Vintage Leather Jackets

Regardless of where you look (on-line or off) it is important to do your due diligence.  While sites such as e-bay or on-line stores are a sure bet to find just about any type of vintage garment and more than likely one of your best bets for finding what you want, it isn’t a guarantee that you will get what you pay for – the responsibility for knowing what you want and researching what you buy before you purchase always rests squarely on your own shoulders.

1.  Be sure the identification is on the label.  In other words, the name of the maker will give you many clues as to how old the jacket is and when it was manufactured.  This label can usually be found beneath the nape of the neck of the jacket.
2.  Style.  If a jacket has no historical significance, then the style may very well be more important than ever.  If it is a style that is currently not in demand, the jacket will have a lower value.  However, even without historical significance, a jacket that is currently coming back around in style may demand a higher bidding price.
3.  Size.  Large jackets manufactured before the 1960’s are a scarcity so a larger jacket from this era may command a higher asking price.  However, if the jacket has a historical significance, then these criteria don’t hold true.  They will always command a higher asking price but for the common pedestrian jacket, the above is a good barometer for price when it comes to the size of the jacket.
4.  Condition.  If it has mold, move on.  It doesn’t matter what significance the jacket holds, mold is a killer and will ultimately destroy the jacket.  Inspect the garment you are going to purchase thoroughy.  If able, lay it on a flat surface under a light to look for tell tale signs of damage that cannot be repaired.  Cracks, tears, mold, soil.  Soil can sometimes be removed without damaging the garment,  however if alterations to the garment need to take place, then it is a no go.  If purchasing on-line, ask questions and be sure the seller is providing a good layout of pictures of the garment at all angles and under proper lighting.

Remember, fashion is cyclical.  What doesn’t seem like a buy today may be tomorrow’s gold.  Be wise when making purchases like these and do your due diligence before and not after you pay the piper.

But keeping an older vintage jacket in “good” shape is a little trickier than one might expect. The trick is to not only in the conditioning but the storage as well.  Storing leather improperly will lead to a disastrous result.   The last thing you want when you go to take out your jacket after a long warm summer is to find it cracked, brittle and unwearable.  This can definitely be prevented with just a few common sense tips.

1.   Clean and condition your leather before storing (this will help prevent the leather from drying out and cracking and peeling).
2.    Keep the leather from extremes in temperature.  Too hot or direct sunlight will destroy and fade the leather and well as dry the material.  On the reverse side of this, too        humid or damp will cause the leather to mold which is a death sentence for your jacket.  Mold is the #1 enemy of leather and if your jacket is subject to it, it will be                    almost impossible to restore.
3.   Stuff the arms of the jacket with acid free paper (very important) to help the jacket keep its shape.
4.  Finally, do not fold the jacket but rather hang it on a good, solid, sturdy hanger.  Wooden is the preference but if you have a good heavy duty plastic that will work.                   Leather is heavy and if you skip over this step or decide to trim the budget with a cheaper hanger, then your investment will be ruined.  Do not be penny wise and dollar         foolish.

By following these simple, common sense tips for storage, your vintage leather jacket will remain as beautiful and “old” as the day you made your purchase.