TFL- before and afters

[handymike]

I recently discovered this photo of myself 1 month before I joined TFL:

I look pretty happy in my North Face and Old Navy dad jeans...
Fast forward 8 years, countless hours on the internet, and thousands of dollars spent in pursuit of my “Grail” jacket...

Anyone else have fun before and after shots to share?

I may even post some “evolution” shots. You guys?

 

[powersci]

Alright, time to start digging through my old photos. Is this gonna be TFL's version of the Ten Year Challenge?

 

[powersci]

So I couldn't find any pictures of me from 10 years ago. I can tell you I was a typical Chicagoan: North Face jackets, lol.

Instead, here's the best-of from the last few years. It started in 2014 with a B-6 from Aero (sold)..then a D-1 (sold)...then a B-3...then another B-6...then another B-3...then an ANJ-4...all sprinkled with some non-Aero jackets. And yes, again, I know I have a problem with buying too many shearling jackets.

 

[ton312]

2011. Had plenty of leather jackets pre lounge but didn’t know others share this sickness until 2012. I actually wish I still had this penfield. It was pretty nice tbh.

2019...

 

[Hh121]

Before:
4 lbs US Wings, really heavy jacket.

After:
7.4 lbs Suburban, nice mid-weight jacket.....

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Sorry no....WITSEC
B

 

[ton312]

Sorry no....WITSEC
B

That’s one acronym I can’t guess! But I’m curious!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

2011


2019

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^^lol
Witness Protection
B

 

[roadking04]

@Hh. I'm still laughing. Great post!!!!

 

[handymike]

Here are some TFL inspired purchases along the way:
My first Aero-



Good Companion:

Hercules:

Windward:

Third Aero:


Thedi:

Schott:

 

[jeo]

What a great idea for a thread!

@handymike - you almost look like a different person!

 

[handymike]

What a great idea for a thread!

@handymike - you almost look like a different person!

See what this place has done to me!

 

[Hh121]

Next thread: post your bank account before & after TFL

 

[ton312]

Another interesting idea is how TFL changed your views on items not necessarily made from leather. Pre TFL I would have never considered denim, wool, beach cloth, etc to be worthy a premium price. Leather always felt “worth it”. Now I find the boundary for other materials has slipped significantly into “leather only” price justification.

 

[jeo]

This is me in 2010 in my Lost Worlds Ryder. It was the first jacket I ever bought brand new from the manufacturer. (sorry for the shitty photo)

Me in 2019

 

[handymike]

Much better .

 

[handymike]

Another interesting idea is how TFL changed your views on items not necessarily made from leather. Pre TFL I would have never considered denim, wool, beach cloth, etc to be worthy a premium price. Leather always felt “worth it”. Now I find the boundary for other materials has slipped significantly into “leather only” price justification.

Yeah, the whole Gustin hoohah / selvedge thing got me all wrapped up in it for awhile.

 

[ton312]

Giving it some thought...What’s most interesting to me is how I’ve actually come (somewhat) full circle, specifically with cross zips. I went from Vanson>Aero>many Aero>LW>4 LW>back to Aero>many Aero>Vanson. Some Bates and others sprinkled in along the way. But full stop back at Vanson. The things I thought I was “improving” upon eventually became the things I missed most in the humble Vanson.

 

[navetsea]

What a great idea for a thread!

@handymike - you almost look like a different person!

no kidding, he is morphing from kevin costner to donald sutherland