Is Denim the new Leather - Collectable jackets?

AeroFan_07 · Mar 28, 2021

Just asking as I have recently observed the price of new denim jackets getting into, well, very hefty pricing if I say so myself. I recall not long ago spending around $35 for a Wrangler denim jacket new. Seems at resale used name-brand jackets are selling for more than leathers (both mall-type brands).

Having just recently viewed a Bellefonte denim jacket that was nearly $1000 new, I just have to wonder if the market, especially for good condition used denim jackets is taking off. I suspect most of those above say, $150 are selvedge denim.

Is the market for these really growing?

What really makes a $600 denim jacket worth so much when a basic selvedge denim jacket can be had for ~$150? Guess that's the age-old question. I am very happy with my "Unbranded" selvedge denim that cost right under $150. Do I "need" another one? Or would I be wise to start picking up used ones for pennies on the dollar?

Feel free to add information, photos and make this thread a repository of collection info denim related if you choose to...

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead · Mar 28, 2021

Curious too. Although I'm feeding the beast within myself. Blinders on. Got enough jackets already, but still curious

navetsea · Mar 28, 2021

not to me, but it is (or had been?) for many other people
https://supertalk.superfuture.com/topic/15038-what-about-jeans-jackets/?page=109

I think it is very casual look from material and design, decidedly very workwear-ish, simply no glam in it whatever pricepoint you pay, you only pay it for quality of the workmanship and sturdiness feel of the material and fit.

in later stage which is only few years for denim jacket if you wear it often, wearing faded, repaired, soiled denim jacket will give off real trucker, real farmer, real mechanic, vegan living or hardcore denimbro look, while wearing vintage looking leather jacket would make you look bikerish, artist, or rockstarish vibe whatever.

I like it, I wear mine often, but it won't replace leather jacket to me, but i can wear it to layer under leather jacket, or if you really a denimbro of course you can layer it under another denim jacket...

Mich486 · Mar 28, 2021

Mmm I’m not sure I fully understand the OP. Like there are very expensive jeans trousers there are very expensive jeans jackets. From fashion designers to repro brands.

Vintage jeans jackets can go for thousands and I’m pretty sure it’s also a bigger market than vintage leather jackets.

ton312 · Mar 28, 2021

High priced selvedge denim has been a thing for quite some time. Same with high priced vintage originals. It’s not a new phenomenon Randy, but maybe you are just noticing it?

Jin431 · Mar 28, 2021

Wow a grand for a denim jacket is just plain nuts

Pandemic · Mar 28, 2021

Jin431 said:
Wow a grand for a denim jacket is just plain nuts

I’m pretty sure there are denimheads out there who would say two grand for a leather jacket is nuts

Jin431 · Mar 28, 2021

JustinW said:
I’m pretty sure there are denimheads out there who would say two grand for a leather jacket is nuts

Touchè. . . but it's leather lol

dubpynchon · Mar 28, 2021

I've managed to keep my head down and avoid getting into denim. Those Iron heart truckers look mighty fine though. No!!! I'll wear my G-1 instead!

Blackadder · Mar 28, 2021

I am not sure about the washed/distressed/patched ones (which has some design aspects) but the raw ones seem to be driven up by people who was attracted by the closure of Cone Mills, its heritage and collection value etc. The deadstock and used US made Cone mills stuffs have gone up way too much. I guess the price has been driven up in general too by a few niche manufacturers. Manufacturers see that people are willing to pay $1000 for Valencia LVC or a CSF in the second hand market. Then you have the premium MTO guys like WH Ranch and Bowery Blue charging hundreds to over a thousand. Manufacturers start thinking hey that cloth is just the same old Japanese selvedge denim we get from the major factories if others can charge that much then they figure they can charge $800.
Oh also LVC also made a brilliant play at the end when they made the Perfect Imperfections using deadstock 40s Cone Mills cloth. Funny thing is a lot of people felt awed with the deadstock 40s cloth that they never noticed the description. LVC never claimed that those are deadstock 501 XX cloth. They are 40s deadstock cloth alright just not the 501 XX cloth. So you get a pair of Levi's made with some very thin Cone Mills cloth that has probably been rejected by the buyer back then and been sitting in the bottom of the Cone Mills pit since the 40s.

bn1966 · Mar 28, 2021

Just got into Selvedge in the last five years or so, but haven’t spent more than £150 on a pair of jeans. £50 on a selvedge workwear denim jacket in a sale. About to send my first ever pair off to a ‘denim doctor’ for repairs..those pants have some wear on them

AeroFan_07 · Mar 28, 2021

Appreciate the comments so far. Actually, I am referring to the marked for used - pre-worn, and "vintage" denim. Seems there are quite a few that have survived heavy use and are being re-sold in retailers and ebay for substantial sums. Then there are reproduction jackets, just like many of the leathers we all enjoy, that sell for surprising sums these days!

Here is the $1k Bellefonte if anyone is interested: https://clutch-cafe.com/collections...onte-bf-18-001-ragtime-hammeralls-jacket-navy

Marc mndt · Mar 28, 2021

Here's a nice cone mills selvedge denim jacket from the 60s. Talon zipp. €70 on Vinted. Great vintage denim doesn't have to be expensive. As long as it doesn't have a Levi's tag on it.

Blackadder · Mar 28, 2021

AeroFan_07 said:
Appreciate the comments so far. Actually, I am referring to the marked for used - pre-worn, and "vintage" denim. Seems there are quite a few that have survived heavy use and are being re-sold in retailers and ebay for substantial sums. Then there are reproduction jackets, just like many of the leathers we all enjoy, that sell for surprising sums these days!

Here is the $1k Bellefonte if anyone is interested: https://clutch-cafe.com/collections...onte-bf-18-001-ragtime-hammeralls-jacket-navy

56000yen around 500 bucks in Japan.
https://store.belafonte.jp/?pid=147175469
This is around 680 bucks new
https://www.onepieceofrock.com/products/the_original/jackets/
but a earlier model 2nd hand sold for 1700.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b548764976

dudewuttheheck · Mar 28, 2021

ton312 said:
High priced selvedge denim has been a thing for quite some time. Same with high priced vintage originals. It’s not a new phenomenon Randy, but maybe you are just noticing it?

This. It's not really any different than it has been.

Boyo · Mar 28, 2021

This Roy denim jacket is currently north of $1200 on eBay.. granted its 1 of 3 and Roy probably won’t be making any more.. but...

Ernest P Shackleton · Mar 28, 2021

I think markets for a lot of types of clothes have shot through the roof during the pandemic. Somewhat defies logic inasmuch as people being out of work and supposedly having less discretionary monies. We're a consumer culture. We aren't going out to eat. Not going to bars. Not traveling. Not buying as much gasoline. So we looked to things we could do within our home to spend money, because we aren't going to suddenly stop being a consumer culture. It's a habit. It's a way of life. We turned to eating. Buying things online we always wanted to buy but never prioritized. More money is now focused on hobbies. I made the mistake of assuming I could buy something I've wanted for many years now. I wrongly thought I'd get it at a steal because "nobody has any money to spend on junk." Instead, the market on these type of items has tripled, and because more people are at home, they sell more quickly as well. Not only am I going to have to spend $1000 on something that was $300 yesterday, but I'm going to have to live online if I want any chance of getting the chance to pay triple the price.

dudewuttheheck · Mar 28, 2021

@Boyo that Roy jacket is an exception. Roy has just sold off his machines and stopped making clothing plus he basically never made denim jackets so this is not at all representative of the overall market of denim jackets. Obviously, if you really want to know the answer to this, you should go over to Sufu and ask them. They know way more about denim than this forum does. I could be wrong and if I am, that's the place to find out.

GHT · Mar 29, 2021

Jin431 said:
Wow a grand for a denim jacket is just plain nuts

You're right, it's peanuts!

This is 'Infinity', the world's most expensive denim jacket, created by designers Karl Mathers and Stuart Hughes.
It was commissioned by "a famous musician" for the price of £3.5-million ($4.6M US) and contains over 4.6 pounds of 24k gold and platinum studs, and 121 carats of flawless diamonds -- including gigantic ones for the button accents.

Boyo · Mar 29, 2021

Oh I know the backstory @dude.. I have a bunch of Roy’s stuff..
But its just a denim jacket for $1300. definitely nuts.

Is Denim the new Leather - Collectable jackets?

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