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Shantelle.Ismay

Shantelle Willock

A Love Story About a Leather Jacket

Updated: Nov 19, 2022

I love this jacket so much that I’ve nearly been living in it. plus, it doesn’t hurt that this jacket is a perpetual reminder of my girlfriend’s godly thrifting skills and their love for me—

*Here is a dramatic narrative of the events that brought me and this jacket together.*


As summer wound to an end, I began to curate a mood board that would inspire my autumn wardrobe this year.


Among the oversized knits, patterned tights, and chunky accessories I was in search of, the ultimate fall staple I prioritized above all was my dream leather jacket.


I imagined it would be dark brown or black in color and oversized in fit, with a short collar, zip closure, leather rib hem in the back, tight fit around the wrists, and warm insulation on the inside.


I wasn’t willing to settle for anything less.

I spent days scouring through Depop and eBay listings galore and still nothing.

With my Atlanta trip a few days away and no jacket in sight, I began to accept my dreaded fate— until Steph came to my rescue. they offered to make time in their day to hit up thrift stores around Houston in the devoted search of my most prized item.


They diligently hopped from thrift shop to thrift shop, texting photographs of all the jackets in store that fit my incredibly detailed description. we even managed to sneak in a few facetime calls during my breaks at work so I could search through the racks with them.


It was a serious project, and we were both highly dedicated. Steph’s commitment nearly grew to surpass my own.


Two full days, six thrift stores, and a ton of rejected jackets later, Steph discovered the leather jacket of my dreams.


It was just as I had imagined— black in color and oversized in fit, with a short collar, zip closure, leather rib hem in the back, tight fit around the wrists, and warm insulation on the inside.


I was overjoyed.


Steph carried that bad boy all the way from Houston to Atlanta and hand-delivered it to me a few days later.

I hope everyone finds a love (and a jacket) like mines. <3



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