The Jacket

18 March 2009

The Jacket

There are many types of jackets, but the main concern here is leather; potentially, a flight or even a bomber jacket from WWII. These tend to be the most well designed and hard wearing garments of all time. Initially designed for mild and extreme temperatures at multiple altitudes for the US and allied force pilots, the flight jacket design has stood the test of time. The German Defense Forces (Wehrmacht) of WWII also had some pretty cool and sleek flieger (pilot) jackets worth looking into. For a life long companion, that improves its looks and character from use and age, a quality leather flight jacket is really hard to beat.

The lining can be made of polyester, cotton, nylon, silk, or the actual wool from the animal. Some of the lighter and cooler materials are used in the summer flight jackets. The lighter jackets of course are used in mild climates. These go well with almost all types of informal wear, and are ready for any travel adventure.

Heavy bomber jackets, that utilize wool from the animal for the lining, are for extremely cold weather climates. The bulk associated with the bomber jacket is not for casual wear. Its purpose is to trap as much warm air from the body, and keep it from escaping as possible. Wool is one of the most efficient insulators known, and even insulates when damp or wet.

Choosing a Jacket

The main concerns in purchasing a leather jacket is the type of leather used in its construction, its construction method or design, and the actual types of weather it will be worn in; its intended purpose. Truth be known, leather is leather. Differences really lay in the thickness or weight of the leather, and its external texture, finish, and grain, and all of these vary even amongst the same leather source. There is cowhide, pigskin, and the most popular; sheep skin. How do you find the specific leather you want in your jacket? The safest bet is to grab a hand full, and if you think you’ve found the perfect leather, don’t expect to find it again; carpe deum with urgency! Understanding how to treat and care for the jacket leather after purchase is crucial to performance and longevity. You don’t have to neglect your jacket to get the cool worn look. It gets the cool worn look from wear, not neglect. The leather can dry out and crack if neglected for too long in dry climates rendering the jacket unserviceable.

Personal choices abound when it comes to looks including color, specific style, and fit. Finding a quality jacket that has your look can be a frustrating quest. There are companies that can custom fit a jacket of your chosen design, and would be the best way to go, but these services cost upwards in the $1000 range and often times more. If you’re on a budget like most of us are, a store bought pre-sized garment will serve its purpose just as well.

Fit is a personal and functional choice, not a fashion choice. Form follows function, not fashion. If you want fashion, ask your girlfriend, not me. Do you plan on wearing bulky clothing underneath? Then a somewhat loose fit may be a better choice. If you just need to take the chill off and look cool doing it, then a closer fit should win the looks and seize the chill. My personal flaw is finding one of anything to do everything, so it’s not a crime to have more than one, to do two or three times as much!

Gentry Lee Tipton

www.thewatcherglt.blogspot.com