Thoughts on Suede jackets like Schott 370

[Gnipgnop]

Hi,
I recently sold an Aero Board Racer in dark seal Vicenza. Beautiful jacket but I made a rookie mistake and ordered a 40 which was a bit too snug for a daily wear. I’m still looking at replacing it or maybe trying a Sheene.

Recently, I’ve been looking at Suede jackets like the Schott Duke 370 or 375. Does anyone have experiences with that jacket (or something similar) in terms of fit and general use. This would be my only leather jacket for the time being and I’d like to have a sense of how it wears day in/day out.

Any other suggestions in this style would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance—

 

[Jasonindenver]

You have to be careful with suede so as a daily wear, be prepared for staining that you won’t have with a finished leather jacket. I have suede blazer that I love and the character but the wear changes the look.

 

[Gnipgnop]

Thanks; good point. I was leaning toward something in a darker brown to avoid that problem. Also, I live in New Mexico so very little concern with getting caught in the rain.

 

[Pandemic]

Suede is not the delicate material some people make it out to be. Treat the suede with one of those supermarket sprays and it will be very stain resistant and waterproof. Reapply every few years after giving it a brush. You can also use one of those little suede eraser things to remove spots.

I really like the 370. I’m probably going to get 5* to make me something very similar before next Autumn. I already have a few brown leather jackets, so it will be something a little different.

Schott did a 25% off sale last April, they may do something similar this year.

 

[Mrfrown]

I have a 370 and really like it. It’s in the lighter color.

Don’t feel like you should baby it, it’s gonna look better with wear, like all quality leathers. I had a split lamb skin suede jacket from Schott that i got second hand from someone who purchased at the factory sale. There’s a world of difference between that thin, delicate split lamb suede is the robust full thickness leather on the 370.

Here are a few pics of mine from October through December in different lighting conditions.

 

[Pandemic]

^
That looks like a great fit! Any sizing advice?

I did a quick search and couldn’t find measurements.

 

[Gnipgnop]

Thanks for posting those pics. I'd also be interested in sizing info. Great looking jacket.

 

[Mrfrown]

I have the medium, which is the typical size for me to get.

I'm 5'9" and weigh about 170# or 175# depending on the week.

Chest measures about 40" relaxed in these pics.

I can get measurements of the jacket this evening.

Almost forgot, here's I posted a thread about it a year ago when I got it.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/schott-370-duke-oiled-roughout-jacket.99918/

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I'm not a fan of suede. Attracts lint and soils easily eventually looking dingy. It's the rough nappy finish that inevitably collects dirt and grime.

 

[Gnipgnop]

Thanks for sending this info along and the link to the previous thread. I see on the Schott description of the 370 that the sleeves are now lined which it seems was not the case in the past.

Do you have a sense of how the 370 and 375 are different? They look pretty similar and wondering if it's about finish or fit?

 

[Mrfrown]

The 375 has lined sleeves, the 370 doesn’t.

In the product description on Schott’s site, the 370 is described as Oiled Roughout while 370 doesn’t have Oiled in the description. I haven’t handled both so not sure if there is a real difference between the leathers.

Fit-wise I’m not sure either.

Perhaps a call or email to Schott will answer those questions? They’re normally very helpful.

 

[Gnipgnop]

Gotcha, thanks. Will reach out to Schott.

 

[Pandemic]

I like their in- house forum as well - usually a good source of info and the occasional bargain deal.

 

[Mrfrown]

My measurement come to about

Chest: 21.5”
Shoulder: 17.5”
Sleeve: 25”
Back: 26”

Remember it’s unlined and very pliable once worn in a bit. In heavier leather these measurements would be questionable for me, but it works.

 

[Gnipgnop]

Thanks for sending the measurements. That does seem a bit smaller than expected (mostly in the shoulder) but it seems like it fits you well. We’re about similar size so I’d be inclined to go with a medium. Do you find that the jacket is restrictive or is it comfortable with a shirt on or even a light sweater?

 

[dudewuttheheck]

If it 's a thicker, rougher, more durable suede then why even treat it nicely? Aside from heavy rain, I don't plan on wearing my suede jacket any differently than my other jackets. It is pre-owned and it's a rougher suede though so that helps.

 

[DrMacabre]

Suede gets such beautiful patina with time, here’s a nice exemple of a 70’s Schott type 3.

 

[Mrfrown]

If I’m wearing this jacket when it’s chilly I’ll have a long sleeve tee shirt and a wool flannel on with it.

So not much experience with sweaters and this jacket.

However I didn’t really get it to withstand the cold- I live in New Orleans which has a sub-tropical climate. A lighter jacket like this helps extend my jacket wearing weather. Depending on your climate that may be attractive, or not.

Edit: That being said it’s comfortable with these lighter kinds of layers.

 

[Pandemic]

If it 's a thicker, rougher, more durable suede then why even treat it nicely? Aside from heavy rain, I don't plan on wearing my suede jacket any differently than my other jackets. It is pre-owned and it's a rougher suede though so that helps.

I like these richer, golden and reddish brown suedes.

 

[Pandemic]

Aero Majestic is another nice option: