Leather jackets are one of those special pieces that many men dream of owning.
While there are affordable "faux" (fake) leather jacket options out there, they can be pretty noticeable to anyone who has experienced the look and feel of the real thing.
Indeed, a quality leather jacket often has a hefty price tag—over $500, sometimes even reaching $1,000 or more!
And when you add the luxury tax that often comes with high-end brands, the cost can easily soar into the multiple thousands.
The options for a quality leather jacket can be limited for the average man who wants to look sharp without sacrificing quality or blowing up his wallet.
That’s where The Jacket Maker comes in to save the day.
Overview & Snapshot Review of The Jacket Maker
The Jacket Maker is a direct-to-consumer brand offering well-made, affordable leather jackets with a wide range of styles and made-to-measure ("custom") options.
PROS:
- Classic and handsome jacket styles for both men and women.
- Quality leather materials.
- Honest and competitive prices.
- Near-endless options, from jackets to footwear, to bags and coats.
- Offers made-to-measure ("custom") options in addition to off-the-rack.
- Quick shipping and manufacturing time, directly to the consumer.
- Quality hardware (e.g., YKK zippers).
CONS:
- Not entirely "bespoke" as advertised. B
- Made-to-measure isn't always perfect regarding overall fit.
- Full-grain leather is mentioned; however, the tag says "real" leather, which can be misleading.
This brand provides leather jackets for men and women, emphasizing timeless elegance and sophisticated style. The Jacket Maker’s mission is to deliver well-constructed products at fair prices by eliminating the middlemen.
These jackets are reported to be made from full-grain natural leather, ensuring durability and a great fit.
While I can't fully confirm if the leather is full-grain due to the "real leather" disclosure on the inner tag (see below), I can say that the leather appears more than satisfactory for the price and services offered here.
Is it legit?
Yes, however, some explanation is needed.
Of course, these jackets may not be the absolute best on the market regarding material quality, but I firmly believe that The Jacket Maker is currently the best at what it offers and seeks to achieve in providing great products that fit well at a fair price.
This is an easy brand to recommend right off the bat. But keep reading for more details.
What The Jacket Maker Offers ("Custom Jacket" Options & More)
The Jacket Maker offers a variety of leather jackets, including bomber jackets, suede jackets, and custom leather jackets. It's important to understand that "custom" in this case does not mean fully bespoke.
The Jacket Maker goes to great lengths to describe their "bespoke process," and while I see where they're coming from, I'm afraid this doesn't quite qualify as fully bespoke tailoring, and here's why.
A bespoke jacket is made specifically for you (and only you).
This means that any irregularities resulting from your anatomical differences, such as one shoulder being slightly more rounded than the other, or one arm being a bit longer, or the shape of your back differing from that of the average person, are carefully considered by the tailor who measures you and creates your garment.
Most leather jacket brands offer ready-to-wear options, and The Jacket Maker is no exception. It provides eight standard sizes, from XS to 4XL.
These jackets are already entirely made, and it's just a matter of finding what you can fit into rather than building something that fits you.
Made-to-Measure (a.k.a. "Custom Fit")
For those looking for anything resembling "custom," made-to-measure garments often provide a more accessible price point for average men (and women) seeking a quality piece of clothing with a great fit that won't break the bank.
The made-to-measure process is typically conducted online and can either be extremely detailed regarding feature customization or not very detailed at all.
The company then submits your choices for production. The jacket's assemblers will take a series of pre-cut torsos, arms, etc., in your chosen fabric and tailor them to your submitted measurements.
Additional tailoring is often required to fine-tune the details and dial in the fit once your jacket arrives.
It is important to note that tailoring leather jackets is a bit trickier than more conventional garments, so be sure to choose a skilled tailor before s/he begins cutting and stitching fabric on your garment.
I can see how The Jacket Maker gets away with describing its products as "bespoke."
Definitionally speaking, it isn't wrong.
However, in the realm of quality menswear, bespoke is the cream of the crop, crafted by artisans like Huntsman Bespoke on Savile Row or Alan David in New York. Make no mistake, these are luxury services provided only by the most skilled craftsmen.
Of course, The Jacket Maker offers many additional options, including custom denim jackets, varsity jackets, footwear, long coats, bags, etc. This brand truly covers a wide range and is bursting at the seams with choices.
Hands-On the Product (My Custom Bomber Jacket)
When a representative of The Jacket Maker reached out to me offering a made-to-measure jacket of my choice, I couldn't resist their Blain Mocha Brown Suede bomber jacket.
I've never had a suede bomber jacket, so I was excited to try it out.
I submitted my measurements to the representative, and she took care to ensure that the product was made quickly and accurately.
The whole experience took a little over two weeks, which was outstanding for a made-to-measure garment. I have seen some folks online state that it took them up to, even exceeding, a month to receive their jackets, so know that your mileage may vary.
When it comes to specific styling options, what you see is what you get. The Jacket Maker is similar to Suit Supply in that you have a robust set of options for your customized clothing, down to details such as zippers or double zippers, hardware type, etc.
Leather Quality
Here’s what I believe most people will be asking...
The specific suede bomber jacket I ordered has the following specifications (according to their website):
- Outer Shell: Real Leather
- Leather Type: Goatskin
- Leather Finish: Suede
- Inner Shell: Quilted Polyester Lining
- Closure Style: Zipper
- Collar Style: Knit Rib
- Cuffs Style: Snap Button
- Outside Pockets: Two
- Inside Pockets: Two
- Color: Dark Brown
"Real" leather could mean all sorts of things.
Full-grain leather is the good stuff. This complete and most natural animal hide provides the most durability for an item made from full-grain leather.
Additionally, goods manufactured from full-grain leather often retain richness in color and texture, a quality commensurate with premium leather products (see the following image).
Full-grain leather is often soft, buttery, and supple with subtle and natural perforations commensurate with animal hide.
In contrast, the lowest quality of leather, genuine leather, is more artificial and plastic-like (as depicted below).
The Jacket Maker claims to use only full-grain leather, which seems to hold true.
I'll be the first to admit that it might very well "technically" be full-grain, but I doubt that it is the highest-quality leather on the market, judging by how it feels compared to much higher-quality leather goods I have encountered.
When I contacted the representative assisting me, I asked which tanneries supplied the leather and suede and where the jackets were made.
The representative responded with the following:
Regardless of the "ground truth" concerning leather quality, I don't think there is a better made-to-measure leather jacket manufacturer than this one, especially at the prices they charge.
I'm fine with a lower grade of leather as long as the price is honest and fair, and The Jacket Maker excels in this regard.
Fit & Style
When I first received this jacket in the mail, it felt a bit snug; however, that's usually how these more classic styles of bomber jackets are meant to fit. The Jacket Maker claims that its jackets are all "true to size," and I believe it.
It could be that, regardless of whether you choose a made-to-measure or ready-to-wear option, these jackets just fit a tad snug. If that is the case, bear this in mind if you like a little more room for mobility.
With that said, my suede bomber jacket fits very well. In fact, I have relatively long arms, and from what I can tell, the jacket was designed with this in mind.
Very rarely do garments fit me well in the arms due to their length; however, this jacket's cuffs end right at my wrist, which means they are perfect and feel great.
Clearly, everyone is different, and if there’s anything I've learned through made-to-measure programs, it’s that it might take a couple of tries to fine-tune your online profile to achieve the right fit.
The good news is that the representative emailed me the next morning to ask if I had received my jacket and requested that I check the fit to ensure it was good. This indicates to me that The Jacket Maker stands by its pledge to offer the first alteration for a custom order free of charge.
Just be aware that they don't offer refunds for any custom garments. So if you're completely unsatisfied, buyer beware.
Not Always Perfect
As you can imagine, the made-to-measure process isn't always perfect. Your success or failure in receiving a well-fitting jacket depends on how accurately you have taken your measurements and how they translate to garment production.
It often takes time to achieve a near-perfect fit with your made-to-measure clothing. Most companies will create an online profile for you that can be continuously updated to reflect any changes in your measurements over time.
Like any brand, the terms and conditions for product replacements, returns, or remakes will vary from location to location.
Luckily, The Jacket Maker has been a wonderful experience. I had an excellent interaction with the representative I worked with, as she asked great questions about fit preferences and answered all of my inquiries.
If you're thinking about purchasing a custom jacket from The Jacket Maker, make sure to check out their measurement video.
Every brand takes measurements slightly differently, so be sure to watch how they do it in the video guide available on their website and use the correct equipment (in this case, a standard tailor's measuring tape).
Shipping & Logistics
The Jacket Maker’s shipping and logistics are efficient.
From my own experience, the brand offers fast delivery and tracking options and has a variety of shipping methods, including express and standard shipping.
Their shipping is secure, with packages tracked and insured against loss or damage.
The Jacket Maker’s shipping and logistics are designed to ensure customer satisfaction, with fast delivery and efficient tracking.
Is The Jacket Maker Legit?
The Jacket Maker is a reputable company that emphasizes quality and customer satisfaction. It maintains a strong online presence and has been featured in major publications such as Forbes, BuzzFeed, Esquire, etc.
The brand’s customer service is responsive and helpful, prioritizing customer satisfaction. The Jacket Maker’s reviews are positive, with customers praising the quality and style of their leather jackets.
Are The Jacket Maker Jackets Good Quality?
The Jacket Maker’s designs are sophisticated and stylish, with a modern twist on classic leather jackets.
They offer a variety of styles, from bomber jackets to suede jackets and custom leather jackets. The brand’s designs are ideal for pairing with jeans, boots, and hoodies for a casual look.
Their leather jackets are also perfect for dressing up for formal events, adding a touch of elegance to any outfit.
The Jacket Maker is ideal for those looking for quality, made-to-measure, affordable leather jackets. Their custom sizing options and tailored service guarantee a near-perfect fit for any body type.
Say Goodbye to "Fast Fashion"
Everything The Jacket Maker is trying to do really resonates with me.
It's not trying to be a brand meant for people looking for the best leather jackets money can buy, and it's not trying to be a brand for those who want the lowest price possible and couldn't care less if the leather quality even qualifies as leather.
While many of these types of consumers could easily afford a jacket from The Jacket Maker, the target customer is the "average Joe"—a person who desires a well-constructed, classic-looking leather jacket that can be customized to fit their specific preferences and sold at the most honest and fair price possible.
That’s what you get with The Jacket Maker, making them a brand I'm thrilled to recommend any day of the week.
