At what point does a hobby turn addiction?

[onstar]

Lol.. when will it stop

 

[Bfd70]

If you’ve got to ask then it’s an addiction.
Fortunately there are no 12 step programs and jackets don’t shorten your lifespan.

 

[99Tjadams]

Just wait until you gain or lose some weight and have to start buying doubles

 

[TartuWolf]

I guess when you get too nitpicky and start moving genuinely nice and well fitting jackets along because it has the wrong chest zipper pull.
Or when you have jackets that you don't actually wear with reasonable regularity. For example if I only put on a jacket once per appropriate season because I feel obliged to or guilty if I don't but still keep that jacket then it's a red flag I'd say.
Or when you can't keep yourself from not buying a jacket just because it's "such a good deal". That's closer to my heart - justifying something that maybe will fit me and maybe I will like simply because it's <20% of it's original value. Sure I usually get my money back when selling it and buying it was a low risk deal, but still a major waste of time that I could have avoided.

 

[Yango]

"I guess when you get too nitpicky and start moving genuinely nice and well fitting jackets along because it has the wrong chest zipper pull..."

LOL!

 

[LuddGang]

I guess when you get too nitpicky and start moving genuinely nice and well fitting jackets along because it has the wrong chest zipper pull.
Or when you have jackets that you don't actually wear with reasonable regularity. For example if I only put on a jacket once per appropriate season because I feel obliged to or guilty if I don't but still keep that jacket then it's a red flag I'd say.
Or when you can't keep yourself from not buying a jacket just because it's "such a good deal". That's closer to my heart - justifying something that maybe will fit me and maybe I will like simply because it's <20% of it's original value. Sure I usually get my money back when selling it and buying it was a low risk deal, but still a major waste of time that I could have avoided.

Buying based mostly on ‘the deal’ and then having to sell it on is the one I’m trying to stop… the problem comes when you take the punt and end up with a proper keeper. My stupid brain can use that to fuel the next half a dozen that will briefly live in the wardrobe and then moved on.

 

[Biff42]

If you’ve got to ask then it’s an addiction.
Fortunately there are no 12 step programs and jackets don’t shorten your lifespan.

Great point. That said while i lose money on this hobby, I do recoup some. It's not pure gambling or substance abuse.

 

[Biff42]

Lol.. when will it stop

I've learned to enjoy merely breaking jackets in. For example, that bootlegger you're trying to sell looks lightly worn and will grain beautifully with some wear. Heck I wear jackets indoors at my desk to break them in.

 

[Bfd70]

^same

 

[zebedee]

If I don't buy more than two in a year, it can't be an addiction... I don't have two of any one style, so I think I'm ok. Still own 13 Aero/SB/Thedi, though. It certainly ain't normal

 

[AeroFan_07]

When other people notice, ask about it, or simply say ... "Dude, you have so many leather jackets, why do you own so many of those?"

I've learned an elevator speech response that generally satisfies most curious observers ... "This collection hobby is cheaper and simpler to insure and maintain than old classic British cars, motorcycles, or farm tractors. If It wasn't jackets, I would probably collect one of these other items, but I have no room for another car or a tractor."

 

[Edward]

I think it becomes a problem, so to speak, when you get yourself into financial trouble chasing the perfect jacket, obsessing over half an inch of difference to "my perfect measurements", and, really, when it becomes too much more than something you have and enjoy wearing.

One o the things I've always appreciated about the "vintage clothing" hobby (albeit these days I prefer repro rather than actual vintage) is that it's also utilitarian. Not just something that lies on a shelf taking up space: it's my *clothes*, and they serve a practical purpose. I wear them daily. I have some things that are special occasion wear (and a few bits I keep hold of purely because I hope to shrink back down into them - trousers, that is; I'll never be a 42Chest again), but most of it gets worn frequently. If I had anything I was scared to *ever* wear, or that I was certain would never fit, then I'd feel it problematic if I was hoarding that and reluctant to pass it on. I just don't have the space or the money to keep stuff I don't wear and can't display (or doesn't make sense to display).

To be fair, though, it's less of an issue for me these days anyhow as I've been largely priced out or sized out by a lot of labels. Circumstances have meant the price of the jackets I like has risen to a level that makes them a much rarer purchase, with my academic salary not having kept up with inflation so well this last twenty-odd years, meaning in real terms I have significantly less disposable income after necessary expenses than I did in 2009. Some of my favourite labels have stopped producing anything over a 44 or a slim 46 chest, or a 40" waist, which also rules me out. Frustrating, though it dos on the flipside save money, so....

 

[zebedee]

There’s also a point where it slows down. I think I have enough ‘stuff’ now to feel slightly ill when I think about it (the jackets I think I’m lucky to be able to stop at the 13 mark). Apart from boots and shoes (I have about 8 serviceable, repairable pairs), other items like jeans and shirts I could probably give to charity or can periodically get rid of. Over the last 17 years of collecting, reselling and investigating jacket brands, I could have spent a hell of a lot more on things that I wouldn’t have (and continue to have) worth out of: overall, I probably spent less than 1000 gbp per year on leather jackets and William Lennons are a steal at the price.

Somewhere in my brain is an ideal state where I have about 3 or 4 jackets and a couple of pairs of bashed-up boots - when I actually was in that sort of state, though, I just found that it was almost its own uniform and inevitably bought new things. I don’t mind the current glut of stuff too much if I call it a day in a month or two. After that, I’m definitely jettisoning some shirts and trousers. When my ideal state day comes, I’m going to rock this one (which never gets enough wear).

 

[Doctor Death]

I think it starts with your second jacket. At least, that's how it happened for me. I had only one leather jacket for a very long time. Then, eventually, got a second jacket and now can't stop....

 

[philli]

when you keep telling yourself "this is the jacket that will complete the collection" but there is always another one that you feel you must have. I think there is a fine line between hobby and addiction. I was probably crossing that line at some point but ended up going on a purge and selling off anything i dont get wear out of. Now I take a bit more time to see what actually adds value to my wardrobe and make sure that piece actually fits into my lifestyle.

That said though, consumerism can turn into addiction as with anything else. Even on the opposite spectrum, minimalism can be an addiction if you allow it.

 

[Oil Tanned]

My taste in jackets has matured along w/ me. Some that I bought less than ten years ago knowing that they were keepers now aren't. I now understand - maybe too well - that I'm not an A2 guy, I'm not a Cross Zip guy, and I may not be much of a Thedi guy despite having outstanding examples of each including jackets w/ historical provenance.

I've been wondering if I could pare it down to a LW leather pea and a LW Rigger. It'd be hard to part with the Aero shearling though and the older and almost unworn Filson double mack w/ a shearling collar has got to stay. And then the list grows. I wonder if it's best just to cull the herd once in a while and put a couple that don't get worn that often in the wind. Doesn't do any good to have but not wear.

 

[GHT]

One o the things I've always appreciated about the "vintage clothing" hobby (albeit these days I prefer repro rather than actual vintage) is that it's also utilitarian. Not just something that lies on a shelf taking up space: it's my *clothes*, and they serve a practical purpose. I wear them daily.

Good for you Edward, compliments to you.

I have some things that are special occasion wear (and a few bits I keep hold of purely because I hope to shrink back down into them - trousers, that is; I'll never be a 42Chest again),

That was my thoughts too, but when I quit alcohol, totally, without dieting I lost well over twenty pounds in weight.

but most of it gets worn frequently. If I had anything I was scared to *ever* wear, or that I was certain would never fit, then I'd feel it problematic if I was hoarding that and reluctant to pass it on. I just don't have the space or the money to keep stuff I don't wear and can't display (or doesn't make sense to display). To be fair, though, it's less of an issue for me these days anyhow as I've been largely priced out or sized out by a lot of labels.

When you have a wife as talented with her sewing machine as mine is, price is never an issue.

 

[Edward]

Good for you Edward, compliments to you.

That was my thoughts too, but when I quit alcohol, totally, without dieting I lost well over twenty pounds in weight.

I've had to go dry myself in recent years due to the discovery I have an undersized liver which has developed some scarring. A mix of carrying more weight than I should the last decade, and just rotten luck. Unfortunately given that I rarely managed as much as twenty units in a quarter, let alone a week, it's not done much for the exterior!

When you have a wife as talented with her sewing machine as mine is, price is never an issue.

I cam well imagine that makes a lot of difference.

 

[gearfreakny]

Just wait until you gain or lose some weight and have to start buying doubles

I can relate to that, lol!

 

[morrison2951]

When other people notice, ask about it, or simply say ... "Dude, you have so many leather jackets, why do you own so many of those?"

I've learned an elevator speech response that generally satisfies most curious observers ... "This collection hobby is cheaper and simpler to insure and maintain than old classic British cars, motorcycles, or farm tractors. If It wasn't jackets, I would probably collect one of these other items, but I have no room for another car or a tractor."

Same for me.... only it would be GTO's.