Leather jackets are available in countless styles. In addition to modern styles, you can find them in vintage styles. Known as vintage leather jackets, they feature a timeless appearance. Vintage leather jackets consist of styles that have been around for several decades. The MA-1, for instance, is a vintage leather jacket. It was originally developed for Air Force pilots and crewmen in the 1950s. Whether you’re looking for an MA-1 or any other style, though, there are several things you should and shouldn’t do when choosing a vintage leather jacket.
Do Opt for a Light Color
You can find vintage leather jackets in dozens of different colors. But when compared to dark colors, light colors typically offer a more timeless appearance. When leather jackets age, they’ll become lighter. It’s a defining characteristic of a patina, which refers to the overall appearance of aged leather. Light brown, beige, tan and shades thereof are all excellent color choices for a vintage leather jacket.
Don’t Settle for Faux Leather
While you can probably save a couple of bucks by choosing a vintage leather jacket made of faux leather, this isn’t recommended. Faux leather is fake leather. It may look like real leather, but it’s not made of an animal hide, nor is it tanned and processed in the same way that real leather is. Faux leather is actually a synthetic material.
Faux leather has the following characteristics that may it a poor choice when compared to real leather:
- Smoother, more artificial texture
- Chemical-like odor
- Makes a “crunching” noise when pressed
Do Look for an Antique Zipper
Before buying a vintage leather jacket, inspect the zipper. Most vintage leather jackets have a zipper on the front. In the past, leather jackets were worn primary for warmth and comfort in the cold weather. Therefore, they were equipped with a zipper on the front. Vintage leather jackets produced today still feature a zipper on the front. But the type of zipper used in their construction may vary. Some of them have an antique zipper. With an antique zipper, leather jackets offer a more genuine, vintage style.
Don’t Buy Secondhand
You should think twice before buying a secondhand vintage leather jacket. A leather jacket is considered secondhand if it’s been previously owned. Many people buy leather jackets, only to rarely or never wear them. Rather than keeping them, they’ll often sell their unused leather jackets. Secondhand vintage leather jackets are preowned jackets such as this. The problem with buying them is that you really don’t know what to expect. You may get lucky and come away with a high-quality jacket at an unbeatable price. Alternatively, you could up with a low-quality jacket — or even a fake leather jacket — that’s simply a waste of money.
Do Inspect the Grain
Another tip to follow when choosing a vintage leather jacket is to inspect the grain. All jackets made of real leather will have a grain. It’s the pattern on the surface of real leather. The grain may be fine and narrow, or it may be wide. High-quality leather typically has a fine grain. In other words, the pattern on the surface is close together, resulting in a fine grain. But other types of leather may have a wide grain. If you discover a wide grain on a vintage leather jacket, you may want to avoid buying it. Leather jackets with a fine grain are of higher quality and longer-lasting than those with a wide grain.
Don’t Overlook the Collar
If you’re going to invest in a vintage leather jacket, you should check the collar as well. Different vintage leather jackets have a different collar. The collar, of course, is the top part that wraps around your neck. Some vintage leather jackets have an open collar that offers little or no coverage of your neck. Others have a more closed collar. With a closed collar, you’ll stay warmer when wearing the vintage leather jacket. The Vintage Gravel Brown Leather Jacket, for instance, has a closed collar. You can even fasten it with a button.
Do Choose a Timeless Style
Perhaps one of the most important tips to follow is to choose a timeless style. Vintage leather jackets are those that have been around for several decades. They can still consist of new jackets, but their styles are older. The problem with modern styles is that may not last. Some modern styles can last for many years, but others will quickly fade. With a timeless style, you can rest assured knowing that it will withstand the hands of time. Vintage leather jackets in a timeless style are well
Don’t Get the Wrong Size
A common mistake people make when choosing a vintage leather jacket is getting the wrong size. Some people choose a size that’s too big, whereas others choose a size that’s too small. Regardless, the end result is the same: They are left with a vintage leather jacket that either looks awkward or feels uncomfortable to wear. To prevent this from happening, order a custom-sized vintage leather jacket. Like with other forms of custom-sized apparel, it will allow you to specify your own body measurements.
Do Consider Lining for Winter Usage
Depending on when you intend to wear it, you may want to choose a vintage leather jacket with lining. Lining is ideal for winter-weather jackets. It consists of an inner layer that’s added to the interior of a jacket, resulting in extra insulation. If you’re going to wear it during the winter, you should consider choosing a vintage leather jacket with lining.
Don’t Overlook the Type of Leather
When choosing a vintage leather jacket, don’t overlook the type of leather from which it’s made. Not all types of real leather are the same. Leather can come from different animals, such as sheep, deer and cow. It can also consist of different grades, such as top grain, full grain and split. Regardless, you can’t ignore the type of leather from which a vintage leather jacket is made.