We asked Jakewood's owner and designer Jacob for some tips that customers could use when choosing a leather jacket. Below are his responses:

What should a customer watch for when buying a custom leather jacket?

Customers should make sure to take the effort to check their custom jacket for uneven or mis-stitchings, loose seams, faulty, snaps, zippers, and buttons. Especially over time, a custom leather jacket can grow to be a reliable piece of clothing, if you remember to take care of it. Checking for these types of small imperfections now will save you big money on repairs in the long term.

What might a customer not know about buying a leather jacket that’s important?

People can often overlook the fact that the size of a jacket can vary depending on the style. Specific styles, and even materials, can drastically alter the fit of a jacket due to the way each specific material is handled and cut. Always remember to try on any custom jacket before buying. Don't be afraid to try before you buy. It's your right as a consumer.

What information that a customer could give would make the buying/customizing process easier?

Measurements and detail. The more overall detail, the more refined and nuanced the jacket can be. These details are usually things like leather color, lining color, type of fabric, snaps or buttons, zipper material etc.

What constitutes a good fit for a leather jacket?

At the shoulders, there shouldn't be any buckling or leather bunching up. Sleeves should end at the wrist and be tapered at the waist.

What qualities make a great leather jacket, as opposed to a good leather jacket?

A great leather jacket is made of high quality leather skin. The details on a jacket should all be of high quality. From the buttons and snaps to the zippers and stitching. If any of these elements are out of place, that's a good sign someone has been cutting corners.

What makes Jakewood’s products better than everyone else’s?

The quality and craftsmanship of out custom leather jackets are what make them truly stand out. All of the fine details and the fact that so much of our process is centered around making the custom leather jacket process a singular experience, so that there is constant quality oversight.

How can a custom leather jacket better suit a buyer than a leather jacket off the rack? What are the benefits?

The benefits of buying a custom leather jacket are getting a fit designed just for you and having the convenience of designing a jacket that is unique to your own style and tastes. With Jakewood, you already know you are getting the highest quality materials. But what puts us over the top is the fact that we can provide you with a custom leather jacket that is a reflection of everything that makes you unique. Jackets straight off the store rack can only do so much.

Which details are important to keep in mind when designing your custom leather jacket?

When designing your custom leather jacket, you should always make sure to pay attention to the stitching & zipper colors as well as making sure to go for buttons instead of snaps. You want to make sure that the colors on the jacket's details do not detract from the overall look and design of the jacket proper.

Why is a quality lining so important?

Quality linings are important because they are the heart of the jacket and will be the first part of the jacket to be affected by basic wear and tear. If the lining is not up to standard, it will fray easily and, quite literally, make the entire jacket come undone. While quality lining will help to ensure that your custom leather jacket stays intact and wearable for many years to come.

About Jakewood Custom Leather Jackets

For over 20 years, Jakewood has been producing handmade authentic leather garments, fur, sheepskin, and exotic skin apparel with the highest quality materials and a level of care that only comes with years of expertise. Every Jakewood product, from our alligator skin jackets and python skin jackets to our shearling bomber jackets or leather baseball jackets is exclusively manufactured by American craftsmen and women in Brooklyn, New York. Whether you’re shopping for a new authentic leather coat, a stylish shearling jacket, or some other type of exotic skin apparel, you can count on Jakewood for the highest quality products and service.