How Many Jackets is Enough

[CryptoDave]

Aside from collecting, how many jackets is truly enough if you plan on wearing them throughout the year? Assuming you have different jackets (fleece and non-fleece), for each season.

I sort of liken this to photography, where at one point I had 4 different cameras and after awhile it sort of became paralysis by analysis, meaning which camera do I take for a shoot. Eventually I paired down to just 2, but even now there's one I keep grabbing constantly.

I wonder if there's a similar "analogy" to jackets?

Dave

 

[John Lever]

I am with you. After years of duplication and trade ups I think I am almost where I want to be in terms of collecting/wearing.
Even with generous discounts jackets are getting too expensive to justify.

I plan to stay with my ELC A-1 and my own design Radjacke. My larger collection of sheepskins I plan to shear down to perhaps four or five. I have even decided to pass on the new ELC Anj-4.
A second hand RMNZ B-3 will never happen as they are as rare as Guardsman sh*t in India. One or more ELC Irvin's will go.
The only jacket I would like is a very rare version of the B-3 50 Cal that has the red base coat. This jacket will never be available again. An alternative would be a seal B-3 with seal Warhorse trim.

 

[ButteMT61]

At the beginning of the year, I had a good 14-17. I'm down to ~9. Getting a couple more out and will end up with ~7.
Not all leather of course - some denim, some wool. But yeah, it gets kinda crazy. And no way to break anything in if you have that many, especially if you live in a warmer place like me.
It's a bug. I have begun the process of downsizing.

 

[John Lever]

You are right the breaking in never happens.

 

[Jeff M]

"Enough" always seems to be one more than what I currently have. :cry:

 

[John Lever]

"Enough" always seems to be one more than what I currently have. :cry:

If you are an A-2 fan you have no chance..

 

[Otter]

ebay.co.uk/itm/EASTMAN-Leather-Flying-Jacket-B-3-RoughWear-Sheepskin-MINT-2011-2-RRP-799-/290774336302?pt=UK_Men_s_Coats_Jackets&hash=item43b380432e

If anyone is a size 36" this looks nice, not me selling, loooong time since I was that size!

 

[Jeff M]

"Enough" always seems to be one more than what I currently have. :cry:

If you are an A-2 fan you have no chance..

I know. It's a lost cause. :lol:

 

[derleicaman]

In leather I am currently at six GW A-2's, four in HH and two in goat, and a D-1 prototype. ELC B-3 and Luftwaffe. Aero B-6 and Highwayman. One RMNZ A-2 Dubow. One issue West German Luftwaffe in gray goat for the hell of it. Not counting nylon AF jackets and my tanker.

Crazy, yes! I have now taken on the policy of if I get a new one, one has to go to try and restore some sanity.

Of the Good Wear jackets, each one is very different. SAT in HH. 1401-P in the red russet Japanese HH. RW 27752 in the Horween "Mustang" HH. Cable #1 in the Indian russet goat, and a Dubow in the original French goat. Finally another Dubow in the Dark Seal Japanese HH. The only two with any overlap would be the two goats. Otherwise all different from each other in looks and feel. That's part of the fun of this hobby/obsession.

You're right Scott, hard to break them in properly when you have so many, but at least here in Chicago we have real weather so I can wear all of them at some point during the year.

 

[Vcruiser]

I'm assuming you mean the higher quality leather jackets.
I have three A-2 repros(seal&russet in HH +one seal in Water Buffalo/rust knits)...and an original Aero russet. Each of which I rarely wear anymore.
My fall/spring wear is a brown FQHH Bootlegger and Black vintage FQHH Stuart both lined in alcapa. Winterwear is my Aero B-6.
I also have a buckskin antique steer Aero '30s HB lined with muted plaid hvy saddle blanket that is a little dressier. A steer oil pull Aero '30s HB lined in cotton Drill. Plus my first Aero..a brown FQHH Highwayman lined in alcapa.
A Vanson hvy steer black Enfield lined in Rayon(great jacket)!!
Several vintage steer&HH riding jackets...and several Harley jackets.
In the last several years I have cut my jacket collection in half.
Fortunately..now I am done buying. I have exactly the jackets that I want and enjoy wearing.
Been a long journey....
Van

 

[derleicaman]

Hey Van, I thought i was done for a while too, and then the SAT popped up here a few weeks ago. That meant the Bronco goat had to go. One in, one out strategy.

At least this obsession is cheaper than my other one; Leica collecting! I did that for a lot of years and eventually amassed a world-class collection. I eventually became (and still am) a Leica dealer. "Honey, they're for inventory and will be sold". OK. Then I joined the Leica Historical Society and then became the president back in 1998-2000. I've been the editor of our quarterly journal and board member for over 12 years. Designed three speical edition Leica sets over the years. Talk about obsessive/compulsive!

 

[Vcruiser]

Hey Van, I thought i was done for a while too, and then the SAT popped up here a few weeks ago. That meant the Bronco goat had to go. One in, one out strategy.

At least this obsession is cheaper than my other one; Leica collecting! I did that for a lot of years and eventually amassed a world-class collection. I eventually became (and still am) a Leica dealer. "Honey, they're for inventory and will be sold". OK. Then I joined the Leica Historical Society and then became the president back in 1998-2000. I've been the editor of our quarterly journal and board member for over 12 years. Designed three speical edition Leica sets over the years. Talk about obsessive/compulsive!

I know what you mean. Crazy..huh. Congrats on fullfilling yours. Outstanding for sure!
I once collected engraved firearms. Revolvers..pistols..rifles..and shotguns...until I had several safes full. Traveled all over to large gunshows and conventions. Loved doing it..and learning the ins and outs. Met many wonderful traders and dealers..plus fantasic engravers as well from all over the world.
Now when I pull them out..I not only enjoy the artistic beauty...but remember all the great times that I had. Like many things over the years...gun collecting and gun shows changed. Nothing at all like it once was. I guess that gradual transformation helped finally tamp out that obsession.
Van

 

[flyboy]

Two must be enough. That's where I am now.
One Irvin for the 6-7 cold months - and one A2 for the rest of the year.

At the moment I have one AERO Irvin and 4 A2's (all replicas)
And one AcesHigh Irvin on the way in.

Bottom line: One Aero Irvin and at least 2 A2's are up for sale.
I can not decide between my russet Horsehide and an old sealbrown Goat - so I'll keep both.

 

[CryptoDave]

Hey Van, I thought i was done for a while too, and then the SAT popped up here a few weeks ago. That meant the Bronco goat had to go. One in, one out strategy.

At least this obsession is cheaper than my other one; Leica collecting! I did that for a lot of years and eventually amassed a world-class collection. I eventually became (and still am) a Leica dealer. "Honey, they're for inventory and will be sold". OK. Then I joined the Leica Historical Society and then became the president back in 1998-2000. I've been the editor of our quarterly journal and board member for over 12 years. Designed three speical edition Leica sets over the years. Talk about obsessive/compulsive!

Those Leicas are great cameras. If you read the beginning of this post, it's the Leica M9-P that I always shoot with. Love that camera.

Dave

 

[Otter]

Ouch, engraved firearms = expensive, but very nice!

 

[crazyace]

Even though I couldn`t afford more than one right now,I would only want to own 1 A-2 and maybe a B-3. I have one ELC A-2 I am satisfied with and wear it every chance I get.It is well broken in and is used. It is like having one baseball glove that you use for every pratice and game. You break it in,sweat in it, it is with you through the wins and the losses. it becomes a part of you ,like a best friend. You can pull it out of the closet ,look at it and think boy if this jacket could talk, the stories it could tell. You look at it and remember the things you did and places you had been with it on. Like the WW2 Army Air Force vet and his one and only issued A-2.

 

[CBI]

Good point last post. If we were to go for the true "spirit" of these jackets, just one and wear the hell out of it. The vintage second skin, everyman classic well-worn leather jacket.

This of course from a guy who has owned about 50 jackets in the last 3-4 years. I am down to a little over a dozen now.

 

[eckhartus]

Two must be enough. That's where I am now.

You are a wise person.
I realize that I have to make the sorting in my jackets.

 

[dujardin]

When one loves, one does not count.(google traduction)

 

[Roughwear]

There is of course no answer to this question. Everyone has their own views on what constitutes enough jackets. I would make a distinction between originals and repros though. Having a small number of repro A2s which are worn regularly means they broken in and acquire the "look", but most originals are already broken in and for me are really historical collectables, not daily wearers.