Taubers Horsehide in Northern California

If you wear a size Small, live in or near Central California (not quite Northern but North of where I am....) and have some negotiating skills, you're welcome (and Damn you for getting all the cool jackets!!!!!)

It was still there yesterday when I texted the owner. Yep, Craigslist.......

Good luck.....

https://merced.craigslist.org/clo/d/merced-motorcycle-jacket/6779528315.html

REALLY wish I wore a size small!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel you brother. The struggle is REAL.....

I even have lost some weight so I'm at 5'11"-6'0" and 164 yet when it comes to vintage clothing, I might as well be Shaquille O'neal. I can understand that Americans were perhaps leaner in the Olden days before Cheetos and Chick-Fil-A became staples of the national diet creating Girthier people. But CMON MAN!!!!!!! I am not a giant by any means. Same size as my Dad and granddad but when it comes to wearing their clothes, I gotta find a L-XL in the 44-50 range depending on the age.

What the hell was going on back then anyway??? I know about WWII and the Great Depression and certainly there is more excess in our modern age but America wasn't a land of midgets (no offense to midgets or anything) so what gives with the tiny sizes??? Even accounting for a more snug fit back in the day, these old sizes are ridiculously small and they haven't shrunken either over time.

At any rate, pardon my mini faux rant. I know a good deal of us are in the same boat. The boat full of guys who have smaller friends that get all the cool vintage stuff!!!!! Crikey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I first started buying old jackets, I was stoked just to find em only to find their size was too small. Now my initial response is way more tempered. I don't even get my hopes up until I can get to the measurements.

Alas, I can reach the ornate margarita glasses no one ever uses on the very tippy top shelf in my kitchen cabinets but my shorter buddy gets the never ending jackpot windfall of Vintage apparel......not a fair trade at all!!!!

I hear you Clay. I’m 6’1” and weigh about 210. I am always on the hunt for Langlitz and Cal Leather jackets but they almost never appear in a size 46 with the length I need.

El Marro said:

I hear you Clay. I’m 6’1” and weigh about 210. I am always on the hunt for Langlitz and Cal Leather jackets but they almost never appear in a size 46 with the length I need.

Click to expand...

Add in the vintage factor....... if you are currently a true 46 you need to find like a 50 if you are looking for older stuff.

The hunt certainly is complicated by sizing. "Bigger" sizes rarely appear. Its part of the pursuit man!!

At 5-9, 153, I'm one of the lucky ones who can often fit in vintage pieces, when I find them

I have noticed when looking at WWII uniforms in vintage clothing stores that they're almost always sized for men with smaller proportions. The enlistees were younger (late teens, early 20s) and I'm convinced people are simply bigger today, probably due to dietary factors.

El Marro said:

I hear you Clay. I’m 6’1” and weigh about 210. I am always on the hunt for Langlitz and Cal Leather jackets but they almost never appear in a size 46 with the length I need.

Click to expand...

BTW, I have a near mint condition Aldens that is sort of a "Perfecto" design and I believe its either a 46 or a 48. I am going to list it to sell soon. Obviously not a Langlitz or Cal but it is a larger size than I normally see in older jackets. If you are interested, let me know and I can send specs and pics.

Gamma68 said:

At 5-9, 153, I'm one of the lucky ones who can often fit in vintage pieces, when I find them

I have noticed when looking at WWII uniforms in vintage clothing stores that they're almost always sized for men with smaller proportions. The enlistees were younger (late teens, early 20s) and I'm convinced people are simply bigger today, probably due to dietary factors.

Click to expand...

Man, regarding your size, you are like the Tony Montana of Vintage: THE WORLD IS YOURS!! You can definitely source some fine items my friend. It seems like every nice jacket for sale these days is a size 40!!!!

As to the military sizing--this is a good observation. Surely WWII and all military are made for young men who are likely in pretty lean & mean shape. Interestingly, my Dad's old Army Dress attire from the Army when he was in Vietnam was too small for me when I was in the 8th grade.

Fwiw

https://www.quora.com/How-tall-was-an-average-American-soldier

And
While ya’ll may not get to score great vintage pieces, EXACTLY 3.867% of the awesome jackets in TFL classifieds are sized for me at 5’10 150#

Bfd70 said:

Fwiw

https://www.quora.com/How-tall-was-an-average-American-soldier

And
While ya’ll may not get to score great vintage pieces, EXACTLY 3.867% of the awesome jackets in TFL classifieds are sized for me at 5’10 150#

Click to expand...

Really interesting man. Thanks for that post. Man the soldiers were little dudes back in the day!!!!!!!!!!

If you're at 3.867% brother, I think I'm in the 2% range!!!! We're all lookin for that Leather Jacket that the random and rare TALL & FAT SOLDIER wore. And the Taller and Fatter guys made bigger targets so not many jackets like that goin around these days for obvious reasons.

Gamma68 said:

At 5-9, 153, I'm one of the lucky ones who can often fit in vintage pieces, when I find them

Click to expand...

Bfd70 said:

While ya’ll may not get to score great vintage pieces, EXACTLY 3.867% of the awesome jackets in TFL classifieds are sized for me at 5’10 150#

Click to expand...

I'm right there with you guys at 5'9 150-155 (currently 151). I know specific dimensions are subjective to each maker and jacket but I've been starting to look at vintage pieces after securing my first leather jacket, a practically new Aero 30s HB a few months ago (size 38). Generally speaking, would you guys recommend a 38 or 40 for vintage? I was thinking maybe an old Brooks gold label cafe racer. Although I've searched more for a 38 I've read they fit small, so maybe I should look for a 40? Any input would be much appreciated.

Apologies @Claybertrand for hijacking this thread.

TheOldFashioned said:

I'm right there with you guys at 5'9 150-155 (currently 151). I know specific dimensions are subjective to each maker and jacket but I've been starting to look at vintage pieces after securing my first leather jacket, a practically new Aero 30s HB a few months ago (size 38). Generally speaking, would you guys recommend a 38 or 40 for vintage? I was thinking maybe an old Brooks gold label cafe racer. Although I've searched more for a 38 I've read they fit small, so maybe I should look for a 40? Any input would be much appreciated.

Apologies @Claybertrand for hijacking this thread.

Click to expand...

Forget looking at the label size. You need to look at the jacket measurements and know what works best for you.

I sent a text, but so far the only response was "it's a size small". Waiting to hear if they will measure it.

I'm not sure $300 is a giant score for that jacket, to be honest. Great jacket, lots of history, and the price is certainly fair, but I've seen them go for that price or less on a fairly regular basis on eBay.

Yes, I sold one that was the equivalent of probably a 38 on EBay a while back. I sure wish I could find one in a size 42.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk