Cross zip nation

[navetsea]

please don't give up, it is the most popular style the most produced, you must find one that fits you perfectly just a matter of time

 

[Viking752]

I have had the Black Stallion for about 5 months and I have been wearing it, sleeping in it and sitting on it to expedite the break In. It is getting way more comfortable and taking on a much softer hand as it was fairly stiff in the beginning. What knowledge I have is that it was built by Schott bros. In 2012 for Legendary USA with FQHH sourced from an Italian tannery. Bought it on the bay and was basically new without tags. Out of all my other (not many) jackets this one is like an old friend, I grab it and put it on and instantly feels comfortable.

 

[navetsea]

Crosszip over duck canvas vest

 

[tmitchell59]

California Sportswear Horsehide c.1950. As good as it gets.

 

[JMax]

California Sportswear Horsehide c.1950. As good as it gets.

My favorite non-D pocket MC jacket. By far. Stunning. Looks brand new too. Crazy.

 

[Mister Rivets]

I love this design.

 

[MrProper]

 

[Bluechel]

View attachment 425407

Heck yeah! Feel the power! Cross zip nation.

 

[Aloysius]

I went to the Schott factory sale this morning and I feel guilty because I got a one-off naked cowhide One Star for half the price of a standard model… @Monitor's dream jacket, basically (of course, I feel less guilty when I remember he owned a vintage one like it and sold it…)

Also got a Type III for 70% off because of a scuff on the sleeve that I would have given such a jacket within a day of wearing in the real world.

 

[Bfd70]

pics?

 

[Aloysius]

pics?

I’m out on errands so the pic isn’t great.

It fits about a size down from the normal 613/618/613S(H) though as you can see from the side it’s a V cut, not a straight cut. It’s also shorter, which is fine with most of my rises but worth stating. And it has the classic mitre buckle.

The lining is a quilted red rayon:

The cuff is a flap like on some of the 30s-40s Schotts and the Indian Ranger.

They also had a lot of jackets that I regret not picking up to pass on here at cost + shipping, such as my beloved 613SH in one size too small for me, with a difference I would have been willing to pay for (pocket zips that go up, like on the vintage jackets the S(H) otherwise matches in pattern)… at $400. In the right size I would take that over any other cross-zip. The hide is still my fave.

 

[KBlake]

I think the lapels on the cross-zip add certain elegance to it. I would like to explore a cross-zip plus a tie look as a certain bad-ass look/elegance dichotomy.. If someone has pics, please post.

I’m a teacher and this is me giving a scholarship to a student in church. I think the cross zip looks great in the place of a suit jacket. It’s a 5* btw.

 

[Will Zach]

^^
There is a style lesson in this...

 

[KBlake]

This is stunning.

 

[Aloysius]

I’m a teacher and this is me giving a scholarship to a student in church. I think the cross zip looks great in the place of a suit jacket. It’s a 5* btw.

I've been doing this recently quite a bit, though I find that a tie almost demands it be (half) zipped/buttoned up.

 

[KBlake]

I've been doing this recently quite a bit, though I find that a tie almost demands it be (half) zipped/buttoned up.

Yes it definitely looks best that way. After sitting in church for a while I decided to unzip before giving my remarks and the scholarship tho.

 

[ryoreyjr]

ID this

View attachment 416610

Sweet!

 

[Al 916]

 

[Viking752]

Breathing life into this old thread. Two years ago I posted a Black Stallion and a Shovelhead, both sold. Replaced by a Schott and a Vanson.

 

[Doctor Death]

I personally think that the cross zip (whether a motorcycle or an aviator style jacket) brings a certain beauty and magnificence that a straight zip jacket doesn't possess. The presence of a cross zip effortlessly oozes masculinity ,and individualism. In my opinion its a stand out, stand on its own, head turner. To put it bluntly, a bad a$$ jacket, man are they cool! My intention is to collect opinions, experiences, knowledge, preferences, and pictures of cross zip jackets. Wether its your favorite jacket, your wish jacket, or your jacket of recommendation i want in on it. You may have a cool idea circulating in your mind, stealing sleep from you, a dream jacket that has to be cordovan cxl horsehide, with mismatched vintage hardware, 3 front slash pockets( lined with moleskin )with zippers, a western back yoke, a halfbelt with side tabs, faux cuffs with zippers, sateen lining with corduroy strip at the bottom, and a big collar with double stitching. I want a similiar build after i found this old catalog picture View attachment 230508

Center zip leather jackets indicate that you are a "square". Cross zips indicate that you are a rebel.

I had always been partial to the Schott Perfecto, with the shoulder epaulets and attached belt. For a couple of decades, that was my only leather jacket.

Then in the last couple of years, I've caught the leather jacket fever, and I've gravitated towards the minimalist approach. So now my current favorite jacket is the Fox Creek "Traditional" with no epaulets, no belt.

I've been eyeing the Vanson CHP jacket for awhile now, because it's got no epaulets and it's got the belt loops with snaps in case you feel like inserting a belt, which is the best of both worlds. Sometimes you feel like a belt, sometimes you don't.

I might go back to epaulets and belts sometime in the future. My tastes change over time. But I think I'll always prefer the cross zip over the center zip. That will probably never change for me.