Fine Creek Leather

[BloodEagle]

Follow-up questions for all who own these jackets.

-- Does the leather soften up with break-in enough for me to lose weight and find it a tad roomier than it was new?

-- Since I can't find the answer using the search function, anyone know how this leather/teacore handles rain? This is a general leather question, as the Fine Creek tag that came with the jacket makes it sound like rain = instantly brown jacket as opposed to a slow fade with wear.

Hey there - Ive owned a Fine Creek Leon in Size 44 so hopefully can contribute here.

Does the leather soften up ? No, not really, it is as soft as it will ever be when you get it, and it won't feel roomier with more wear. I wore mine non stop for the best part of 6 months and it did indeed age quickly, but it never got any softer of roomier over time.

Rain - The leather that Fine Creek makes the Leon out of is not at all water repellent or indeed water resistant - if you get it wet it will just soak up the water. However, I got absolutely soaked a few times in my Leon and it certainly didnt wash away any colour or make it more brown or anything like that. I did also notice on the tag it said to not get it wet, but I thought that was kind of stupid so did anyway with no problems at all. Water does not make it turn brown.

For what its worth, if I were making a choice I'd go for the 44 as the 46 is just too big and much too long - give it a few weeks and it will be hanging off you in all kinds of wrong ways. Ive moved my Leon on, and if I were given the choice of buying that particular jacket again (I know Fine Creek do some other fine styles), I would pass.

 

[Motocann]

Folks, would love some advice on what you think is a better fit.

Longtime lurker, and jumped on the Fine Creek bandwagon. The options are the Leon Custom in a 44 and a 46. That's the style I like. I'm 5'9, 203, and currently shaped like a potato. Losing .5~lbs a week via diet and exercise, but ballooned up during COVID so I'm in between sizes.

In my opinion, the 44 fits well un-zipped. I like it more. Zipped, I look like a lumpy pillow in a vacuum-sealed bag. The store said the jacket would stretch out a little. I can always wear it un-zipped until chicken, rice, and running allow me to zip it comfortably. At this point, I wouldn't zip it up.

The 46 feels large un-zipped. Shoulders are wider, arms longer than I'd like. I do not like it as much. However, body looks way better zipped up. If I got off the diet and exercise train here, it might look more decent in my eyes with wear once it softens up. Conversely, I could lose another 5-10lbs and find myself with a jacket that is now much looser than it was at 203lbs.

What do you all think? Should I go with a 44 or a 46? I do not ride a motorcycle, so this is just for aesthetics.

View attachment 375421

My 2¢... I have to agree, the 44 looks the best. It actually looks like it fits you through the chest and arms. The arms have gussets, so you have that on your side for mobility and comfort. Also, yes. The jacket will break-in over time and loosen up in certain areas- but, because it's horse, it's going to take a lot of wearing. It may even shorten a bit in the sleeves and body as the leather folds and creases when broken in. I actually really like the Leon jacket, mostly because it's stripped down style. No epaulettes, no belt etc.
Something to consider, these Japanese (euro) brands all have a "slim" or "traditional" fit to them. Many people are not really accustom to the "true to size" fits of yesteryear, because we haven't seen them (especially in the USA) in many decades. So it's easy to feel that it's too snug. For huskier gentlemen, I usually point them towards American brands such as Schott leather. If I were you, I would keep the 44 and wear the piss out of it and have fun breaking it in!

 

[Superfluous]

@braxtonhicks Unfortunately, neither the 44 nor the 46 is currently a good fit. It does not matter how great the jacket is if it does not fit well. Stated another way, the bad fit will defeat all other desirable qualities. I often refrain from purchasing certain clothing because, while I love the item in the abstract, I fall in between sizes and neither size fits me well. That is your current predicament. Therefore, I recommend that you pass on the jacket for the time being and revisit it if your weight drops. Meanwhile, look for jackets that fit you better. If you are really stuck on the design of the Leon and there are no adequate substitutes, have someone replicate the Leon in dimensions that fit you better. Whatever you decide, do not buy a poorly fitting jacket. You will regret it, not wear it, and ultimately sell it for a loss.

For those who disapprove of the length: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fine-creek-leather.96763/page-25#post-2800410

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

@braxtonhicks Unfortunately, neither the 44 nor the 46 is currently a good fit. It does not matter how great the jacket is if it does not fit well. Stated another way, the bad fit will defeat all other desirable qualities. I often refrain from purchasing certain clothing because, while I love the item in the abstract, I fall in between sizes and neither size fits me well. That is your current predicament. Therefore, I recommend that you pass on the jacket for the time being and revisit it if your weight drops. Meanwhile, look for jackets that fit you better. If you are really stuck on the design of the Leon and there are no adequate substitutes, have someone replicate the Leon in dimensions that fit you better. Whatever you decide, do not buy a poorly fitting jacket. You will regret it, not wear it, and ultimately sell it for a loss.

For those who disapprove of the length: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fine-creek-leather.96763/page-25#post-2800410

well said. And I'm going to take the contrarian view on the length to a few of the posts above. I will go so far to say that it's long, but it's not end of the world long imo. I fell into the it needs to be shorter trap when I first got on these boards and ended up buying a handful that were comical. Most of the ones I've sold have been because I realized they're just too short for my height and the rest of my wardrobe. I now have only 1 or 2 jackets that don't completely cover my belt line and I got no issues with that Either through overall length or extra front drop, I'm totally good with about 25.5 to 26.5 range. Ive got one jacket that's about 27 and while I feel and see the difference and would classify it as long, it's not game breaker for me.

 

[Motocann]

well said. And I'm going to take the contrarian view on the length to a few of the posts above. I will go so far to say that it's long, but it's not end of the world long imo. I fell into the it needs to be shorter trap when I first got on these boards and ended up buying a handful that were comical. Most of the ones I've sold have been because I realized they're just too short for my height and the rest of my wardrobe. I now have only 1 or 2 jackets that don't completely cover my belt line and I got no issues with that Either through overall length or extra front drop, I'm totally good with about 25.5 to 26.5 range. Ive got one jacket that's about 27 and while I feel and see the difference and would classify it as long, it's not game breaker for me.

I concur, IMHO the 44 certainly doesn’t appear to be too long. Keep in mind, most of these jackets are modern modified reproductions of classic jackets from a bygone era. I’ve owned vintage jackets from the 30’s and 40’s some of them are ridiculously short. Keep in mind, people were smaller back in the day. Even McCoys makes a J24L now.

 

[RL204]

Maybe this helps. Maybe it doesn’t. Size 46
I’m 6’2” 195lbs
I 100% prefer how the jacket looks unzipped on me. Unfortunately no pic of that available right now.

 

[Marc mndt]

Keep in mind, people were smaller back in the day.

People were the same height back then:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...r-about-outerwear.102916/page-16#post-2769357

The difference between then and now is high rise vs low rise pants.

 

[torfjord]

Thanks all for the feedback! I will continue to lose weight (that's where all my energy is going aside from work, and I'm down to 203 from 215 in three months.) @navetsea, totally OK to comment on the need to do it, as I'm already on that bandwagon.

Self Edge doesn't allow returns, just store credit. I don't have to keep one, but I'm not a fan of their other leather offerings (aside from the TFH Delraiser, which isn't in stock), so I'd like to keep a jacket. Money isn't an issue; not that it matters as I can't really get it back. I guess I could send it back, lose the weight, and use the credit then. Same leather offerings in six to 12 months, I'd bet, but point taken on losing and then re-buying.

Follow-up question for @torfjord and @Monitor.

-- Are you saying that the 46 doesn't bunch up because the longer length has the back panel landing below my butt, thus not having the chance to land on my butt and bunch up like the 44? I assumed the waist on 46 was larger in circumference, so the back panel laid flat despite it being longer. Good to know if it's just length.

Follow-up questions for all who own these jackets.

-- Does the leather soften up with break-in enough for me to lose weight and find it a tad roomier than it was new?

-- Since I can't find the answer using the search function, anyone know how this leather/teacore handles rain? This is a general leather question, as the Fine Creek tag that came with the jacket makes it sound like rain = instantly brown jacket as opposed to a slow fade with wear.

Thanks again all for your thoughts. Much appreciated!

The bunching up is of course happening because of a combination of length and circumference. It is both, which is why it is not happening on the 46, which is clearly too big for you. I was merely pointing out the length to emphasise that the circumference is not an issue per se. It becomes an issue because this jacket extends over your hips and butt. Get in a jacket with the same circumference but shorter body (3 inches shorter at least) and this won’t happen.

 

[Bfd70]

Maybe this helps. Maybe it doesn’t. Size 46
I’m 6’2” 195lbs
I 100% prefer how the jacket looks unzipped on me. Unfortunately no pic of that available right now.

View attachment 375583 View attachment 375584

Jacket looks good. Now lets talk about the van!

 

[Tom71]

Folks, would love some advice on what you think is a better fit.

Longtime lurker, and jumped on the Fine Creek bandwagon. The options are the Leon Custom in a 44 and a 46. That's the style I like. I'm 5'9, 203, and currently shaped like a potato. Losing .5~lbs a week via diet and exercise, but ballooned up during COVID so I'm in between sizes.

In my opinion, the 44 fits well un-zipped. I like it more. Zipped, I look like a lumpy pillow in a vacuum-sealed bag. The store said the jacket would stretch out a little. I can always wear it un-zipped until chicken, rice, and running allow me to zip it comfortably. At this point, I wouldn't zip it up.

The 46 feels large un-zipped. Shoulders are wider, arms longer than I'd like. I do not like it as much. However, body looks way better zipped up. If I got off the diet and exercise train here, it might look more decent in my eyes with wear once it softens up. Conversely, I could lose another 5-10lbs and find myself with a jacket that is now much looser than it was at 203lbs.

What do you all think? Should I go with a 44 or a 46? I do not ride a motorcycle, so this is just for aesthetics.

View attachment 375421

If you like the look of the jacket, keep it! I´ve sen FL´s that look absolutely THE BOMB when broken in. Lenght etc. is subjective.
Don´t go for the 46, though. It just looks way to large in all dimensions. Get used to the 44, break it in, and if it feels restrictive - man, nice incentive to loose a few pounds...

 

[RL204]

Jacket looks good. Now lets talk about the van!

Its basically the greatest thing ever and I love showing it off. 1988 e350. 7.3L idi with a ZF5. Goes anywhere.

now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

 

[MrProper]

Its basically the greatest thing ever and I love showing it off. 1988 e350. 7.3L idi with a ZF5. Goes anywhere.

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now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

These are simply the coolest Vans there are for me. Unfortunately, not easy to get in Europe. In addition, the high maintenance costs do not stand for it. But I always enjoy looking at them.

 

[Bfd70]

Its basically the greatest thing ever and I love showing it off. 1988 e350. 7.3L idi with a ZF5. Goes anywhere.

View attachment 375857
View attachment 375856

now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Back then we didn’t know it was a good thing.

 

[Will Zach]

Its basically the greatest thing ever and I love showing it off. 1988 e350. 7.3L idi with a ZF5. Goes anywhere.

View attachment 375857
View attachment 375856

now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Yes, the greatest thing ever, seriously. Some time ago I looked up a combo of a camper van with a 4-wheel drive truck that can go anywhere (like fishing off the beach), and it was like a $250,000 custom. Don't ever sell it.

 

[dublinprem]

Hey guys, posting my Fine Creek Ale jacket.

 

[BlueAltitudes]

Hey guys, posting my Fine Creek Ale jacket.

Dude, where did you score this one? I love the look of that jacket. I'm a fan of buttons on leather jackets .

 

[dublinprem]

Dude, where did you score this one? I love the look of that jacket. I'm a fan of buttons on leather jackets .

Thanks got it from https://www.instagram.com/the_royal_racer_lausanne/. He still has one left in size 40

 

[BlueAltitudes]

Thanks man! You should post another picture of it sometime. It's beautiful!

I'm still breaking my Fine Creek in. Takes forever haha.

 

[dublinprem]

Thanks man! You should post another picture of it sometime. It's beautiful!

I'm still breaking my Fine Creek in. Takes forever haha.

Yeah I will post updates in time. Yeah i can imagine the break in can be time consuming, the leather is pretty stiff and thick

 

[Canuck Panda]

Just watched this video on YouTube.
Why is there so much focus on the collar? Auto translation sucked so I didn’t quite understand, but leather is real deal.