Is it possible to ID this motorcycle jacket?

[Gamma68]

I know this is a long shot, but there are so many knowledgeable members here, I thought I'd post the question. I'm still in the"educational" phase and learn more here each day.

I'm trying to decide if this style of motorcycle jacket is "me" or not (your feedback appreciated). I visited a vintage clothing store that has a rack of them for sale and tried a couple on.

The one pictured below has the brand tag removed, but the small size tag adjacent to where it was remains (40). There also appears to have been an small interior label on the lower left side seam. That was also removed. Perhaps a previous owner wrote his name on the tags and wanted them removed.

I don't know enough about the various leathers to say what this is, but it was heavy and stiff. The belt didn't have much flex or a "soft" hand. I also don't know the time period or country of manufacture (I assume USA).

I'm guessing this would be called a "Schott Perfecto" style jacket. But is it an actual Schott Perfecto or something else?

Also, is this size a good fit for me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Monitor]

It's either 70's Excelled or Sears (The Leather Shop). They were virtually identical but my money is on Sears. USA made, they're both good jackets. They go for around $200, more or less. Schott used to make some of these for Sears at some point tho I'm not sure how to tell them apart. The missing interior label had the cleaning instructions info and probably a leather cleaner specialist recommendation by the maker of the jacket.

And I think it looks really great on you.

 

[lina]

I think it looks good! Perhaps just a bit too much room for some folks, but that's how I like my jackets.

 

[Peacoat]

It is a little large, but gives room to layer a bit. If you ride a motorcycle, I think this jacket would be fine for those times when you ride. If you don't ride, I think it would be a bit too much . It is a dedicated MC jacket, IMO.

 

[Gamma68]

It's either 70's Excelled or Sears (The Leather Shop). They were virtually identical but my money is on Sears. USA made, they're both good jackets. They go for around $200, more or less. Schott used to make some of these for Sears at some point tho I'm not sure how to tell them apart. The missing interior label had the cleaning instructions info and probably a leather cleaner specialist recommendation by the maker of the jacket.

And I think it looks really great on you.

Thanks, Monitor. For the uninitiated, what characteristics identify it as an Excelled or Sears? What type of leather would it be?

I agree that the lower interior tag had cleaning instructions/cleaning specialist info. The missing tag is in the same area as the cleaning instruction tag on my other jackets.

I think it looks good! Perhaps just a bit too much room for some folks, but that's how I like my jackets.

The jacket was a bit tight to zip in front, so I'm surprised to see comments about it appearing roomy. I didn't realize until after the first photo was taken that I hadn't zipped up the sleeves, FWIW.

It is a little large, but gives room to layer a bit. If you ride a motorcycle, I think this jacket would be fine for those times when you ride. If you don't ride, I think it would be a bit too much . It is a dedicated MC jacket, IMO.

I don't ride, so I'm not sure if wearing a dedicated motorcycle jacket amounts to "costume wear." Then again, it seems to me the Perfecto-style black leather jacket has become a more ubiquitous part of American culture. Wondering what others here think.

 

[El Marro]

I don't ride, so I'm not sure if wearing a dedicated motorcycle jacket amounts to "costume wear." Then again, it seems to me the Perfecto-style black leather jacket has become a more ubiquitous part of American culture. Wondering what others here think

I don't ride motorcycles either and I really like to wear motorcycle jackets. I avoided the cross zip jackets at first because I thought I would feel like a poseur wearing them. Finally I bought a Vanson CHP which is a very simple version of this style, two handwarmer pockets and belt loops with no additional zips, belts, epaulets, or buttons. I liked the jacket so much that I decided to order a Langlitz Columbia, again keeping it very simple (I eliminated the belt loops on this one). I think the simpler look makes for a more versatile jacket that can be worn more often, this is only my opinion of course.
The jacket you posted looks good to me and I think you should wear any jacket you want, although you will almost certainly hear "where's your Harley?" From time to time...

 

[Monitor]

Thanks, Monitor. For the uninitiated, what characteristics identify it as an Excelled or Sears? What type of leather would it be?

Oh... It's just the little details; Pocket position, lapel shape, sleeve zipper location, shape of the kidney panel, shoulder gussets, belt buckle, etc. But even that isn't a 100% sure method of telling them apart because many makers just straight out copied another makers pattern so you have dead ringers for pretty much every known jacket company out there. Lesco cross zip, for example, is a pretty distinct take on the style (relatively speaking) but you've got this other company, I forgot the name, that makes the exact same jacket. It's near impossible to tell them apart without a tag.

As for the leather, these later ones were all steerhide.

For the record, I could be wrong and maybe it's neither Sears nor Excelled and that doesn't really mean anything when the tag is missing but... I'm pretty sure it's one of those.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'm no double rider expert but I think that looks great on you. I say go for it and enjoy it.

I really think with the popularity of the style we are pretty much past the whole "where is your bike thing" these days. I mean people don't ask "where is your unit" to anyone wearing an MA1 or M-65 (which is almost every second person these days)

 

[53Effie]

I think it looks good on you. I wonder if you have checked in all pockets for additional tags. Sometimes that helps with identification.

 

[ton312]

I think it looks fantastic as well. I agree with Ivan. It looks like a Sears jacket to me as well. Early leather shop era before they put a seam down the middle of the back. Could just as easily be an Excelled but I think they're cut a bit shorter. Either way it's a nice jacket and quite a good fit. No bike, no problem. Wear it with confidence. It fits you perfectly imho.

 

[Monitor]

Yeah, don't worry about the bike. Only the guys who're into heritage stuff wear these on a bike nowadays, nobody else. They're more fashion than ever. Either that or cosplay stuff. Personaly, I wouldn't care if you wore this without owning a bike:

Heh, considering the amount of time I've spent on a bike in the last couple of years, I shouldn't be wearing a leather jacket of any kind. . .

 

[AeroFan_07]

Gamma that looks great on you! It's really close to my first M/C jacket, which was an Excelled and I owned it ~12 years before I ever owned a bike. I bought that first one used as well. I say if the pice is right and you like the jacket buy it and wear it. I wouldn't be suprised if a few M/C riders ask you about it, since it just does not seem to be as popular of a style as they used to be. So how many of those that the consignment/vintage shop have on hand? I do know of a little shop in Rhinelander, WI that handles probably 10-15 at any given time. GL with your decision!

 

[Gamma68]

Thanks, guys, for all the compliments and information. 53Effie, I did check the pockets and didn't find any other tags. AeroFan_07, this store had about 20 jackets. Many were cafe racers, a couple had fringe, about half were brown. I was interested more in a traditional black jacket, and the one pictured is the one I liked most of the few in my size.

Thanks to the encouragement here (enabling? ), I think a motorcycle jacket is in my future. But maybe not this particular one. Some of you might think I'm crazy, and my view might change over time, but I find the bright silver in the zips against the black leather rather jarring to the eye.

One style I find appealing is the older D-pocket jacket, maybe with brass zippers. And since I'm from the Motor City, it might be cool to have a vintage Buco or something similar:

But now I think I'm starting to talk about making a bigger investment in a jacket. Maybe there is a less expensive vintage option?

 

[Monitor]

Thanks, guys, for all the compliments and information. 53Effie, I did check the pockets and didn't find any other tags. AeroFan_07, this store had about 20 jackets. Many were cafe racers, a couple had fringe, about half were brown. I was interested more in a traditional black jacket, and the one pictured is the one I liked most of the few in my size.

Thanks to the encouragement here (enabling? ), I think a motorcycle jacket is in my future. But maybe not this particular one. Some of you might think I'm crazy, and my view might change over time, but I find the bright silver in the zips against the black leather rather jarring to the eye.

One style I find appealing is the older D-pocket jacket, maybe with brass zippers. And since I'm from the Motor City, it might be cool to have a vintage Buco or something similar:

But now I think I'm starting to talk about making a bigger investment in a jacket. Maybe there is a less expensive vintage option?

If you're after a good D-pocket that won't set you back a couple of thousand dollars, look for Sears Oakbrook or Hercules D-pocket. It's very similar to the Buco except with approx. 129 times cooler back.

 

[Doctor Damage]

The jacket was a bit tight to zip in front, so I'm surprised to see comments about it appearing roomy. I didn't realize until after the first photo was taken that I hadn't zipped up the sleeves, FWIW.

I think the fit is great. It's what I would want: snug around the waist, roomy up top for movement. It's how motorcycle jackets in old photos from decades ago fitted. Pay no attention to the it should fit like a sausage crowd here, lol

I don't ride, so I'm not sure if wearing a dedicated motorcycle jacket amounts to "costume wear." Then again, it seems to me the Perfecto-style black leather jacket has become a more ubiquitous part of American culture. Wondering what others here think.

You're right about its status in American clothing culture. Just wear it. Remember tons of people here and in the real world wear all sorts of clothing which are not supported or justified by their lifestyle. I'm talking about all the wannabe pilots, wannabe loggers, etc. If you like the jacket, wear it. Life is too short to worry about stuff like this. And the OCBD and Bills(?) chinos are a look that I was talking about with someone on another forum, so it's nice to see it demonstrated - you don't have to wear a moto jacket with jeans and t-shirt.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Pay no attention to the it should fit like a sausage crowd here, lol

LOL!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gamma68]

Here is a vintage Excelled on eBay. But the zips, pockets, belt appear reversed. Does that make it a woman's jacket?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/332237710937?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Gamma68]

Anyone?

Here is a vintage Excelled on eBay. But the zips, pockets, belt appear reversed. Does that make it a woman's jacket?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/332237710937?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Edward]

Conventionally, yes (though, fwiw, Roland Sands' popular "Clash" jacket for men zips up to what would traditionally be regarded as the ladies' side, so.).

 

[Gamma68]

I ventured back to the resale shop and took another look at the jacket pictured in the initial post. When comparing the area where the label was to images of jackets listed on eBay, I determined that it is indeed a Sears Leather Shop jacket.

D-pocket jackets are a little out of my budget at the moment. To dip my toe in the waters, I picked up an older Excelled off eBay for a good price (looks just like the Sears above). It should arrive sometime next week. Hope it fits.