Leather Jackets
Leather is a vintage virgin's best friend. Buying a beaten up, second hand leather jacket is a brilliant way to begin your journey into vintage buying...it is very difficult to go too badly wrong! Why, the mundane ever bother with buying their new high street plastic leather jacket that is the same price but lacks quality and character, I will never know! I bought my first second hand leather jacket when I was 15, and to this day, I still dream about it. Those were the days when 'Top Gun' and Tom Cruise were high up the hit list and I was looking for a replica, leather flying jacket. Being a northerner, I took myself off to the well renowned 'Afflecks Palace' and spent £10 on a beaten up, super soft, chestnut leather jacket with a cosy lining. Since then, that jacket has been thrown back into the vintage pool, my mum took it to a charity shop while I was at university, but it has never been forgotten!
Now, Camden market, Notting Hill and Brick lane have become my staple vintage outlets and although a bit more pricey because they are so well known, they have a fabulous selection and a diverse collection of styles, colours and sizes.
Some general tips for leather jacket purchases:
- If you go to Spain, check out the local leather outfitters, there are often some gorgeous purchases to be made at cheap prices, make sure that you factor it in to your holiday budget..muy bien!
- Make sure the leather moves. ( Some leather jackets, no matter how old, will sit like a square on you and won't adjust their shape to your body)
- Check that the length of the arms and the sizing is correct for you. (One of the problems with Vintage purchases are that clothes, depending how old they are, will have been tailored for smaller frames) It is so tempting, if you adore the softness of the leather and the style to buy it anyway, but don't because it will sit in the wardrobe being adored from afar but never feel 'quite right' out and about.
- If it has a smell, often it is entrenched and represents years and years of dried sweat that can never be overcome...no matter how hard you may try...bad luck but don't waste your pennies!
- Feel the fabric, the softer the better.
- If it's shiny...it's either sheep leather or probably plastic, the less shiny...the more leather like it will look!
- Sniff it! Leather has a well defined smell that canot be manufactured by plastic..use your nostrils to judge it's authenticity.
- Obviously, this season, the biker look is really in but don't go too ridiculous...and go for heavily embroidered biker jackets..this is a step too far and you would have to be Kate Moss to carry it off!
- Vintage touches... belts, collars, buttons are all to be loved and cherished.
- Consider your bootage, personally I think too much leather, top and bottom, can look a bit waterproofed so I prefer a combination of leather and suede!
Check out this cute little brown bomber jacket at TopShop, we love it and New Look have excelled in their leather abilities this season! Ted Baker have a couple of fab jackets at £299+ but even for 'Fur Coat' this is a lot of cash when you can buy a gorgeous vintage for £30+
This is my 'no knickers' vintage faithful, I truly love it and it cost me £15!
Comments