Five Star Leather Jackets

[VansonRider]

The only 5* jacket that worked was when I sent them a ‘Trucker’ to clone in leather. The other two where measurements were given were a disaster. The numbers weren’t the same on what was received and therefore didn’t fit, one was so poorly made it went in the bin (got a full refund though) the other went cheap on eBay. The Trucker was returned once because the dye wasn’t ’fixed’ properly (is now) but has been fine since and regularly worn. Have gone back to saving up for Eastman jackets & would go Aero if I wanted another leather Trucker. On the VLJ forum a lot of folk have been happy with 5* flight jackets I probably wouldn’t be having experienced Eastmans.

I think I’m going to end up writing Vanson one of these days and asking them to dust off their TT (Tourist Trophy) pattern.

 

[El Marro]

I think I’m going to end up writing Vanson one of these days and asking them to dust off their TT (Tourist Trophy) pattern.

Given that your handle is VansonRider I feel like that is a good idea.

 

[VansonRider]

I like what I like
You grow up in Massachusetts and the massholeness just seeps in…

 

[Aloysius]

So this 5 star company…

Sending in measurements can be hit or miss, and while the leather selection is good, the cutters can be overly thrifty when it comes to using up the stretchy belly hide?

Because I have long wanted a leather touring jacket, made up in the 3/4 length, four pocket, belted variety.

If I sent them my Barbour International A7 they could make me one in Leather?

(Not mine, taken from the net)
View attachment 639950

Five Star is usually very good at duplicating a garment but there are a lot of moving parts here with a jacket this complicated.

I'd suggest going to Goldtop route since they've done the work for you. (They are themselves another of the older British motorcycling brands, revived a few years ago; they manufacture in India or Pakistan but to their own patterns and handle QC.)

This is essentially what you want, after all.

 

[torfjord]

Five Star is usually very good at duplicating a garment but there are a lot of moving parts here with a jacket this complicated.

I'd suggest going to Goldtop route since they've done the work for you. (They are themselves another of the older British motorcycling brands, revived a few years ago; they manufacture in India or Pakistan but to their own patterns and handle QC.)

This is essentially what you want, after all.

+1

For just a little bit more money - get yourself that jacket instead. You’ll likely regret going with 5star.

 

[Aloysius]

+1

For just a little bit more money - get yourself that jacket instead. You’ll likely regret going with 5star.

I don't think it would even cost more money, given that he'd have to pay the cost of shipping his Barbour across the world, and a jacket like this would cost quite a bit in leather and patterning. So in this case Goldtop takes the work away and lets him focus on the product.

 

[cbez]

for 500, its probably made next door to 5star anyway..

 

[ton312]

So this 5 star company…

Sending in measurements can be hit or miss, and while the leather selection is good, the cutters can be overly thrifty when it comes to using up the stretchy belly hide?

Because I have long wanted a leather touring jacket, made up in the 3/4 length, four pocket, belted variety.

If I sent them my Barbour International A7 they could make me one in Leather?

(Not mine, taken from the net)
View attachment 639950

Nothing but sincere disappointment will come from this pursuit.

 

[herculance]

How do you guys get rid of the new leather smell? Just got mine and it looks and fits well but the new leather smell is a bit much for me

 

[Marc mndt]

How do you guys get rid of the new leather smell? Just got mine and it looks and fits well but the new leather smell is a bit much for me

Throw it in the bin and keep it there lol.

That's not 'new leather' smell. That's Pakistani chemicals smell.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

How do you guys get rid of the new leather smell? Just got mine and it looks and fits well but the new leather smell is a bit much for me

I complete the look with one of these:

 

[MrProper]

Throw it in the bin and keep it there lol.

That's not 'new leather' smell. That's Pakistani chemicals smell.

View attachment 644343

To be fair, the odour disappears after a few days. I never found out what actually caused it. Some kind of treatment before despatch, too little airing after tanning, the little ball to prevent moisture or simply the nasty plastic in which the jackets are packed. I have no idea.

 

[herculance]

To be fair, the odour disappears after a few days. I never found out what actually caused it. Some kind of treatment before despatch, too little airing after tanning, the little ball to prevent moisture or simply the nasty plastic in which the jackets are packed. I have no idea.

Thank you. Did you do anything other than just airing it out? Also is it a good idea to clean and condition the new leather jacket?

 

[MrProper]

For me, it was enough to hang the jacket out in the fresh air when I wasn't wearing it (even overnight). After two days or so, I hung it up with the other jackets and that was it. It is then still very slightly noticeable, but disappears at some point.
Apart from that, I haven't normally done anything. I washed one to make it a little shorter. It worked.

 

[herculance]

Nice. Thanks so much for your help! By the way, big fan of your outfits. You are #goals

 

[MrProper]

Nice. Thanks so much for your help! By the way, big fan of your outfits. You are #goals

Thank you

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Thank you. Did you do anything other than just airing it out? Also is it a good idea to clean and condition the new leather jacket?

You shouldn’t have to clean and condition a brand new leather jacket.

 

[ton312]

The repugnant smell that comes free with every 5 Star purchase absolutely has to be part of tanning process. It does dissipate but it's a smell found on only the cheapest of leathers. I have never smelled anything like it and I never want to smell it ever again.

 

[El Marro]

I have never smelled anything like it and I never want to smell it ever again.

It is the bitter stink of disappointment.

 

[herculance]

For me, it was enough to hang the jacket out in the fresh air when I wasn't wearing it (even overnight). After two days or so, I hung it up with the other jackets and that was it. It is then still very slightly noticeable, but disappears at some point.
Apart from that, I haven't normally done anything. I washed one to make it a little shorter. It worked.

Just an update on this. As you said, the smell is now almost gone and just slightly noticeable as you said.
Overall I'm pretty satisfied and the price is not so bad. Only comment is just the initial smell and maybe I should've asked to reduce the arm size a bit but it's not so bad; even more if I get more gains at the gym haha

Thanks everyone for your help here buying my first 5* jacket