Picture it… autumn in Ohio circa 1991. I am a middle school student, desperately trying to be cool and fit in. The hot ticket fashion item that fall was a leather bomber jacket… soft, supple medium-brown leather with a cool world map printed on the inside lining. Anyone who was anyone had that jacket, and I wanted one SO BAD.
When November rolled around and my birthday arrived, a large, rectangular box was sitting wrapped on the dining room table, I just KNEW my leather jacket was inside. After dinner I opened the box and a panicked disappointment set in. By definition, it WAS a leather jacket…but it was all wrong. It was NOT like the ones the popular girls at school had. This one was a dark brown, with an asymmetrical zipper, and was polished, “crunchy” leather. I was heartbroken, but didn’t DARE say so. Looking back, that jacket was cool as hell and actually a unique statement piece! But at the time, I was embarrassed to wear it. (Man, would I rock that thing now!!)
Fast forward to today. I am decidedly in a MUCH different body than I was then. Now it’s really hard to find a cool leather jacket that fits my body’s proportions and makes me feel effortlessly cool. In my plus-sized body, I am kind of stuck with vegan leather versions from retailers like Torrid and Lane Bryant. They always LOOK like plastic, feel cheap, and don’t last over lots of seasons. It works for a certain look, but doesn’t have the street cred or durability of true leather. Honestly, I had just resigned myself to never owning a cool leather jacket again.
Then I stumbled into a partnership with The Jacket Maker. This international brand offers beautiful, handmade luxury leather jackets at a reasonable price. Each jacket is created one at a time from durable, full-grain leather. The company’s direct-to-consumer model helps provide quality jackets at a more affordable price because they don’t have the retailer markup. Many of the jackets are available for under $300. The best part is that many of the jackets are available in sizes up to a US Size 24.
The Jacket Maker does not stop there with its commitment to inclusivity. Many brands SAY that “everyone deserves to feel good” in their clothes and express themselves through fashion, but when it comes down to it, they fail to be truly inclusive in their sizing. The Jacket Maker backs the claim up with their “made to fit” customization. That’s right… if the size chart doesn’t exactly work, they will MAKE it work, giving you a bespoke leather jacket that fits your unique proportions to achieve the perfect fit.
In fact, my experience with the brand took me through this customization process. According to the size chart, there wasn’t a jacket that would truly work well for me. By working together with a representative, I was able to acquire the right jacket. The process was actually really simple! Through a couple of email exchanges, sending accurate measurements, the team at The Jacket Maker created a beautiful black leather bomber that fits me perfectly. The whole process only took a few weeks from planning to production to delivery.
When I received the jacket, I WAS a teeny bit worried. The box had seen some things! It got pretty beat up through international shipping and I was afraid the jacket would have been damaged too. However, all was well as the jacket and included garment bag were unharmed. I fell in love with the jacket instantly! The leather feels smoothly supple and smells wonderful. I love the quilted stitching on the shoulders. Best of all, it fits like an absolute dream! There’s just something magical about owning a quality piece of clothing that was designed just for YOUR body.
I selected the Zenna Bomber style for my creation. The jacket is made of smooth black sheepskin. It has a quilted polyester lining and a ribbed waistline and cuffs. The band collar features a snap closure with silver zippers on the front. There are four pockets on the front and two inner pockets for extra secure storage. The jacket is a classic that will stay in style and last for years to come.
If you want to go REALLY big with your creations, The Jacket Maker will work with you to design a completely custom jacket from scratch. From the silhouette, color, and zippers to embossing and artwork, you can create a jacket that is completely unique. How badass is that?!
My experience with The Jacket Maker was fantastic. The ordering and customization process were simple, the shipping was fast, and the product’s quality speaks for itself. I cannot wait to rock it as a fashion piece and a way to block out the Midwest’s bitter winter cold. If only my middle school self could see me now!
