HOW TO THRIFT A LEATHER JACKET

If you are on the market for a new leather jacket, we highly suggest secondhand shopping for one. It might take a little bit longer to find the perfect one, but the end result is going to be so much more rewarding than just looking to fast-fashion retailers for the same leather jacket that so many people already have. When thrifting for a leather jacket, you are likely to find something super unique and fit for you.

The entire process of looking for a leather jacket while thrift shopping is very dependent on the type of leather jacket you are looking for. While it is important to have a goal in mind, it is just as important to keep your options open and an open mind. You could go into the experience being so narrow-minded that some really awesome hidden gems could be so easily overlooked.

If you are looking for that super authentic, vintage-looking leather jacket, then potential scuffing, tearing, and color fading might not be a problem for you. But, if you’re looking for a clean-cut, new with tags leather jacket, you are going to have a be a little bit more aware of defects.

Part of the joy of a battered vintage jacket is imagining all of the adventures that perfectly softened leather has been on over the years. But there is a difference between charmingly aged and beyond repair. Avoid buying jackets with damaged leather, but rips or flaws in the lining are easily fixable. Before buying a jacket, open and close every zip, popper, and button to make sure they’re all working properly. After all, you still want a functioning jacket.

However, keep in mind that vintage-style clothing has become pretty mainstream, so clothes that have been designed to look vintage have flooded the resale market alongside those that genuinely belong in the category. It’s worth noting that older leather jackets are more likely to be lined with hardy cotton, not sheeny polyester.

If you are on the hunt for an oversized leather jacket, a really good tip is to scout the men’s section first. A men’s small or medium could actually end up being a really good oversized looking leather jacket for women.  A good oversized leather jacket should be big enough to accommodate layers on cooler days, but not so oversized that it can’t be thrown on over a light floral dress on a spring evening.