Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[MTS]

NEW MiUSA CXL jacket for 5Star price. Just have to look for them.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-jacket-are-you-wearing-today.82949/post-2912578
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-jacket-are-you-wearing-today.82949/post-2912557

Whoa!! Now that sounds enticing! Thanks, I'll try and look for stuff like that

 

[MTS]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of acquiring some secondhand jackets and wanted some advice on potential cleaning (if needed). I have read some stuff on TFL with people full on washing their jackets in a tub or in the washer machine.

However, the jacket is CXL and it didn't seem like a good idea to use detergent or anything with it. I will likely just wipe off the leather with a damp cloth if needed. The more confusing matter to me is the wool lining...would I just use some a towel or sponge with Woolite and cold water to wipe down the wool?

Any advice appreciated as always.

 

[Marc mndt]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of acquiring some secondhand jackets and wanted some advice on potential cleaning (if needed). I have read some stuff on TFL with people full on washing their jackets in a tub or in the washer machine.

However, the jacket is CXL and it didn't seem like a good idea to use detergent or anything with it. I will likely just wipe off the leather with a damp cloth if needed. The more confusing matter to me is the wool lining...would I just use some a towel or sponge with Woolite and cold water to wipe down the wool?

Any advice appreciated as always.

How dirty is the wool lining? Does it smell, does it have stains?

 

[unhatted]

Is this approx 1cm tear to the lapel of an otherwise beautiful horsehide jacket something that can be fixed (or ignored without further consequence) or should I run a mile? It’s washed and therefore quite supple horsehide, if that changes anything.

 

[MTS]

How dirty is the wool lining? Does it smell, does it have stains?

Hi, I won't have the jacket for a few more days. The lining looks pretty good though. I guess I'm more worried about smell and I'm used to being able to just wash secondhand clothes (like raw denim) I buy on eBay without a second thought.

 

[handymike]

Hi, I won't have the jacket for a few more days. The lining looks pretty good though. I guess I'm more worried about smell and I'm used to being able to just wash secondhand clothes (like raw denim) I buy on eBay without a second thought.

Turn it inside out and spray the liner with a mix of vinegar and water 50/50. Let it air out in the shade outside. The smell will go away in a couple weeks, and so will any odors. Cxl is fine in a tub.

 

[MTS]

I'll try that if anything! If CXL is fine in a tub, I'm definitely willing to try as well. Would you use any detergent or anything? It didn't seem like the oils/waxes and detergents would get along

 

[handymike]

If you don’t need to, don’t do it. You can wipe down the exterior with the same vinegar solution.

 

[Monitor]

Is this approx 1cm tear to the lapel of an otherwise beautiful horsehide jacket something that can be fixed (or ignored without further consequence) or should I run a mile? It’s washed and therefore quite supple horsehide, if that changes anything.

Hm, that's a tough one. I had it happen on a collar of a sheepskin jacket 'cause I'd somehow tug on it while taking the jacket off.

It won't worsen by itself if that's what you're afraid of but you must be careful not to mess with it. If pulling at that part cannot be avoided, I'd glue it and then sew the top of the tear together through the existing seam holes, so it would be least conspicuous.

 

[navetsea]

vinegar is also a natural fabric conditioner I used it on my jacket liner, denim jacket etc. but it will smell like vinegar for few days to a week, anyway for a speedy result I use dryclean disinfectant spray it is a solvent and quickly evaporate, it kills germ and also odor, I use it on the liner of my cap and the back of the collar on my denim jacket I use for daily morning walk, I don't know in what brand it sells internationally, I bought brandless from drycleaning supplier shop. it is a chemical / solvent based and it fumes out rapidly killing any kind of smell including cat urine and foul stuff.

 

[MTS]

Thanks for the info guys. Hopefully I won't have to do anything to it but I like to be prepared (don't like the thought of not cleaning an unknown item). I'll check back in when the jacket gets here!

 

[navetsea]

is there a way to talk someone out of desiring a leather blazer?

to me there is something about leather blazer especially black leather blazer with sleaziness, like something worn by conman, bouncer, poser, scammer, small time gangster, steven seagal, nothing positive comes to mind... and just so many other leather jacket styles to choose from rather than making blazer in leather... but to mainstream person who don't browse leather jacket... leather blazer is the ultimate very stylish rich high class looking outerwear while when I start to talk about other styles they think of crosszip MC jacket and want nothing of it and I can't start to argue since there is no beginning.

 

[JMax]

is there a way to talk someone out of desiring a leather blazer?

to me there is something about leather blazer especially black leather blazer with sleaziness, like something worn by conman, bouncer, poser, scammer, small time gangster, steven seagal, nothing positive comes to mind... and just so many other leather jacket styles to choose from rather than making blazer in leather... but to mainstream person who don't browse leather jacket... leather blazer is the ultimate very stylish rich high class looking outerwear while when I start to talk about other styles they think of crosszip MC jacket and want nothing of it and I can't start to argue since there is no beginning.

Find a bunch of pics of horrid leather blazers in the ugly jacket thread or online…then spam him with them. He will get the picture.

 

[Monitor]

is there a way to talk someone out of desiring a leather blazer?

to me there is something about leather blazer especially black leather blazer with sleaziness, like something worn by conman, bouncer, poser, scammer, small time gangster, steven seagal, nothing positive comes to mind... and just so many other leather jacket styles to choose from rather than making blazer in leather... but to mainstream person who don't browse leather jacket... leather blazer is the ultimate very stylish rich high class looking outerwear while when I start to talk about other styles they think of crosszip MC jacket and want nothing of it and I can't start to argue since there is no beginning.

Same as with any style, leather blazers can be freaking awesome if worn the right way.
I've been after one since forever but it's tough to find it in a really good leather that's not lambskin. But there's nothing wrong with a black leather coat on its own - It's the same as saying motorcycle jackets are associated with fat, poser, biker gangsters who are all bullies and rapists and commit murder and crime.

Worn correctly, your friend can look awesome in it and less poser-ish and pretentious than us in our biker jackets.

https://cache.mrporter.com/variants/videos/28941591746581756/detail.mp4

 

[JMax]

Same as with any style, leather blazers can be freaking awesome if worn the right way.
I've been after one since forever but it's tough to find it in a really good leather that's not lambskin. But there's nothing wrong with a black leather coat on its own - It's the same as saying motorcycle jackets are associated with fat, poser, biker gangsters who are all bullies and rapists and commit murder and crime.

Worn correctly, your friend can look awesome in it and less poser-ish and pretentious than us in our biker jackets.

https://cache.mrporter.com/variants/videos/28941591746581756/detail.mp4

@navetsea perfect example. Send him this video and it should have the desired impact. Haha. Just messing with ya Monitor.

 

[dwilson]

is there a way to talk someone out of desiring a leather blazer?

to me there is something about leather blazer especially black leather blazer with sleaziness, like something worn by conman, bouncer, poser, scammer, small time gangster, steven seagal, nothing positive comes to mind... and just so many other leather jacket styles to choose from rather than making blazer in leather... but to mainstream person who don't browse leather jacket... leather blazer is the ultimate very stylish rich high class looking outerwear while when I start to talk about other styles they think of crosszip MC jacket and want nothing of it and I can't start to argue since there is no beginning.

If they want something why talk them out of it? Style is personal and just because you disagree doesn't mean its your task to change their mind or are correct. Maybe they really dislike moto jackets and just want a nice leather blazer.

That said maybe try to show them something more like a car coat than a blazer-styled jacket. Car coats aren't necessarily my style (at the moment) but I think overall they're easier to wear than a blazer would be.

 

[Canuck Panda]

is there a way to talk someone out of desiring a leather blazer?

to me there is something about leather blazer especially black leather blazer with sleaziness, like something worn by conman, bouncer, poser, scammer, small time gangster, steven seagal, nothing positive comes to mind... and just so many other leather jacket styles to choose from rather than making blazer in leather... but to mainstream person who don't browse leather jacket... leather blazer is the ultimate very stylish rich high class looking outerwear while when I start to talk about other styles they think of crosszip MC jacket and want nothing of it and I can't start to argue since there is no beginning.

If your friend wants to class it up, send him pics of Beckham wearing shirt and tie with his Belstaffs? And a pic of Seagal wearing his deerskin blazer. Let him choose...

 

[navetsea]

I mean blazer is better in fabrics, perhaps moleskin or suede, IMO leather jacket needs piping and yoke and piped pocket welts, imo leather jacket needs these details to keep their "shape" structure intact after all the creases and worn characters have set in,

while the simplicity and sleekness of a blazer is counter productive for leather as IMO its shape would get lost burried under the creases and looks boring with its pocket gaping open, its smaller lapel get crumpled and even look smaller.

the only saving if he dares to use thick vegtan as it will give it shape and I can overdye it to look nice... but he prefer something soft like sheep or lamb, to me thin leather would have small sharp folds for creases and it looks crumply and ugly after awhile and how they stretches and bubbles around the stitching lines and buttons after it gets rained on looks cheap. unless again it has something to support the shape like padded quilted lining underneath.

it was my uncle who desired it , maybe I should gather few pics of carcoats

 

[unhatted]

Hm, that's a tough one. I had it happen on a collar of a sheepskin jacket 'cause I'd somehow tug on it while taking the jacket off.

It won't worsen by itself if that's what you're afraid of but you must be careful not to mess with it. If pulling at that part cannot be avoided, I'd glue it and then sew the top of the tear together through the existing seam holes, so it would be least conspicuous.

An update to this question—with a secondary question! Took it into a highly reviewed tailor and leather specialist for repair. He was extremely reassuring that it could be simply done without compromising the aesthetics by opening up the lapel, gluing in a small piece of leather and restitching.

This is the result:

(and the before shot)


To my obsessive eye, there’s multiple layers of stitching, a vaguely puckered lapel which no longer flexes in quite the same way, and what appears to be some dye in a different shade of black. Is this a horrible job or is it the best that can be expected given the nature and location of the tear? Like many of us I’m someone who can obsess over almost unnoticeable details so maybe this is one of those times?

It’s a James Grose Manilla, so maybe I should have tried to take it to the factory, but they don’t seem to have any public facing presence in the UK…

 

[Canuck Panda]

Not the best or the worst restitch job. But he could have filled the old stitch holes so it looks better. You could still get those old stitch holes filled and it would look much better.