Wise words to live by (jacket related)

[Monte.C]

Be adventurous and daring with your clothing choices!

Wear it like nobody's business.

 

[navetsea]

Take charge- be adventurous and daring with your clothing choices! There’s no need to be boring, plenty of others dress like they can’t be bothered, desire to hide, or merely blend-in. Don’t be afraid to take a chance.

lots of style influencer dress to blend with the room decor, they pick all kind of muted color that would be totally invisible in peripheral vision among ikea furnitures and stucco walls, even their human silhouette is disguised like a mantle rack, coat hanger or a decorative pedestal, probably people they meet suddenly act surprised or widen their eyes and they think their reaction is a silent admiration of their style but they are just genuinely surprised there is suddenly a person near them.

 

[Aloysius]

Most of the main points have made, so I'll add this: don't feel like owning/wearing a leather jacket needs to change the way you wear the rest of your clothes.

Especially don't get a giant chain wallet, neck tattoos, stitchdown boots, etc to "match" your jacket. You'll simply look ridiculous.

The vintage photos you can find on some threads here make it clear that leather jackets are just leather jackets. People wore them as they would wear any other sports coat or outerwear.

N.b. when I mention not necessarily changing your clothes, I mean not to treat it as the first item in a new uniform, but if the sturdiness of a good leather jacket gets you interested in shifting your wardrobe to similarly long-lasting items, that's not a bad thing. Though know the difference between actually long-lasting and stuff that's just marketing for ruggedness. A suit in medium to heavy fabrics will likely last far longer (and be inheritable/alterable for your descendants) than many of the fancy leather jackets on the market.

 

[theeprimitivesound]

Be comfortable in your own skin and the one you wear.

 

[TartuWolf]

Take time to understand what measurement ranges work best for you and don't ignore one important measurement that does not get mentioned at all - chest width (as opposed to pit to pit). Big difference between two jackets with the same pit to pit but 1" difference in chest width.

Measurements are far from the whole story, you need to take things like pattern, mobility features and body adjusters into account, but that's the best you can do without trying the jacket or knowing the pattern from previous experience.

You can't really have a slim fit jacket (in terms of upper body and upper arm) and have good mobility. Have to choose one or the other (or a balance of those). The cheat code here (at least for upper body / upper back) are mobility features like bi-swing back or shoulder gussets.

Aniline leather for show/beauty, pigmented for practicality. Or cheat with heavy waxing and hot stuffing like CXL and get both beauty and water resistance, but sacrifice on (initial) comfort/mobility.

Just some thoughts that came to mind from my learning experience.

 

[mumpy]

If you are here reading this thread, then just message one of the admins to ban you from this forum and just wear the jackets you have.

Alternatively, for every new jacket purchase, you should aim to start a fight in it and report back.

 

[Tom71]

Trust your instincts.

Listen to intel and advice from others, but take it with a grain of salt.

Be weary of phrases like "this is clearly", "it has been shown", "a good friend has" or "[insert product or maker] will always".

 

[Tom71]

If your significant other hates the new jacket it´s a keeper.

 

[navetsea]

if you plan to really only own 1 leather jacket, then have it in
olive or grey

 

[MrProper]

if you plan to really only own 1 leather jacket, then have it in
olive or grey

Or black… or brown

 

[handymike]

…or blue, or British Racing Green!

 

[Trouser Bark]

There’s no value in owning a jacket you don’t look forward to wearing and many have a jacket in the closet that’s as interesting as a pair of clapped out old sweatpants.

Acquire fewer and better.

 

[Viking752]

With great leather…..comes great responsibility

 

[VansonRider]

…or blue, or British Racing Green!

Really you should go for two tone, for their versatility.

 

[VansonRider]

In my avatar photo I’m wearing a white, blue and hot pink sport rider. If you feel like a cross zip is “too loud” or “too attention grabbing” get something that looks like a leather ski parka from 1989 and wear it for a year.
Boom.
Self consciousness cured.

 

[ragtime_joe]

- Stop trying to find the perfect jacket. The jacket that is perfect for you will find you.
- Perfection is the opposite of cool.

 

[AeroFan_07]

In my avatar photo I’m wearing a white, blue and hot pink sport rider. If you feel like a cross zip is “too loud” or “too attention grabbing” get something that looks like a leather ski parka from 1989 and wear it for a year.
Boom.
Self consciousness cured.

Absolutely true!
When I had the Honda Nighthawk, a co-worker sold me a rather dilapidated (read: well pre-loved) Joe Rocket Blaster 1.0 in Red, white and black. Peopled Loved that jacket. It looked a lot like this one:

 

[derryman]

Enjoining this thread and decided to delurk for one. I don’t know the correct terminology for the sleeve but ….

- slimmer styles are ok but if ordering one and especially if you lift or carry any weight pick something low friction for the sleeve lining material.

My only regret on one of mine. It would get more wear otherwise.

Totally agree with leave it somewhere easy access on the way out the door.

 

[red devil]

I didn't think I could add anything after all the good advice shared in this thread, but there is:

Do not overthink leather jackets!

 

[Will Zach]

I am saying this not to be a smartass or, worse, an ahole. I say this because it is true, and I care about wellbeing of my fellow TFLers.

For a proper leather jacket fit, it really helps not to have a beer belly or otherwise extra pounds. Leather jackets are very unforgiving that way.

So I am rooting for every one of you who lost or are losing excess pounds. Better fitting jackets are incidental, better health is the star here.

I should know, I lost 30 lbs a few years back, from 175 to 145. Working hard to keep it that way, and keep my jackets and pants fit like they should.