Which Jacket Brand Has the Best Resale Value?

Coriu · Dec 14, 2021

Not sure if this has ever been done, but here goes. Please rank the following in terms of resale value. In other words, assume you bought a new jacket at regular price from each of the makers below 3 years ago and you are trying to sell all of them today. What percentage of the original purchase price would you target assuming you maintained each jacket in very good-to-excellent condition?

I realize that your answers might vary slightly depending upon the specific model you purchased, ie if you purchased a really unique, custom jacket. Am trying to give a ballpark estimate based upon a "standard" jacket from each maker.

For instance, your #1 choice would be the jacket with resale price that is the highest percentage of its original purchase price and your #10 choice would be the jacket with the lowest such percentage.

I thought this might be helpful for people considering a purchase and trying to determine whether a certain asking price is reasonable....as well as to foster some healthy debate.

Aero
Schott
Vanson
Lost Worlds
Langlitz
Thedi
Lewis Leathers
The Real McCoys
Bates
Goodwear

Big Steve · Dec 14, 2021

Don't really buy my jackets with the intention of reselling, however its always a factor (albeit minor) in my considerations. Overall I'd say your list is pretty good - might notch Langlitz up a few...my .02

AeroFan_07 · Dec 14, 2021

So I have not bought all of those brands, and there are a few brands I have researched that hold thier value even more than some others.

So If I hypothetically bought brand new a "typical" jacket from each of these makers, Here is about the percentage of resale value I would expect to sell it at ~ 3 years of good wear after purchase. Note some styles and sizes, colors, leather types, lining types, zipper choices, etc will affect these values. These are just what I have seen personally:

Aero < 50%
Lost Worlds - 70%
Simmons Bilt < 40%
Vanson - 70%
Lewis Leathers - 70% + (at least in USA - harder to obtain these)
Eastman/ELMC - 80%
Flat Head - 70%

Coriu · Dec 14, 2021

Big Steve said:
Don't really buy my jackets with the intention of reselling, however its always a factor (albeit minor) in my considerations. Overall I'd say your list is pretty good - might notch Langlitz up a few...my .02

I apologize. I see that numbering the companies as I did in the original post was confusing, so I have since removed the numbers. The numbers were arbitrary.

Bfd70 · Dec 14, 2021

My guess is that it correlates to the inverse of the volume sold. Supply and demand. Plenty of used Aero in most markets. Less used Freewheelers (unless you are in Japan in which case all bets are off.)

ton312 · Dec 14, 2021

Not sure the brand matters much at all. The only "good resale value" applies to a jacket you didn't pay much for, and even then, you likely still lose $ or break even in most cases. Buying something new, custom made, you are going to lose and lose hard in the resale market. Size probably matters most, "average sizes (40-44") will grab the most attention. Smaller and larger sizes outside that will suffer from a smaller audience of buyers, regardless the makers tag.

If I buy a $25 Wilsons and sell it for $50, which is entirely feasible...then Wilsons outperforms every maker we discuss here in this regard.

EDIT: @Peacoat, this should probably be moved to outerwear IMO...nothing for sale here.

Claybertrand · Dec 14, 2021

Interesting topic. I gotta sit this one out being I haven't purchased many of those higher end repro brands and of the couple I have handled---I bought used.

But the impression I get is the purpose of the post is to gauge the depreciation rate of these various jacket brands from when the jacket is bought new. When looking at the question from the perspective of buying used jackets, there will be significant noise in the numbers for sure. I agree with @ton312 that the "deal factor" -- i.e. what you were able to pay for the jacket second hand would affect the percentage of resale value factor substantially.

Really, its a nearly impossible exercise if the original purchase is second hand. SO this post pretty much HAS TO pertain solely to buying new.

Also agree with the housekeeping tip--this WOULD be more appropriate in general outerwear.

AeroFan_07 · Dec 14, 2021

And I failed to mention in my earlier post - even just turning around a jacket and selling it after a try-on or less than 2 weeks of wear it really is not much different. The resale drops off dramatically as it's not technically "new" anymore.

Sounds a lot like driving a brand-new car off the dealer's lot after signing all the paperwork.

Coriu · Dec 14, 2021

ton312 said:
Not sure the brand matters much at all. The only "good resale value" applies to a jacket you didn't pay much for, and even then, you likely still lose $ or break even in most cases. Buying something new, custom made, you are going to lose and lose hard in the resale market. Size probably matters most, "average sizes (40-44") will grab the most attention. Smaller and larger sizes outside that will suffer from a smaller audience of buyers, regardless the makers tag.

If I buy a $25 Wilsons and sell it for $50, which is entirely feasible...then Wilsons outperforms every maker we discuss here in this regard.

EDIT: @Peacoat, this should probably be moved to outerwear IMO...nothing for sale here.

You are CORRECT. That is where I meant for it to go. Forgive me, all. Sometimes I get confused by all of the different categories.

Coriu · Dec 14, 2021

AeroFan_07 said:
And I failed to mention in my earlier post - even just turning around a jacket and selling it after a try-on or less than 2 weeks of wear it really is not much different. The resale drops off dramatically as it's not technically "new" anymore.

Sounds a lot like driving a brand-new car off the dealer's lot after signing all the paperwork.

That is usually the way it works in life. But I have noticed that some sellers price leather jackets without dramatic markdowns when selling fairly new jackets, ie an $1100 jacket being sold for $800....which raises the question, is that a function of the brand's resale value, the seller's desire, or somewhere in between.

I collect other things. My experience in those realms is along the lines of "driving it off the lot," and sellers typically don't price stuff without tags, regardless of how "new" it is, at much more than 50% of original price. But I see that in leather jackets at times.

Coriu · Dec 14, 2021

Claybertrand said:
Interesting topic. I gotta sit this one out being I haven't purchased many of those higher end repro brands and of the couple I have handled---I bought used.

But the impression I get is the purpose of the post is to gauge the depreciation rate of these various jacket brands from when the jacket is bought new. When looking at the question from the perspective of buying used jackets, there will be significant noise in the numbers for sure. I agree with @ton312 that the "deal factor" -- i.e. what you were able to pay for the jacket second hand would affect the percentage of resale value factor substantially.

Really, its a nearly impossible exercise if the original purchase is second hand. SO this post pretty much HAS TO pertain solely to buying new.

Also agree with the housekeeping tip--this WOULD be more appropriate in general outerwear.

Bolded language above is correct. When I created this thread, I was thinking of the person looking to buy a relatively new(in terms of date of manufacture), used jacket. I just looked on line and found several jackets priced at 2/3 of their original value...an original value that is arguably inflated to begin with.

I think that is pricey, but maybe some of you would say, "That's a good investment if it is brand X."

AeroFan_07 · Dec 14, 2021

I got thinking about this a little more this afternoon.
Perhaps a more accurate way to tell percived value/desirable level of a specific jacket maker & type of jacket would be to see just how quickly specific jackets sell after they get listed.

For example, looking through FL classified alone, when a Good Wear jacket come up, it's usually snagged within ~24 hours. Or maybe ~ 24 minuites if Jonesy is not out for a swim.

Yet Aero and Schott products, and even some Vanson models, priced competeively, take weeks or more to sell. Often the seller has to resort to ebay or Esty.

Then again, just a quick search on ebay reveals far more Aero jackets for sale than Good Wear, Lost Worlds, and Himel Brothers combined. Could be a lack of fit, or just a lot more of a specific brand out there and fewer buyers perhaps? Or maybe they just do not sell along thier jackets.

Bfd70 · Dec 14, 2021

Coriu said:
That is usually the way it works in life. But I have noticed that some sellers price leather jackets without dramatic markdowns when selling fairly new jackets, ie an $1100 jacket being sold for $800....which raises the question, is that a function of the brand's resale value, the seller's desire, or somewhere in between.

I collect other things. My experience in those realms is along the lines of "driving it off the lot," and sellers typically don't price stuff without tags, regardless of how "new" it is, at much more than 50% of original price. But I see that in leather jackets at times.

There have been posts wherein someone buys new, doesn’t like fit (or whatever) and then marks for let’s say 10-15% off. Those Just sit in the classifieds getting bumped with price drops.

**i should read all of the posts before chiming in. I could have said “what aerofan said”

Monitor · Dec 14, 2021

AeroFan_07 said:
So I have not bought all of those brands, and there are a few brands I have researched that hold thier value even more than some others.

So If I hypothetically bought brand new a "typical" jacket from each of these makers, Here is about the percentage of resale value I would expect to sell it at ~ 3 years of good wear after purchase. Note some styles and sizes, colors, leather types, lining types, zipper choices, etc will affect these values. These are just what I have seen personally:

Aero < 50%

Lost Worlds - 70%

Simmons Bilt < 40%

Vanson - 70%

Lewis Leathers - 70% + (at least in USA - harder to obtain these)

Eastman/ELMC - 80%

Flat Head - 70%

Very fair assessment that I can only agree with.

Lost Worlds keeps fantastic value. Lewis Leathers too. LL can sometimes even make you even out.

Schott: 50-70%, depends on the model
Langlitz: 70+%
Thedi: Ditto
Bates: Depends. It's an old company and prices are all over the place but they're generally pricey on the 2nd hand market.
Himel: 50% on a good day
RMC: 80-100+%, depends on the scarcity
Chrome Hearts: 150-3000% lol

born113 · Dec 20, 2021

Monitor said:
Chrome Hearts: 150-3000% lol

Do you mean this company?
https://chromeheartsclothing.net/jacket/

Monitor · Dec 20, 2021

born113 said:
Do you mean this company?
https://chromeheartsclothing.net/jacket/

Yeah but not that site as it is scam using legit photos. Mostly every site selling CH stuff is scam.

Pandemic · Dec 20, 2021

The few times used FLs have popped up, they sold for a high price - scarcity and the 12+ month wait for new orders driving prices up.

LAW7 · Dec 20, 2021

Here's a minor mystery that I'm sure some of you will be able to enlighten me about. If good used Aeros are easy to come by, and they go for less than half the price of new Aeros, why am I not seeing standard or premier Highwaymen in normal large sizes offered here or on eBay at almost any price? I think Aero sells lots of new Highwaymen every month but there is no glut of normal sizes on the used market that I'm seeing. I'm a Highwayman 40, Premier Highwayman 44, 42 US / 52 EU regular length sport coat. For months I've had an eBay Highwayman search on, and I've seen very little that might fit me. Same here in the Classifieds although sometimes jackets come up with very short back or sleeve lengths. Same on the used page at Aero and Thurston. Meanwhile several Vansons in my size have popped up on TFL. (I bought one; perfect fit.) But no good used Highwaymen to be found. So at this point I'm not sorry I paid full price (more than double the used price!) to Carrie to get a new custom Highwayman made. Which many folks here kindly helped me with.

AeroFan_07 · Dec 20, 2021

LAW7 said:
Here's a minor mystery that I'm sure some of you will be able to enlighten me about. If good used Aeros are easy to come by, and they go for less than half the price of new Aeros, why am I not seeing standard or premier Highwaymen in normal large sizes offered here or on eBay at almost any price? I think Aero sells lots of new Highwaymen every month but there is no glut of normal sizes on the used market that I'm seeing. I'm a Highwayman 40, Premier Highwayman 44, 42 US / 52 EU regular length sport coat. For months I've had an eBay Highwayman search on, and I've seen very little that might fit me. Same here in the Classifieds although sometimes jackets come up with very short back or sleeve lengths. Same on the used page at Aero and Thurston. Meanwhile several Vansons in my size have popped up on TFL. (I bought one; perfect fit.) But no good used Highwaymen to be found. So at this point I'm not sorry I paid full price (more than double the used price!) to Carrie to get a new custom Highwayman made. Which many folks here kindly helped me with.

I've noticed this trend as well.

If you were to search the FL Classified for historic sales of Highwaymen, you would find quite a few from even a few years back, but rather few in recent years.

A couple have been mine, when either too small (This was my favorite being a zip-sleeve with a subtle edge, but it was not sized for me) - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...fits-like-42-44-black-cxl.96265/#post-2513897

Have a lining that I found undesirable: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-premier-highwayman-46l-cordovan.105165/

Or a leather I did not care for - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/black-steerhide-highwayman-42.100520/

Or just for whatever reason was not a fit overall: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-condition-steerhide-brown-aero-highwayman-40.98975/

Now as for ebay, It is filled with jackets from Asia, and many of them are being listed for MORE than asking prices of brand-new ones.

Or maybe a lot of folks have just gotten smarter on fitting these better overall.

Colin G · Dec 21, 2021

The only used jacket that holds value is the exact one someone else happens to be looking for otherwise you will lose no matter what.

Which Jacket Brand Has the Best Resale Value?

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