I have an old Harley Davidson denim button-up... Second-hand. Patches for Bass fishing, Harley Davidson, cigarrettes, whatever, where all tattered to shreds and gone, but the denim was almost pristine. Leather collar, to boot (also in great condition). Stitch remover + a lot of time and I took the old patches off and bit by bit started adding my own.
It's my Aces High jacket now, but it might pick up a patch or two unrelated.
I do wear it in public (it's a nice windbreaker or light jacket, but has no liner) and have received at least 4 specific "that is a nice jacket" kind of compliments on it, or references to patches. Once by a doctor at a hospital, no less as I was picking up a family member.