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I might have heard about this brand in passing though even of this I am not sure, which says enough about the impression their uninspired Lewis Leathers knock-offs left on me.
I certainly never imagined reviewing one of their leather jackets, positively at that, but as always in life, fate had other plans so by popular demand (by altogether four people), here is the review of my Iade Leathers jacket.
It turned up here, in our Classifieds and had me fall in love the moment I saw it. Bought it without any deliberation (shoutout to @cellini for a perfect transaction!) which is completely out of character for me, especially since I had no idea what to expect but if after all this time, I cannot trust myself to be able to make a good call on a leather jacket based on just photos then... I don't even know.
♛ QUALITY ♛
Never expected it to be this sturdy! It's a bona fide tank of a jacket. As tough as anything I have handled, it has that over-engineered Vanson or Lost Worlds feel, like nothing can happen to it. Didn't feel the urge to baby it for a second which is a rather annoying trait of mine that I suffer with mostly all of my purchases, especially (such) expensive ones.
♜ BUILT & STITCHING ♜
This means something to some and nothing to me so I guess the photos should tell you everything you want to know. Pretty standard looking though more finished. I must note the neatly secured stitch row ends. Same as above, the stitching feels super tight and secure.
Everything is perfectly neat and precise with all the leather panels being nicely matched.
♝ LEATHER ♝
Iade seems to work with all kinds of different hides. My jacket is made from a very thick (1.4 - 1.5 mm) and moderately stiff, full-grain cowhide. Lightly coated with high sheen & silky to the touch. I don't suppose I could have wished for a nicer leather. It is a bit too heavy for such a trim jacket but it also seems to be breaking in quickly and beautifully so... We'll see.
♟ HOW IT FEELS ♟
Surprisingly comfortable pattern - Or rather, one that works for me - though the weight of the leather does make wearing the jacket a bit of a struggle. But, I can and have been wearing it comfortably for the most part, these few days.
I really do enjoy wearing it a lot, more than I feel I would each time I put it on.
One issue... No, complaint rather than an issue, which is apparently shared with mostly all of the Japanese-produced leather jackets, is about the very narrow sleeves & high arm-holes and looking at the photos of their other jackets, this isn't exclusive to my jacket alone. . .
So yes, the sleeves are narrow but they feel like they're settling in. I have only this particular cowhide to thank for this as I doubt the Lost Worlds horsehide or Vanson's Comp. Weight would've ever be willing to cooperate. But it's definitely something for you to consider.
At least I do not particularly enjoy not being able to bend my arms while wearing a sweater.
♞ HOW IT LOOKS ♞
There's an upside to everything thus the overall trimness of the jacket makes it look good. It looks deadly good. The narrow body; squared, wide shoulders; trim arms... Combined with cleaned-up design choices of its previous owner, the jacket looks extremely sharp and expensive. Blazer-like, actually.
Interesting feature of this brand is that the lapels aren't pressed toward the body so they stick out when the jacket is unzipped which gives it an entirely different look! Couture fashion designers occasionally resort to this but I have never seen it on a traditional motorcycle jacket. This also allows one to resize the lapels or set them apart to ones liking.
Actually, it isn't even easy to readily see this jacket as a cross-zip & certainly not one based on a classic Lewis Leathers biker style.
Another feature unique to my jacket are the side-waist gusseted zippers which act exactly as sleeve zippers, extending the waist of the jacket by adding several centimeters to it. This makes enough difference though granted, combined with a 2-way front zipper, it is a somewhat superfluous feature.
♚ LINING, HARDWARE, ETC. ♚
Harris Tweed be Harris Tweed. Thick, fuzzy material that I neither dislike nor much care for. This one is heavy though, so the jacket is warm. The Waldes hardware has all been sourced by the previous owner. Operates well enough though if it wasn't pointed out to me, I would've taken them it a Talon or a YKK.
♛ VERDICT ♛
Reviewing this jacket, I was trying to be as objective as possible or at least as far as my feelings towards it allow it and the thing is, I do feel strongly about it because in all the years of buying and selling leather jackets, looking for & ultimately dropping the notion of the one, I do feel, for maybe the first time ever, that this is my jacket. That it's the jacket I have been looking for.
It looks the closest to what I want while making me look the closest to how I want which, as we all no doubt know, is the most difficult and least compatible aspect of this entire hobby so risking another attempt by selling this jacket and looking for a better match, honestly seems like complete madness to me. At least at this moment. We least of all are strangers to madness here so let's not say never but... I will try.
So yes, I am very, extremely happy to have bought this leather jacket and that's all I am going to say on the subject of subjectivity.
Objectively, having little to add that I haven't said, if this review has roused your interest in the Iade Leathers, I don't think you would be making a mistake to do business with them. Based on this one jacket, I certainly recommend them.
But be careful, the sleeves are narrow!
I certainly never imagined reviewing one of their leather jackets, positively at that, but as always in life, fate had other plans so by popular demand (by altogether four people), here is the review of my Iade Leathers jacket.
It turned up here, in our Classifieds and had me fall in love the moment I saw it. Bought it without any deliberation (shoutout to @cellini for a perfect transaction!) which is completely out of character for me, especially since I had no idea what to expect but if after all this time, I cannot trust myself to be able to make a good call on a leather jacket based on just photos then... I don't even know.
♛ QUALITY ♛
Never expected it to be this sturdy! It's a bona fide tank of a jacket. As tough as anything I have handled, it has that over-engineered Vanson or Lost Worlds feel, like nothing can happen to it. Didn't feel the urge to baby it for a second which is a rather annoying trait of mine that I suffer with mostly all of my purchases, especially (such) expensive ones.
♜ BUILT & STITCHING ♜
This means something to some and nothing to me so I guess the photos should tell you everything you want to know. Pretty standard looking though more finished. I must note the neatly secured stitch row ends. Same as above, the stitching feels super tight and secure.
Everything is perfectly neat and precise with all the leather panels being nicely matched.
♝ LEATHER ♝
Iade seems to work with all kinds of different hides. My jacket is made from a very thick (1.4 - 1.5 mm) and moderately stiff, full-grain cowhide. Lightly coated with high sheen & silky to the touch. I don't suppose I could have wished for a nicer leather. It is a bit too heavy for such a trim jacket but it also seems to be breaking in quickly and beautifully so... We'll see.
♟ HOW IT FEELS ♟
Surprisingly comfortable pattern - Or rather, one that works for me - though the weight of the leather does make wearing the jacket a bit of a struggle. But, I can and have been wearing it comfortably for the most part, these few days.
I really do enjoy wearing it a lot, more than I feel I would each time I put it on.
One issue... No, complaint rather than an issue, which is apparently shared with mostly all of the Japanese-produced leather jackets, is about the very narrow sleeves & high arm-holes and looking at the photos of their other jackets, this isn't exclusive to my jacket alone. . .
So yes, the sleeves are narrow but they feel like they're settling in. I have only this particular cowhide to thank for this as I doubt the Lost Worlds horsehide or Vanson's Comp. Weight would've ever be willing to cooperate. But it's definitely something for you to consider.
At least I do not particularly enjoy not being able to bend my arms while wearing a sweater.
♞ HOW IT LOOKS ♞
There's an upside to everything thus the overall trimness of the jacket makes it look good. It looks deadly good. The narrow body; squared, wide shoulders; trim arms... Combined with cleaned-up design choices of its previous owner, the jacket looks extremely sharp and expensive. Blazer-like, actually.
Interesting feature of this brand is that the lapels aren't pressed toward the body so they stick out when the jacket is unzipped which gives it an entirely different look! Couture fashion designers occasionally resort to this but I have never seen it on a traditional motorcycle jacket. This also allows one to resize the lapels or set them apart to ones liking.
Actually, it isn't even easy to readily see this jacket as a cross-zip & certainly not one based on a classic Lewis Leathers biker style.
Another feature unique to my jacket are the side-waist gusseted zippers which act exactly as sleeve zippers, extending the waist of the jacket by adding several centimeters to it. This makes enough difference though granted, combined with a 2-way front zipper, it is a somewhat superfluous feature.
♚ LINING, HARDWARE, ETC. ♚
Harris Tweed be Harris Tweed. Thick, fuzzy material that I neither dislike nor much care for. This one is heavy though, so the jacket is warm. The Waldes hardware has all been sourced by the previous owner. Operates well enough though if it wasn't pointed out to me, I would've taken them it a Talon or a YKK.
♛ VERDICT ♛
Reviewing this jacket, I was trying to be as objective as possible or at least as far as my feelings towards it allow it and the thing is, I do feel strongly about it because in all the years of buying and selling leather jackets, looking for & ultimately dropping the notion of the one, I do feel, for maybe the first time ever, that this is my jacket. That it's the jacket I have been looking for.
It looks the closest to what I want while making me look the closest to how I want which, as we all no doubt know, is the most difficult and least compatible aspect of this entire hobby so risking another attempt by selling this jacket and looking for a better match, honestly seems like complete madness to me. At least at this moment. We least of all are strangers to madness here so let's not say never but... I will try.
So yes, I am very, extremely happy to have bought this leather jacket and that's all I am going to say on the subject of subjectivity.
Objectively, having little to add that I haven't said, if this review has roused your interest in the Iade Leathers, I don't think you would be making a mistake to do business with them. Based on this one jacket, I certainly recommend them.
But be careful, the sleeves are narrow!
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Banana, Cactus, Pineapple, heavily grained fruits & vegetable pastes PULSE many other abominated mixtures sold as Full grain or Top leather seems to BOTHER me.
