Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[Claybertrand]

Sweet baby Jesus, is this what I think it is?!? @tmitchell59 @Mysteryo @Claybertrand @Monitor

https://etsy.me/3v1AlJL

View attachment 340243

I’ve bought from seller before. No complaints at all.

Damn I can't put my finger on this maker. Could be a LeatherTogs as Monitor is guessing........ The leather is legit and in decent shape for sure but the thing catching my eye is that Liner........... that's indicative of something truly vintage...... not terrible condition for that fabric (wool) either considering the likely vintage of this piece. I certainly defer to the more experienced Loungers here on this one. I am not the most knowledgeable on cross zips......

It would be nice to have that Back Length measurement. That's a critical one for me. It's also a shame there's no label. Value is always limited by a lack of provenance

This Etsy Seller has a number of great jackets for sale. I think some of it tends to be on the high side but maybe that's just my cheapass gene kicking in. This one is right in line with several that have caught my eye and all are from that same Seller -- KLARNA.

 

[Claybertrand]

That’s indeed a very interesting jacket! I might jump on it If someone doesn’t grab it first!

I kinda thought you might be the Seller on this one .... It certainly appears to be right up your alley man!!!

 

[Coriu]

Creases, patina, fading and at the very end, scuffs at just the right places is what this forum is all about. Since TFL is primarily about 50's fashion, when it first started out, cool repros practically didn't exist so vintage pieces was all people had. And most vintage leather jackets look like the Vanson I posted.

I am completely on board with what you are saying. It seems that 90% of the photos in "What Jacket Are You Wearing Today" are not showcasing jackets with lots of creases, scuffs and fading. Most people seem more prone to showing off "sexy" jackets versus battle-scarred ones. So, I hope you can see why it is confusing trying to figure out exactly what look people are after.

Another thing I find a bit perplexing is the number of people who ogle over certain Lost World jackets, which look like you couldn't crease them if you ran over them with a bulldozer. If a worn-in look is what people are after, I would think those jackets would not be nearly so popular, recognizing how long it would take to rid itself of the new jacket look.

 

[Will Zach]

Are there gold nuggets hidden in that chest pocket?

$7100 and reserve still not met. Don't know what to think about this one.

 

[Kubatu]

$7100 and reserve still not met. Don't know what to think about this one.

Making fun of other people interested in niche outerwear is a definitely hypocritical of me, but I don't think I'll ever understand the thought process of spending thousands of dollars on an old cotton jacket.

 

[Will Zach]

If the bidding is for real, then it must be a collector thing. This jacket must be super-rare, well beyond my expertise though.
Edit - these things sell. A 1930s Type 1 just sold for 6 grand/offer, and in worse shape than this. So if you guys see an old Levi's jacket with a back buckle at Goodwills or a Salvation Army store, check it out carefully...

 

[dwilson]

Making fun of other people interested in niche outerwear is a definitely hypocritical of me, but I don't think I'll ever understand the thought process of spending thousands of dollars on an old cotton jacket.

They're not buying it to wear it. They're buying it while denim is currenty not at it's peak of popularity and will probably try and sell it when we get another wave if denim obsession.

 

[JMax]

Super early Leathertogs? This one I'm actually not sure of but damn..!

My guess is a Sportclad/Kurland. Lots of similarities. And some cool differences. And the color, wow.

 

[TSW]

Older Vanson Jacket at a good price. Approximate size 38. https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m27693063881/?ref=search_results

 

[Will Zach]

^^
Looks to be in excellent shape, good price. @Kubatu?

 

[Jin431]

Californian CHP Cross Zip, about my size at size 36. Lining needs work and it's one of those untapered sleeves.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100575...ck-leather-highway?ref=shop_home_recs_1&frs=1

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Jackets that look worn out to 99% of non - leather jacket enthousiasts are actually the best buys. People cannot see past a little surface wear and think some jacket is old and worn out while it's actually in excellent condition.

Here's a recent example.

Ebay listing:

View attachment 340140

After some tlc

View attachment 340141

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Perfect explanation with a perfect example. It takes a 1% eye to see the potential.
B

 

[Kubatu]

^^
Looks to be in excellent shape, good price. @Kubatu?

Thanks for looking out - not quite my style though.

A bit of an unknown jacket. Size Medium. Seller said it’s made by a “non-famous maker”. Maybe it’s junk, maybe it’s a bargain. Advertised as horsehide and it looks pretty nice, particularly for such a low price. Too small for me but maybe it will be worth a shot for someone. $70 starting bid and seller accepting offers.

View attachment 340208

https://www.ebay.com/itm/men-horse-learher-jacket-/144066607366?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

I offered $70 and the seller accepted...Excited to try out a leather trucker jacket, even though this could be on the smaller side. I think it'll probably fit okay unbuttoned. I have a denim jacket with similar measurements that fits just fine, but denim is admittedly a more flexible material than leather.

 

[jonbuilder]

Jackets that look worn out to 99% of non - leather jacket enthousiasts are actually the best buys. People cannot see past a little surface wear and think some jacket is old and worn out while it's actually in excellent condition.

Here's a recent example.

Ebay listing:

View attachment 340140

After some tlc

View attachment 340141

View attachment 340144 View attachment 340143

a picture is worth a thousand words comes to mind - good work

 

[tmitchell59]

Sweet baby Jesus, is this what I think it is?!? @tmitchell59 @Mysteryo @Claybertrand @Monitor

https://etsy.me/3v1AlJL

View attachment 340243

I’ve bought from seller before. No complaints at all.

I got a message on this jacket from a friend. sure looks like a Sportclad in brown.

 

[jonbuilder]

You make a good point that most of us seem to sorta not say too much about. Its true that some of us prefer new jackets and some of us prefer Vintage and some have an affinity for both. I can only speak for myself in saying that I collect mainly Vintage jackets. I personally don't live in a climate where I can even wear these jackets very much at all to be honest. I like just old stuff. Anyone with can buy NEW. But you have to really hunt for the OLD---OR pay the RIDICULOUS RESERVE price someone has dreamed up for a nice old find. In the great majority of cases, Vintage jackets are going to show wear. Sometimes to the extreme of some people's taste but that goes with the territory. I really enjoy rehabbing a jacket if its within my power to effectively do so. A tailor, I am not. Repairs that require a tailor I need to send out and likewise, really filthy jackets and jacket liners should be professionally cleaned.

The one thing about buying a new or gently used high end repro or custom jacket (Aero, Eastman, LW, FL, GW, DS) vs. buying Vintage, the newer jacket will always have the upfront cost as the purchase price is generally MUCH higher than most vintage jackets. But you tend to need to spend a little or a lot post purchase to bring the vintage piece to a desirably wearable condition vs. the newer jacket that likely is very clean. Cleaning and conditioning the leather can be done at home but the liners really should be professionally cleaned. Professional Leather Garment cleaning isn't cheap. I mean, not at the volume I would be looking at anyway.

It takes time to clean and condition yourself because you want to use natural drying time between cleaning and conditioning. So personally, being that my jacket buying has drastically exceeded my available time to clean and condition, I have a HUGE waiting room full of jackets waiting their turn.

Back to the point though, Patina is in the eye of the beholder. These old jackets may have been the only jacket a man had to rely on in all weather for decades. Some see a beautiful broken in leather jacket with character and aging a casual wearer could never achieve. Some see a beat up, used, dirty jacket. And this second group is who I prefer to buy from.

I like your points. I can wear leather jackets living in a year-round mild climate by getting up before dawn to take my dog on a one to two-mile walk some times I carry my jacket if it warns up too soon. Any excuse to wear a leather jacket

 

[handymike]

Thanks for looking out - not quite my style though.



I offered $70 and the seller accepted...Excited to try out a leather trucker jacket, even though this could be on the smaller side. I think it'll probably fit okay unbuttoned. I have a denim jacket with similar measurements that fits just fine, but denim is admittedly a more flexible material than leather.

If it’s from Unionmade Goods, you really scored!

 

[Claybertrand]

If the bidding is for real, then it must be a collector thing. This jacket must be super-rare, well beyond my expertise though.
Edit - these things sell. A 1930s Type 1 just sold for 6 grand/offer, and in worse shape than this. So if you guys see an old Levi's jacket with a back buckle at Goodwills or a Salvation Army store, check it out carefully...

I don't know if it's just urban myth and I have never really dug into it at all but I have heard Levi Strauss themselves will buy old rare Levi stuff. I think they've bought very early jeans from what I recall hearing.......

 

[handymike]

They bought the Einstein Menlo jacket for a lot.

 

[mendelboaz]

Older Vanson Jacket at a good price. Approximate size 38. https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m27693063881/?ref=search_results

This jacket is a solid reminder of how I just can't get into cafe racers without at least 1 chest pocket.