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Relined older Aero Highwayman.
I cannot state this often enough: I would love to see more members picking two or three of their faves and wearing them so we can see the true beauty of those jackets
One of the main reasons I don't own more jackets, I have six but stick to four regularly, is that every new one just takes the wear away from the old one. I'd like a better fitting HWM, but having put seven years wear into it I don't want to start again.
This old A2 of mine has been around the block a few times, I prefer to keep it maintained with the use of an oil based polish, (not shoe polish,) carefully rubbed in using a circular motion. The jacket is so old that Nelson had is other eye when it was new. As other's have said, it's a matter of taste, I just don't like my jackets to look shabby.
Lots of good replies to this thread thus far. It seems there is a general consensus that legitimate "patina" is something a jacket earns over time. It's not faked and doesn't come through deliberate premeditated abuse.
Unacceptable patina may mean the jacket has reached a stage where it's in danger of being damaged simply by being worn (flaking leather or weak stitching, for example).
I personally wouldn't want to distress a jacket to create an illusion of patina or aging. To me, the best kind of patina comes only through repeated wearing, when a jacket is subjected to various conditions and use over time. Patina shows a jacket has had a life filled with experiences. It tells its story through every scar, scuff and blemish.
But some may disagree.
Let me present the example of my vintage Lesco cafe racer again with additional photos. Do you consider this an example of an acceptable level of patina? Is it just a dirty jacket that didn't receive proper care? Something in between? (I have no idea what the spots are on the back, by the way. Oil splatter?)
Of course, there are no right/wrong answers, just individual viewpoints.
Over-grease your chain and go for a blast - instant patina
Patina:
Fake patina:
Depends on what you want.
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I would call this patina on my riding gloves. Never been conditioned, never cleaned and this is an old pic. They look even better now! The use of the clutch, checking tire pressure, changing tire, rain, sun... you name it.
Only achieved with real use and abuse.
All I know is that I don't want my jacket to look like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-La...50-1956-Only-Columbia-Rin-Tanaka/142496056656
That's damage, not patina...
How long has that jacket been for sale? Seems like I've seen it on eBay for years at various prices. Great looking jacket but didn't it start out at 3999 for asking price?