Who Makes A Good Quality Denim Jacket?

[Seb Lucas]

I own generic Wrangler and Levi - they seem okay, but I'm sure I can get better.

Without spending a fortune or buying vintage, what are my options?

Does Carhart do them? Any good?

I want a hard wearing denim that'll be around for 10-15 years.

Cheers

 

[Papa M]

I personally prefer Lee jackets to Wrangler and Levi's. There are good repros of my favourite (Lee 91B) - but probably a little pricey.

Why not buy vintage? There are some great bargains to be found.

 

[Mr Badger]

Yeah, I'd second that!

On ebay, the price of used vintage denim jackets has fallen dramatically over the past few years – you should be able to pick up a nice 'big E' / 'cap E' Levi's jacket for $50 or so, and the same for an old Lee 101 / Riders jacket... just check the actual measurements and that there's not too much wear around the collar/sleeve ends and you'll be fine... the vintage denim (as discussed elsewhere) is much harder-wearing than 99.9% of modern stuff (it's woven tighter and isn't 'blown together' with lots of cotton thread fluff, as is the modern norm) so you'll find that even a 30-year-old denim jacket with moderate wear would last you decades – if the collar ever wears out on one side, just get a seamstress/tailor to flip it over and re-sew ($20-ish)... I've seen some pics of vintage denim jackets where the cuff ends have been reinforced with strips of leather, which looks waaay kool...

I love the Lee 91b, what a great design!

 

[bburtner@moran]

Denium Jacket

Have a look at "Pointer Brand" I have had one for 20 yrs,USA made too!

 

[Tomasso]

I have a Lee from the 70's, a Pendleton from the 80's and a Henry Cottons from the 90's; all good quality.

 

[Papa M]

I love the Lee 91b, what a great design!

I have several variations on the superb Lee 91 B design. My favourite is the Can't Bust 'Em version. It cost me a fortune to find one in good condition.

 

[Inusuit]

If Carhartt made underwear, I'd buy some. I don't have a Carhartt denim jacket, but the Carhartt garments I do own are excellent quality.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Thanks All

Do Lee still make a 91B? And what are Lee's like these days?

As I said, not wanting to by vintage. Just my preference.

 

[Papa M]

Do Lee still make a 91B? And what are Lee's like these days?

As I said, not wanting to by vintage. Just my preference.

Lee of Japan are doing a very good quality reproduction of the 91B. It sells for about 100 bucks.

 

[injunjack]

If Carhartt made underwear, I'd buy some. I don't have a Carhartt denim jacket, but the Carhartt garments I do own are excellent quality.

Carhart makes unionsuits

Jack

 

[Edward]

I have a Levis Type 1 I bought a few years ago (with the contrast stitching, very pointy pocket flaps, big 'rear pocket'-style stitched yolk-look design on the rear, over the shoulder blades). Thinking of selling it on - if they go for anything nowadays, that is (repro, not vintage). They are labelled at ninety odd quid new in the Levis store, last I looked, though Levis stores are laways considerably more expensive than the real world (sometimes, I wondr do Levis just see them as a glorified billboard - does anyone pay those prices?). If I as looking for a denim jacket again, based on the quality of their jeans, I'd be giving serious consideration to a jacket from Prison Blues www.prisonblues.com.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

I like Nudie. I think they are as straightworward as can be
with a nostalgic feel but somewhat a new touch.

I like their denim jackets. Im gonna get a black one for summer.

They have it in dry, dry red selvage, black coated and heavy worn.

Price for worn is high though, but the black coated is ok I think.

 

[Papa M]

I like Nudie. I think they are as straightworward as can be
with a nostalgic feel but somewhat a new touch.

Nice enough looking jacket - very derivative of Lee. However I dislike the Nudie brand stitching across the shoulders. I know that it is their trademark but to me it cheapens their products and makes them look like a High Street brand.

 

[bburtner@moran]

Pointer Brand

Look at the Pointer brand..Made in the USA,no Asian crap...

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Nice enough looking jacket - very derivative of Lee. However I dislike the Nudie brand stitching across the shoulders. I know that it is their trademark but to me it cheapens their products and makes them look like a High Street brand.

In the black jacket the stitching is in black so thats not gonna point out as much.

I guess its like or not. [huh]

 

[CliffG]

personally I do like the levi jackets.

 

[Tomasso]

.Made in the USA,no Asian crap...

The Japanese now make the best denim, with our old discarded shuttle looms. Levi Strauss must be rolling over in his grave.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Nice enough looking jacket - very derivative of Lee. However I dislike the Nudie brand stitching across the shoulders. I know that it is their trademark but to me it cheapens their products and makes them look like a High Street brand.

I kind of agree - but I think it's working too hard to acheive a look. Denim for me needs to be a little more workwearish.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

I have one made by pointer brand:

It appears lopsided in the photo's but the one I have is not, and is decent quality.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Nice chore coat. You never see them here in Australia - to wear one would be to stick out.