Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[dannyk]

S

This German beauty absolutely stands out.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/666362944/vintage-d-pocket-german-motorcycle?ref=shop_home_active_62

Sure does stand out. Wow. If the PTP were like 2-3cms smaller this would absolutely be mine.

 

[Coriu]

Johnson Leathers 38 Suede Bomber $39 No bids yet auction ends in 2 hours
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Johnson-Le...388907?hash=item1f1dd38a2b:g:NwEAAOSwqehe1qQR

 

[Guppy]

Interesting looking no-brand, too small for me, 145 GBP.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1930s-styl...t-like-aERO-scHott-not-horsehide/254850924564

 

[TSW]

Apparel Annex size 40. https://www.etsy.com/listing/892583...f=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

 

[Coriu]

Vintage Schott LNWOT? 42 Auction ends in 2 hours and only 1 bid for $200
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NWOT-Vinta...321380?hash=item2656efec24:g:LYUAAOSwtrNgDuUi

 

[AeroFan_07]

Apparel Annex size 40. https://www.etsy.com/listing/892583086/1970s-vintage-apparel-annex-leather?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=1970's+apparel+annex&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

This is a rather odd find to me. Quite nice, thick, broken in 4-5 oz leather with amazing grain and patina. Not my size. The front is rather fussy with the little pockets up at chest level and veritical features. However the sleeves, back and upper chest & collar above those "peekaboo" pockets are all great.

"Apparel Anex" as best as I recall, was a mall-brand competing with Wilson's in thier later days and died out shortly prior to Wilson's. Too bad given the apparent quality of this piece.

 

[Monitor]

"Apparel Anex" as best as I recall, was a mall-brand competing with Wilson's in thier later days and died out shortly prior to Wilson's. Too bad given the apparent quality of this piece.

Huh! Where did you get that info? If Apparel Annex is a mall brand, same could be said about Langlitz, both makers being in the same league if I am to be asked. I honestly can't see any point of comparison between them and Wilson's, outside of course the fact that both companies make leather jackets. I read that they used to be a small leather shop that went under in the early 80's. First time I hear the word "mall" in the same context as Apparel Annex.

 

[JMax]

^^^Apparel Annex make excellent jackets. Thick, heavy leather. MC driven. Subtle and not-so-subtle design tweaks to classic jackets that make them easy to identify. Cool jackets.

 

[Monitor]

^^^Apparel Annex make excellent jackets. Thick, heavy leather. MC driven. Subtle and not-so-subtle design tweaks to classic jackets that make them easy to identify. Cool jackets.

I love their silly logo/patch, too!

 

[ton312]

Apparel Annex was a shop based in Portland, competing with langlitz. They did not win but they produced amazing quality stuff.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Huh! Where did you get that info? If Apparel Annex is a mall brand, same could be said about Langlitz, both makers being in the same league if I am to be asked. I honestly can't see any point of comparison between them and Wilson's, outside of course the fact that both companies make leather jackets. I read that they used to be a small leather shop that went under in the early 80's. First time I hear the word "mall" in the same context as Apparel Annex.

Oops - you are right. I was misconstured here thinking it was "Leather Limited". Having a few senior moments here it seems. Hard to keep all the names straight. I also seem to recall another similar outfit called Leather Loft. In any event, my apologies for mis-information on this.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Here is another Apparel Annex in the more traditional CHP design:
https://poshmark.com/listing/Leather-antique-jacket-5e20df9b264a555748870c21

 

[Monitor]

Oops - you are right. I was misconstured here thinking it was "Leather Limited". Having a few senior moments here it seems. Hard to keep all the names straight. I also seem to recall another similar outfit called Leather Loft. In any event, my apologies for mis-information on this.

Lol, no need to apologize, I just thought you know something that I don't and the comparison with Wilson's surprised me because Annex is massive quality. They're good several grades above Schott with leather much nicer than most Vansons.

 

[Claybertrand]

Lol, no need to apologize, I just thought you know something that I don't and the comparison with Wilson's surprised me because Annex is massive quality. They're good several grades above Schott with leather much nicer than most Vansons.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............................

Monitor, AA jackets ARE mall jackets and nothing more!!!! I thought Vinted AND AA were our little secrets bro!?!?!!?!? You done just let the Horse out the Barn!!!!!!!!!

Ok---so--I bought and sold a smaller sized AA before I knew what they really were and it was an excellent jacket. Great quality and I think I paid like $40-$50 for it from a girl on Poshmark. Obscure brand in that they probably just weren't around long enough to have the number of jackets out there that other brands have. From what I see, they make real Moto Jackets. I haven't seen any fashion/non ride gear from them. Even Langlitz has 2 Non Rider jacket designs that they offer. But I think AA was more pure MOTO. The one I had had padded elbows and a really cool look but it was not my size and was perhaps TOO MOTO style for a guy like me who doesn't ride.

These are under the radar I think mainly due to the lack of jackets out there. And when I say under the radar, I don't mean a little underappreciated like perhaps some of the Fidelity or Lescos or Walter Dyers etc. Those are a clearly lower tier than AA (maybe not the Dyers AS MUCH but still....). I think AA falls more into the category of Branded. Neither are around anymore but its not for a lack of quality jackets. If you ever handle a Branded, you probably are shocked at how low the price you paid was for the quality. AA is much the same. You'll find yourself wondering HOW these guys are not still in business with the quality of their jackets. You may think the jacket is cheap because the price is not too high but this is far from the truth.

There it is......SOOOO now there will be competition for me when I finally see one in my size Such is life!!!

 

[air]

Apparel annex 50$, small
https://www.ebay.com/itm/APPAREL-AN...749855?hash=item4b7a42de5f:g:hekAAOSwNxtex10r

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hekAAOSwNxtex10r/s-l1600.jpg

 

[ton312]

The deal part is questionable but the find is an absolute:

https://etsy.me/39Hc9oO

 

[TMP]

Shame about the hole in the sleeve, but this one's got mojo to spare.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-New-York-Police-Department-Mens-Leather-Patrol-Jacket-Medium/114661793480?hash=item1ab2601ec8:g:H8UAAOSwGaRgGB0x&LH_ItemCondition=3000

 

[Monitor]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............................

Monitor, AA jackets ARE mall jackets and nothing more!!!! I thought Vinted AND AA were our little secrets bro!?!?!!?!? You done just let the Horse out the Barn!!!!!!!!!

Ok---so--I bought and sold a smaller sized AA before I knew what they really were and it was an excellent jacket. Great quality and I think I paid like $40-$50 for it from a girl on Poshmark. Obscure brand in that they probably just weren't around long enough to have the number of jackets out there that other brands have. From what I see, they make real Moto Jackets. I haven't seen any fashion/non ride gear from them. Even Langlitz has 2 Non Rider jacket designs that they offer. But I think AA was more pure MOTO. The one I had had padded elbows and a really cool look but it was not my size and was perhaps TOO MOTO style for a guy like me who doesn't ride.

These are under the radar I think mainly due to the lack of jackets out there. And when I say under the radar, I don't mean a little underappreciated like perhaps some of the Fidelity or Lescos or Walter Dyers etc. Those are a clearly lower tier than AA (maybe not the Dyers AS MUCH but still....). I think AA falls more into the category of Branded. Neither are around anymore but its not for a lack of quality jackets. If you ever handle a Branded, you probably are shocked at how low the price you paid was for the quality. AA is much the same. You'll find yourself wondering HOW these guys are not still in business with the quality of their jackets. You may think the jacket is cheap because the price is not too high but this is far from the truth.

There it is......SOOOO now there will be competition for me when I finally see one in my size Such is life!!!

Agreed on all points, though I'd rate AA very slightly above Branded, if for no other reason than only because of their really unique styles that for once actually do stand out. They don't just move around pockets half an inch here and there, add or remove a snap and call it a day, each one of their styles is immediately recognizable while still being very comfortable, fully functional and well designed.

And don't forget the leather they used, too. I was surprised how nice it is when I unboxed my AA trucker. I mean, hard to tell from the photos as it doesn't look spectacular but the overall combination of weight, pliability and how natural it feels and looks, really does make it stand out!

Kind of sad people are getting more and more stuck on repro makers, which are becoming a standard of some sort for quality and looks, while true gems like AA fade away into oblivion as time goes by. This absurd notion that this or that leather offered today is "best ever", just because companies sell it for thousands...

 

[Coriu]

Kind of sad people are getting more and more stuck on repro makers, which are becoming a standard of some sort for quality and looks, while true gems like AA fade away into oblivion as time goes by. This absurd notion that this or that leather offered today is "best ever", just because companies sell it for thousands...[/QUOTE]

With the onset of online shopping, I predict the public will become more and more clueless about garment quality and it will be easier to sell them on what is "quality." In the old days, one went to the store and handled garments, so one could see and feel the difference between brands. We have an entire generation coming along who only know how to buy clothing via photos.

 

[Marc mndt]

With the onset of online shopping, I predict the public will become more and more clueless about garment quality and it will be easier to sell them on what is "quality." In the old days, one went to the store and handled garments, so one could see and feel the difference between brands. We have an entire generation coming along who only know how to buy clothing via photos.

I was reminded of the above when I wanted to buy Meermin boots. I only wear dress shoes/boots made by high end makers like Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling C&J etc. They are pretty pricey like anything high-end is, but that's part of the game.

But one day I got bombarded on Instagram with photos of beautiful shell cordovan boots made by Meermin, some Spain based shoemaker. They offered boots at a fraction of the price of those high-end makers. I almost began to doubt myself, why am I still paying crazy money for Northhampton made shoes. The Spain (china) made Meermins looked just as good and they are also Goodyear welted.

Cordovan boots were MTO only and could therefore not be returned, which was the only reason which kept me from ordering. Luckily they opened up a store in Paris so I was able to see them in the flesh. What a disappointment. Pretty much every shoe had some visual flaw in one way or another, the leather looked dull and they were half the weight of boots I'm used to wearing. Also, they just didn't feel right when I tried them on.

I was glad the C&J store was right next door so I bought something nice there. Difference in quality could not be bigger. Long story short, quality can only be experienced in real life. Not from a photo nor from fancy marketing talk.