Five Star Leather Jackets

[DaveProc]

Seal Brown cowhide Werber A-2

 

[JDarwin52]

The new capeskin A1 is getting some high praise on VLJ thread linked above. Mine’s hopefully in the works, standard sizing with minor tweaks.. requested extra grainy! Though from the looks of it, that might not have been necessary.
After a few purchases I agree that many of their leathers are a bit dull, matte, lacking depth (My seal goat, seal B6 and Whiskey HH halfbelt being notable exceptions)… But when I first saw these pics I thought they were from guys showing off their high-end jackets for comparison. From VLJ:

 

[Thready]

New to the forum, started my quest to get my first leather jacket but I'm not ready to drop major cash on something I may or may not enjoy. To that end, after much internet searching (reddit and this forum) it seems like fivestar is a good budget entry option, or so it seems to be. I recognize a lot of feedback is to get a used jacket but I have a preference for something new if possible.

To that end, considering getting the cafe racer on 5* (https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/cafe-racer-jacket) in one of the off the rack sizes. This way I can potentially return the jacket if it is a terrible match. My measurements are below, It would seem like a large would fit best for a slim fit, but the one part that gives me pause is the sleeve lengths. a 27" sleeve seems massively long. Are off the rack sizes for 5* generally not recommended? It seems like most advice is geared around getting a custom made product.

chest 43"
waist 35.5"
shoulder 17.75"
sleeve 25"
Neck 16"
length: prefer on the shorter side 25-26" most likely
height 5'9"

 

[El Marro]

Welcome to the lounge @Thready!
Yes, if you are 5’9” then 27“ sleeves are almost certainly too long. For reference I am 6’1” and I generally like a sleeve around 26“.
And if what you have gathered from reading this thread is that five star is a good budget entry option then you have only read about half the posts. Many people have found it to be a complete and total waste of time and money.

 

[Thready]

That's fair, there are 440+ pages to filter through lol! A lot of information baked into these threads.

 

[Will Zach]

That's fair, there are 440+ pages to filter through lol! A lot of information baked into these threads.

Yeah, you almost want AI to do a summary....

5* is hit or miss (mostly miss, with possible exception of their flight jackets repros).

Any custom order from 5* and you are in the price territory of a used excellent jacket like Johnson Leathers. Check ebay for them if you csn consider used. Also, if you buy used Johnson Leathers or Aero and it does not work, you can resell for usually a minimal loss or a wash. If you buy a custom 5* and it does not work, you get a minimum 50% haircut right off tbe bat if you try to sell.

 

[jeepTj98]

New to the forum, started my quest to get my first leather jacket but I'm not ready to drop major cash on something I may or may not enjoy. To that end, after much internet searching (reddit and this forum) it seems like fivestar is a good budget entry option, or so it seems to be. I recognize a lot of feedback is to get a used jacket but I have a preference for something new if possible.

To that end, considering getting the cafe racer on 5* (https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/cafe-racer-jacket) in one of the off the rack sizes. This way I can potentially return the jacket if it is a terrible match. My measurements are below, It would seem like a large would fit best for a slim fit, but the one part that gives me pause is the sleeve lengths. a 27" sleeve seems massively long. Are off the rack sizes for 5* generally not recommended? It seems like most advice is geared around getting a custom made product.

chest 43"
waist 35.5"
shoulder 17.75"
sleeve 25"
Neck 16"
length: prefer on the shorter side 25-26" most likely
height 5'9"

Check eBay for a used fox creek cafe racer jacket.. excellent quality and fit. Made in USA and they use a full grain cowhide that feels great the first time you put it on… I’ve seen them for $200-$300 in great used condition.

 

[TartuWolf]

@Thready Sleeves way too long yeah. Overall I'd mostly skip 5* unless you want an existing jacket copied or some really unique design recreated from your request. There are much better options out there for cafe racers. Research and buy used. For example a Vanson model B is hard to beat. Check out Japan Proxies.

 

[jchance]

New to the forum, started my quest to get my first leather jacket but I'm not ready to drop major cash on something I may or may not enjoy. To that end, after much internet searching (reddit and this forum) it seems like fivestar is a good budget entry option, or so it seems to be. I recognize a lot of feedback is to get a used jacket but I have a preference for something new if possible.

To that end, considering getting the cafe racer on 5* (https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/cafe-racer-jacket) in one of the off the rack sizes. This way I can potentially return the jacket if it is a terrible match. My measurements are below, It would seem like a large would fit best for a slim fit, but the one part that gives me pause is the sleeve lengths. a 27" sleeve seems massively long. Are off the rack sizes for 5* generally not recommended? It seems like most advice is geared around getting a custom made product.

chest 43"
waist 35.5"
shoulder 17.75"
sleeve 25"
Neck 16"
length: prefer on the shorter side 25-26" most likely
height 5'9"

I also suggest skipping the fivestar, and instead getting a used Vanson or Cal

 

[MrProper]

New to the forum, started my quest to get my first leather jacket but I'm not ready to drop major cash on something I may or may not enjoy. To that end, after much internet searching (reddit and this forum) it seems like fivestar is a good budget entry option, or so it seems to be. I recognize a lot of feedback is to get a used jacket but I have a preference for something new if possible.

To that end, considering getting the cafe racer on 5* (https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/cafe-racer-jacket) in one of the off the rack sizes. This way I can potentially return the jacket if it is a terrible match. My measurements are below, It would seem like a large would fit best for a slim fit, but the one part that gives me pause is the sleeve lengths. a 27" sleeve seems massively long. Are off the rack sizes for 5* generally not recommended? It seems like most advice is geared around getting a custom made product.

chest 43"
waist 35.5"
shoulder 17.75"
sleeve 25"
Neck 16"
length: prefer on the shorter side 25-26" most likely
height 5'9"

The jacket you linked was mine, I specified it and it was made to my measurements. Mine was a premium goat, with an explicitly ordered even thickness, which only partially worked. At the time, I think it cost around EUR 400 with all the trimmings
I very much doubt that the proportions of the other sizes are correct. Also, you can't trust the price. You don't have good leather and xxs won't fit you. The price goes up with each size. There are also high shipping costs and possibly customs duties and taxes (depending on where you live). Sending it back to Pakistan is also expensive. If you don't like the jacket after all (and there's a good chance you won't), then you've definitely wasted money. If a return is accepted at all. There is usually a 50% discount on another jacket.
Choose wisely
Better save a bit more and have a look at rugged West or Goldtop or something like that.