Input requested

[iknowleather]

Friends at Fedora,
I recently received this in my Leather Care Specialists inbox from Jenn Barger: "
'I'm a contributing writer at Country Living specializing in vintage and thrift, and I'm doing a story on buying vintage leather jackets."
Jenn and I have a Google Meet appointment tomorrow morning (Monday 10-26). One of the questions she is looking to have answered is - Why do some people prefer vintage leather jackets over new?
and also - Are there particular vintage labels to look for?
I thought I'd reach out to all of you for some input. Anything you would like to offer will be appreciated!
Best always!
Dena

 

[Guppy]

I don't necessarily prefer vintage over new. But I like the style of vintage garments. I don't like the ways in which industries often try to cut costs and sacrifice quality to reach a price point or a profit margin. That, and automation, have resulted in the perception that older products were built with more care and to a higher standard than new.
As well, there's a survivorship bias for vintage items that were built well enough to last to the present and still be usable. The poorly made stuff didn't last or wasn't valued enough to hold onto it, so the stuff we see around today is the best of it.

New products on the other hand have benefits in the accumulation of learning and innovation that comes from the application of that old knowledge.

When the ultimate aim of the manufacturer is quality without compromise, modern reproductions generally beat vintage. But there's bound to be a difference between a $2000 jacket built from premium materials and old school techniques and the $20 jacket it was based on, which was an ordinary, everyday garment and not a luxury item.

 

[iknowleather]

I don't necessarily prefer vintage over new. But I like the style of vintage garments. I don't like the ways in which industries often try to cut costs and sacrifice quality to reach a price point or a profit margin. That, and automation, have resulted in the perception that older products were built with more care and to a higher standard than new.
As well, there's a survivorship bias for vintage items that were built well enough to last to the present and still be usable. The poorly made stuff didn't last or wasn't valued enough to hold onto it, so the stuff we see around today is the best of it.

New products on the other hand have benefits in the accumulation of learning and innovation that comes from the application of that old knowledge.

When the ultimate aim of the manufacturer is quality without compromise, modern reproductions generally beat vintage. But there's bound to be a difference between a $2000 jacket built from premium materials and old school techniques and the $20 jacket it was based on, which was an ordinary, everyday garment and not a luxury item.

Thank you, Guppy!
Good thoughts I agree with. My replies for Jenn are starting to gel

 

[jeo]

People prefer vintage over new for various reasons. It could be a design that no one is reproducing. It could be the cool factor. Or it could be because of cost. It’s cheaper to buy vintage. For some, vintage proportions fit them better. I’m in that camp. My new jackets are mostly custom since I need shorter lengths.

Vintage labels you want to look out for are Buco, Hercules (Sears), Windward (Montgomery Ward) and Sportclad (JC Penney). There are many more, but these are some of the more commonly seen ones in the 40’s and 50’s.

 

[iknowleather]

People prefer vintage over new for various reasons. It could be a design that no one is reproducing. It could be the cool factor. Or it could be because of cost. It’s cheaper to buy vintage. For some, vintage proportions fit them better. I’m in that camp. My new jackets are mostly custom since I need shorter lengths.

Vintage labels you want to look out for are Buco, Hercules (Sears), Windward (Montgomery Ward) and Sportclad (JC Penney). There are many more, but these are some of the more commonly seen ones in the 40’s and 50’s.

Jeo,
Thanks so much for your input! I'll share the link to the writer's article. I won't know when it's publishing until I talk with her tomorrow.
Best!
Dena

 

[tmitchell59]

Hey Dena!

I'm 74 today, graduted from High School in 1970. I don't think of that era as vintage, but it is, Just like the 1930s were vintage when I graduated. Everything gets old, used, vintage and most everything has someone who collects it, values it, pursues it.

Vintage clothes and leather jackets are no different. They represent a different time and a different feel. They have a history in the fashion world that is still being written.

I like the history, just like my friend jeo above, and we have gathered a great deal of that, here on this forum. The knowledge base has grown and we are trying to get that out there.

I do believe old, used, vintage jackets can be a great value in todays market and you don't have to spend a lot of money.

 

[Biff42]

Hey Dena!

I'm 74 today, graduted from High School in 1970. I don't think of that era as vintage, but it is, Just like the 1930s were vintage when I graduated. Everything gets old, used, vintage and most everything has someone who collects it, values it, pursues it.

Vintage clothes and leather jackets are no different. They represent a different time and a different feel. They have a history in the fashion world that is still being written.

I like the history, just like my friend jeo above, and we have gathered a great deal of that, here on this forum. The knowledge base has grown and we are trying to get that out there.

I do believe old, used, vintage jackets can be a great value in todays market and you don't have to spend a lot of money.

Happy birthday Terry!


@iknowleather for me, it's akin to having wearable antiques. As a child of the 80's/90's, my parents collected the bulky brown furniture antique pieces. I don't have much interest in those because of their size and the space they take up. Vintage leather jackets carry a provenance and history that fit in your closet. Also, searching for and purchasing the vintage pieces is way more interesting than buying currently produced leather jackets.