One Drop
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 256
- Location
- Swiss Alps
The only leather jacket I've owned before this one was a truly exceptional piece that I had bought as a teenager in the'70s, which was truly a Golden Era for vintage clothing. It was a severely cropped V-shaped button-up russet brown jacket from the '30s or early '40s, in excellent condition, that fit very closely, had two pockets and some very fine detailing. It reminded me at the time of the kind of jacket movie stars wore in that era, it was very elegant and must have been a very expensive jacket when sold new, it definitely wasn't a working mans everyday garment. Most others at the time were buying up the Perfectos and other Moto designs that were ubiquitous in the vintage shops, this one was a rare beast even then, when the racks of every shop were filled with hundreds of jackets, none of which cost more than a few days work at a summer job.
Fast forward to a few summers ago when I popped into a favourite and rare remaining vintage shop in Montreal, it was a sweltering day and the last thing on my mind was trying on leather, jackets, but during a quick run through the racks this one popped out. I'm so used to scanning vintage clothing that I knew before taking it off the hangar that it would fit me, and indeed it did, it's tagged as a 38. It fits as if custom made for me.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, except to mention that it was made in Canada, the dark brown leather is thick, very grainy, probably cowhide, the 85% wool liner is in perfect condition, the pocket bags are heavy cotton twill, the arms are lined in black acetate with cotton backing, and the one inner pocket is leather trimmed and lined with lavender acetate (according to the information on the label). I reckon it's from the '70s, it's completely broken and very supple, the cut is straight, neither too slim or too boxy, the heavy brass YKK zipper is heavy duty and works perfectly, and the only minor niggle I could mention is that the armholes are cut low and the jacket rides up when I raise my arms above my shoulders. This isn't a problem as I don't ride motorcycles and only wear it occasionally to commute to work or do a city visit, and by happenstance never actually need to raise my arms over my shoulders.
The price was a ridiculously low CDN $85.00, about USD $75.00 at the time. It looks far better when worn than in these pedestrian pictures, and it dresses up or down equally well. I might add a fit pic as these photos really don't do it justice.
Fast forward to a few summers ago when I popped into a favourite and rare remaining vintage shop in Montreal, it was a sweltering day and the last thing on my mind was trying on leather, jackets, but during a quick run through the racks this one popped out. I'm so used to scanning vintage clothing that I knew before taking it off the hangar that it would fit me, and indeed it did, it's tagged as a 38. It fits as if custom made for me.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, except to mention that it was made in Canada, the dark brown leather is thick, very grainy, probably cowhide, the 85% wool liner is in perfect condition, the pocket bags are heavy cotton twill, the arms are lined in black acetate with cotton backing, and the one inner pocket is leather trimmed and lined with lavender acetate (according to the information on the label). I reckon it's from the '70s, it's completely broken and very supple, the cut is straight, neither too slim or too boxy, the heavy brass YKK zipper is heavy duty and works perfectly, and the only minor niggle I could mention is that the armholes are cut low and the jacket rides up when I raise my arms above my shoulders. This isn't a problem as I don't ride motorcycles and only wear it occasionally to commute to work or do a city visit, and by happenstance never actually need to raise my arms over my shoulders.
The price was a ridiculously low CDN $85.00, about USD $75.00 at the time. It looks far better when worn than in these pedestrian pictures, and it dresses up or down equally well. I might add a fit pic as these photos really don't do it justice.
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