What is it about quality leather jackets...?

[dan_t]

Ok, we're probably a little bit mad around here, but I was wondering;
What is it about quality leather jackets that compels you to research, hunt, debate, discuss, acquire & wear these things?

For me, I have always loved the idea of a highly skilled craftsperson hand-making an item that is designed for a purpose. It's both beautiful and functional at the same time.
Plus there's something really nice about wearing an organic product, rather than a synthetic layer. Final thing that I love is that in this consumer driven, single-use world, there are still items that are designed to be used, repaired & handed down when the time is right.

And THAT smell.....

Now, over to you.....

 

[rocketeer]

Someone once said, and I have no idea whom it was, I quote "Quality never goes out of style".

 

[Monitor]

Everything. The fact that the functionality only enhances the look. Durability, toughness of the damn things. The way leather looks, creases, ages... And how I feel wearing 'em. It's exactly what Jerry Seinfeld says in that clip I posted, I really do feel a lot more confident wearing a leather jacket so much that I don't feel myself not wearing one. Which really sucks for me because I always hated summer because of the heat and now I have another reason to absolutely dread it.

 

[Edward]

Pure and simple, it's about the style. My first leather love was the Perfecto, channelling Alice Cooper, then Joey Ramone, then Marlon Brando.... a love of other styles of bike jacket came after that - D pockets and such variations. A non-biker, non-black leather was once unthinkable, but then I rediscovered a love of the Indiana Jones Series, and Indy (along with a bit of help from one Captain Virgil Hilts along the way) taught me to appreciate brown leather..... For me it's all about the craftsmanaship, the artistry, and the style. Also, unlike many other things I collected when younger, it's easier to justify the money gonig into a jacket because, well.... I need clothes. It's nice to have an interest in something I can take out and wear, that has a practical purpose, rather than juast taking up space in my small flat. Also, I've always been the kind of person who is a bit precious about my clothes, who doesn't want them to wear out or be irreplaceable. My leather jackets can be worn for decades, are repairable, and will always look great. I enjoy that level of sustainability. I never buy clothes with the short-term in mind, as I don't care for fashion; I buy for me, for what I like, and that's fairly constant by now.


Also, as with the pending motorcycle, there's undeniably an element of midlife crisis to it, I'm sure. But mostly, I think I look good in them.

 

[Carlos840]

Could it just be that we are a bunch of psychos who like wearing dead animal skins!

Where is that bottle of lotion when you need it...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Moving to a custom made to measure jacket was my first consideration into a more quality leather jacket, since I am tall with longer arms than usual and have a fairly long torso, much better fit was my main consideration. Of course that led to the offerings of a selection of hides of better rustic character including grain, finish, and then different styles from patterns that put fashion jackets to shame. The possibility of a stylish fitted leather jacket also now including distinctive traits that didn't appear artificial or purposely pre-distressed and often over done. Once experiencing this availability, there was no going back to the standard off the rack jacket with the search for rare exceptional features but then seemingly most often lacking with other shortcomings.
HD

 

[Peter Bowden]

Each one is an individual,like the person wearing them.They can ooze sophistication and toughness at the same time.They last.

 

[ton312]

As soon as I find the answer to this question I'll begin searching for the cure.

 

[Fanch]

I think HD and Edward couldn't have expressed the situation any better. In my case I am tall but have a relatively short torso but long arms (and legs) in relation to my height. I would routinely buy extra large so the arms would be long enough; hence my jackets were sized too big, especially in the torso.

When I first started ordering custom jackets from Aero, HD was the first to point out to me that I was sizing myself way to big. In fact HD is primarily to blame for my closet full of leather jackets.

 

[Edward]

Could it just be that we are a bunch of psychos who like wearing dead animal skins!

Where is that bottle of lotion when you need it...

In the basket, surely?

Moving to a custom made to measure jacket was my first consideration into a more quality leather jacket, since I am tall with longer arms than usual and have a fairly long torso, much better fit was my main consideration. Of course that led to the offerings of a selection of hides of better rustic character including grain, finish, and then different styles from patterns that put fashion jackets to shame. The possibility of a stylish fitted leather jacket also now including distinctive traits that didn't appear artificial or purposely pre-distressed and often over done. Once experiencing this availability, there was no going back to the standard off the rack jacket with the search for rare exceptional features but then seemingly most often lacking with other shortcomings.
HD

That's a good point. Thus far, I've always been lucky enough to find that standard sizing works for me, but if you're atypical in these regards - taller than average, shorter, longer arms, whatever - it certainly pays to go the extra mile and go custom.

 

[K-Pants]

For me it is the look, feel smell and, above all, the durability. I love things that stand the test of time and offer years of service.

Part of it is a respect for quality materials and craftsmanship, and part of it, perhaps sadly, is my own laziness--I want something great and want to know it's there and will be forever so I don't have to concern myself with it. I don't want to fuss or think too much about it, just pick it up and put it on.

Leather is cool like that. Well, maybe not lamb leather

 

[El Marro]

I have always liked leather jackets and I have always had an acquisitive nature. I stumbled across the lounge a couple years ago and the rest is history...
I love leather jackets for all of the reasons my fellow loungers have listed above. Like HoosierDaddy and Fanch, I have discovered the joy of made to measure coats that fit well.
As soon as Ton312 discovers the antidote to the leather bug I will line up to receive my shot. But not until I add a few more jackets to my collection!

 

[nick123]

Two words, design and durability. They look awesome and they don't fall apart, so you can wear (or stare) for decades without worry. The countours and lines. And the history. These jackets are actually a pretty remarkable time capsule of history. You get the art deco in the 30s, the War in the forties, the utilitarianism of the 50s, the psychedelia of the 60s and 70s, and like a microcosm of the rest of the world's culture, everything falls apart after that!

 

[ProteinNerd]

Like I tell my wife, its either this or hookers and blow

You gotta spend it on something

 

[Benny Holiday]

Haha, you rock PN!

Like Nick said, design and durability. I first got the real itch for a vintage-style leather jacket after seeing the movie Seabiscuit. The closest thing I could find to the jacket Tobey Maguire wears in that movie was, at that time, an Aero Halfbelt. Now I knew zip about leather quality, but as soona s that FQHH jacket arrived, I knew it was solidly constructed out of solid materials - made to last.

It's taken me a while to come with the dough for another jacket but I've got an order for a Sunburst with the groovy art deco back in with Thurston Bros at the moment, and I know I'm getting great style AND great quality. Very excited!

 

[dan_t]

Class PN, all class........

 

[ButteMT61]

For me, I like having things that I won't see 100 others wearing here in la la-land.
That, and the smells, quality and knowing I'm supporting a small business.
That and that and I am a gorilla of odd proportions, so like others, I need a custom much of the time...

 

[Monitor]

Like I tell my wife, its either this or hookers and blow

You gotta spend it on something

She knows how much these jackets cost? I bet she'd prefer the latter if she did.

 

[ProteinNerd]

She knows how much these jackets cost? I bet she'd prefer the latter if she did.

I dont think she wants to know lol

 

[technovox]

Like I tell my wife, its either this or hookers and blow

You mean we have to make a choice??

Grrr...Now you tell me...;-(