a master, who’s still figuring it out and hitting and missing haha. All jokes aside it’s true. Always ask for measurements and expect to miss on more than you hit. Also expect to lose money. You are lucky if you get your money back, almost always lose....you may get super lucky and find one of the jackets rightfully or wrongfully worth a fortune like a Buco-J100 or j-23 in grandpas closet.
There can’t be any success without failure. The key is to learn to enjoy the failure. I decided that the misses were as good as the hits! I just want to experience as much as I can. Tbh I don’t even care about the end result anymore.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
I have like 2-3 jackets that I still really want and if I can get the right fit I hope to keep forever. Anything else in between is just for fun and just to try it out. I’ve decided the same as you. As long as I’m not literally going broke or hurting anyone whatever then. There’s so many, makers, styles and hides to try. Hopefully I can find another full grown adult trapped in a middle school boys body haha to buy some of my stuff in the classifieds. I’m itching to pull the trigger on something particular but my fiancé would murder me if I don’t move stuff before buying again. I mean I haven’t put them on the eBay, etsy, or grailed yet. Rather them go to a member but yeah my size ain’t common.
 

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