The State of the Art in Japanese Outerwear: Freewheelers and Co 2012-13 Collection!

[Worf]

I guess I should explain... my earlier comments were not intended as a "put down" of the Japanese in any stretch.. I'm just find it curious the western styles that become "fads" there from time to time over the years as all. I know Americans aren't immune to fashion fads, jeeze louise I lived through the Disco Era and the Urban Cowboy debacle. Every fad makes me shake my head... wherever it comes from.

Worf

 

[herringbonekid]

another nice shawl collar (by Old Joe and co):

great stuff coming out of Japan.

 

[IXL]

There are even website populated by people from many different countries who actually discuss vintage clothing!

Now, that's just crazy talk......

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Also just stumbled across this very promising looking civilian a-1 (minus shawl collar) from a company called "Old Joe". What do you think HD?

http://www.oldjoe.jp/product_01.html
http://www.redcatsaloon.com/rcs/archives/14528

Also a russet model, but with strange stenciling on it.....

http://www.phaeton-co.com/?pid=52178507

What I think is....I really like the 'little details' of some Japanese repros and utility jackets. Inverted pleats...extra leather stitching designs,etc. However..after moving my interests several years ago almost completely to civilian utility type jackets..I tend to choose something without knit. Although I have several A2 repros(one original) and have had some vintage civi jackets with knit..I do prefer all leather. It's just more durable. I'm not hard on liners..so an all leather jacket lasts and takes on worn charactor without tattered weak points popping up. Even a somewhat worn lining is hidden. So for the $$ and usually always needing a custom fit...I've disciplined myself to all leather.
HD

 

[Ishmael]

I guess I should explain... my earlier comments were not intended as a "put down" of the Japanese in any stretch.. I'm just find it curious the western styles that become "fads" there from time to time over the years as all. I know Americans aren't immune to fashion fads, jeeze louise I lived through the Disco Era and the Urban Cowboy debacle. Every fad makes me shake my head... wherever it comes from.

Worf

Worf, I certainly didn't take your comments in a negative way.

What I think is....I really like the 'little details' of some Japanese repros and utility jackets. Inverted pleats...extra leather stitching designs,etc. However..after moving my interests several years ago almost completely to civilian utility type jackets..I tend to choose something without knit. Although I have several A2 repros(one original) and have had some vintage civi jackets with knit..I do prefer all leather. It's just more durable. I'm not hard on liners..so an all leather jacket lasts and takes on worn charactor without tattered weak points popping up. Even a somewhat worn lining is hidden. So for the $$ and usually always needing a custom fit...I've disciplined myself to all leather.
HD

HD, I'm still relatively new to the world of leather jackets, but I have found myself favoring all leather as well. Glad to hear my thoughts are jiving with those of a more experienced individual like yourself. Thanks for the breakdown.

So.....it looks like the Himel Heron is still at the top of a very short list of lined civi A-1s? Still has to be my top contender for a second "jacket" (i.e. in all likelihood, if or when I purchase a second leather outer it would probably be a coat).

 

[Ishmael]

But, then again, I think I could look past the little knit around the collar on the FW Dust Bowl coat.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

HD, I'm still relatively new to the world of leather jackets, but I have found myself favoring all leather as well. Glad to hear my thoughts are jiving with those of a more experienced individual like yourself. Thanks for the breakdown.

So.....it looks like the Himel Heron is still at the top of a very short list of lined civi A-1s? Still has to be my top contender for a second "jacket" (i.e. in all likelihood, if or when I purchase a second leather outer it would probably be a coat).

Well you are doing very well for your first jacket and researching new ideas. Where you are located offers some very nice examples for sure. Do many of them make made to measure?
The Himel Heron is surely a great unique style among the makers. If I could rationalize another jacket..I would be very tempted to find out just exactly what hides and colors they would be willing to come up with. Of course sizing is all important. I would want a Heron well over my belt..but yet not too long to take away from the slightly sculpted banded bottom design. The right hide and fit..and it would be a very attractive jacket for either street or casual dress..in my view. How could one do better? Of course it's a matter of personal taste..but as of yet not much else has caught my eye as much.
I do have the Stuart..zip sleeve Bootlegger..Hwymn...a few '30s HalfBelts..an Enfield and a few more than that..that should keep my attention. My gawd man..I gotta stop!
HD

 

[HoosierDaddy]

But, then again, I think I could look past the little knit around the collar on the FW Dust Bowl coat.

Yes..most likely I could too. Dammit..!

 

[Ishmael]

The big difference between the leather jacket world in Japan and outside Japan seems to be that most (all?) of the Japanese manufacturers are producing annual runs of jackets versus year round production at companies like Aero etc. The new jackets tend to show up in fall-winter and be quite limited in stock. They also introduce new styles or hides etc with each new run. I guess the factories are doing a number of other products during the jacket off season.
There also seem to be very few custom makers. But, I was told that Rainbow Country would be willing to do some custom sizing adjustments. One hypothesis here is that there is rather less need for custom sized jackets in rather homogeneous Japan.

You've got a great collection HD!

You're right about sizing on the Heron. Would need to nail the length, and also wouldn't want it to be too boxy either. I know that it's on the boxier side, and that would actually make it a good complement to my current jacket (i.e. could layer more underneath). But still wouldn't want it to engulf me!

And, for sure, you wouldn't even see that little knit around the collar when you're wearing the Dust Bowl!

 

[Ishmael]

Freewheelers Mulholland.

 

[resortes805]

There are even website populated by people from many different countries who actually discuss vintage clothing!

Imagine that!

 

[Graemsay]

I really like the Himel Bros jackets, but a boxy cut doesn't work for me as I'd end up with it hanging loose around my waist. Not a good look, which is a shame because I like the Canuck Railroad Coat.

The Dustbowl Coat is very cool, though I prefer the Phraohs that I posted a few pages back. I did raise a query about a longer (hip length) Waterfront with Aero a few months back, which is a similar sort of design...

 

[majormajor]

Himel jacketsw are wonderful, but often have strange pockets.
No way can you put your hands in them - and not deep enough for anything but parking tickets.

A changing world, I guess....

 

[Ishmael]

Fresh from the factory. Freewheelers Brakeman Coat in Canyon Brown.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/fortyniners/10001794/

 

[indigoeagle]

I like a couple of the waistcoats. Unfortunately, Japanese fashion rarely comes up in my sizes.

I do like the six pocket jacket shown on their blog.

Yes, the tan jacket looks amazing.
But who's it from? I couldn't find it on the Freewheelers site. Perhaps from the Bootleggers time?
And those guy are really adept at sporting their stuff. All cool pictures.

 

[Graemsay]

Aero do a version of the tan jacket, it's the Six Pocket Hippy. If you're about a 44" chest then you could get the one listed in the sale section.

It's slightly different to the one shown on the Freewheelers site, as it doesn't have the straps on the lower pockets. I prefer Aero's take on it.

If you're morbidly curious, the original jacket was the East West Musical Instruments Co. Barnstormer. There's one up on eBay at the moment for $1800.

I like them, but am probably the only other Fedora Lounge regular who does.

 

[Grayland]

Fresh from the factory. Freewheelers Brakeman Coat in Canyon Brown.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/fortyniners/10001794/

I like that a lot!

 

[Davidm]

Great stuff!
i personally have rainbow country leather down vest and i must say quality is top notch! Saw rainbow country b-3 here http://shop.mushmans.com/?pid=45500267 Price is an overkill, but leather and construction seems very nice!

But, I was told that Rainbow Country would be willing to do some custom sizing adjustments.

That's a very interesting news! Do you have contacts? Maybe they have a website or a blog?

 

[philosophy101]

Fresh from the factory. Freewheelers Brakeman Coat in Canyon Brown.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/fortyniners/10001794/

Nice jacket, but what is the guy doing in that photo?

 

[indigoeagle]

Aero do a version of the tan jacket, it's the Six Pocket Hippy. If you're about a 44" chest then you could get the one listed in the sale section.

It's slightly different to the one shown on the Freewheelers site, as it doesn't have the straps on the lower pockets. I prefer Aero's take on it.

If you're morbidly curious, the original jacket was the East West Musical Instruments Co. Barnstormer. There's one up on eBay at the moment for $1800.

I like them, but am probably the only other Fedora Lounge regular who does.

Very interesting. Thank you.
But I find the jacket that the guy from FW is wearing looks much stiffer and thus different to the two you posted.