Five Star Leather Jackets

[gunnarthefeisty]

Yes, because John Chapman's listings on his sales page are infrequent and are typically sold within minutes or hours of being posted. It's a byproduct of getting the chance to purchase a Good Wear without the 1.5+ year wait. The demand for his jackets is high enough that many are sold before even being listed.

The jackets that are listed are mostly sizing returns in new condition, pre-owned GW jackets, or originals. Some of his original jackets and jackets from other repro manufacturers don't turn over quite as quickly. There's a Buzz Rickson MA-1 and an original FO M-422A that have been available for a couple months now.

Gotcha, thanks. Sadly both of them are far too large for me.

 

[troika]

Based on Celine

Instructions

QA Email

Outcome

 

[troika]

For those who have gotten the 5* capeskin - is it pretty close to the kinda shiny thin lambskin that designer brands use? If not, any other leather recs?

(I fully recognize that the style may not be the preference on this forum, but hopefully the spirit of the question is!)

 

[MrProper]

For those who have gotten the 5* capeskin - is it pretty close to the kinda shiny thin lambskin that designer brands use? If not, any other leather recs?

(I fully recognize that the style may not be the preference on this forum, but hopefully the spirit of the question is!)

View attachment 777679 View attachment 777680

Unless 5* has significantly improved its Capeskin in recent years, I would strongly advise against it.

 

[Harris HTM]

Unless 5* has significantly improved its Capeskin in recent years, I would strongly advise against it.

According to the vlj members 5star developped a new much better capeskin for their a1 offerings

 

[MrProper]

According to the vlj members 5star developped a new much better capeskin for their a1 offerings

Interesting. Thanks for the info. That was sorely needed, because the version I received was the worst you could imagine. Nobody would have thought for a moment that this was leather

 

[Harris HTM]

Interesting. Thanks for the info. That was sorely needed, because the version I received was the worst you could imagine. Nobody would have thought for a moment that this was leather

@coolhandluke_7 owns one
Post in thread 'Five Star Leather Jackets' https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/five-star-leather-jackets.101762/post-3235398

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Unless 5* has significantly improved its Capeskin in recent years, I would strongly advise against it.

Like @Harris HTM mentioned, the new 5* A-1 that's labeled as "premium capeskin" is actually a very nice quality, authentic capeskin. I believe that Shawn inspected an A-1 from a top manufacturer and sourced a hide that was a close match.

I've patched mine and replaced the buttons and it's a banger of a jacket. Especially when considering the cost. Nearly all of my reproduction military jackets are Good Wear and ELC, so I am definitely not out shilling for a sub-par piece.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

For those who have gotten the 5* capeskin - is it pretty close to the kinda shiny thin lambskin that designer brands use? If not, any other leather recs?

(I fully recognize that the style may not be the preference on this forum, but hopefully the spirit of the question is!)

View attachment 777679 View attachment 777680

The new premium russet capeskin does not carry a shiny, plastic top coat finish. It's mostly matte in appearance with a small amount of sheen. It is a fairly thin hide (as it should be) and is extremely soft and supple. It's honestly a nice quality capeskin. Not at all like designer/ mall jacket leathers or budget Chinese or Pakistani hides.

 

[Camel24hrs]

The new premium russet capeskin does not carry a shiny, plastic top coat finish. It's mostly matte in appearance with a small amount of sheen. It is a fairly thin hide (as it should be) and is extremely soft and supple. It's honestly a nice quality capeskin. Not at all like designer/ mall jacket leathers or budget Chinese or Pakistani hides.

View attachment 777891

From guys I know from VLJ, Shawn finally had a winner. I have seen plenty of pictures of guys with them and they are sweet looking jackets. Leather appears to be fantastic. I would touch five star A2s but I’d certainly go for his A1 in that cape skin.

 

[Gas - Stone]

I got a nice half belt in the reddish brown horse (thanks camel24hrs). I am also very interested in either their steerhide or goatskin.

Does anybody have a jacket in their reddish brown goat? Also curious in the russet or distressed brown steerhide (it looks mossy green which is odd and It's difficult to find images of finished products)
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Can you share more pictures and details of the jacket leather please? I'm trying to figure out a potential purchase from 5* - thanks

 

[jojothenorthstar]

Can you share more pictures and details of the jacket leather please? I'm trying to figure out a potential purchase from 5* - thanks

Sure, is there anything you're particularly interested in? I asked for a pleated back, and brass hardware. I'd recommend adding 1-2 inches on the chest and waist since this is a slim fitting jacket but that's personal preference. Also, he did NOT add a pull tab because I neglected to ask. I had assumed it would be on by default so make sure you ask for that if you want one.

I really like the grain and the color, there's no major issues aside from being stiff, but it softened enough relatively quickly.

 

[Gas - Stone]

Sure, is there anything you're particularly interested in? I asked for a pleated back, and brass hardware. I'd recommend adding 1-2 inches on the chest and waist since this is a slim fitting jacket but that's personal preference. Also, he did NOT add a pull tab because I neglected to ask. I had assumed it would be on by default so make sure you ask for that if you want one.

I really like the grain and the color, there's no major issues aside from being stiff, but it softened enough relatively quickly.

What leather did you choose - their horse hide seems nice in picture and the brown CxL looks great.

 

[jojothenorthstar]

What leather did you choose - their horse hide seems nice in picture and the brown CxL looks great.

reddish brown horse. It's a wonderful color IMO, really nice blend of both. It's a more on the brown side without the red overpowering it which is exactly what I had wanted

 

[Gas - Stone]

reddish brown horse. It's a wonderful color IMO, really nice blend of both. It's a more on the brown side without the red overpowering it which is exactly what I had wanted

Nice - I was looking at their HH brown pull up - any ugly smell ? As many have mentioned that - thanks

 

[jojothenorthstar]

Nice - I was looking at their HH brown pull up - any ugly smell ? As many have mentioned that - thanks

nope, it smelled like new leather, but not unpleasant in the slightest. very happy with it, aside from my error on not sizing (just an inch or so)

 

[tweedydon]

The new premium russet capeskin does not carry a shiny, plastic top coat finish. It's mostly matte in appearance with a small amount of sheen. It is a fairly thin hide (as it should be) and is extremely soft and supple. It's honestly a nice quality capeskin. Not at all like designer/ mall jacket leathers or budget Chinese or Pakistani hides.

View attachment 777891

That’s a great cap! Maker?

 

[coolhandluke_7]

That’s a great cap! Maker?

Thanks! The cap is just from Peaky Hat, but it is one of their nicer models that's made from Harris tweed.

https://www.peakyhat.com/products/t...eA5aOIioHn5P8j5phI0pMxbjYOQiZRlgDeX16BnFi1_5k

 

[Camel24hrs]

My five stars (had 5 of them) had a chemical odor to them, but it was slight. And being chrome tanned that is to be expected. After about a week that left.
My Eastman jackets being fully vegetable tanned and aniline dyed had that wonderful strong leather smell that you find in high end leather. After having two of them for over a year they still have that wonderful old time leather smell to them.

 

[ABCD]

Compared to my Aero Highwayman (FQHH) and my Thunderbay, this FiveStar feels... well, "plastic-y". It has that flat, "milk chocolate" look that doesn't seem to have any soul.

I’m a big fan of my Aero and B3 collection, so my bar for "good leather" is quite high, and this one is currently failing the test!

Just to double check, you are surprised that your entry level budget jacket isn't as nice as your Horween horsehide Aero jackets?