New here? Hi!! Welcome. For years I have been the friend people text for outfit verdicts, travel recs, and interiors takes, and two months ago I finally took the operation public. PMLF is a running record of what I'm hunting for, how I plan on styling it, and a few other creative pursuits sprinkled in.
The whole premise is to help vintage feel approachable. You're early (this is only post is only #10!) which means you get to say you were here before the ShopMy account (application is still pending, ha). Between weekly(ish) newsletters, find me on Instagram sharing vintage and the aforementioned hodgepodge. Thank you for being here! <3
The first time I wore my suede fringe jacket in the city, I braced for it to read as a costume. It didn’t and I got two compliments before lunch, and one of them was from a woman whose was impossibly cool (is there anything better?).
So this week: suede fringe jackets, plus an incredible hodgepodge (if I do say so myself) of other leather and suede goodies that turned up while hunting. Per last week's opposite-season hunting agenda: the time to buy suede is when it's 90 degrees out, before the best ones are gone and sellers are extra willing to accept lower offers.
I know fringe jackets aren’t a new trend. Personally, I’ll love them whether they’re “in” or not. In my opinion, if you can pull photos of people wearing something across multiple decades (rodeo girls in the 1930s, basically everyone in the 1960s + 70s, and Sarah Jessica Parker in the 80s) then it’s a pretty safe investment.
Once, when I was in Wyoming and wearing said fringe jacket, an older fellow told me the fringe was originally incorporated to keep the flies away. The movement allegedly deterred them (a lot like the little table fans I supposed).
Upon further research, it would seem fringe surfaced as an element predominately for rain. On buckskin, the strips worked like a gutter, pulling water off the jacket so the leather dried faster instead of soaking through.
My suede fringe jacket is dark brown suede, found at a vintage market, and it’s the reason I’ll tell anyone to go vintage in this category. There are SO many incredible ones out there, usually for less than the new versions. Suede from the 70s has already survived fifty years of weather and closets, so I would like to think it’s not going to quit on you now.
While I wear my fringe jacket out west, it’s one of the few leather/suede pieces I bring back and forth, because I wear it constantly in the city too. If you need proof of range, our queen Leandra Medine Cohen has worn hers about seventeen (inspiring) ways over the years:
In my mind, the goal with suede fringe is to be less 2014 music festival, more Dennis Hopper. To make it feel city-appropriate, my rule of thumb is to have the jacket be the only thing with fringe or tassels.
Fringe reads as costume easily, so everything in the above look provides some type of juxtaposition: tailored black trousers, a plain grey knit, a smooth leather bag in a good red. From there it’s mostly just playing with textures: patent croc loafers and a vintage silver sun pendant (for a touch of weird/whimsy). The scarf is flexible but I like the extra pop of pattern (in your hair, knotted on the bag, or around your neck).
As for what made the roundup: I pulled for boxier fits, longer proportions, thin fringe (a personal preference), and the right amount of patina.
First row, left to right:
1970’s Deerskin fringe jacket Extra Small; $100
1967 Ralph Lauren suede fringe on eBay Large; $249
Orange/brown suede jacket Extra Small; $150
Second row, left to right:
Yellow suede jacket w/ toggle buttons Medium; $150
Bob’s dark brown fringe jacket Medium; $225
1970s Handmade orange suede jacket Large; $212
Third row, left to right:
1990s Scully fringed beige suede jacket Small; $193
1940’s Buckskin yellow fringe jacket Large; $320
1960s Jo-0-Kay brown leather Small; $164
Fourth row, left to right:
1990s Arella beige fringe jacket Small; $288
1940s stitched leather w/ belt Small/Medium; $345
1970s light brown fringe jacket on eBay Medium; $120
If none of these fit your needs, here are some search terms that could help your hunt: vintage fringe leather jacket, vintage suede fringe jacket, vintage western fringe jacket, 70s fringe suede jacket, 60s western leather jacket fringe, and buckskin jacket.
I personally wouldn't limit your search to women's jackets. In fact, I'd add "mens" for more results, and try material words like deerskin and cowhide.
And lastly, because I can’t help myself, some other great leather that I simply must share:
Row by row, left to right:
Suede jacket with fur trim (Small; $33) (A more tailored look than fringe, but same suede effect)
Ponyhair cowboy boots Size 6; $100 (If I didn’t already have almost an exact pair like this these would be mine)
Stillman leather and mesh blouse Medium; $129 (Offer less and style unbuttoned at the bottom like this, but over jeans; premium city fall-fit)
2007 Vintage Prada runway leather skirt IT40; $386 (I love the colors in this)
Vintage green suede jacket w/ fur Small/Medium; $338 (Insanely fabulous!!! Reminds me of Saks Potts)
70s green vest w/ trim Small; $125 (Offer less; imagining it more casually w/ a weekend errand look; very Maria de la Orden)
Black suede top Small/Medium; $45 (Weird, but very into this; would style with black cigarette pants or over a black turtleneck w/ fun pants)
TRR Chanel riding boots Size 7; $317 (It’s a riding boot fall and these are a steal; I want to see them with a patterned midi skirt)
90s Red leather jacket Large; $30 (I just bought a red 100p leather jacket off Depop just like this; another here)
Fringe (and even leather) isn’t for everyone, but then again, what is! I do think it deserves its spot in more ways than people expect, and per usual, I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t own one and stand behind its place in my own closet.
A very warm invite to share what you find! Reply, comment, DM me the listing you’re on the fence about and I’m happy to give you my opinion. It sounds trite, but connecting with like minded people has been one of my favorite parts of this new endeavor.
Finders keepers,
SN
Some of these links may earn me a small commission, which I appreciate, since this whole thing runs on love.
Each week(ish) I’ll be sharing things from across home, fashion, travel, and littles…mostly wherever my vintage hunting and rabbit-hole deep dives take me. Thank you for the support.
Also LOVE the recommendations on what to type in for the search bar!
Loved this!! 🤍