What is a respectful military patch jacket?

It's so subjective that I can't say there is a right or wrong way.

The first thought that came to mind was biker vests. Every year when the weather turns nice(r) and the bikes roll out, you'll start seeing the vests, and jackets. A lot of them sport patches.

But they sport patches with Pride. And you can feel it. There's respect there. Those patches are alive, and like our Flag discussions, they're "living symbols." The guys treat them correctly.

The image above however has turned the patches into "apparel" which is not the same thing.

Personally I think the jacket in the first 3 pics is horrible. I would never wear anything like that. But then again I am pretty sure the manufacturer, purchaser, and wearer have no clear understanding regarding the significance of each patch. Now, if one who has served and desires to make a respectful jacket with the patches they earned, that in my mind is tasteful. I am not sure about the jacket in the last picture, but that appears more reasonable.

As long as the patches are earned and not bought because they "look cool" I don't think there is any real consensus. The only thing I would say is if you're going to have an American flag patch place it over your heart.