Vegecow Lewis Leathers quality

[Fonzie]

I wonder what’s the long term strategy going on with these exorbitant prices that we’re seeing lately in some brands? Is this high fashion now?

 

[Aloysius]

I wonder what’s the long term strategy going on with these exorbitant prices that we’re seeing lately in some brands? Is this high fashion now?

Tbh with Lewis it's probably overdue given the dramatic drop in the GBP's value, but it's just very drastic. It would have bothered me less I think if we were getting a bump every year.

I remember Schott told me the price of leather (and both companies are largely sourcing from the Italian tanneries) spiked in 2021.

 

[red devil]

Prices of leather have indeed gone up, but I do not think it justifies these kind of prices. There is a new term, Greedflation.

 

[Aloysius]

There was another price rise in recent years but not dramatic like this one. Now they’re following the Eastman model I guess.

 

[Monitor]

They've just doubled everything! Seems crazy but on the other hand, considering that the knock-offs have been going for roughly what LL costs now, this doesn't surprise me. No reason why LL shouldn't dictate the prices Addict is asking for their copies.

 

[Canuck Panda]

When I bought my Lewis Mk1 jacket DIRECT from Lewis, 2021, Rip was still working there, and the total was £832 shipped, about the same price of an Aero (DIRECT).

However, back then, I remembered checking the Lewis dealers like Stronghold and that down under one that also carries FW, and they were already charging about USD $2,000 for Lewis jackets.

So basically there is no longer deals for going direct. Lewis is billing the same price their retail partners are charging. This does makes some sense business wise. iMAP.

Buying a brand new leather jacket is very similar to buying a brand new car, one would lose a huge chunk the moment it's driven off the lot, with only a few, very few exceptions.
The deals are in the lightly used jackets, or close queen jackets.

 

[Aloysius]

They've just doubled everything! Seems crazy but on the other hand, considering that the knock-offs have been going for roughly what LL costs now, this doesn't surprise me. No reason why LL shouldn't dictate the prices Addict is asking for their copies.

Yeah it’s pretty much a match for the Fine Creek copy’s price.

 

[Tom71]

They've just doubled everything! Seems crazy but on the other hand, considering that the knock-offs have been going for roughly what LL costs now, this doesn't surprise me. No reason why LL shouldn't dictate the prices Addict is asking for their copies.

Yes and no. Addict is using a very nice horsehide on their models (can’t comment on the sheep), so they were always at the same price as a LL with veg-tan cow.
The ‚copy‘ was always the superior product, so the new price is. purely reflecting the brand.

 

[Tom71]

So, I just returned from a rather frantic, mixed work/holiday trip to London. Didn’t get to visit any of the clothing places but for the Lewis Leathers store in Windmill St. and came back with a few observations:

1. Both the Lightning and the Cyclone have had a pattern remake. Shoulders are much more sloped, the cut is a subtle A-frame and the lenght has been cropped even more. Upon trying, I would say that the new models run a full size smaller than the old pattern.

The guys at the store said that the main motive was to make the jacket „more of a 60´s style“ than the original pattern which they called a 70‘s cut.
The old pattern will still be available which I take to be good news.

2. The new offering “British Sheep“ is worth a look. A very smooth, stiff leather, that I had to believe was indeed sheep as per the looks it could easily pass as cow.
LL does a few very nice colours with this, which come out much brighter than the regular sheep but a bit more subdued than the horse.

Again, standard sheep is still available and was confirmed to be the thickest of the leathers on offer.

3. As per the title of the thread, I have had a very close look at the veg-tan cow.
Do consider me a convert. Yes, the price is high. Yes, LL is all about the smooth, shiny, vinylly horse. But boy, is the veg tan cow lovely!

Two colours especially caught my eye, the navy and the terracotta. Both are much more vibrant than the photos on the website suggest, and especially the terracotta is a striking burnt orange expertly navigating the thing line between too boring and too extravagant.
I tried on the Super Sportsman in size 44 in veg tan terracotta and but for the still new Blue Dominator I had walked out with it no matter what.

I was in the shop for almost an hour and was treated with infinite patience and loads of info.

Incidentally, I wore my Blue Dominator when I was not in suit and tie, and got complimented three times, most noteworthy in a pub by a guy who turned out to be a LL buff himself, and we ended up chatting for quite some time over a pint of lager.

 

[Tom71]

Oh, and I did try on the „Iggy Pop Jacket“ that I was secretly lusting after for years.

It’s more of a shirt than a proper jacket as it’s pretty lightweight, slim cut and has „shirt cuffs“ with two snap buttons each.

All in all, I’ve come to find that this unique piece demands a younger guy’s physique. If I size it to fit comfortably it just looses its appeal.

 

[Heresiarch]

Hi,

I'm new to this Forum though I've done 14+ years on forums like superfuture and the iron heart Forum, among others.
Anyway, I hope my question iis correct in this thread as I feel it's not just about veg cow leather.

Long story short, I recently got a LL 441 in black horse size 44 after eyeing LL for 3 years. Now I'm hooked and have a chance to get a green sheep cyclone as well. I love the sheep leather and am glad to have a softer and less warm option after owning mostly other horsehide jackets.

the question I have is regarding stretch - my size 44 is not exactly snug but i have broad shoulders that i size to. I guess i could size down to a 42 in the other measurements, though length could be an issue too - IF it stretches a lot. Or can I expect it to be true to its raw state like horsehide? I never wore sheepskin before and think I would mostly wear just a T Shirt underneath (ad it's lighter and intended for warmer temperatures).

any advice or comparisons between the horse and sheep in terns of stretch would be highly appreciated!

thanks

 

[MrProper]

Hi,

I'm new to this Forum though I've done 14+ years on forums like superfuture and the iron heart Forum, among others.
Anyway, I hope my question iis correct in this thread as I feel it's not just about veg cow leather.

Long story short, I recently got a LL 441 in black horse size 44 after eyeing LL for 3 years. Now I'm hooked and have a chance to get a green sheep cyclone as well. I love the sheep leather and am glad to have a softer and less warm option after owning mostly other horsehide jackets.

the question I have is regarding stretch - my size 44 is not exactly snug but i have broad shoulders that i size to. I guess i could size down to a 42 in the other measurements, though length could be an issue too - IF it stretches a lot. Or can I expect it to be true to its raw state like horsehide? I never wore sheepskin before and think I would mostly wear just a T Shirt underneath (ad it's lighter and intended for warmer temperatures).

any advice or comparisons between the horse and sheep in terns of stretch would be highly appreciated!

thanks

I have 2 LL made from veg tan sheep and would think they haven't stretched yet.

 

[Heresiarch]

Thank you! I'll stick with a 44 then!

 

[Marc mndt]

Thank you! I'll stick with a 44 then!

I owned one, it didn't stretch. What did change was the color, it'll develop a brown/greyish hue over time.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fs-lewis-leathers-cyclone-sz-42.109168/

 

[Heresiarch]

I owned one, it didn't stretch. What did change was the color, it'll develop a brown/greyish hue over time.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/fs-lewis-leathers-cyclone-sz-42.109168/

Thank you, it looks fantastic in these pictures. I wouldn't mind getting it to a grayish hue at all. I also have a chance to try it on and compare to navy sheep (indeed did wear the navy sheep a few weeks back when I finally decided on the black horse). From the pictures only I think i might prefer the green but navy has beige zippers instead of black which makes both possible candidates.

I could post some pictures but they were taken in store on the hottest day of the year, so I'm wearing shorts and my usual style is not on par to this Forum haha.

 

[MrProper]

From the pictures only I think i might prefer the green but navy has beige zippers instead of black which makes both possible candidates.

The beige zips are cool. Unfortunately, I chose the black ones for my green one. In hindsight, I would have liked the beige ones better. I used them on my brown one.
But you can choose the zip colour when you order a new one. Or is this option no longer available?

 

[Heresiarch]

The beige zips are cool. Unfortunately, I chose the black ones for my green one. In hindsight, I would have liked the beige ones better. I used them on my brown one.
But you can choose the zip colour when you order a new one. Or is this option no longer available?

I definitely would go beige on a custom order but as I have the chance to buy a otherwise perfectly specced jacket locally for a way cheaper price I won't get it custom made (this time at least).

 

[Heresiarch]

For what it's worth- here's a few pictures of my 441 Horsehide in 44. Will report back in a few days when I hopefully had the chance to get one in sheep. Might give 42 a chance but think it will be too short.
https://ibb.co/9vbpdJR] [/url]
https://ibb.co/zNzNwyb] [/url]
https://ibb.co/g7tCHRh] [/url]
https://ibb.co/SP9WD29] [/url]
https://ibb.co/zP12FLC] [/url]

 

[Heresiarch]

So, reporting back. I ended up getting a navy 44 instead of green as despite the same size the green was a bit too loose and I love the beige zipper.

Sorry for the bad pictures and links, will try to edit later.

https://www.pic-upload.de/view-37409657/1000294571.jpg.html] [/URL]
https://www.pic-upload.de/view-37409656/1000294575.jpg.html] [/URL]
https://www.pic-upload.de/view-37409655/1000294556.jpg.html] [/URL]
https://www.pic-upload.de/view-37409659/1000294577.jpg.html] [/URL]
https://www.pic-upload.de/view-37409658/1000294572.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[MrProper]

I've just realised that I haven't posted an update on my LL jackets in the LL thread ;-)