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Ralph Lauren Leather jackets

1avrgjoe

Familiar Face
Messages
77
Location
USA
I've been checking out some Ralph Lauren jackets online and ebay. They look real good style wise, they are way overpriced retail, but they can be had for a reasonable price on the secondary market or last years stuff. I'm wondering if anyone knows about the quality of their jackets? Are they as good as Schott, Vanson, Aero? They cost a lot more than those brands I'm just curious. I already have Schott 141, Aero FQHH on the way, and I'm going to visit Vanson in the next couple months to check them out.
 

Justhandguns

Practically Family
Messages
779
Location
London
In my opinion, the RL jackets (leather) are just no match for Aero or Vanson. As for Schott, they have slightly different ranges of jackets, but if you are talking about the made in USA ones, I don't think RL jackets can match them either. Yes, most of the RL jackets are well made, but in terms of the leathers that they use, they are mostly cowhide or just sheep skins. They are obviously no match to the FQHH from Aero or the ultra thick competition leather of Vanson.
At the end of the day, they are aiming for styles and comfort more than anything else, these jackets do not usually develop any characters like the premium brands that you have mentioned, that is why used Schott/Vanson/Aero can still command good second handed prices.
 
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Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I have a jacket by them and have seen their stuff a lot. It's high end mall quality, an overpriced fashion label. Quality wise they're 50 percent of an Aero or 60 percent of a Vanson IMO.
 
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GHQ1

One of the Regulars
Messages
132
Location
Washington State
There's an RRL - Buzz Rickson A-2 collab that I find fascinating. Retail is $2400. Two are on Ebay.
 
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Doublegun

Practically Family
Messages
773
Location
Michigan
RL, Polo, et. ux, all try to duplicate (and bastardize) the designs of the handful of companies that are known for making real-deal leather jackets. High end Mall Quality is about the most accurate description of what people over-pay for. I won't go so far as to say their jackets are junk but I would rather pay for the real deal, wear it and make it mine than over pay for inferior quality, workmanship and pre/post sale support.
 

Hammer Down

One of the Regulars
Messages
189
Location
Chicago
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/Polo-Ralph-Lauren-Leather-Newsboy-Jacket/prod81420184/?ecid=BGCIGoogleProductAds&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=prod81420184skuKINGBROWN

This one is overpriced shyte. You don't always get what you pay for, especially with a name like Ralphie Boy's. Pooftah. Aero, Vanson, Lost Worlds, the real deal. Ralphie . . . wannabe poser in the leather world. Nice hide in the linked image though. The stitching will fall apart within a few years, I would wager to guess. And just look at that awful collar. Ugh.
 
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Messages
15,563
Location
East Central Indiana
I've been checking out some Ralph Lauren jackets online and ebay. They look real good style wise, they are way overpriced retail, but they can be had for a reasonable price on the secondary market or last years stuff. I'm wondering if anyone knows about the quality of their jackets? Are they as good as Schott, Vanson, Aero? They cost a lot more than those brands I'm just curious. I already have Schott 141, Aero FQHH on the way, and I'm going to visit Vanson in the next couple months to check them out.

I must say that I have seen some RL jackets on line that have intrigued me.
A friend of mine bought a barely used RL cafe style jacket from Ebay several years ago at a significant discount..but still kinda expensive($750..if I remember correctly). It had a very nice semi distressed finish to the hide that didn't look phony as most others do. It was rather lightweight and relaxed as far as hide goes. Seemed well made. However..normally wearing a size 42..the 42 RL required that he wore the jacket with the sleeves pushed up(like a fashion jacket) because they were just too short. Prices do seem out of line for a non custom jacket. I'm not entirely sure..but I think all they offer is standard sizing. I suggest trying on a Vanson!
HD
 

dr.velociraptor

One of the Regulars
Messages
285
Location
Hudson Valley NY
This one is overpriced shyte. You don't always get what you pay for, especially with a name like Ralphie Boy's. Pooftah. Aero, Vanson, Lost Worlds, the real deal. Ralphie . . . wannabe poser in the leather world. Nice hide in the linked image though. The stitching will fall apart within a few years, I would wager to guess. And just look at that awful collar. Ugh.

Not everyone wants to wear a briefcase on their backs, I had a Vanson Model B and it wore like a straight jacket, I liked it, but can see why others wouldn't want it. A lot of folks like the fashion leather and buy just on looks.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,418
Location
Glasgow
I think the thing that kills me about the likes of RL and co, is that they're so flimsy for such much money. My road to leather Damascus came after I bought a jacket in the Hugo Boss sale. It was a nice grey, soft leather field jacket thing, cut from £650 down to £370 - well, it seemed like a deal at the time - so after much humming and hawing, I bought it.
Anyway, a week later, I pulled it on for the first time to go out and walked past the bedroom mirror, only to notice a red felt-tip 'tick' on the arm. It was the height that you wouldn't really notice in the shop - too busy looking at the silhouette, girl that I am - but plain as day there it was: an unwanted Nike swoosh left there by an over-zealous shop assistant while marking the jacket down.
Was quite upset about this, but I liked it and so I did bit of reading, then had a go at taking it off with baby wipes in hope that the alcohol can lift felt tip from leather. Unfortunately, while it faded the mark slightly, not enough. So back to shop it went, trying to stop it from getting wet on the way for fear of water stains, where I received an effusive apology from the manager and my money back.
 
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1avrgjoe

Familiar Face
Messages
77
Location
USA
http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/Polo-Ralph-Lauren-Leather-Newsboy-Jacket/prod81420184/?ecid=BGCIGoogleProductAds&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=prod81420184skuKINGBROWN
This one is overpriced shyte. You don't always get what you pay for, especially with a name like Ralphie Boy's. Pooftah. Aero, Vanson, Lost Worlds, the real deal. Ralphie . . . wannabe poser in the leather world. Nice hide in the linked image though. The stitching will fall apart within a few years, I would wager to guess. And just look at that awful collar. Ugh.
Thats funny because this is one that I was looking at, I even sent Vanson a pic and asked them if they could make it but in their brown, even custom made by Vanson it was still less than half the cost for twice the jacket!
 

1avrgjoe

Familiar Face
Messages
77
Location
USA
I've been checking out some Ralph Lauren jackets online and ebay. They look real good style wise, they are way overpriced retail, but they can be had for a reasonable price on the secondary market or last years stuff. I'm wondering if anyone knows about the quality of their jackets? Are they as good as Schott, Vanson, Aero? They cost a lot more than those brands I'm just curious. I already have Schott 141, Aero FQHH on the way, and I'm going to visit Vanson in the next couple months to check them out.
kgrhqrgwfbcspfbqlsezp1g.jpg
This was the RL I liked but I've decided to leave it alone. For one thing the guy's asking $599. I messaged him that for that much I could buy a new Vanson or Schott, he replied that the retail price was $1795 and it was a bargain, maybe he's right but I couldn't do it. I feel like I came to my senses on that one. It is a cool looking jacket though.
 
Check out
http://superiorjackets.com/
For a similar jacket, for much less, by a small business dedicated to authenticity and made in the US.


I was just going to post the same.
Just received an A1 jacket from Mark ("Superior Flight Apparel.) a few weeks ago.
I own over a dozen "high end" make leather jackets...from Goodwear to Aero, Eastman, Langlitz, Vanson.
My A1 is easily in the same league. Custom fit like a glove. Top notch construction, design and leather.
Can't say enough good things about dealing with Mark.
Currently there are only 2 makers who I would consider if looking to get a new leather jacket....Superior Flight Apparel and Goodwear.
 

ideaguy

One Too Many
Messages
1,042
Location
Western Massachusetts
FOX CREEK LEATHER. Period. have two of theirs, wonderful GUARANTEED fit. Superior skins. Basically Motorcycle styling, but there's
a number of different looks you can have. And speaking of things you can have, you can have my RL jacket, bought on eBay reasonably,
but still not worth the dye to cover the cute little horsie...
 

strokes1251

Practically Family
Messages
524
Location
Los Angeles California
kgrhqrgwfbcspfbqlsezp1g.jpg
This was the RL I liked but I've decided to leave it alone. For one thing the guy's asking $599. I messaged him that for that much I could buy a new Vanson or Schott, he replied that the retail price was $1795 and it was a bargain, maybe he's right but I couldn't do it. I feel like I came to my senses on that one. It is a cool looking jacket though.
I use to see this one on ebay for $100 starting bid and it didn't sell the first 2 times. The only difference was that it had red and green lining. I suggest you search things like "RRL leather jacket" if that's not what you are already searching and click auction only and I'm sure you will find something for less then 300 if your quick and lucky enough :)
 

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