College Budget Leather Search

[Book Writer]

College student here looking for advice on finding the best men's leather jackets that won't completely destroy my budget. I've been working part-time and saving up because I really want a quality piece that will last through college and beyond.

I'm studying in a city with cold winters, so I need something warm enough for walking across campus but still stylish for going out on weekends. My style is pretty classic - jeans, boots, sweaters - so I want something that fits that aesthetic without being too trendy or flashy.

My realistic budget is probably $300-500, which I know isn't huge for leather jackets, but I'm hoping to find something decent in that range. I've been looking at both new and vintage options. Vintage seems like it might offer better value, but I'm worried about sizing and condition issues when buying online.

I'm also wondering about timing - should I wait for sales or are leather jacket prices pretty consistent? And what about leather types? I keep seeing different terms like top-grain, full-grain, genuine leather, and I'm honestly confused about what's actually good quality versus marketing terms.

Any advice for a student trying to make a smart first leather jacket purchase? I'd rather wait and save more if $500 really won't get me anything worthwhile, but hoping there are some hidden gems out there.