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New Lost Worlds Downtown

Bern1

One of the Regulars
Messages
219
Location
West Coast
Hi all,

Here is my new LW Downtown. Finally in the correct size. For this one, Stuart gave me the option of a lighter 3.0 oz horsehide and I took it. I live in coastal California and this is mostly a raincoat and windbreaker, more than a cold weather jacket. It is still heavy but noticeably lighter than the other one. It is overall more friendly than it's 4.0 predecessor, which I just sold on due to it being an incorrect size for me. It has kind of a box cut, which allows for layering underneath if necessary. Eventually I hope to get up in the mountains with it after all. I kind of miss the armor feeling of the 4.0, but this is definitely less cumbersome, especially in this 3/4 length car coat.

For one, I was able to operate the buttons straight away without a lengthy break in of the button holes. This jacket is of course russet but seems to have a different type of finish than my LW A2 in the same leather and color, more matte, less shiny. (Or perhaps my memory is defective, also possible.) All my other LW HH jackets also have always had at least one panel showing some grain, this one is very uniform throughout, showing almost no grain whatsoever. I hope some will come in as I wear it. Sleeves still seem just a tad long, but I also hope some wear will develop some creases in the sleeves.
 

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Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
Looks to be a perfect fit. Nicely done! I've been curious about the lighter hide, seeing it offered on his j-100 repro
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,464
Location
South of Nashville
Nice. I would rather have the sleeves too long than too short, but yours will shorten after it wrinkles up and give you a good length. Well done.

Glad to know that LW will do a lighter HH and that he isn't still stuck on the 4 oz. leather. Good for riding once it is broken in, but not for casual wear.
 

Bern1

One of the Regulars
Messages
219
Location
West Coast
Thanks all.
It is my impression that Stuart will do the lighter weight for any of his jackets upon request, though I did not specifically ask that question.
Cheers,
Bernie
 
Messages
16,851
Really love this! It's exactly the look I was hoping for when my girl got me that Schott coat. Just great. Also, maybe it's just me but man, you resemble Benicio bel Toro a lot on this photo.
 

Bern1

One of the Regulars
Messages
219
Location
West Coast
Chigger, I have an Easy Ryder to ride in. I can't imagine riding a motorcycle with this car coat by choice. If it was raining and freezing and it was the only coat I had, then yes. Otherwise I can't see how buttons would work unless is a double breasted model with a double row of buttons, and even then.
That's what zippers are for!
 

Bern1

One of the Regulars
Messages
219
Location
West Coast
Really love this! It's exactly the look I was hoping for when my girl got me that Schott coat. Just great. Also, maybe it's just me but man, you resemble Benicio bel Toro a lot on this photo.

Thanks Monitor. I've actually had this coat for a while but hardly wore it when I lived in southern California. Now that I am in the bay area it's getting some break in time. It's actually way more comfortable to wear than the 4.0 oz model Downtown I had before.

Now I'll actually have to look up the person you referenced to see what that's about lol! I've heard the name at least!
 

Chigger

New in Town
Messages
11
Chigger, I have an Easy Ryder to ride in. I can't imagine riding a motorcycle with this car coat by choice. If it was raining and freezing and it was the only coat I had, then yes. Otherwise I can't see how buttons would work unless is a double breasted model with a double row of buttons, and even then.
That's what zippers are for!

My thoughts exactly. Somehow using zippers.

I may just give the suburban a shot.

Had a long talk with folks at Vanson the other day at an event, and the possibilities are endless.
 

oneterrifichog

Practically Family
Messages
876
Location
Alexandria, Va
That's a great looking jacket Bern! Those sleeves look great; give it some time and wear and they will come right in to after break in. I owned a Downtown like that for several years and it was an excellent jacket. Good choice with the 3 oz horse over the 4 oz. It will take less time for break in and drape will be a lot better looking too.
 

mtrlr

One of the Regulars
Messages
259
Nice jacket. Would love to see the broken in fit pics after all these years. This style seems quite long ?
 

ChewingWax

One of the Regulars
Messages
278
Location
Buffalo
Hi all,

Here is my new LW Downtown. Finally in the correct size. For this one, Stuart gave me the option of a lighter 3.0 oz horsehide and I took it. I live in coastal California and this is mostly a raincoat and windbreaker, more than a cold weather jacket. It is still heavy but noticeably lighter than the other one. It is overall more friendly than it's 4.0 predecessor, which I just sold on due to it being an incorrect size for me. It has kind of a box cut, which allows for layering underneath if necessary. Eventually I hope to get up in the mountains with it after all. I kind of miss the armor feeling of the 4.0, but this is definitely less cumbersome, especially in this 3/4 length car coat.

For one, I was able to operate the buttons straight away without a lengthy break in of the button holes. This jacket is of course russet but seems to have a different type of finish than my LW A2 in the same leather and color, more matte, less shiny. (Or perhaps my memory is defective, also possible.) All my other LW HH jackets also have always had at least one panel showing some grain, this one is very uniform throughout, showing almost no grain whatsoever. I hope some will come in as I wear it. Sleeves still seem just a tad long, but I also hope some wear will develop some creases in the sleeves.
Hello. I know this is pendantic and I’m replying to a six year old post, but the jacket in the photo has a second horizontal seam that the Downtown doesn’t have. This looks more like a Hemi? Whatever. It’s a beauty jacket.
 

ChewingWax

One of the Regulars
Messages
278
Location
Buffalo
Still not a Downtown
Edit: I was wrong. It’s a limited edition variation. There was no Hemi back in 2016.
 
Last edited:

oneterrifichog

Practically Family
Messages
876
Location
Alexandria, Va
Still not a Downtown
Hmm Just a note. The below shot is from 2009 near Mont St Michelle, France. I don't think Stuart was offering the Hemi in 2009 but he did produce the Downtown like this in the 4 oz. I bought it in 2007 from Stuart and wore until 2012 when I moved it on to someone else. It was just beginning to break in. So I'm thinking it is a Downtown at least in my urban opinion.

1261-A.jpg
 

ChewingWax

One of the Regulars
Messages
278
Location
Buffalo
Hmm Just a note. The below shot is from 2009 near Mont St Michelle, France. I don't think Stuart was offering the Hemi in 2009 but he did produce the Downtown like this in the 4 oz. I bought it in 2007 from Stuart and wore until 2012 when I moved it on to someone else. It was just beginning to break in. So I'm thinking it is a Downtown at least in my urban opinion.

View attachment 494778
That’s a beautiful jacket. You’re correct, the Hemi wasn’t sold in 2007. I bought a Downtown in 2001 and still own it. The website has never shown the variation you are wearing. The Downtown on the website just never had that second lower seam and the vertical seams running through the middle of the pockets. So I guess there could have been a second completely different version of the Downtown never shown on the website that was eventually sold as the Hemi. All I know is if I ordered a Downtown and got what you’re wearing I would have been upset. Part of what I love about the Downtown is its simplicity. All those extra seams would have bothered me and it would not have been what I ordered. I know how to get to the bottom of this mystery. I’ll email Stuart.
 
Last edited:

oneterrifichog

Practically Family
Messages
876
Location
Alexandria, Va
That’s a beautiful jacket. You’re correct, the Hemi wasn’t sold in 2007. I bought a Downtown in 2001 and still own it. The website has never shown the variation you are wearing. The Downtown on the website just never had that second lower seam and the vertical seams running through the middle of the pockets. So I guess there could have been a second completely different version of the Downtown never shown on the website that was eventually sold as the Hemi. All I know is if I ordered a Downtown and got what you’re wearing I would have been upset. Part of what I love about the Downtown is its simplicity. All those extra seams would have bothered me and it would not have been what I ordered. I know how to get to the bottom of this mystery. I’ll email Stuart.
You know, thinking about it I did buy it on his sale site as a Downtown. Maybe it was an early Hemi prototype. I wasn't bothered by the seams at all. I know this; like all LW's I keep wondering why the hell I passed it on.
 

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