Katniss leather jacket desired

[Harper]

I would like to get a jacket sort of like a male version of the Katniss jacket from Hunger games. Something that is good for the woods or the or the office. Designed for easy movement whether shooting a bow or a gun; cracking a whip or throwing a knife. Does anyone have a jacket that I could use as a basis for design? Or does such a thing exist as "ready-made"? I was thinking that Johnson Leather might be able to do it. Suggestions of any type would be welcome.

 

[handymike]

I've been thinking along a similar line.
Something around 27" long...
I believe they were called Sportswear jackets in the 30s.
I've seen some good ones on eBay UK.
Like the cycle jackets but 2-3" longer.

 

[Dinerman]

Zipper pull is on the men's side. Surcoat length, bi-swing, belted back, elasticized sides. Has a definite '50s look to it. As to the leather, if it were a vintage piece, I would want to say deer/buckskin. It was probably made specifically for the movie, and looks like it drapes like sheepskin/lamb. The collar looks more modern than the overall cut of the jacket.
While not technically incorrect, this style was not specifically called a "sportswear jacket" at any point.

 

[Harper]

HandyMike, actually, if you took the "dr. who" jacket, shortened it a bit, made it single-breasted, and used a zipper instead of the buttons, the look would be about right, I think. Then we could worry about the ability to move in it. What do you think?

 

[wanz]

Billy Reid normally does a "Quail Jacket" as part of their fall / winter line. It is waxed cotton rather than leather but does have a poacher's pocket for legitimacy.

http://www.billyreid.com/product/quail-jacket-dark-oak.html

 

[Harper]

Dinerman, what would the style be called? It was referred to as a hunting jacket, but we all know about movies and their sometimes iffy technical accuracy. It doesn't really seem to resemble too closely any of the styles I have seen here on the lounge or at the various purveyors' web sites that I have searched. That is why I was looking at Johnson and a custom/semi-custom, and asking for advice and suggestions here.

 

[Dinerman]

At the time, it probably would have been referred to as a leather surcoat. These days, most people would use the term, "long half belt".

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

On a sort of related research on Indian and Civil War uniforms, I noted that Officer's wore Frock Coats that are near knee length. Officers quit wearing them because the longer length tangled them up in the brush and on horseback. By Mid-Civil War many (most?) officers wore a sack coat (shorter length) or cavalry style jackets. I'm guessing that the length you want for a hunting jacket is just long enough so that you can put an ammo belt around your waist without it slipping down over the bottom of the jacket.

Just m $0.02

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

The elasticated bit made me think of european jackets...Not sure if I can find pictures but it was common on wool as well as leather sportswear.

 

[Harper]

1961MJS, good point about the length. The picture that Dinerman posted shows that your idea/observation is spot-on. The most workable length seems to be about the same as what is being sold as a "car coat" in that it is long enough to protect but short enough to not cause a problem for sitting or getting in the way of your legs when walking. The half-belts, from what I have seen/read seem to have been more designed for the laborer/working man than the woodsman.

 

[handymike]

HandyMike, actually, if you took the "dr. who" jacket, shortened it a bit, made it single-breasted, and used a zipper instead of the buttons, the look would be about right, I think. Then we could worry about the ability to move in it. What do you think?

I have one that I love the style of, but it's too big for me and I haven't worn it in years:



I agree that you don't see many jackets being made nowadays in this length. I'd love to find one, as I work on locations outside a lot and want a longer vintage inspired leather jacket. It will be interesting to see the fit of the French CanCan "Hunter", but I fear it's just another waist length style.

 

[handymike]

So here's a shot of the front of the jacket:


and here are a couple from the Himel Bros. Vintage section:




and here's one on ebay if you're a SMALL:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-L...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item53f91d2331

The thing is that a lot of these jackets (27-29" length) had belts and not side adjusters on them.
Lots have lost the belts over the years, and so you end up with 2 buttons on the back.
There are 2 sellers on eBay UK that have these up once in a while, at least in Winter months.

 

[Graemsay]

The Aero Leathers Northeaster is a similar style, albeit with different details. If you stripped off the belt, requested plain cuffs, added a bi-swing back, and re-arranged the pockets then you'd be pretty close. Or request elasticated sides on a long half-belt.