Gustin’s new L4 in Horween Horsehide

[trainspotter]

https://www.weargustin.com/store/jackets-the-l4-horween-horsehide-black

These were launched recently. Looks to be first horsehide effort from Gustin, but not sure which hide they are using from Horween. Surely not CXL. The pattern also looks somewhat based on car coats, but slimmer and maybe a bit shorter

This reminded me of relative lesser popularity(or availability)of other Horween horsehides besides CXL. Aero uses only CXL, so does Schott (except one deerskin). SB uses several of Horween’s HHs like Milano, Lux etc. Having handled Lux, I was really impressed by the combination of heft and drape it provided. Any reason why Aero would not use Horween’s other HHs? To me they are great option for customers looking at mid - heavy hide & softer hand, a great alternative to Vicenza IMO

I think one of the reasons may be the almost exclusive arrangement Aero have with Horween for CXLFQHH. To maintain the volumes necessitated to ensure exclusivity, they may be hard pressed to diversify. I am sure the demand for CXFQHH also plays a role

 

[handymike]

I think you are correct that Aero gets a lot of the CXL HH.
I’ve always thought that the Gustin leather jackets fell a bit short on details and cuts, and for less money I can find wonderful second hand jackets. I am between sizes on this, so it won’t fit me right anyway. That said, a member here has one and it looks good on him.

 

[Bfd70]

I’d like it with more back length.

 

[lina]

I’ve always liked that design, but hard to tell what that leather will be like. Looks a little “mall jackety” but that may be misleading. Measurements all look good to me, except the shoulder seems narrow..

 

[l0fielectronic]

Has a bit of a Freewheelers look to it, agree the shoulder measurements seem odd, I guess Gustin measure them different from 'normal'?

This was the only fit pic I could see

 

[trainspotter]

I was intrigued by Gustin's L3 CR back when they had natural cxl in steerhide and Aero was yet to offer it as an option. In fact, only Gustin was offering this particular shade of CXL as an option in jackets
Aero launched natural cxfqhh soon after though

 

[Grayland]

I like it - esp. for the decent price. I'm between sizes in Gustin shirts, but the Medium in this jacket seems like it would fit me pretty well. Also has an interior pocket which can be tough to find in vintage jackets. As Bfd70 said, I'd really prefer a bit more length. Still, a nice looking effort IMO.

Kinda reminds me a bit of the Aero Premier 1920's Work Coat. When that coat first came out, I really thought Aero had filled a rare niche (1/2 price of a Himel Canuck), but the Aero version never seemed to gain much steam.

 

[Cyber Lip]

I've bought several things from Gustin...several pairs of jeans, several shirts etc. I'll never buy anything from them again. They have a serious issue with coming in on-spec. Jeans measuring up smaller than size ordered, shirts coming in smaller or larger than the size ordered, etc. More than 50% of the time. They're great about taking items back for a refund when that happens, but when you've paid for something 4 months in advance it's a real drag. There's no way in hell I'd do their pre-order for one of these. I would need for it to be in hand and have them verify the measurements of THE jacket they'd be sending me before purchasing.

 

[El Marro]

I am always puzzled when I see handwarmer pockets up by the sternum. I know that this is a real detail found on many vintage coats but it just doesn’t make any sense to me. Seems like it would be very uncomfortable if one actually tried to use those pockets for any length of time.

 

[navetsea]

I am always puzzled when I see handwarmer pockets up by the sternum. I know that this is a real detail found on many vintage coats but it just doesn’t make any sense to me. Seems like it would be very uncomfortable if one actually tried to use those pockets for any length of time.

maybe designed as a car coat for a self driving car, so you put your hand in the pocket while sitting to not mess around with steering wheel.

 

[ton312]

I actually like this design more than the other CXL jackets they’ve offered. But I won’t order from them again either for the same reasons mentioned above. One pair of jeans that was 3” under spec in the waist and a wool CPO that fit like a bathrobe. I always like to see what they are doing and the materials always look good, price is always good. I have no faith in the fits though.

 

[Pandemic]

if you are curious, you could always email them to ask which Horween leather they are using.

I bought an L1 jacket (in CXL8) in the first production run five years ago and still wear it a lot. My knowledge of such things has grown immensely since then, but I still maintain that it is the best you can get (new) in that price range. It is well made and the pattern/fit is good. There are definitely details that could improve it and I’ll conceded that an Aero is a better jacket (but at a much higher price).

 

[El Marro]

if you are curious, you could always email them to ask which Horween leather they are using.

I bought an L1 jacket (in CXL8) in the first production run five years ago and still wear it a lot. My knowledge of such things has grown immensely since then, but I still maintain that it is the best you can get (new) in that price range. It is well made and the pattern/fit is good. There are definitely details that could improve it and I’ll conceded that an Aero is a better jacket (but at a much higher price).

The chest pocket on that jacket just killed it for me, they went full on Members Only...
I agree that the price was very good though, and I have been happy with most of my purchases from Gustin. I have had pretty good luck with their straight fit jeans, although I now prefer the fit of Left Field and Brave Star. Their luggage, both the oilskin and the leather bags, are quite well made and also a great value. I also really appreciate the fact that they make everything here in the United States, and in many cases right here in California.

 

[Will Zach]

What are these slash pockets for - nipple access?

No thanks.

 

[lina]

I am always puzzled when I see handwarmer pockets up by the sternum. I know that this is a real detail found on many vintage coats but it just doesn’t make any sense to me. Seems like it would be very uncomfortable if one actually tried to use those pockets for any length of time.

What are these slash pockets for - nipple access?

No thanks.

To each his (or her or their) own of course, and I see why some are not fans of these higher slash pockets, but I like them! Certainly there's an aesthetic effect, just adding something a little extra to the design. But they are also functional -- I use the ones on my Dave Sheeley custom coat all the time. Pic below.

 

[TheDonEffect]

I was interested in this jacket when they first released it a couple of months ago. I emailed them and confirmed it is not CXL, and it's not teacore, black all the way through. It does have some nice pull up apparently.

I actually like the design, sorta unique, and it drew me back into shopping for a jacket. Once I learned more about the leather, I wound up ordering a JL because 1) wasn't that much more, 2) getting actual CXL, and 3) I know how it's going to fit.

I have one pair of Gustin jeans and found their quality to be good and in some ways superior to other more establish brands, but their prices really seemed to have gone up alot lately, and with brands like Bravestar and such out there, I didn't see the need to buy something several months in advance without the ability to get them hemmed. Their fits in general tend to be on the thin side, catering to the SF tech crowd.

And their leather jackets aren't particularly cheap, I mean there's a certain threshold that gets broken once you pass the 500 mark, after taxes and shipping that jacket should be well over 700, at which point you're not far off from the MTO brands or other established brands like Schott and such. They do undercut the competition by a decent amount, but imo not enough to warrant waiting almost a whole season for something you may end up returning anyway. You could almost literally buy a jacket from the MTO brands, or just buy retail like a Schott and probably end up with a jacket that fits you better anyway with the reassurance of buying into a recognizable brand. Waiting several months only to find that it doesn't fit is a bummer.

But I like their take on the car coat, really nice design.

 

[ton312]

To each his (or her or their) own of course, and I see why some are not fans of these higher slash pockets, but I like them! Certainly there's an aesthetic effect, just adding something a little extra to the design. But they are also functional -- I use the ones on my Dave Sheeley custom coat all the time. Pic below.

View attachment 287417

I like them too. Just like on a proper 10 button WWII Kersey wool peacoat.

 

[Pandemic]

I am always puzzled when I see handwarmer pockets up by the sternum. I know that this is a real detail found on many vintage coats but it just doesn’t make any sense to me. Seems like it would be very uncomfortable if one actually tried to use those pockets for any length of time.

I saw this pop up in a sale and thought of you!

https://www.spierandmackay.com/product/navy-–-bomber-parka-navy-prka-02-fw20

 

[El Marro]

I saw this pop up in a sale and thought of you!

View attachment 288758

https://www.spierandmackay.com/product/navy-–-bomber-parka-navy-prka-02-fw20

View attachment 288762

My first laugh of the morning, thanks @JustinW!
I have to say those pockets appear quite a bit less functional than the lower ones on the L4. I guess this is a race to the top, when it comes to handwarmers.

 

[Pandemic]

My first laugh of the morning, thanks @JustinW!
I have to say those pockets appear quite a bit less functional than the lower ones on the L4. I guess this is a race to the top, when it comes to handwarmers.

Handwarmers? I thought those pockets were there so you could rub your nipples throughout the day.