Lewis Leathers Logo

[rocketeer]

I have owned a few Lewis jackets in my time, mainly as wearers during my motorcycling adventures over 4 decades but I am no expert and only wore what I liked the look of. The Lewis Cyclone is an adaptable design that many manufacturers have made. Many versions by various makers could be seen in the old black jackets heyday of the 50s through to the mid 80s, I have one with the sleeve zip higher up, but the black lining immediately gives it away as 80s-90s, otherwise it is a dead ringer for a 60s jacket.
Lewis's Dominator is a great jacket but to me a little casual rather than pure bike wear, you don't want your wallet in the jetted pockets on a bike. I had the Corsair, an Aviakit branded jacket. Similar to the Dominator but without the chest pockets, My original Corsair did not have a Lewis patch though personally I think this patch would suit the Corsair design slightly better than the Dominator, I think the patch is sort of squeezed in but as I said that is only my opinion.
A great looking budget style from the Rocker era is surly the Mascot, I'm not sure of the models but they made some great styles and maybe still do.
Another resurrected maker, Gold Top. Again a bargain if you want that 60s look and they even offer the option of a logo or not.
It does look a little like Lewis are selling to those that do like to wear a brand though and I think it is only in this modern age this has become the in thing. Remember Ray Ban's Wayfarer sunglasses, mine had a subtle BL in the corner of the lens, nobody looked for it while walking along but just about every person wearing the Wayfarer style now has Ray Ban written on the front cover so to speak. Cheap copies from China anyone? Anyone wear POLICE(brand) sunglasses? Whats that about, police officers don't wear them or is there a Sting connection?
My only Lewis items at the moment are a rather battered twin track bronx from their final years and a 1980s racing suit, both of which are due for the chop to supply zips straps and buckles and yes, both have patches. These will be donated to other items or stuck on eBay for someone else to do the deed. The jacket body will have the arms cut off and zip holes stitched up to make, yes, a cut off. I may even stud it to read Triumph or Rockers or some other 60s era stuff.
Enjoy your jackets, J.

 

[rocketeer]

Very true. End of the day, Derek is in business and wants to offer something that will still be unique in the market; as designs (though not patterns, that's another matter entirely as we all know in these parts) for clothes typically can't be protected on pure aesthetics, he has to protect what he can - the brand.

Any case, I find it an odd thing to make a dealbreaker. Lewis were still in their heyday in the mid sixties when they started adding the exterior label, so it's hardly without pedigree in that sense.

Either way, the sort of gold paint they use on that logo patch is very easily buffed off with a touch of nail varnish remover - or even covered over by a 59 Club patch or some other, era-appropriate bike patch (the irony!).



Sid was made and remains a pop culture icon in his own right, for good or ill, and his output is not without merit. Any time you hear Somethin' Else played on British television, you're more likely to be hearing his cut than Eddie Cochran's, and his run on My Way (long story, but largely done to his own performing choices) is at least as important as Sinatra's. Neither of them wrote it, but Paul Anka gives Sid's version the nod to being the true spirit in which the song was written, and he should know.....

All that said..... Sid's supposed status as King Punk (as if there ever could be such a thing) seems to be mostly a US thing in my experience, and he's largely only really best known (and that, again, in the US moreso than the UK) because of the murder trial and his sad, squalid demise. Rotten might be considered harsh when he said that "Sid was just a coathanger", but in a very real sense he was. (It should also be noted that Rotten is on record as openly having expressed his brotherly love towards Sid, his regrets and what ifs and should-I-haves, and when he speaks of Sid he speaks from a place of the sort of pure honesty only true friends can muster, and as one who was there and saw it happen.) Sid was a crackin' singer when he wasn't doing his Johnny Rotten vocal impression (think C'Mon Ev'ry Body and Somethin' Else, not My Way), and maybe he might have done something more interesting later on had he fully understood the concept of stage persona - and not met, in Steve Jones' words, "That F**kin' Bird." (Disclaimer: I never met nor claim to understand Nancy Spungen, but foremost among those who blame her for Sid' demise and not the other way around is her own mother, which has to count for something.... of course, Nancy was a very damaged individual herself, with along history of mental health problems.) As our timeline sits, though, when original bassist and creative foil for Rotten Glen Matlock quit, sick of Talcy Malcy's mismanagement, McClaren shooed Sid in as more theatre than band member. Years later Malcolm would admit what he'd lost by pushing the conflict for entertainment rather than realising what a great band he had on his hands. You have to wonder what could have been. Still, they came, burned brightly and then burned out leaving behind the most important British album of the twentieth century (I'll hear debate on Bowie's behalf, granted, but you can stick yer Beatles). Sid's legacy is not one of contribution in particular to their music, and his Sex Pistol legend is largely posthumous. Iconic, yes - but little more part of the creativity of the Sex Pistols than you or I.



That's the thing, ultimately. Most people will wear some logos.... just not all. I too tend to find the Lewis branding very subtle - I only wish most bike gear these days was the same. I've lost count of the jackets a I've turned down because of excessive and blatant branding.

I was a Ted in the 70s as I may have mentioned before, so maybe I am biased, except non of the punks in the 70s or even ex punks we swap stories of our lost youth with, have anything positive to say about our Sid, though many think Lydon sold out after the Sex Pistols break up, but especially recently with the butter advert
Thinking about past youth cults you don't get many 60 year old punks, but old Rockers, Mods? (Shhhh, we won't mention geriatric 80s skinheads with swastika's tattoo'd on their foreheads)

 

[Monitor]

Here, an example of why a logo on an LL jacket is needed. This is a very good copy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/leather-ja...744835?hash=item33e9bc0283:g:vy0AAOSwSY9a627D

 

[TheGuitarFairy]

my super monza was made w/o tag which'd be a complete deal breaker for me.

 

[Edward]

I was a Ted in the 70s as I may have mentioned before, so maybe I am biased, except non of the punks in the 70s or even ex punks we swap stories of our lost youth with, have anything positive to say about our Sid, though many think Lydon sold out after the Sex Pistols break up, but especially recently with the butter advert

I'm always amused by folks who can't see past the butter ad - fact was, it got him the money to get out of a restrictive label contract and put PIL back on the road on his own terms. I'm sure that it wound some folks up amused John, though (bearing in mind he used to dress like a Ted just to annoy folks on both sides of the line!).

Thinking about past youth cults you don't get many 60 year old punks, but old Rockers, Mods? (Shhhh, we won't mention geriatric 80s skinheads with swastika's tattoo'd on their foreheads)

Aye, well the Nazi skinheads tend to just join the EDL/BF/DFLA or go to prison.

Plenty of old punks still on the go, you just have to look in the right places. That said, most of them evolve into a more rockabilly look after they hit forty and start to look like Humpty Dumpty in drainpipes... Half the 'rockers' around these days are old punks anyhow - but then Paul Simonon and Joe Strummer were rockers before they were punks, so... There's nothing ages as bad as the mod look imo, though. It's very definitely a youth look. Old rockers look much better to my eye, but then there always were old bikers, so...

Here, an example of why a logo on an LL jacket is needed. This is a very good copy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/leather-ja...744835?hash=item33e9bc0283:g:vy0AAOSwSY9a627D

Indeed. Lewis had trouble on eBay with Leather Monkeys, who started off dealing in used Lewis jackets before making their own copies which they sold at half the price of a new Lewis, and advertised on eBay using keywords such as "Like Lewis Leathers" and such. It's not hard to see how someone could take a good fake Lightning and try to pass it off as the real thing - "This is a custom that Derek did for me and agreed not to put and logos or labels on it cause I hate them!" and such. Probably much easier for a backroom operation to fake inner labels on the lining too than an outer, leather patch.

TBH, the thing that would bother me far more on a Lewis Lightning (though not a total dealbreaker) is the forearm zip pocket. If ever I do end up going for one, I'd be looking to have it made to the original 58 specs, without that pocket (though, granted, to logo patch would be out of place, but that doesn't bother me).

 

[Mich486]

It’s such a little tag... I can understand you might prefer it without but not that it can be a deal breaker. Personal opinions of course


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[Fonzie]

I actually think it looks better with it, it’s subtle and also represents a brand that has transcended into a subculture and inspired many other brands. Wear it with pride I say.
The small zipped pocket in the sleeve is the real deal breaker for me though.

 

[willyto]

No logos, period.

If you put a logo on your leather jacket I'm not buying it.

 

[Edward]

I have owned a few Lewis jackets in my time, mainly as wearers during my motorcycling adventures over 4 decades but I am no expert and only wore what I liked the look of. The Lewis Cyclone is an adaptable design that many manufacturers have made. Many versions by various makers could be seen in the old black jackets heyday of the 50s through to the mid 80s, I have one with the sleeve zip higher up, but the black lining immediately gives it away as 80s-90s, otherwise it is a dead ringer for a 60s jacket.

The Cyclone is definitely a nice, clean take on the lancer-front style for those who don't want a front belt.

Lewis's Dominator is a great jacket but to me a little casual rather than pure bike wear, you don't want your wallet in the jetted pockets on a bike. I had the Corsair, an Aviakit branded jacket. Similar to the Dominator but without the chest pockets, My original Corsair did not have a Lewis patch though personally I think this patch would suit the Corsair design slightly better than the Dominator, I think the patch is sort of squeezed in but as I said that is only my opinion.

I know what you mean. I also tend to prefer the Corsair over the Dominator. Just sleeker, somehow.

A great looking budget style from the Rocker era is surly the Mascot, I'm not sure of the models but they made some great styles and maybe still do.
Another resurrected maker, Gold Top. Again a bargain if you want that 60s look and they even offer the option of a logo or not.

The Goldtop jackets look very nice indeed. I'm actually very tempted by the biscuit coloured International/Trialmaster style one - not normally a style I'm keen on in leather, but it looks nice there. For me the real prizes in their design range are the 617, and the 59. I've still got my eye on an Aero Original 59er Highwayman, though the GT 59 also appeals as a jacket I would be less afraid to patch. I'd love to put together a real old-school Rocker jacket, but given that it would have more limited wear opportunities, a cheaper jacket would appeal for that purpose. Keep the expensive jackets for more frequent wear...

The Mascot brand was revived in 2015ish, https://www.mascotleathers.co.uk (see my thread on same - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-return-of-mascot-leathers.82279/ ). I've handled a few at the Ace Cafe. Nice jackets, though I would be dubious about their ability to ward off road rash (like the original Lewises, they are light - not fragile lamb, but maybe mature sheep. Nice casual jackets for warmer weather (and easier to stud, ha...). What pleased me about both those and GoldTop is seeing a revival of some unique designs rather than them just trying to copy Schott or Lewis.

It does look a little like Lewis are selling to those that do like to wear a brand though and I think it is only in this modern age this has become the in thing. Remember Ray Ban's Wayfarer sunglasses, mine had a subtle BL in the corner of the lens, nobody looked for it while walking along but just about every person wearing the Wayfarer style now has Ray Ban written on the front cover so to speak. Cheap copies from China anyone? Anyone wear POLICE(brand) sunglasses? Whats that about, police officers don't wear them or is there a Sting connection?

Why, it's almost as if they want to make money.... Srsly, tho... what I've seen said by Lewis themselves tends to suggest that they sell both to old bikers/rockers, and to young music rock and roll types. Much like Schott. Interestingly, Lewis very much are a microcosm of leather jackets more broadly, having been there when leather jackets were the preserve of bikers, sold them to the rockers who wore them as bike jackets, and then seen their style of leathers move from being the preserve of bikers as the rock and roll aspect of the rocker generation overtook the motorcycle aspect. Interesting too that the punk generation - who really were at the centre of this - the Clash, perhaps the UK band most strongly associated with the Lewis brand especially - coincided with the decline of the British motorcycle industry. Paul Simonon was a biker, and grew up around bikes; Bernie Rhodes, their manager, was well hooked up with all sort of youth cultures from 52 onwards, and he did much to turn the boys on to Lewis' brand of cool. Joe's Lewis Lightning was the most perfect symbolism of his own inherent love affair with American popular culture while also recognising its shortcomings and his own Englishness: what is the Lightning, after all, if not a further refinement of the Lewis Bronx, itself a very British take on the Durable / Perfecto / Buco style? By 76/77, the British motorcycle industry was all but dead. Even the Ace Cafe had closed its doors in 1969 (not to reopen for close to thirty years). Metalheads and punks, the musical descendants of the Rockers, may not as a rule have been bikers, but they certainly helped keep the British motorcycle leathers business alive well into the eighties. I can't blame Lewis for going where the money is. To be fair, though, their branding is a lot more subtle than 90% of modern bike gear, so....

My only Lewis items at the moment are a rather battered twin track bronx from their final years and a 1980s racing suit, both of which are due for the chop to supply zips straps and buckles and yes, both have patches. These will be donated to other items or stuck on eBay for someone else to do the deed. The jacket body will have the arms cut off and zip holes stitched up to make, yes, a cut off. I may even stud it to read Triumph or Rockers or some other 60s era stuff.
Enjoy your jackets, J.

I can imagine people who've spent big money on the repop Lewises shrinking in horror, but I tell you what, that sounds better - and much more in the spirit of the originals - than a jacket lying unwearable to preserve its collectability... Do make sure and post pictures to the rocker jacket thread if you go full Rocker on it.

I've always wondered why Lewis didn't extend the twintrack approach to more models. Such a practical and clever idea, I'd love to see it on the Lightning, always a more elegant jacket than the Bronx, imo.

my super monza was made w/o tag which'd be a complete deal breaker for me.
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Nice jacket. This 70s style is one of the models Lewis are now producing with Urban Rider equipped for CE armour. Be interesting to see if they extend that range.

I actually think it looks better with it, it’s subtle and also represents a brand that has transcended into a subculture and inspired many other brands. Wear it with pride I say.
The small zipped pocket in the sleeve is the real deal breaker for me though.

Yeah, I was never a fan of that pocket myself - I think it has become emblematic of the brand, though, so I can see why they stuck with it. As you say, the logo patch is more subtle than most logos these days.

No logos, period.

If you put a logo on your leather jacket I'm not buying it.

For the most part I'd agree, though if it's as subtle as the Lewis one, not such a big deal for me.

 

[rocketeer]

Here, an example of why a logo on an LL jacket is needed. This is a very good copy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/leather-ja...744835?hash=item33e9bc0283:g:vy0AAOSwSY9a627D

Hmmmm! looks a bit Lewis ish from the front but the back gives it away, maybe even the lining.To me it just looks like an old bike jacket, a decent one but nothing special. Sorry mate.

 

[rocketeer]

I can imagine people who've spent big money on the repop Lewises shrinking in horror, but I tell you what, that sounds better - and much more in the spirit of the originals - than a jacket lying unwearable to preserve its collectability... Do make sure and post pictures to the rocker jacket thread if you go full Rocker on it.

I've always wondered why Lewis didn't extend the twintrack approach to more models. Such a practical and clever idea, I'd love to see it on the Lightning, always a more elegant jacket than the Bronx, imo.

That is just it with my old twin track, with a hole in the elbow and a lot of scuffing it does not look an attractive jacket to wear, even with repairs. As a practical jacket back in it's day the twin track Bronx was great in the winter as you could layer up, but for the design I have to disagree. Done up in the summer style even partially it looks great but done up or left open with both tracks showing its a non starter for me

 

[breezer]

if thats the way they make 'em, then suck it up or don't....... Personally I don't have a problem with the patch.....its pretty small and could easily be disguised anyways.

I once saw a documentary film about a deli in NYC and its eccentric owner. He had certain rules, and the customers had to observe them, otherwise you were banned. One was that he would only accommodate tables of 4 or less. If 5 turned up they would be turned away, and asking if you could split the group over 2 tables was inviting a lifetime ban. The point is that each business and its owners have a way that they do business.....and for LL its placing their logo where everyone can see it. I don't have a problem with that.....after all there is plenty of other companies making leather jackets.

 

[Acererak]

As a business owner, one absolutely has the right to be inflexible in how they create their product, sure. That’s a bit of a platitude. Let’s dig a little deeper. There is a version of this where a craftsman refuses to compromise on quality, the integrity of his or her work. Does branding really apply? Maybe. One might argue a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket without the patch, because it’s part of the whole LL moto vibe and they don’t want to water it down. As many have pointed out, it’s easy enough to find similar jackets from other companies. I don’t hate the patch, but I feel it does limit the jacket’s versatility. However, given that each jacket is made to order, I can’t help but think the insistence on the patch is a bit silly.

 

[Carlos840]

As a business owner, one absolutely has the right to be inflexible in how they create their product, sure. That’s a bit of a platitude. Let’s dig a little deeper. There is a version of this where a craftsman refuses to compromise on quality, the integrity of his or her work. Does branding really apply? Maybe. One might argue a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket without the patch, because it’s part of the whole LL moto vibe and they don’t want to water it down. As many have pointed out, it’s easy enough to find similar jackets from other companies. I don’t hate the patch, but I feel it does limit the jacket’s versatility. However, given that each jacket is made to order, I can’t help but think the insistence on the patch is a bit silly.

Lets not act like you could never get rid of the patch... When i ordered my Dominator in 2013 you could tick Logo/ No logo on the order form. My Dominator doesn't have a logo, but i am pretty sure it is still a Lewis Leathers.
They only started forcing the logo on people when they exploded on the Japanese market around 2015.

 

[Acererak]

Lets not act like you could never get rid of the patch... When i ordered my Dominator in 2013 you could tick Logo/ No logo on the order form. My Dominator doesn't have a logo, but i am pretty sure it is still a Lewis Leathers.
They only started forcing the logo on people when they exploded on the Japanese market around 2015.

I’m not sure how you got “act(ing) like you get never remove the patch” from my post nor how it’s all that relevant. My post had to do with the dichotomy between design and branding as part of an overall aesthetic — where the line is between having artistic integrity, preserving, simply brand strength — or just being obstinate for its own sake.


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[breezer]

regarding the musical discussion here.......the clash ( and many punks ) were influenced by the teddy boys and the rockers...hence the creeepers, drainpipe jeans and leather jackets. And the Clash also looked across the puddle and no doubt loved rebellious American subcultures - as shown in movies such as the Wild One and Rebel Without A Cause..... As for Lydon, he has sullied his reputation by living long enough to wind everyone up, including his fans. Luckily his moronic outbursts are outweighed, and will be outlived by the stellar music he has produced. Sid, on the other hand, did the decent thing and died before his time....leaving too many questions unanswered.....the main one being, did he really kill Nancy? But Sid will always be the poster boy for 76 & 77 punk....just the way it is.

 

[Carlos840]

I’m not sure how you got “act(ing) like you get never remove the patch” from my post nor how it’s all that relevant. My post had to do with the dichotomy between design and branding as part of an overall aesthetic — where the line is between having artistic integrity, preserving, simply brand strength — or just being obstinate for its own sake.


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I realize now i wasn't very clear, i wasn't implying you were acting that way.
I was referencing to: "One might argue a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket without the patch".
What i meant is that historically LL have been available without a patch longer than they have been with a forced patch.

A bit like if people now turned around saying " a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket unless made from horsehide", but they have only offered horse hide since 2016 or so.

I guess it kinda made more sens in my head...

 

[Acererak]

I realize now i wasn't very clear, i wasn't implying you were acting that way.
I was referencing to: "One might argue a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket without the patch".
What i meant is that historically LL have been available without a patch longer than they have been with a forced patch.

A bit like if people now turned around saying " a Lewis Leathers jacket isn’t a Lewis Leathers jacket unless made from horsehide", but they have only offered horse hide since 2016 or so.

I guess it kinda made more sens in my head...

Ahhh. I see. Yeah I wasn’t super clear. I was trying to say that from an artist/aesthetic standpoint/lens, you’d have to justify refusing to leave off your logo with the idea that it was such an iconic part of the jacket, it would be a compromise of artistic integrity. Like if someone wanted it made in vinyl. I can see a jacket maker refusing to make compromises on quality or the design, even at the client’s request. But the logo? As you mentioned, they haven’t always done that, so it’s a hard argument to make in this instance.

Cheers, Paul


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[Monitor]

Hmmmm! looks a bit Lewis ish from the front but the back gives it away, maybe even the lining.To me it just looks like an old bike jacket, a decent one but nothing special. Sorry mate.

No matter. I only wanted to illustrate how there are countless, readily available knockoffs floating all over the web. I stumbled upon this one today while looking for a Vanson jacket. Look for "Straight to Hell leather jacket" on eBay, you'll find a dozen virtually identical replicas, and I don't think that's one of those Japanese brands like the 666, etc.

Sure, having a patch isn't ideal but for a brand like Lewis Leathers, it is essential. I don't think any other jacket brand is being copied so meticulously. Well, Belstaff, maybe...

 

[Carlos840]

No matter. I only wanted to illustrate how there are countless, readily available knockoffs floating all over the web. I stumbled upon this one today while looking for a Vanson jacket. Look for "Straight to Hell leather jacket" on eBay, you'll find a dozen virtually identical replicas, and I don't think that's one of those Japanese brands like the 666, etc.

Sure, having a patch isn't ideal but for a brand like Lewis Leathers, it is essential. I don't think any other jacket brand is being copied so meticulously. Well, Belstaff, maybe...

But then if you can copy meticulously enough for a fake jacket too look like a real LL you might as well copy the patch, it can't be that complicated to do.
It's not some sort of special proof of authenticity tag, just look at the number of fake Louis Vuitton stuff around.
I personally don't see how the tag does anything other than show the world you have a Lewis Leather jacket, and i don't like that.