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Help recognizing Schott jacket model?

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,081
Location
London, UK
Nope. Not worth a $10. Resale value on these practically doesn't exist and the only reason it doesn't cost $30-$50, how much these jackets realistically should be, is because of the Schott tag.
It looks really bad, too. Mess all over from top to bottom, botched up half-belt style. You're much better off spending your $300 over at Levi's or GAP in this case.

I wouldn't attempt to speak to quality of these non-US Schott models not having handled them, but the design certainly looks off on the one in the OP. They've obviously significantly elongated whatever original halfbelt style they've based this one on. That wouldn't necessarily on its own be so off (a lot of folks want a longer jacket these days, and they certainly existed back when), but they also seem to have lowered the 'belt' panel itself significantly below the waistline, which looks really 'off' to me.

Putting a US flag without a "made in USA" is super sneaky, i didn't know they did that!
It doesn't really surprise me, but still, Schott doesn't seem like a company that needs such cheap shots...

It was always going to be inevitable as prices rise that Schott would bring in a cheaper, "offshore", line. My local Schott dealer is looking £900 now for a 618, which, irrespective of which way ones opinions run on the value of the US made jacket represents a very steep price rise in the last fifteen years, significantly ahead of inflation. As Schott has expanded increasingly into the mainstream fashion market, there's a lot of room for a lower price band option. Outside the US at least, the "Made in USA" tag doesn't necessarily have the same cachet it perhaps once did to outweigh a significant price saving. I would agree, however, that prominently displaying the US flag on a product that was traditionally US made, without sufficient prominence for the actual place of manufacture label is questionable, and certainly could be seen as dishonest. It's an approach I've seen on many things over the years, from clothes to musical equipment ("Mosrite of California" is a wholly Japanesae owned business with no connection at all to the original Semi Moseley company). It's far from uncommon for British-owned brands such as Marshall, Dyson, and many others to push their "British Design" along with the price tag but perhaps be much quieter about the location of their outsourced manufacture. Simple marketing in large part, but it does strike me as morally dubious at least if it gives the consumer the impression that they are paying for a higher grade of product than they think they are getting.

It will be interesting to see what happens as the EU moves towards requiring clearer origin labelling for consumer protection. Currently, such labelling is used only to satisfy import and tax rules, which is why they can get away with a big flag on the inside collar and a tiny, almost hidden label with the real "Made in X". Whether that line is followed elsewhere, including the UK, may be another matter (though obviously anything intended for the EU market will be required to follow their rules).

It strikes me that this will also be of interest to the producers of replica military jackets. Most of us - I think - are perfectly happy to have 'accurate' labels in our halfbelts, though it would be a shame if an otherwise sensible product origin labelling law meant that the likes of our favourite manufacturers of WW2 repop flying jackets were prevented from taking them to the level of accuracy of having correct labels.
 

MoFo

Familiar Face
Messages
87
Location
Germany
In Germany the price for a Perfecto 618 is 1.150 EUR, I think.
So, I’m really happy with my 618, purchased unworn for 300 EUR!
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,286
My first 4 jackets were new Schotts. Then I realized it's ok to buy used jackets. Schott is luckily one of those brands that is readily available and of decent quality that will last and flood the market. So you can have your pick in the 300-500 range. Many at the higher end of that range are essentially new. Maybe worn a few times before seller realizes it doesn't fit or ain't their thing. Very few of them have the typical issues like frayed male pin zipper, etc. So you can really buy with confidence with the usual build type stuff. Of course look for things like rips, tears, etc.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,324
My first 4 jackets were new Schotts. Then I realized it's ok to buy used jackets. Schott is luckily one of those brands that is readily available and of decent quality that will last and flood the market.

By rule I only buy second hand jackets. Preferably in unworn condition but still second hand. I only buy new if chances of finding a particular jacket second hand are 0, which is the case with custom Thedi's or FLs for instance.
Not because I cannot afford new but because I get pleasure out of the hunt :)
 

Blackadder

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,825
Location
China
I can understand why people would buy brand new from the official site or official dealers in stead of ebay. It seems safe because people with little experience in the brands don't have a clue how to spot a fake on ebay. IMO these Schott are not fakes but worse than fakes because having lawfully passed themselves off as "Schott", they can be sold at official sites or by official dealers. Buyers can no longer rely on official dealers in the case of Schott. A potential buyer might as well take the time to learn more then get a second hand Schott on ebay.
 

Orash Schmid

New in Town
Messages
12
Location
Finland
Despite all the "nay-sayers" I have had these 'Euro" Schotts before now , and some of them were well acceptable.

Others the sizes were off (for me at least). Some were very good hide , probably Pakistan , even tho' it did not have a label !

So let the buyer beware (caveat emptor) BUT you can find a good one. I found several over the years.

Yeah, I dont know if I would risk it after what I have heard here. Might as well rather get a Five Star Leather jacket.
 
Messages
16,842
I wouldn't attempt to speak to quality of these non-US Schott models not having handled them, but the design certainly looks off on the one in the OP. They've obviously significantly elongated whatever original halfbelt style they've based this one on. That wouldn't necessarily on its own be so off (a lot of folks want a longer jacket these days, and they certainly existed back when), but they also seem to have lowered the 'belt' panel itself significantly below the waistline, which looks really 'off' to me.

While I agree with you and am never dismissive about a leather jacket on grounds of where it's been put together, quality in this case isn't the point at all. Schott is all about Made in USA. That's what gives them value. You've got this line of text sitting in the middle of their website this very second: "For over a century, four generations of our family have created authentic products in the USA that have become ingrained in American style."
That's what its all about with them so frankly, whether their China/India made jackets are quality products is irrelevant - Even if they looked good but thankfully, they don't.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,081
Location
London, UK
While I agree with you and am never dismissive about a leather jacket on grounds of where it's been put together, quality in this case isn't the point at all. Schott is all about Made in USA. That's what gives them value. You've got this line of text sitting in the middle of their website this very second: "For over a century, four generations of our family have created authentic products in the USA that have become ingrained in American style."
That's what its all about with them so frankly, whether their China/India made jackets are quality products is irrelevant - Even if they looked good but thankfully, they don't.

They certainly have maximised that in the selling the "heritage" brand, though what I was getting at is here in the UK on the fashion market "made in USA" doesn't have the cachet it once did. Not anti-Americanism, it's just not as fashionable as it once was to have US stuff - I'm guessing since the web made it so much easier to get hold of. With the shift to fast-fashion, price is king above all else.

Course, round these parts it's different. In the US too it could easily get them a big backlash (much stronger 'Buy home product' view in the US, probably because - unlike the UK - they still have a manufacturing industry on a big scale). Notably, they don't seem to be selling that product line in the US?

Definitely an interesting move for a company selling the "US heritage" lifestyle branding, though. If memory serves, the last big brand I'm aware of to try this was Harley with their bikes (though I don't know where their jackets and other branded goods are made). They certainly took a lot of criticism for it, though I don't know how many people stopped buying their US line over it.
 

bliss33

New in Town
Messages
1
I almost buy this without reading you guys’ comments. Thanks so much.
46A42973-3DB2-4D16-92E5-9D61E2EF66DE.jpeg
 
Messages
16,842
I almost buy this without reading you guys’ comments. Thanks so much. View attachment 338683

If it was standardly priced for Schott jacket, which often is the case, good thing you haven't. TBH this doesn't look bad but... I suppose country of origin is something you mind, if you decide to buy a Schott. The whole sneaky, borderline scam thing they're doing with the US flag tag makes the whole thing even more repulsive.
 

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