Schott permanently closes Chicago location

[Downunder G Man]

Well I wear a Schott to ride my Harley on many occasions. (If I am not wearing a Vanson or a Simmons Bilt or an Excelled or an Eastman etc etc...) None of my jackets are "armoured" and I know they are well kinky for that in Europe now.

 

[Cornelius]

None of my jackets are "armoured" and I know they are well kinky for that in Europe now.

Yes when I was living in the 'Dam nearly 20 years ago "armoured" jackets, mostly nylon, seemed so ubiquitous among motorcycle riders that I assumed it must've been required by E.U. law (a big change coming from a U.S. state that doesn't even require helmets).

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I never considered Schott as a 'dedicated' MC jacket, at least not to the caliber of Vanson or a few others. They may have the look..but not the specially constructed pattern that fits for easy comfortable riding.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I know no other guys who wear leather in my entire friendship or work groups. Most guys will buy a $100 soft-shell every 3 to 5 years and be happy with that.

Same for me here @Seb Lucas. None of my friends or acquaintances (except for a few of the younger girls at work) wear a leather jacket ...ever!

Now we have hit the cooler weather, I'm reminded yet again that the only men in Sydney that seem to wear leather here are middle age and older, out of shape guys, wearing horrible, HORRIBLE looking cheap crappy mall jackets, that look like a mid-life crisis purchase.....its actually starting to worry me that perhaps I look like them.

I do wonder if the average person even notices the difference between a quality leather leather and a mall jacket in passing?

 

[Bushman]

I do wonder if the average person even notices the difference between a quality leather leather and a mall jacket in passing?

Those with an eye for it definitely will, but sadly most don't. Most people don't notice the difference between anything bespoke and the run of the mill off the rack items you purchase at the local department store.

 

[handymike]

I AM “Them”.

 

[Monitor]

Same for me here @Seb Lucas
I do wonder if the average person even notices the difference between a quality leather leather and a mall jacket in passing?

No, they don't. We are wasting tremendous amount of time and money with these jackets, thinking they make a difference. But they do to us so I guess it's okay. But nobody notices them for anything special, no.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Hmm..I've gotten quite a few compliments from people on the street, standing in line at the bank, at the grocery store,etc. on my Aeros and Thedis. Some have spoken out loudly to get my attention ( kind of embarrassing ) and express their delight with my unusual fine looking jacket. In fact I gave a guy Aero's contact info. He seemed thrilled. Not sure what he thought later when he noticed the prices though. I think many are just not aware of these top tier jacket makers.

 

[ton312]

Now we have hit the cooler weather, I'm reminded yet again that the only men in Sydney that seem to wear leather here are middle age and older, out of shape guys, wearing horrible, HORRIBLE looking cheap crappy mall jackets, that look like a mid-life crisis purchase.....its actually starting to worry me that perhaps I look like them.

Not even close dude. You would wear those cheap ass jackets better because you take care of yourself so that’s first and foremost. That shows through more than the jacket tbh. I did get a nice compliment from a teenager once, working at the Annie’s pretzel shop in a suburban mall when I took my kiddo to see Santa. I think people who like leather can see it. People who prefer north face nylon bags only see shades of gray so one Wilson’s VS. Aero won’t register. For those (like us TFL’rs) who prioritize an aesthetic, we see all the colors of the rainbow... those with a keen eye for style most def see it too.

 

[ton312]

I AM “Them”.

No you aren’t.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I think the 'fast fashion' market we see today is the biggest problem. Retailers like Zara and H&M introduce a new collection 8 times a year. People are encouraged to buy something new on a very regular basis. Not only to keep up with the latest fashion trends, but also because the quality of the garments is so poor they wear out after just a few months. You can buy a 'leather' mc jacket for just €50, Brand-new and looks great on your instagram account. After 6 months it falls apart and they want / need something new. This is all young people know. They have never had the experience of buying something that lasts. They don't even want something that lasts because they are indoctrinated by the industry and by social media that they must have the newest and the latest fashion.
I don't envy them.

You touch right into "todays society" with this post. It's something I have tried to work against, at least as much as possible. Started back in High School, while mowing lawns for spending money. That money primariy went into tools, mostly US-made Craftsman products, the vast majority of which I still own. I've never been "trendy" nor really cared to. Others have noticed and asked about it. Sure, a Carhartt T-shirt that costs $22 seems a bit high intially, but when it's still going strong 4-6 years later, not faded, and never looks "out of style" it was worth the coin I plunked down. Similar deal for jackets.

Somewhat off this tread but Filson is in a similar canoe these days, especially after the ownership change. Happening all around us.

I suppose not paying attention to TV and much media overall, however way too much attention to this very website, colors my perspective quite a bit. Now as to Schott and the struggle they face - just search "Joe Rocket" and "Alpinestars" and it will quickly become apparent where most of the motorcycling community is hanging out these days.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Same for me here @Seb Lucas. None of my friends or acquaintances (except for a few of the younger girls at work) wear a leather jacket ...ever!

Now we have hit the cooler weather, I'm reminded yet again that the only men in Sydney that seem to wear leather here are middle age and older, out of shape guys, wearing horrible, HORRIBLE looking cheap crappy mall jackets, that look like a mid-life crisis purchase.....its actually starting to worry me that perhaps I look like them.

I do wonder if the average person even notices the difference between a quality leather leather and a mall jacket in passing?

No one notices the difference - they have no frame of reference to go by since they aren't into leather jackets. But they probably notice if the jacket is too small, especially if an overweight man is crammed into an undersized A2 style and looks ludicrous.

In my lifetime, I'm pretty sure there were only four major leather jacket phases in Australia. In the 1970's it was blazers and short jackets, worn mainly by high school geography teachers trying to look cool. In the early 1980's, the Indiana Jones style jacket and pre-aged A2 adventurer jackets hit. They were everywhere. In the mid to late 1980's when Schott style cross zips took off - not sure what the trigger was. And in the late 1990's and early naughties, when there was a huge thing for 1970's retro leather blazers (which Fightclub so prominently used). In between then, a few men wore over priced and hideously ugly sheepskin blouson jackets, often with a bad nylon tie, as a substitute for a conventional blazer.

 

[Grayland]

Hmm..I've gotten quite a few compliments from people on the street, standing in line at the bank, at the grocery store,etc. on my Aeros and Thedis. Some have spoken out loudly to get my attention ( kind of embarrassing ) and express their delight with my unusual fine looking jacket. In fact I gave a guy Aero's contact info. He seemed thrilled. Not sure what he thought later when he noticed the prices though. I think many are just not aware of these top tier jacket makers.

Same with me. I probably get a compliment every time I wear a leather jacket. TBH, I don't have any mall jackets and its doubtful your average person has any idea of the quality of the garment, but they certainly recognize that they look good and fit good.

 

[Seb Lucas]

In terms of getting compliments - I think this also sometimes happens when people see you have a particular look, or are wearing something a bit different. They might even have a sense that you are trying for something in your appearance. Even if they don't really dig it, they may be inclined to say, 'nice jacket/hat/hairstyle'. I think that's human nature.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Yeah I've noticed those who compliment anything even if the fit is obviously terrible. I won't say where though....

 

[zebedee]

I get compliments on the Highwayman and the Maxwell infrequently, and a friend at the pub once really praised the Aero Cafe Racer I have, but most people who know me know that I'm generally to be found in a leather jacket and a pair of Carhartts and therefore aren't surprised if they see me wearing that kind of clothing. The jackets don't seem to attract midlife crisis comments, although I am 41 and have seriously grey locks - as my jackets get worn quite hard, they don't look new, like recent purchases of thin mall jackets. I don't wear black leather much at all, and generally think that browns and cordovans are better for me and I prefer a fit I can put a hoodie or thick flannel shirt under- the lounge has taught me quite a lot about what other people think about fit, although I'm still more likely to reckon that a bit of extra room suits most folks far more than a tight fit- and sometimes even extra sleeve length of an inch or so isn't an issue, at least to me.

I've found that it's better to have alternatives to leather to wear as well - a heavy cotton chore coat or a Carhartt Detroit jacket is good from time to time. Bearing in mind that I don't ride a bike or have any functional call to be wearing a leather jacket, I wouldn't want to be thought of as 'leather guy', but I also think that you shouldn't worry overly much about what other people might be thinking unless they employ you or can do you damage. Do you look like a middle-aged guy in a leather jacket? If you are 35-55, yes, you do, but there are different kinds of middle-aged guy and better and worse fits of jackets. What makes a lot of difference is the gut - most leather jackets (and most clothing) look far, far better on people who don't carry extra weight - for people who do, the error seems to be 'sizing down'. People notice fit far more on things that aren't leather - overcoats, suits, etc. With leather being a fairly casual item, people probably expect a bit of extra. A little too loose is better than too tight, but some of that perception will come from what else the person's wearing underneath - fit of jacket alone is sometimes a 'depends' thing.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I'm well past middle age...but feel just as stylish and comfortable in my leather jackets as you young Whippersnappers do.

Wearing my Detroits brings out more of my charming ruggedness.....

HD

 

[zebedee]

I'm well past middle age...but feel just as stylish and comfortable in my leather jackets as you young Whippersnappers do.

Wearing my Detroits brings out more of my charming ruggedness.....

HD

That is because you have the best Thedi and Teamster jackets on the Lounge, bar none.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well thank you very much zebedee..!!

 

[zebedee]

Well thank you very much zebedee..!!

. The buffalo Thedi got me thinking about a next purchase, which I then had to spend a long time un-thinking about. A shawl collar buffalo tan jacket would definitely be in the works if I didn't need to shift two others and the pandemic, etc.