Leather Jacket Conundrum

[tjmack99]

Cheers everyone, this is my first post.

I've never owned a leather jacket, but I aspire to. The most difficult thing for me has been to find one that I feel really "suits me", especially since there are literally hundreds of brands and styles out there. I'm the sort who wants to weed out the crap, and get down to the "genuine" article. For example, if I'm into something from a particular era, I will research and find out exactly what brand it was, and go from there. Usually, however that comes at a cost, either in scarcity, or in price. When is comes to leather jackets, my taste has led me to the ones that Brando and/or James Dean wore, and examples seem to be by Schott. I've skimmed some of the posts on this board, and there have been some helpful links to other brands, in a similar style, but very expensive. I particularly like the Triumph Limited Edition James Dean jacket, with the fur collar.

My question is: Are there a small handful of brands (I'm in the USA, btw) that you folks can recommend that I can focus on? Good quality brands that have been around awhile, not whatever "retro style" jacket Banana Republic decides to sell this month.

And the second question is: does that have to come with a hefty price tag?

Apologies for the rampling post, but any help or guidance would be appreciated!

Tim

 

[Jeff M]

1) Yes. Aero. Good Wear leather. Eastman Leather Company. Lost Worlds. Vanson, to name a few.
2) If by "hefty" you mean anything over $500-$600, generally not. You get what you pay for.

 

[Doctor Strange]

At the low end, US Wings assorted military flight jackets and Indy jackets are undistinguished, but good for the price (if the S-M-L sizing works for you): http://www.uswings.com/229.asp

British costume shop Wested are most famous for their Indy jackets, but also make a bunch of others. They're not as tough as military spec jackets, but well-made and stylish: http://www.wested.com/famous-filmwear-8-c.asp

US Authentic is a good choice for semi-authentic jackets with lots of character: http://www.flightjacket.com/

Another good American maker is Gibson & Barnes: http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Leather+Jackets/id/18/cat_id/18/

Beyond that, you're into the made-to-custom-order range of great makers like Aero, Eastman, Good Wear, McCoys, etc. Awesome jackets, but getting up into the around thousand-dollar level.

All of these makers have been around for a decade or longer (except Good Wear), and all of them have many happy customers and devoted fans.

 

[Otter]

http://www.billkelsomfg.com/site/#!home
Reasonably new to the scene but looking good, if you email them they may still be able to do you the slightly cheaper "house" jacket. I am saving for one of their new US Navy jackets.

 

[Peacoat]

Try Johnson Leather Company in San Fransisco, if you have an athletic build and want a fitted jacket.

 

[bretron]

If you're interested in the hunt, go with eBay (eg vintage or lightly used). All the brands mentioned before are awesome, but I'd add a few motorcycle brands in the mix too: Langlitz, Bates, Vanson, etc.

 

[jksu]

spend some time going through this forum... i know i did and learned an incredible amount.

if you like schott, then schott's a natural place to start: usa made, designs you like, decent quality, and relatively affordable.

some of the other brands (aero, eastman, lost worlds, etc) tend to be more expensive (although i agree they are worth it if you have the money). but if you are on a budget, ebay/classifieds are great options. my schotts, fox creek, aero, and dainese were all bought used and are fantastic coats that i didn't need to do the breaking in ;-)

i think figure out your style (cafe racer, utility, flight jacket, etc), figure out what type of hide (cow, horse, goat, etc) then figure out which brand fits you best and/or which brand is best at that type of jacket/hide and order one custom. have fun!

 

[Seb Lucas]

For me and some others here, it's not just about what style, it is also about what weight you want your jacket to be. I am not keen on heavy leather (3oz and upwards) as I find it uncomfortable and I just don't enjoy wearing it. I'm not a biker so I don't need or want to walk around in armour. No matter how well made or lovely to look at, if you end up not wearing the jacket, it's a waste. See if you can try some jackets on and spend a few weeks reading and researching. I agree that Johnson Leathers in San Fran is a good place to go - they do it all. They made me a goat cafe racer and a 2.5oz cow car coat.

 

[Hammer Down]

Go to a store and start trying on jackets. Hit a store that has a wide variety of brands and styles. Here are a few in your area:

Mickey Finn/honda
Berlin CT 06037
559 Berlin Turnpike
860-829-3536
show map
Mickey Finn Stores
Berlin CT 06037
848 Berlin Turnpike
860-829-3536
show map
Cow's Outside
Danbury CT 06810
286 Main Street
203-797-1924
show map
Sunset Leather
Hartford CT 06114
101 Airport Road
860-296-9577
show map
Mystic Army Navy Stores, LLC
Mystic CT 06355
37 West Main Street
860-536-1877
show map
Mystic Army Navy II
Mystic CT 06355
2B Olde Mistick Village
860-572-5844
show map
Jackster, Inc.
Stratford CT 06615
670 Surf Avenue
203-449-9512
show map
Liberty A & N Store
Westport CT 06880
1439 Post Road East
203-255-6066
show map
Liberty A & N Store
Westport CT 06880
1439 Post Road East
203-255-6066
show map

 

[Jeff M]

Try Johnson Leather Company in San Fransisco, if you have an athletic build and want a fitted jacket.

Local to my area.
Good friend of mine just got a custom designed jacket made from buffalo hide. (His design, with input from them).
In the price range of an Aero.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Local to my area.
Good friend of mine just got a custom designed jacket made from buffalo hide. (His design, with input from them).
In the price range of an Aero.

My totally customized Johnson jacket was no where near as expensive as Aero. My goat cafe racer, late last year, cost under $600 US. More like Schott prices. But I guess each job is different.

 

[Jeff M]

Yep. Each job is different.
My friends jacket cost in the range of $1000.00
Definitely a one of a kind design that he drew up with assistance from the salesperson at Johnson.
If you go with one of their "standard designs" like a cafe racer the cost is much less.

Even at $600.00....I got the impression the OP is looking for something less expensive.

 

[Don Tomaso]

The point is: What's it worth? And that's something only the OP can decide. I just received my Aero and I'ld say it's worth every cent. I like the heavy-duty leather, I like the make and fit, I like the company and their attitude and so for me, it's money well spent. Don't get me wrong, an Aero is not something I can buy just so, this is serious money. But it's worth it. Even with saving the funds these jackets are not overly expensive. For example: You buy a car or a bike. Most people would agree the spending the equivalent amount for one of these is not excessive. But the same goes for these jackets. The leather is expensive and it is a lot of work, done in UK or the US, not in Bangladesh. This is also something to consider.
One final point, if I may: such a jacket, be it an Aero, GW, or Eastman, is something to wear for years to come. Timeless cut, excellent material, great craftmanship. Taking this into account, they are actually not expensive. ;-') You get a companion for just 1.000 bucks, it's a steal.

 

[Edward]

The point is: What's it worth? And that's something only the OP can decide. I just received my Aero and I'ld say it's worth every cent. I like the heavy-duty leather, I like the make and fit, I like the company and their attitude and so for me, it's money well spent. Don't get me wrong, an Aero is not something I can buy just so, this is serious money. But it's worth it. Even with saving the funds these jackets are not overly expensive. For example: You buy a car or a bike. Most people would agree the spending the equivalent amount for one of these is not excessive. But the same goes for these jackets. The leather is expensive and it is a lot of work, done in UK or the US, not in Bangladesh. This is also something to consider.
One final point, if I may: such a jacket, be it an Aero, GW, or Eastman, is something to wear for years to come. Timeless cut, excellent material, great craftmanship. Taking this into account, they are actually not expensive. ;-') You get a companion for just 1.000 bucks, it's a steal.

It's a rare thing indeed for me to buy into the notion of a "premium product" at such a mark-up from the mall (let's face it, the law of diminishing returns will ever be with us), but I do agree with this - especially with Aero, of which I have more personal experience than any other. All depends on the jacket, really - I'm looking for a cheaper than Aero Perfecto, because it's not hard to find a pretty good jacket in that style for much less, and that will allow me to save the additional for something else Aero do that isn't so freely available otherwise. I made the same decision with an Indy jacket, which I knew I wouldn't wear so often. The few hundred I might have spent over and above on these goes into other Aeros and the likes...

 

[dinomartino1]

Legendary USA do a good horsehide mototorcycle jacket for $729 based on 1950s designs called the black stallion which are made for them by Schott. They also sell Schott jackets and shipping is free in the USA.

http://www.legendaryusa.com/Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket-s/17.htm