Looking to buy a leather jacket. Need some advice.

Call it a mid-life crisis, but I think it’s about time that I get myself a good leather jacket. I’ve looked a bit into this but it’s all a tad intimidating. The best leather, brands, workmanship. I’ve read a good starter jacket kicks off at around $300 and can go on up to $2K+. My budget is $3-500. I was at a Wilson’s leather shop today with jackets that were on clearance. I found one I liked for $150 down from $400. Smelled fishy, said it was genuine leather on label, not pleather. Still, held off.

Should I buy from a store or get it custom fit? I’ve read these jackets can last for many years so it’ll be an investment but I don’t want to take the plunge on one I’ll regret.

Anyone out there have a leather jacket, and if so how did you go about deciding? Should I get goat, lamb, cow? How hard are they to maintain? To break in?

Eh I'd ask on a fashion subreddit, there'd be more diversity of semi-informed opinion there maybe. I bought a blue lambskin jacked from Diesel a few years back, I somewhat regret it given what I payed.

Maybe mention the specific style of jacket (blazer, bomber, etc..,) you want rather than just an ambiguous "leather jacket."

i watched gomorrah early last year, saw ciro di marzio's hooded leather jacket, liked it and went to find one as close to it as possible. it has a detachable hood so i can rock the moody, neapolitan mafia don look, or the dressier, more respectable hoodless look at will. that's about as much thought as i put into it ha

I'm not looking for specific style recommendations, but of broad purchasing advice for leather overall. But I suppose bomber would be in the direction I'd go, if that makes any difference in you giving advice.

Bomber jacket? Buy one that is either fully broken in (i.e. looks like a stuntman used it) or one that is not perfect. Regardless what condition you think you may want, eventually you will want it to look like a used and well worn piece.

Depends on how much you willing to spend, you could either go to Burlington Coat Factory for nice ones at an affordable price, or you could go for brand names like http://www.belstaff.com or http://www.merchoid.com to feed your inner nerd with jackets from Games, Movies, and Comics.

Bomber jackets are pretty 80s.

Get something good vintage, that will be timeless. Think Brad Pitts red leather jacket from fightclub, and you have the style I’m talking about.

Typed "leather jacket buyers guide" into Google.

https://effortlessgent.com/leather-jacket-buying-guide/

^^^that's a nice and very helpful find, thanks. The jacket Jeff's wearing is exactly what I'm looking for.

So I guess it isn't a bomber? This is considered a vintage? @Baconstrip78

Best leather it not made anymore so to be in luck you go to thrift shop. Fashion leather jacket not made so well, unless it motorcycle and it must function too.

My main issue is that if I'm spending so much money on a piece of clothing ($500+), at that point I want to get it custom fit and not buy it off the rack. Leather jackets are handmade, and if I'm going to shell out so much money they should be tailored to my fit as well. I've been searching for stores in NYC that do this but can find none which is frustrating. New York should have tons. There are online outlets but I want to go in and speak to someone who does custom jobs.

This is driving me nuts.

@MirkoS77:

It much easier to find custom shop it sound like for you. You still might pay but maybe look for artist which know how but not have the same money as corporation. Maybe you not want to pay for such custome work. It what it worth.

I imagine tailored leather would be ridiculously expensive. Even if you find it something local.

If you can find an online tailor, you could just go to a local tailor and get your full measurements done and send it to the online shop.

https://www.celebritiesoutfits.com/bane-dark-knight-black-jacket-coat

Legit cool jacket.

It’s a shame Danier Leather went out of business because they made awesome leather jackets. I still have a few and they can be worn without looking out of date.

Banana Republic sells decent leather coats. They’re probably discounted in price with the season coming to an end.

*edit - scratch Banana Republic. I just looked at their current offerings and they look stupid. ‘Vegan leather coat’? What the hell is that?

bomber <3