Battle jackets

Just a rant before I post the progress of my new vest. It seems in the metal scene particularly there are a million unspoken rules on how a battle jacket should be made, at the end of the day just put whatever the fuck you want on it. 

There are a million bullshit rules I see people spout such as YOU have to be the one to sew on your patches, no one’s gonna come up to you just to ask if yo mother sewed those patches on because no one gives a fuck. Others that you can only get patches of bands you’ve seen live and if you’re anything like me all your favorite bands have never played shows in the states or atleast stopped decades ago.

My least favorite and most rampant “rule” of all is no political or non metal patches on your battle jacket. I do agree to some extent that the regular “acab” and the anti Nazi patches with such a thin cross out line that it’s hardly there are overused and most the time don’t need to be said. With the folks I’ve spoken to we’ve all agreed that political patches on vests are okay when they are a current movement or political group you are associated with like torch antifa, common defense or anti racist action. But then again it’s just the small symbols you need to connect with others in your group and your vest shouldn’t have to be 99% political. 

Besides all the trashy rules folks have made up, a lot of “rules” that go round that are simply there to make your battle jacket last longer and look cooler. Like those suggesting not to overcrowd your vest, not to use only or primarily logo patches, not to only use album patches, to sew your patches on and to use a lot more than just patches (like studs and chains) to decorate your vest. Then again it’s up to you to decide what goes on your vest, tailor it to your own interests and what you want to rep. 

MY VEST!!

Started this last month and I’ve yet to add patches to the front or stud it out but the first chance I get I’m on it. 

For me battle jackets are a lot more than just a couple patches on a denim vest. It’s a collection of all my favorite things put together. I’ll spend an unbelievable amount of time to finish this and I’ll spend even more time in it making memories at gigs and with my friends. Eventually I’ll box this guy up and in some decades or so I’ll pass it down to my future kid (who’s going to have the sickest music taste from me and my gf). These things are constantly changing time capsules and you’ll be glad you put in the work to make it look sick and last long, it’ll be great to look back at it.