Design
Quality of Materials
Value for Money 
Craftsmanship 
Customer Service Am I the only one who has a theme song play in their head when they put on a killer outfit?
You do, too?
Good—I’m glad I’m not the only one.
Mine is The BeeGee’s “Stayin’ Alive.” I do a shoulder dance in the mirror and look like an idiot. You don’t have to tell me what yours is—I’ll save you the embarrassment.
But that’s how I felt when I first tried on a suede leather jacket a few years ago. And as I was scrolling through the web, I stumbled on The Jacket Maker.
I picked up a similar style to that jacket I tried on all those years ago, and after wearing it for a few weeks, my verdict is in. Keep reading to figure out if this jacket is “Stayin’ Alive” or if it’s all just a bunch of jive.
Skip Ahead
What is The Jacket Maker?
The Jacket Maker was founded in 2016 with a mission to combine the art of bespoke tailoring with the emerging world of e-commerce. So how’s it going?
The brand offers their jackets in an enormous variety of sizes, from XS to 4XL, which is impressive in itself. But what’s unique about The Jacket Maker is that they offer a made-to-measure option for only $30.
I know of several shirt and suit makers who offer made to measure, but I haven’t heard of a leather jacket brand doing the same.
Beyond their borderline outrageous number of sizing options, TJM also has a massive lineup of styles for both men and women. It took me a while to land on the jacket I wanted, as there were so many choices.
If you have trouble with indecision, you’re in for a lengthy shopping experience, but if you know exactly what you want from a leather jacket, there’s a good chance TJM has it.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Leather Jacket
I’ve run the gamut on leather jackets, from the cheapest college budget picks to more heirloom quality pieces that patina and age beautifully.
My stance on them is this: think on a broad scale about how long you want your leather jacket. I personally wouldn’t spend anything less than $200, because that’s right around the starting point of where you can find an excellent fit with high quality leather.
That said, there are also good reasons to jump into the $700-$1000 range. There you’ll find leather coats that feel incredible and will last decades and decades. But of course, if you’re spending that much on a jacket, you might expect that it’ll be at the center of your fall and winter wardrobe for years.
The Jacket Maker sits between those levels: the leather on my suede jacket is beautiful and the fit is solid, and I think you’d be getting a fair price for it at $300 or $350, but I wouldn’t spend much more than that. So at around $250, it’s a good deal.
High quality leather jackets at an affordable price. Stock up on this fall/winter staple while the gettin's good.
The Jacket Maker Review
The Charcoal Mocha Suede Biker Jacket
I can’t remember who made the mythical suede jacket I mentioned in the intro, but from what I could tell online, it was remarkably similar to the Charcoal Mocha Suede Biker Jacket, so I had to pick it up.
Style-wise, it’s a very simple jacket, so I knew it would live or die based on the leather quality. I’m a big fan of the simple band collar, single zipper, and slit pockets in the front. There’s hardly any ornamentation on this model at all—it’s about as minimalist as leather jackets come.
I picked up a size M (I’m 6’1” and 190lbs) and the fit is excellent in the shoulders and through the torso.
There are some minor issues where the sleeve attaches to the shoulder, and when the jacket is unzipped, it flairs out a touch. Those construction issues wouldn’t happen in a top level leather jacket ($700-$1000), but on this one they’re minor and I get the feeling that I’m the only person who’ll ever notice (it is my job, after all).
The suede on this coat feels amazing. It’s supple and feels soft and smooth. The color is a deep rich brown, which looks super classy dressed up with a pair of Chelsea boots and crisp slim fit jeans.
I actually love the color of the leather so much, I picked up a pair of boots from Idrese to match the jacket.
When I put these two together, I definitely get the BeeGees “Stayin’ Alive” vibe and nobody can stop my terrible shoulder dancing.
The interior of the jacket is a diamond-quilted nylon, which lends a good deal of warmth. I took a stroll with the Mocha Suede Biker and stayed out a little later than I expected and the temperature dropped into the low 40s (4-6 celsius). Still, I was pretty warm with just the jacket and a t-shirt underneath.
For four more ideas on how to style this bad boy, check out this short video I made:
Packaging
The Jacket Maker offers free worldwide shipping, which surprised me at first because shipping coats can’t be cheap or easy. They’re able to keep their costs down by shipping their jackets in a large mailer pouch which was the only letdown I had in my whole experience with TJM.
While my jacket came with a dust bag for hanging in my closet (which is really helpful), the jacket itself was folded into a plastic bag and needed to breathe for a few days so the wrinkles could relax and I could really get a feel for the look and fit of my new coat.
This is the only issue I have with the brand, though I understand it’s a major contributor to delivering high-quality jackets at a fair price. But when you have that excitement of trying on something new, it’s hard to wait, especially when you can’t steam or iron the wrinkles out like you would with a shirt.
Customer Service
The Jacket Maker offers excellent customer service, especially for folks doing their made-to-measure program. For my order, they kept me in the loop via email, including when the jacket shipped and when it arrived.
When I was reading other reviews, a few people had The Jacket Maker reach out to them to confirm their made-to-measure sizing. A lot of folks don’t have their tailored measurements just lying around, so going the MTM route is daunting. But knowing that the team will double check with you if something seems wrong is quite comforting.
This simple jacket lets the leather do all the talking. And the suede is beautiful. Choose to get your made to measure or order off the rack sizing.
What do Other Reviewers Say?
The Jacket Maker has a 4.5 star rating on Trustpilot with over 80 reviews. The brand’s customer service stands out as one of the most commonly touted positives. Most reviewers say they’re pleased with the high quality leather, too.
There were a few negative comments, though they’re mostly of the “it takes too long to ship” variety. It’s worth noting that if you order made-to-measure, they custom make your jacket, so it might take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
My Thoughts Overall On The Jacket Maker
What I Like
The leather quality of the suede is excellent—it’s supple, soft, and the color is rich.
My Charcoal Mocha Suede Biker Jacket is much warmer than I expected.
The made-to-measure option is only $30 extra.
Free worldwide shipping.
What I Don’t Like
The jacket came tightly folded in a plastic bag, so I had let it hang for a few days to let the wrinkles relax so I could really see how my new jacket looked and fit.
Who is The Jacket Maker for?
The Jacket Maker is an excellent brand for anyone who knows exactly what kind of leather jacket they want. If you have the idea jacket in mind, spend a few minutes browsing through TJM and there’s a good chance you’ll find something very similar.
The Verdict
The Jacket Maker offers a solid value on their jackets. I’ve never seen a company do made-to-measure leather jackets, let alone at the low price point that TJM is doing.
Beyond that, the brand has an incredible variety of jackets and sizing. I don’t know who their warehouse manager is, but he/she deserves a blue ribbon.
My Charcoal Mocha Suede Biker Jacket is a pleasure to wear—the leather is beautiful and it fits well in the shoulders and torso.
It’s not absolutely perfect. There are a few stitching issues in the shoulder, but they’re hardly noticeable when I’m actually wearing the jacket.
Besides that, this jacket is a perfect hero piece in my wardrobe. I think that’s the niche for a TJM jacket: if you want something you’ll wear every day, I would invest in something top-tier (which can set you back $700-$1000).
But if you want a solid leather jacket that looks and feels rich and fits well, The Jacket Maker is a great place to go.
High quality leather jackets at an affordable price. Stock up on this fall/winter staple while the gettin's good.
FAQs
Is The Jacket Maker legit?
Yes, The Jacket Maker has direct relationships with factories abroad, so they’re able to offer high quality leather jackets at relatively low costs. Their customer service is responsive and they do a good job informing you when your jacket ships and arrives.
Are leather jackets worth the money?
High quality leather jackets can last for decades. The most important thing to consider for buying a leather jacket is the fit. They won’t go out of style any time soon, so getting the perfect fit on a leather coat will pay off for years and years.
How long should a leather jacket last?
I don’t recommend buying a leather jacket under $200. Under that price, the leather is usually quite poor quality and won’t look sleek for much more than a year. Jackets in the $200-$500 range should keep their shape and color well for around 2-5 years (if you wear them regularly). Jackets in the $700-$1000 range can last 40-60 years with semi-regular care.
