What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

[Edward]

Vintage German Police jacket/coat. Heavy and feels like a tank.
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Originally came with gold buttons, I think i might go back to those.
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Nice. I had one of those at one point years ago. Didn't hang onto it at the time because I was all about my leather being either waist length or calf length - nothing in between! Sort of regret that (though I suspect it's be too small for me now anyhow) these days as I've gotten into the idea of a jacket this sort of length as an alternative to a blazer when I'm out and about at the point of the year when it's too cold for just a suitcoat, but too warm for a suitcoat and overcoat...

IIRC, these were West German police issue around and about the 60s / 70s, replaced (at least for the MC guys in the Berlin region) by the Kawasaki green stuff that came later but before reunification?


I would stick with the buttons you changed it to, actually - they really give it a somewhat earlier, more civilian vibe.

Wearing my nemesis today… finally finished this cafe/J-100 mash up in 3.5-4oz CXL steer hide. I’ve always been interested in this hide, I’ve only had experience handling CXLFQHH. Color is burgundy and is really beautiful. Im very glad that I built a little extra room into this one as it is an absolute unwieldy beast of a jacket. This one took me twice as long to complete because getting these seams to lay flat was a workout. I have a new found respect for those who regularly use this weight of hide to make jackets. I feel like a spent a week getting my *** kicked by ninjas. Not cartoon ninjas, but the real ones. Do I want to make another CXL jacket? No thank you. My sewing machine is still weeping and giving me the side eye. Turned out alright though!
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It's jackets like that (after years of staying away from the style) have brought me round to the idea of a cafe racer again. There's just something about how such a utilitarian design allows a hide of that beauty to shine out in and of itself!

 

[Jaymig926]

Oh, great! "The Shop", right?!

Only thing I didn´t jump on it the second it went life is that it reminds me of the German Cop Jackets from the 1980´s. Too distinctive to unsee...

Yes from
tJ at the shop Vancouver

 

[AerGuitar]

Nice. I had one of those at one point years ago. Didn't hang onto it at the time because I was all about my leather being either waist length or calf length - nothing in between! Sort of regret that (though I suspect it's be too small for me now anyhow) these days as I've gotten into the idea of a jacket this sort of length as an alternative to a blazer when I'm out and about at the point of the year when it's too cold for just a suitcoat, but too warm for a suitcoat and overcoat...

IIRC, these were West German police issue around and about the 60s / 70s, replaced (at least for the MC guys in the Berlin region) by the Kawasaki green stuff that came later but before reunification?


I would stick with the buttons you changed it to, actually - they really give it a somewhat earlier, more civilian vibe.



It's jackets like that (after years of staying away from the style) have brought me round to the idea of a cafe racer again. There's just something about how such a utilitarian design allows a hide of that beauty to shine out in and of itself!

For my first couple years of jacket obsession, the cafe/stand collar was the only style I cared about. I still love them. My Aero Board Racer is still my favorite jacket of all time, although the Flat Head I picked up from @Bfd70 is giving it a run for its money.
The CXL Steerhide used for this one is absolutely gorgeous in person, but it’s crazy stiff and thick. I’m sure in time it will actually become at least semi comfortable. I really wanted to find the limits of my sewing machine while getting a chance to experience the Horween Steerhide.

 

[Jaymig926]

Anyone have the double helix chief grizzly ? Haven’t seen any real pics
Thanks in advance

 

[AeroFan_07]

My fit photos are looking pretty poor these days, I think it's time for some updates.

Meanwhile, an unusually warm Friday in January calls for wearing the vintage '50's Bates for a bit.

 

[Jiaward]

Recently acquired this cool Joo-Kay from TFL legend @ton312 - who did a great job re-dyeing his it. Really a bit too cold for it today but wore it for a 10 minute lunch walk.

Made for you. Looks great.

 

[Tom71]

That looks amazing Tom, and the fit looks like a bullseye

Also that leather will look amazing with some wear, keep us updated how it ages comes time!

Cheers!

Thanks much! Yes, fits well. I chose the same size as my HH Western, but I have to say, it wears absolutely different. Much more natural drape (to the extent that it’s actually irritating to not have the inherent structure of the horse), and a lot of give, so I can easily layer over a sweatshirt.

I actually managed to stain it this morning, as I was hurrying to wipe the ice from my wife’s car and repeatedly brushed against some trees. Not a big deal, but Patina is on its way…

 

[floater]

Thanks much! Yes, fits well. I chose the same size as my HH Western, but I have to say, it wears absolutely different. Much more natural drape (to the extent that it’s actually irritating to not have the inherent structure of the horse), and a lot of give, so I can easily layer over a sweatshirt.

I actually managed to stain it this morning, as I was hurrying to wipe the ice from my wife’s car and repeatedly brushed against some trees. Not a big deal, but Patina is on its way…

Why do you find it irritating?

I have a deerskin shacket as well, but it’s only like 1.4mm, and I love the drape and the silhouette of the pattern, fits close to my body but still very flexible when wearing it.

Otoh, I’ve been hesitant to get the shop’s olive eco horse shacket because, even though I love the color and how I’ve seen it age on TJ, I assume a tight shacket fit would be a bit uncomfortable in stiff hh vs deerskin, have you found it to be the other way around?

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Just got the LW LT/B in the mail from @JMax, who graciously shipped it right away.

I’m a bit of a LW fan and like most of their stuff, but this one just set a whole new level for me.

Feels like wearing a piece of art, but I don’t need to worry about handling it with kid gloves.

Going full bellhop mode.

 

[Jiaward]

Like a glove. Congrats on that one.

 

[Tom71]

Why do you find it irritating?

I have a deerskin shacket as well, but it’s only like 1.4mm, and I love the drape and the silhouette of the pattern, fits close to my body but still very flexible when wearing it.

Otoh, I’ve been hesitant to get the shop’s olive eco horse shacket because, even though I love the color and how I’ve seen it age on TJ, I assume a tight shacket fit would be a bit uncomfortable in stiff hh vs deerskin, have you found it to be the other way around?

Haha, fair comments!

I think we are both right:

For me leather equals protection, ruggedness, something bold, durable.

The deerskin is soft, pleasing, marks easily and the shirt/shacket is all together a luxury piece of clothing.
I like it a lot, but it takes getting used to the appearance of delicacy. As I said, I never handled deerskin on a jacket. While I “know” from my Lederhosen, that deer is as sturdy and hard wearing as can be, it doesn’t “feel” that way yet.

Of course, if you’re used to these specific properties of deerskin, you will find a stiff horsehide to be a challenge to drape and adopt to your body.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Branded Crosszip just landed - so able to take advantage of an afternoon in the 40's - but will be 0F Saturday evening.

 

[torfjord]

Just got the LW LT/B in the mail from @JMax, who graciously shipped it right away.

I’m a “bit” of a LW fan and like most of their stuff, but this one just set a whole new level for me.

Feels like wearing a piece of art, but I don’t need to worry about handling it with kid gloves.

Going full bellhop mode.

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Damn. That’s perfect. The pinnacle of leather. You’re home. Can’t get cooler than that!

Branded Crosszip just landed - so able to take advantage of an afternoon in the 40's - but will be 0F Saturday evening.

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That’s a really nice, looks mighty good!

 

[lina]

Red Kap work uniform jacket. I bought this jacket probably in 1989 on a street corner in Atlanta, at a burned out gas station not far from the Federal Pen (and not far from the late lamented Harold’s barbecue!). There was a one-eyed woman selling racks of already well used workwear, and I got this jacket for three dollars. Have worn it probably thousands of times since then… Still going strong. I love it!

 

[DLBERNAU]

Thank you for the reply. I agree that Vanson always seems to use quality leather at least with the four I have owned. But I will say this Model J built in 2000 is the best and most substantial leather I have owned. Was a beast of a jacket but not practical for my use and climate so I sold it. Huge mistake.
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I had a Model J also, and agree, the leather was fantastic. It was a 52 tho, and I really need a 48, so I sold it on.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Damn. That’s perfect. The pinnacle of leather. You’re home. Can’t get cooler than that!

I'd like to tell myself that... then I make the mistake of going to the LW site and falling for another
But yes, this is perfect! Thanks

 

[AerGuitar]

My fit photos are looking pretty poor these days, I think it's time for some updates.

Meanwhile, an unusually warm Friday in January calls for wearing the vintage '50's Bates for a bit.

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If I remember correctly, you are just a few hours north of me, and yes, it’s very warm today! Great looking jackets you’ve picked for the occasion

 

[floater]

Haha, fair comments!

I think we are both right:

For me leather equals protection, ruggedness, something bold, durable.

The deerskin is soft, pleasing, marks easily and the shirt/shacket is all together a luxury piece of clothing.
I like it a lot, but it takes getting used to the appearance of delicacy. As I said, I never handled deerskin on a jacket. While I “know” from my Lederhosen, that deer is as sturdy and hard wearing as can be, it doesn’t “feel” that way yet.

Of course, if you’re used to these specific properties of deerskin, you will find a stiff horsehide to be a challenge to drape and adopt to your body.

Ok yeah now I get your perspective, so irritating in the sense that you have to be more careful with it when wearing it.

It’s definitely the most delicate of the leathers I’ve handled although I’d argue it’s harder to get stains out of light colored suede.

I’ve had my western shacket for awhile now, it’s a pale light yellow color, and my main concern has been armpit sweat stains since mine is unlined and tight fitting, but other than that I haven’t cleaned and all the normal stains and sun fading just kinda blend in nicely and even dark stains eventually fade to a lighter less noticeable color, like they say it’s always the first one that hurts the most but you already did it so now just let it ride and enjoy it.

 

[X83]

I may be the only one here as it's not really fitting the forum's style, but I am always curious if you'll ever show up wearing any Jordans instead of just leaving them in the background

Here you go Schott cafecto with Jordan 11 space jam edition

 

[Zoro]

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Here you go Schott cafecto with Jordan 11 space jam edition

Nice!! I got them but in the Low version that released a few months ago