Leather jacket question

[NosfeRomas]

Hello !

I am 18 years old and i want to buy a leather jacket.

I am eyeing Schott for a long time now but i am also a student and money are very hard to come by and i really need one because i had a fake leather jacket bought for 40 euros and it has started to pierce and look like crap. Also winter is here and mall brands are expensive and total crap to waste money on.

I found this wilson leather perfecto style for 380 dollars which translates to 280 euros. It is within my budget but i don't know if it is worth it for a first leather jacket. I don't know the quality of Wilson. My dream is a Schott one but at this moment they are unapproachable.

http://www.wilsonsleather.com/produ...0769586&cp=2446814.11487507&parentPage=family

Are Wilsons worth it ? are they any good ?

 

[Sloan1874]

Does it have to be new? You could do a lot better than a Schott if you were willing to go used. Mind you, anything's going to look better than a 40 Euros fake leather jacket.

 

[Forrest]

If you are willing to pay $380 for a jacket, but not the $600 or more that would get you a new Schott, then I recommend getting a used one on ebay. It will still be great quality, and have the character of an older worn jacket. Don't waste your money on something like a Wilson jacket. You will only end up replacing it in a few years anyway.

 

[Capesofwrath]

No knowledge on these jackets but you might do well buying a good make used on eBay. Or Alexander Leathers is selling off new jackets cheap too. They have some bike jackets that might be within your budget on their outlet page. They do proper jackets like Aero's but are a lot cheaper on the sales page.

No VAT for the EU either.

 

[NosfeRomas]

No, it doesn't have to be new. I'm just very new on online shopping and i don't have an ebay account yet.
I was under the impression that Schott along with Aero were the best brands for a leather jacket (with Schott being the one that came up with the perfecto).
Should i look on ebay ? i really cannot spend any more than 300 euros.

 

[Jeff M]

I haven't come across Wilson's Leathers for decades now. I remember when I was a kid, seeing adds for them.
They haven't popped up here much that I can recall.
If only for that reason alone I'd be hesitant to purchase one without getting my hands on it first. LOTS of leather addicts here with experience with lots of different companies. I'd have expected to see Wilson mentioned here more often.
For a decent inexpensive leather jacket I'd be looking at something like US Wings, Cockpit, something used.
I also agree that if thinking of a Schott, be sure to look at some other options like Vanson, a used Aero, Alexander Leather, etc.
I don't put Schott in the same class as Aero, or Vanson for that matter. They may have come up with the design, but that was decades ago. What matters today is the quality of the jacket they are producing now.

 

[Carlos840]

Since he is in France i doubt he will see any Vanson or many American brands apart from Schott.

If i was you i would either buy a used Schott Perfecto on eBay if this is the model you really want. You can often find them for 200 euro in good condition.

If you don't mind another model, have a look at the Aero and Alexander leathers sales... They have quite a few jackets in the 200 to 250 pounds range, which is just under 300 euro.

Good luck

 

[782369]

I just bought a jacket from Alexander Leathers outlet page and it cost me less than 300 euros. Not a bad deal i must say and should be in your price range.

 

[Fanch]

Make sure the sizing is correct by taking a jacket that fits you well and measuring pit to pit, sleeves, back, and shoulders. Make sure you measure correctly. Go by measurements, and use size listed as only a general guideline. More and more websites and Ebay listings are including measurements.

 

[Jeff M]

Make sure the sizing is correct by taking a jacket that fits you well and measuring pit to pit, sleeves, back, and shoulders. Make sure you measure correctly. Go by measurements, and use size listed as only a general guideline. More and more websites and Ebay listings are including measurements.

Definitely. One makers size 44 may be completely different from anothers.
And, to add some confusion to the issue....some makers measure their jackets differently, and it is not at all uncommon for people selling used jackets to not know how to measure them.
Here is a useful post from over at the Vintage Leather Jacket Forum, about how to measure a leather jacket;

OK, felt the need to show this because apparently there is no certainty about how correct measurements are taken and would like to clarify things and eliminate the possibilities of misunderstandings and disputes.

First of all, you need a measuring tape. Don't come with a yardstick, this is for a different job.

Shoulders. The easiest. Jacket should be zipped up all the way, laid flat on a table, grab the shoulders and pull until leather becomes straight, but without stretching it. Measure from shoulder tip to shoulder tip. (Photo doesn't show exactly what I want, I will post another one later, it's a start though).

Back. Put the measuring tape at the bottom of the collar and making sure the jacket lays completely flat, run it over it until the end of the knitted waistband. Simple.

This is the correct sleeve measurement. Measuring the outer edge of the sleeve. Its maximum length. Don't do it as shown in the photo below. It's wrong.

Wrong! See? One inch shorter.

Chest. Grab the jacket under the armpits and pull until it becomes straight. Don't pull to hard you don't want to stretch it. Again, my photo isn't the best. Left side OK, right side not perfectly straight, but anyway, that's how the pit to pit measurement is taken.


Thanks.

Ideally you have a leather jacket that fits exactly how you want it to that you can get measurements from. Non-leather jacket next best option to at least get you in the ballpark.

Again, keep in mind that some makers measure differently, so if discussing measurements with a jacket maker ask them how they measure.

 

[GHT]

Since joining this forum I have learned a lot about various manufacturers and design labels. But, since I am naive of what is best or what is good, I just go out and buy what I like. For £185, that's about 230 euros, I bought this back in 2008. The leather is of very high quality, extremely heavy. The sheepskin collar is detachable by way of a zip fastener and two outer buttons with attaching loops. When I bought it I had never heard of Wilsons, or Schotts, or any other label that has cropped up on here. What I bought is a leather jacket that I like, that keeps me warm and is very good value. Good hunting in your search, and if you do find that which you seek, come back and post some photos.

 

[Sloan1874]

So, what you're saying is 'just buy any old leather jacket you like for the money you're willing to pay, it'll be fine'. Well, that's the end of the Outerwear section of the FL then! :eusa_doh: I think the guy was hoping for something a little more constructive in terms of advice.

 

[andy b.]

Nosfe,

I have a Wilson's jacket that I bought in the early 1990s. The brand on the label is Open Road, but it was one of the Wilson's brands years ago. It is a Perfecto-style black motorcycle jacket. The leather is fairly heavy, but it is soft. I wore the jacket almost every day for probably 4 or 5 years, and it is still in great shape. Do you want this jacket for riding a motorcycle, or just wearing around town? The jacket I have probably wouldn't be the best riding jacket, but it would be better than nothing. You can find used ones on eBay for under $100, which is well within your budget. I have no idea how the leather is on newer Wilson's jackets.

Another brand I have is Excelled. I have several of their jackets, and they are decent quality and usually sell for low prices. The Excelled jackets don't have some of the little details that make a Schott or Aero cost more, but for the price I think they are great deals. I'm referring to used Excelled jackets made in the USA. I think a lot of the current ones are made in Pakistan or China.

If you can figure out your correct measurements to get a used jacket on eBay, I would say that is definitely the way to go. There are even used Schott's that go for much less than your limit.

Andy B.

 

[Monitor]

No, it doesn't have to be new. I'm just very new on online shopping and i don't have an ebay account yet.
I was under the impression that Schott along with Aero were the best brands for a leather jacket (with Schott being the one that came up with the perfecto).
Should i look on ebay ? i really cannot spend any more than 300 euros.

And you were under the right impression. I have this jacket style you're after from both manufacturers and they're equally good. I've recently made a thread comparing the two styles, you can check it out here.http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?74653-Aero-FQHH-Motorcycle-Jacket-vs-Schott-618HH My old Schott Perfecto in steer is 32 years old and that jacket still doesn't have a thread out of place. Some people like to claim things that appear to be true only to them and no one else. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these two brands.

As it stands, for that kind of money, I would also resort to eBay. You should be able to find a good deal on either Aero or Schott - especially Schott! Second hand Schott jackets are substantially cheaper than used Aero's and like I said, if you get the size right, you won't regret it. Vanson is also tops but if you want absolutely the toughest and heaviest perfecto-styled jacket, look for Bates.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Be patient, Find one Second hand! Get yourself a Real bargain! For 280 Euros I could come home with a whole new Wardrobe.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I managed to get a second hand brown perfecto 125 for 100 euros from ebay France -> www.ebay.fr
Not a perfect imaculated jacket but still in good condition and have been wearing it for a month.
Also got a Schott 618 for 150 euros in very good condition second hand also from France but this one was listed on Spanish ebay -> www.ebay.es

 

[Cody Wilson]

I can actually speak a little to the quality of Wilsons Leather, since their stuff is still quite common in the midwest. make no mistake, its not top notch stuff. however, my riding jacket is my Wilsons and it feels as thick as armor while being soft as well (the later quality did take some breaking in of course)
My parents both wore Wilsons Jackets when I was growing up as well, and most of those lasted for a few decades. my father used to ride with their jackets as well, and I know of one that went through a 50 mph laydown and was still wearable.

Of course, not all of their stuff is such good quality, a lot of it is fake or very light leather. so you should be weary of that when buying from them.

 

[fukigen]

Hello,

as you are located in France, you can go to "la canadienne" shop (google is your friend) if any around your town.
I never been to one of their shop, but from their website, they have many models of different brands including Schott.
There is also vintage-motors in Paris (if you are there) who sells Vanson, among others. I also do not know the shop, I just "googled" veste Vanson...

So if you can go to a shop, you can try the jackets "live", and it will help to know the size that fits and if it looks good on you.
then check the bay to get a used yet good shape one.

 

[FredS]

A few members have mentioned jackets from the Alexander Outlet store. Have a look at them here... http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale.html ...brand new jackets from Alexander Leathers in Scotland that were either trainee made jackets, discontinued leather, cancelled orders or trade-in Alexander jackets. All of them bargains at around 250 pounds (about 300 Euro's) each. That's half their normal price. Ten pages of different models and sizes. Shipping to France won't be very much either.
On the other hand if you buy a jacket like the Wilson's or any other jacket from a store in the USA it's probably going to cost you a whack for shipping and customs and import and excise duties and fees. (Wilsons says free shipping but that's only inside the US)

I don't know your size but look at this Bike Jacket (Perfecto Style) made from black goat skin which is a super tough leather. Size 36. (300 Pounds which is about 350 Euro's.)
http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/bike-jacket-black-goat.html

and also in size 38 at the same price and same leather
http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/bike-jacket-black-goat-2.html


Another Bike Jacket at the same price in size 42 in black Horsehide.
http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/bike-jacket-black-jerky.html

and bike jacket in black steer size 38 at 250 pounds
http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/bike-jacket-biker-steer.html

and lots of other styles such as Cafe Racer styles and more.

 

[Sloan1874]

There ia couple of black biker jackets in 36 & 38 (I'm assuming that as you're 18, you're on the smaller side) around the £250 mark. But if I was you, I'd scrape the extra £50 together and go for either the seal brown Bootlegger copy: http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/detroit-seal-jerky.html or this Cafe Racer type: http://www.alexanderleathers.com/sale/alexander-cafe-racer-seal-goat.html
I think both are a more flexible in terms of how and where you can wear them, and classically cool as the biker jacket is, I think this pair have a bit more cache - I doubt many of your friends will have either.