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AL Milwaukee steer Drifter

samo

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
Slovenia
A few weeks ago I received a Milwaukee steer Drifter jacket from the Alexander Leathers. Till now I have not seen any picture containing posts regarding this leather so just before the jacket season ends I made a few pictures to shear them with community. The jacket modifications are as follows:
- no outer breast pocket
- no studs in the flap pockets
- two internal breast pockets in lining
- cord lined pockets, cuffs and hem of the jacket,
- riri zip instead of Talon
- Roadster like cuffs
- National Millennium tartan lining

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Regarding the size my standard jacket size would be 48, but I was suggested to go with size 50 due to thick leather, strome weight tartan lining and also my preferences for more comfortable fit. So I go one size up and this was a good decision. Jacket was made by Vicky and it is perfect, without flaws and extremely though!

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Leather is really thick. I determined its thickness to be around 1,8 mm (4,5 oz), while the jacket weights 3,9 kg. It is also quite stiff, even now – after two weeks of wear it can stand by itself, nevertheless it becomes softer. It is still far from to be break in, but it definitely lost its »armor« character.

The color of the leather is simply the best there is. It would be really the best described as it is advertised - a chestnut. I put some samples of the leather I got from AL to the back of my jacket. I know that picture could be better, but I m just not able to make it better? Anyway, the upper set are the Horween leathers as follows from left to right: bison brown, FQHH Havana brown, steer burgundy, steer Havana brown. Down, there are goat leathers: russet, seal and black.

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Regards,
 
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pipvh

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
England
Great fit! And you're right - the colour is superb. Glad I'm not the one breaking it in, though...
 

scrawlysteve

One of the Regulars
Messages
213
Location
London
Wow ! I looked at that hide on the AL site and thought it was a fairy ordinary brown---which I now see is very, very wrong ---it looks wonderful in your pictures. Well done.
 

Smithy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,139
Location
Norway
Good review but an even better jacket. That really looks spectacular, the hide colour is just beautiful and the lining suits it perfectly, fit looks to be absolutely bang on as well.

But I have to agree with the others, 3.9kg is a beast of a jacket. I have an Aero FQHH Barnstormer so a longer jacket and IIRC that's only around 2.7kg, and Aero's FQHH is not a hide that you'd sneeze at weight-wise!
 

Worf

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,175
Location
Troy, New York, USA
Great review... great Jacket... great pics. You've done the lounge a service putting all those hides there for comparison!!!!! Thanks muchly!!!

Worf
 

Highwaymanman

A-List Customer
Messages
360
Location
Nowhere
I have handled samples of the Milwaukee chrome steer and I can understand very well why you chose it. It's superb stuff. I noticed that while it's heavy it will soften up very nicely with wear. Good choice all round and lovely jacket.
 

samo

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
Slovenia
Thanks for all of the comments guys. Yes, jacket is heavy to handle but when I wear it its weight is not problem anymore.

P.S.: I am interested if someone has any opinion about the position of the inside pockets ? I selected pockets in lining just because of the habit. Usually the pockets are in the facing of the jacket. Now I am wondering are there any benefits beside aesthetic regarding the position of the pockets?

Regards,
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,480
Samo, neighbour! Greetings from crummy Croatia. :) That is a spectacular looking jacket and I don't think you could've hoped for a better fit! You're right, quality pictures of AL hides are quite scarce, so this thread is most welcome. I've been looking at AL jackets for quite some time now, would love to have their D-pocket.

As for the weight, I agree - HWM that I got is lined with one of those blankets so you can imagine that at 3.5 kg, it is quite a heavy jacket, but when I put it on, I don't find it any heavier than whatever other jacket I have. Gets tough once it's too hot and I have to carry it over the shoulder, though. Regarding pockets, I prefer ones in the lining. Not too fond of Aero's facing pocket solution though I'd have to actually see one to be sure.
 

samo

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
Slovenia
Hi also to You neighbor! You help me feel more domestic :rolleyes:
The colour of the leather can be quite tricky. Even though AL have some professional made videos about jackets it is not enough. To get some impression about certain leather You definitely need its sample!

Regards,
 
Last edited:

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
Nice colour. Interesting inner pocket design - never seen that approach before.

Regarding pockets, I prefer ones in the lining. Not too fond of Aero's facing pocket solution though I'd have to actually see one to be sure.

The traditional Aero options were either a top-opening pocket in the lining, or a G1 style pocket with the opening a vertical in the facing just inside. The one on this jacket is an approach I've never seen before - vertical opening, but attached to the lining rather than the facing. The advantage of a vertical pocket opening is firstly that it can be easier to get into while wearing the jacket, especially if you don't want to fully unzip. If that vertical opening is located in the leather of the facing, there's no change of anything heavy being carried in the pocket making the lining sag by pulling down on the pocket opening. Horses for courses, though - a lot of folks prefer other alternatives. I even learned very quickly to live with my Highwayman which has no inner pockets at all (standard pattern) - all I needed was a wallet downsize... :)
 

Plumbline

One Too Many
Messages
1,271
Location
UK
Nice ..... really nice :D. I've got an AL Simmons Bilt in horween burgundy steer which started off really stiff and heavy ( 4.2oz) ... it's now softened off really nice (10 months) and drapes beautifully, took a lot of work and still needs some work on the pockets but I focussed mostly on the button holes which I really hate to be stiff to do up ( apart from Vest De Rallye and Lavants it's my only button up jacket). It normally takes around a year to soften these jackets up so wear it well and wear it hard .. it's part of the joy of ownership ( not the best part I admit).

You've got a STUNNING jacket .. .wear it well.
 

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