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Photos of cool jackets owned by others (non-brand specific)

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,322
I know I've posted this before. But this is a very cool jacket. Great color and design.
7A6B6B45-2897-42D3-8F40-3E9A546BDC45.jpeg
 
Messages
11,164
Location
SoCal
When looking at makers, I think you need to see beyond just a jacket’s design (style). You are also purchasing the creators ethos or vision if you will. Greg has a style in mind when he makes a jacket (trim and shorter). Thedi definitely flaunts his personal tastes in fit on his site. Aero has it’s view of a good fit, and so does Shawn...all different, but all viable.
When I worked with John (GW) on my jacket, he kept mentioning the 30’s/40’s aesthetic of upside-down triangle- wider shoulders tapering down to the waist- as looking “masculine.”
I think you should match the maker to the look you want to get the right synergy. It doesn’t go as easily if you are constantly fighting to force them to make a jacket which doesn’t fit the creators idea of a good looking/fitting piece.

@JCSD and I are both SoCal photographers, but if you asked us to shoot the same assignment (even the same person) the pictures would end up looking very different. Same goes for jackets.
 
Last edited:

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
When looking at makers, I think you need to see beyond just a jacket’s design (style). You are also purchasing the creators ethos or vision if you will. Greg has a style in mind when he makes a jacket (trim and shorter). Thedi definitely flaunts his personal tastes in fit on his site. Aero has it’s view of a good fit, and so does Shawn...all different, but all viable.
When I worked with John (GW) on my jacket, he kept mentioning the 30’s/40’s aesthetic of upside-down triangle- wider shoulders tapering down to the waist- as looking “masculine.”
I think you should match the maker to the look you want to get the right synergy. It doesn’t go as easily if you are constantly fighting to force them to make a jacket which doesn’t fit the creators idea of a good looking/fitting piece.

@JCSD and I are both SoCal photographers, but if you asked us to shoot the same assignment (even the same person) the pictures would end up looking very different. Same goes for jackets.
That is exactly what you do when going bespoke in Tailoring. You don't go to an Italian tailor and ask for a structured drape suit and you don't go to Savile Row and ask for a Neapolitan suit with spalla camicia.

Same with leather jacket makers.

Just because someone doesn't fit into a certain jacket it doesn't make it a bad pattern. This is RTW, not everyone fits in the same stuff. Some patterns are just objectively better from a technical point of view(Flattering on the body type they're made for, allow for movement, don't ride up when moving, don't put strain in the neck or shoulders, sit at the right spot for riding, the sleeve zips cuffs close up sealing the sleeve, the gussets, action backs or pleats work and aren't just for show,etc). I have seen a lot of cool jackets and I have some cool jackets that are just uncomfortable, ride up when moving and the sleeves don't allow for any movement without raising all the jacket up or becoming short.

For example Lewis Leathers makes a hell of a comfortable jacket with a lot of movement without the sleeves or the body moving at all, at least on the Universal MKII. That doesn't happen with other brands, not even with my Freewheelers Sunset or my Himel Grizzly which both ride up and in the case of the Sunset the armhole is low and that affects movement. Maybe I expect too much but I'm used to a certain fit in Tailoring. Are they bad jackets? Not at all but not perfect in any way.

The Sunset has a very V shape and that helps with movement with the extra room around the sleeve and chest, the sleeves don't become short when moving the arms around or in front (Riding my bike)but the shoulders do move up as does the jacket and neck area if you raise your arms to the sides or try to grab something that is on top of you so it isn't perfect at all, it has flaws. In that regard I expected better from Freewheelers after all the hype to be honest. Meanwhile I have one of their shirts and the shirt is top notch, slim but I have the best mobility in it and the higher armhole of almost all my shirts. I don't know from which year my Sunset is and things may have changed but I wouldn't say this is the best pattern of a cross zip ever, it just has a lot of details I love on it and although it feels and wears amazing it could be better with a higher armhole but that would probably mean that many people wouldn't be able to fit in it. It has a very wide biceps and tappers a lot which I believe is something typical in these cross zips.

So let's not put any brand on a pedestal because none is perfect, not even Freewheelers. What I see as flaws on the Sunset didn't prevent me from buying another piece from them that is due to arrive on Monday but If I had paid full price I would have been disappointed with the Sunset.

Being used to tailoring from the 20s-30s one learns to appreciate a high armhole and great movement and many of the makers with talk about here don't accomplish that.
 
Messages
11,164
Location
SoCal
Ah, so if it’s longer (surcoat length 27”) the placement makes sense.
Thanks for the photo. Looks good., even the collar has a nice subtle curve to it. :)
 

Mrfrown

One Too Many
Messages
1,652
That is exactly what you do when going bespoke in Tailoring. You don't go to an Italian tailor and ask for a structured drape suit and you don't go to Savile Row and ask for a Neapolitan suit with spalla camicia.

Same with leather jacket makers.

Just because someone doesn't fit into a certain jacket it doesn't make it a bad pattern. This is RTW, not everyone fits in the same stuff. Some patterns are just objectively better from a technical point of view(Flattering on the body type they're made for, allow for movement, don't ride up when moving, don't put strain in the neck or shoulders, sit at the right spot for riding, the sleeve zips cuffs close up sealing the sleeve, the gussets, action backs or pleats work and aren't just for show,etc). I have seen a lot of cool jackets and I have some cool jackets that are just uncomfortable, ride up when moving and the sleeves don't allow for any movement without raising all the jacket up or becoming short.

For example Lewis Leathers makes a hell of a comfortable jacket with a lot of movement without the sleeves or the body moving at all, at least on the Universal MKII. That doesn't happen with other brands, not even with my Freewheelers Sunset or my Himel Grizzly which both ride up and in the case of the Sunset the armhole is low and that affects movement. Maybe I expect too much but I'm used to a certain fit in Tailoring. Are they bad jackets? Not at all but not perfect in any way.

The Sunset has a very V shape and that helps with movement with the extra room around the sleeve and chest, the sleeves don't become short when moving the arms around or in front (Riding my bike)but the shoulders do move up as does the jacket and neck area if you raise your arms to the sides or try to grab something that is on top of you so it isn't perfect at all, it has flaws. In that regard I expected better from Freewheelers after all the hype to be honest. Meanwhile I have one of their shirts and the shirt is top notch, slim but I have the best mobility in it and the higher armhole of almost all my shirts. I don't know from which year my Sunset is and things may have changed but I wouldn't say this is the best pattern of a cross zip ever, it just has a lot of details I love on it and although it feels and wears amazing it could be better with a higher armhole but that would probably mean that many people wouldn't be able to fit in it. It has a very wide biceps and tappers a lot which I believe is something typical in these cross zips.

So let's not put any brand on a pedestal because none is perfect, not even Freewheelers. What I see as flaws on the Sunset didn't prevent me from buying another piece from them that is due to arrive on Monday but If I had paid full price I would have been disappointed with the Sunset.

Being used to tailoring from the 20s-30s one learns to appreciate a high armhole and great movement and many of the makers with talk about here don't accomplish that.

Kind of an aside to the convo, but do you have a Universal Racer Mk2?

Does anyone here?

I really like the style, and both @Carlos840 and now @willyto have sung Lewis Leathers praises regarding motion etc. Considering one in their green sheep or possibly the veg tan cow? But having trouble finding much about them online or pics in the wild.
 

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
Kind of an aside to the convo, but do you have a Universal Racer Mk2?

Does anyone here?

I really like the style, and both @Carlos840 and now @willyto have sung Lewis Leathers praises regarding motion etc. Considering one in their green sheep or possibly the veg tan cow? But having trouble finding much about them online or pics in the wild.
I do have one yes. It's the 50s-60s model and I see that Lewis put up a 30s-40s model: https://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=Universal-Racer-Mk2-1930s-40s

I think the earlier one is cooler!

It's a bit too long on me and too snug at the hem so it bunches up in the hips but otherwise I love it. Eventually I'd like to order one from Lewis Leathers at the right lenght for me. This is a size 36 by the way, it tappers like crazy and I'm aware I'ts not the right lenght for me at all although chest wise fits me like I like it for riding. I'll see if I can get pics for you guys extending my arms around so you can see what I mean.

17E71D52-988E-4D01-8274-2DAC2C9D1BE1.jpeg
3DADAB43-2053-4A2C-B589-F7E5DAB6CEF4.jpeg
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
London
Kind of an aside to the convo, but do you have a Universal Racer Mk2?

Does anyone here?

I really like the style, and both @Carlos840 and now @willyto have sung Lewis Leathers praises regarding motion etc. Considering one in their green sheep or possibly the veg tan cow? But having trouble finding much about them online or pics in the wild.

I am looking at getting the MK1 t in veg tan cow, but waiting for the shop to open so I can go directly try it on.

Also due to that thread that came up some time ago lol
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
Kind of an aside to the convo, but do you have a Universal Racer Mk2?

Does anyone here?

I really like the style, and both @Carlos840 and now @willyto have sung Lewis Leathers praises regarding motion etc. Considering one in their green sheep or possibly the veg tan cow? But having trouble finding much about them online or pics in the wild.

Here is mine, it was originally made for someone who is 6'5" and i am only 6'2", so it is a bit long for me.
One of my comfiest jacket, the range of motion is insane considering there are no gussets, no action backs, nothing. It feels like wearing a leather shirt.

VPws8OM.jpg

0dAgyDn.jpg

j0pZfSZ.jpg
 

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