Thrift Store Denim Jacket

The denim jacket I found at a thrift store near Porter Square for $18 is a better fit than any jacket I have tried on at a department store. I think it is because it was already broken in by someone else before I got it. Soft but still structured, the denim has faded unevenly in the way that only happens from actual wear rather than from a factory distressing process. Brass buttons have a patina that makes them look darker than they were originally. The sizing tag is missing but based on the shoulder seam placement and the length through the torso I'd guess it's a medium from the early 2000s. When cuts ran a little boxier than they do now. I like that I cannot identify the brand because it makes the jacket feel like it belongs to me rather than to a label. The one detail I keep noticing is a small mend on the inside of the left cuff where someone sewed the lining back in with thread that does not match. Thrift shopping for outerwear has become a habit for me because the selection is random enough that you end up with pieces you never would have chosen from a curated rack. The price point means I can take a chance on something unusual without worrying about whether I will still like it in 6 months. This jacket cost less than a sandwich at some places near campus and I've worn it almost every day since October.