Applying Obenauf's Boot Preservative to a leather jacket

[Will Zach]

A couple of years ago, being new here, I put up a Dolce & Gabbana racer in the WJAYWT thread and got some warm comments and lots of likes. It helped that the hide was kangaroo, a pound-by-pound one of the strongest leathers, but I was afraid I'd get laughed out of the room for putting up a fashion jacket. No such thing, and I was impressed by this community right away. I have to feature this jacket again, because it is pretty cool.

Regarding leather darkening under influence of conditioner - that is a fascinating topic. Why does white paper looks darker when wet, either with water or oil? The conditioner does not evaporate like water, but may move deeper inside the leather with time, negating the darkening effect.

 

[Rgcards]

Pretty sure Stu is wearing a LW raiders jacket which is goatskin. Or maybe he bought an eastman?

 

[Marc mndt]

Funny I was wondering in the last few months if I could pull off a trench coat, in leather of course

I had one but recently sold it. It was way too heavy and a bit too small as well. Burberry Prorsum.

 

[Marc mndt]

I agree that there are more makers being represented and that is a good thing a great thing actually. More styles too. I do find there is a faint air of snobbery that occasionally wafts in.

I think you should write a full review on the H&M, just to balance things out

 

[powerserge]

The jacket looks much better and you’ve really brought the character out. To contribute to the discussion of RRL, I like the jackets you’ve posted from them and this one in particular. I personally would not buy from RRL, even though I do like their offering. I have tried to support small businesses as much as I can and in the last year, my clothing was either thrifted or purchased from a small maker or one-man maker. I really appreciate knowing who makes the item I’m purchasing and it offers a personal experience nowadays in world of impersonal transactions. I work for a small business so I understand the struggles that can happen and the value of having people choosing to go small. It’s much easier and often times more convenient to go with big businesses, but for me it does leave something to be desired. In my experience, I’m much happier with my purchases knowing that I am supporting someone and their craftsmanship. I’m often left with an extraordinary product and wonderful customer service. Now of course at the end of the day just buy what you like. I enjoy coming on TFL and learning about new jackets from a variety brands and makers. Whether it comes from well known establishment to a single person in the middle of nowhere. The more the merrier!

 

[Monitor]

Some members too. Like Butte. I always enjoyed his contributions and he was a fun guy to have on the site. He simply vanished.

He was for some reason threatened by Big J who happens to be one of my favorite members on this forum. Never sugar coated anything, always on point. But anyway, Butte left because of J and now J's gone, too.

Funny I was wondering in the last few months if I could pull off a trench coat, in leather of course

But why would you even want to? XD Trench-coat is one thing that could never be salvaged on its own. It can only work as a part of an entire ensemble, suit and all, because by itself, it's 100% sure way to creepville.

 

[Harris HTM]

Funny I was wondering in the last few months if I could pull off a trench coat, in leather of course

I'd love a black leather trenchcoat. Unfortunately it has been and always remain strongly associated with the darkest nightmare of the last 200 years.

 

[Rgcards]

I have a ccp trenchcoat that is cotton and a rough leather. Its cool but it isnt very warm

 

[Marc mndt]

The jacket looks much better and you’ve really brought the character out. To contribute to the discussion of RRL, I like the jackets you’ve posted from them and this one in particular. I personally would not buy from RRL, even though I do like their offering. I have tried to support small businesses as much as I can and in the last year, my clothing was either thrifted or purchased from a small maker or one-man maker. I really appreciate knowing who makes the item I’m purchasing and it offers a personal experience nowadays in world of impersonal transactions. I work for a small business so I understand the struggles that can happen and the value of having people choosing to go small. It’s much easier and often times more convenient to go with big businesses, but for me it does leave something to be desired. In my experience, I’m much happier with my purchases knowing that I am supporting someone and their craftsmanship. I’m often left with an extraordinary product and wonderful customer service. Now of course at the end of the day just buy what you like. I enjoy coming on TFL and learning about new jackets from a variety brands and makers. Whether it comes from well known establishment to a single person in the middle of nowhere. The more the merrier!

I fully agree with you. I rather buy from small businesses too. Also, I would never buy a jacket like this full price. I wouldn't even buy one on sale. The ones I bought were all internet finds. Couple of hundred € max.

 

[Marc mndt]

But why would you even want to? XD Trench-coat is one thing that could never be salvaged on its own. It can only work as a part of an entire ensemble, suit and all, because by itself, it's 100% sure way to creepville.

I wear them on denim too.

 

[Mich486]

Leather trench coats and generally long leather coats imho pretty though to pull off, like a couple of tiers above a grizzly. Also very 70s reminiscent of course (not a bad thing in itself but it can turn real bad real quick).

For my taste, this guy rocks it (not a trench coat but similar concept)

 

[Carlos840]

I'd love a black leather trenchcoat. Unfortunately it has been and always remain strongly associated with the darkest nightmare of the last 200 years.

Theres a good guy trench and a bad guy trench.
Marc is wearing the good guy trench.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Leather trench coats and generally long leather coats imho pretty though to pull off, like a couple of tiers above a grizzly. Also very 70s reminiscent of course (not a bad thing in itself but it can turn real bad real quick).

For my taste, this guy rocks it (not a trench coat but similar concept)

View attachment 310326

Personal taste: for me it isn't really a proper trench unless it ends several inches past your knees.

 

[ton312]

A leather trench coat can only go two ways:
1:

2:
I won’t add a picture but it involves nothing underneath and screams from frightened women and children.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Quite a few people who used to actively participate in Outerwear now moved to other sub-forums of TFL and never say anything here anymore. I often wonder if we ruined the place for them. War clothes talk toned down considerably while nobody even mentions trench-coats anymore.

I agree. I think Outerwear often doesn't really seem to be a part of the FL aesthetic anymore and is its own thing. The biggest change I think I've noticed (apart from people moving away from brown and knits) is the larger amount of money people are spending regularly on high end jackets.

 

[ton312]

I think you should write a full review on the H&M, just to balance things out

I might just do that. Because as you may or may not know...

 

[red devil]

I like both of yours @Marc mndt , really cool

I had in mind of getting one in grey, only thing, you need to have the right silhouette for it.

I agree @Mich486 , much harder to pull off than a grizzly or a seventies jacket.

 

[Superfluous]

I don’t mind admitting that I have a ton of RRL in my closet – flannels, jeans, shirts, t-shirts, etc. . . . and even one leather jacket (I previously had two other RRL leather jackets). In my experience, RRL quality ranges from good to great. Some of my RRL pieces are stellar – others are merely good, but not superlative. For example, my RRL flannels are good quality, but not on a par with Samurai or The Flat Head. My remaining RRL leather jacket is well made but not on a par with the best brands discussed here.

Yes, RRL is wildly overpriced at MSRP. However, only naive RRL shoppers purchase at MSRP. Most experienced RRL shoppers wait for the regular sales, at which time RRL can be purchased for considerable discounts.

Yes, much of the current RRL line-up is made in China. However, whereas at one time China produced only low-quality products, China has since developed the ability to also produce high quality products and, with appropriate training and QC, does so across many different industries. China is no longer synonymous with poor quality. Moreover, “made in the USA” is not, by any stretch of the imagination, synonymous with high quality. To the contrary, the US is quite capable of producing complete junk. I personally have not noticed a material decline in RRL’s quality with respect to its products made in China.

RRL employs a wonderful team of designers that have a keen eye for good-looking workwear and they consistently offer a broad line of clothing that includes some desirable selections. They have a good formula.

Like many here, I enjoy purchasing garments from and thereby supporting artisan manufacturers and small proprietorships. That said, I am not able to complete my wardrope with these niche brands. Therefore, I also purchase from larger manufacturers. I will not refuse to purchase a desirable item simply because it was made by a larger operation.

I have had the following hypothetical discussion with certain of my friends: If you could only wear clothing from a single brand, and could not wear clothing from any other brand, what brand would you choose? My answer is RRL. The breadth of their workwear collection is unparalleled and, while there are better options for individual items, RRL’s overall quality is acceptable.

Finally, I appreciate the ebb, flow, and evolution of the Outerwear forum over the years. When I joined in 2014, Aero and A2 discussions predominated, and military jacket collectors and historians were frequent participants. Many of these military jacket collectors have disappeared. Their participation has been replaced by a much more diverse group of collectors and the discussion now spans the gamut of jacket styles. Perhaps most importantly, the forum is much more active today as compared to prior years. I am usually consumed with my work during the day – today being an exception – and often do not log on until well into the evening/night. These days, the volume of threads with new posts almost always extends to the second page. Frankly, there is so much activity these days that I have given up trying to read everything and I do not read the majority of the threads (I was not following this thread and would not have seen this discussion but for @Marc mndt posting a link in a thread I am following). The increased activity and participation is a wonderful trend that contributes to the overall value of the forum. The database is growing and this remains the premier outerwear resource on the planet, bar none!

Ps: I too miss Big J, Butte, and several other valuable contributors that disappeared over the years.

Pss: If Big J were still here, he would excoriate my sentimental reference to him.

 

[navetsea]

I think currently the outerwear section is at its golden era, a lot of myths are debunked, no extreme fanatism toward certain maker or style, or how thing should fit, wider age group, maybe here and there small incidents but nothing major that lingers and create negativity. Members are mostly respect each others opinion and dont intensly force their own, i think "Like" system much contribute to this current peaceful state. Imagine if the forum also implemented " Dislike", that would create a lot more silent negativity that drives people away.

 

[Peacoat]

Personal taste: for me it isn't really a proper trench unless it ends several inches past your knees.

It needs to end past the knees to properly do its job in the snow and rain, as well as for warmth. I wore a Barbour once in the rain. It was a couple of inches above my knees, and they were soaked during a 2 minute walk in moderate rain. Same thing has happened in the snow.