Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

JMax · Dec 1, 2020

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
thanks for that. Makes sense. What I've been doing is looking at fit pics basically. There was a great one on WAYWT thread the other night of size 38 enfield. Messaged the member, he gave me his height and weight and it's close. But like with the Schotts, I'm either going to be on the outer edge of the smaller size, or lower edge of the bigger size.

There is a 38 Enfield on Ebay where the measurements look good for me. 22.5 ptp, almost 18 shoulder. But it's a little banged up and I think he's asking too much for it. I'd risk that if it came down in price.

Luckily in Los Angeles, it's pretty much tshirt or thin hoodie kind of thing, or I can go the other way and just decide that I have enough snug fitting jackets and just go the other direction.

I think I'm going to try the Enfield 40 and take it from there. Thought about even just ordering a new one from Vanson to see how it fits and then return it. I definitely want to get a used one that's at least started the break in journey and of course the grail is to get some of those 90s models or if lucky one of the horsehide. BTW, what are the giveaways for the 90s stuff. I'm guessing Talon zips? I remember seeing something about the serial numbers too. Like you wanted a 4 digit or lower 5 digit number to be in the sweet spot.

My sweet spot for a jacket like the Chopper is a size 43. In between, like you. It can be a tough place to live. But it’s not the case with other Vanson jackets. Since you are buying used, not really applicable, but Vanson will work with you on new jackets.

air · Dec 1, 2020

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
I think I'm right smack in the middle of being a 38/40 on Enfield. So probably have to go 40 and treat as a layering jacket, or give it the water/dryer treatment or spend $150+ getting it altered. Ah these first world problems

You can try putting on some extra muscle ^^

Found this on grailed, I don't like the back, but if the condition is real it's about 25% of a new one
https://www.grailed.com/listings/18443196-blk-dnm-blk-dnm-leather-jacket-31

jglf · Dec 1, 2020

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
what's confusing is the jackets I'm looking at, on the Vanson site they claim there's usually 6.5 to 7 inches of ease. So a 40 size is 47 or 23.5 p2p. Which sounds gigantic. But then I've asked a few members to measure theirs, and it's more like 5 inches of ease which is a little more doable. But then like with Schotts, you get the waist and bottom hem issue.
I think I'm right smack in the middle of being a 38/40 on Enfield. So probably have to go 40 and treat as a layering jacket, or give it the water/dryer treatment or spend $150+ getting it altered. Ah these first world problems
Anyway, I got a couple things I'm watching on from some of these Japanese brokers. Getting pics of the measurements is not so easy and I'm finding same jackets with different sizes. Obviously we all know the measurement is as good as the person taking it. And then of course there's the usual variance manufacturers have, vintage sizing vs modern day sizing, etc. Jeez this is starting to suck up a lot of time LOL

Their measurements on the website is way off. I have an Oxford size 40 and p2p is 44in.

Guppy · Dec 1, 2020

JMax said:
Vanson’s ease is not a strictly number to number measurement. There is some variance based on pattern and how they design the jacket to fit (pure MC gear v something like the Enfield). Hence, some jackets that have no business fitting me purely based on a P2P measurement fit great. Years ago I received a tutorial from Constantine. Much of it since dissipated from my knowledge base. Your best bet, and you may find it unfortunate, is to own many Vanson and sort of a get a feel for what they do. Like Carlos, I have owned many, many Vanson. Only more recently have I sort of “figured Vanson out”. Unlike Carlos, I do jump around a wee bit in sizing.

Well said, and good advice.

air · Dec 1, 2020

How much do you love your children?

Monitor · Dec 1, 2020

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
what's confusing is the jackets I'm looking at, on the Vanson site they claim there's usually 6.5 to 7 inches of ease. So a 40 size is 47 or 23.5 p2p. Which sounds gigantic. But then I've asked a few members to measure theirs, and it's more like 5 inches of ease which is a little more doable. But then like with Schotts, you get the waist and bottom hem issue.
I think I'm right smack in the middle of being a 38/40 on Enfield. So probably have to go 40 and treat as a layering jacket, or give it the water/dryer treatment or spend $150+ getting it altered. Ah these first world problems
Anyway, I got a couple things I'm watching on from some of these Japanese brokers. Getting pics of the measurements is not so easy and I'm finding same jackets with different sizes. Obviously we all know the measurement is as good as the person taking it. And then of course there's the usual variance manufacturers have, vintage sizing vs modern day sizing, etc. Jeez this is starting to suck up a lot of time LOL

I don't get that sizing deal on their site either. I mean, technically, size 40 could be 23" P2P but it's usually not. In any case, what @JMax says, trial and error is your best bet, albeit not the cheapest. But one thing tho that I never got out of any other maker is that whenever I'd find a Vanson in a size I am supposed to wear, it felt like the jacket fit me absolutely perfectly. Literally like a second skin. Vanson is worth it.

dannyk · Dec 1, 2020

Can’t say enough for Vanson. As has been said will make you a custom and not charge an arm and a leg. Best value for the price.

dannyk · Dec 1, 2020

Just to reiterate a bit. Vanson’s customs aren’t cheap but they aren’t outrageous. They are willing to work with you a lot more than other top tier makers. They retain trade/sale value more than other brands. In the sense that they aren’t 2,000 to begin with and loosing 50% right off the bat. Most of them are meant to be ridden in, but even their rock n roll models are tough enough to ride in. They over the last few years have branched out into cool collabs, new Leathers, and new designs. Some will say the Comp ain’t the same and it’s not but as we found out they suffered a fire at one supplier and then a closure on the other so that part not really their fault. Really nice people who work there. When you buy one for the most part all makers will have a bad day, bad design, stupid choice, but for the most part you get exactly what you pay for every single time with them.
Edit: punctuation and spelling.

Monitor · Dec 1, 2020

Vanson is the only constant search I've always had bookmarked on eBay and I can't recall any other maker bringing me as much joy as getting that right jacket by them. I stupidly sell it later on, of course, constantly regretting doing it. Like that Cheyenne recently...

JMax · Dec 1, 2020

Monitor said:
Vanson is the only constant search I've always had bookmarked on eBay and I can't recall any other maker bringing me as much joy as getting that right jacket by them. I stupidly sell it later on, of course, constantly regretting doing it. Like that Cheyenne recently...

Wait, that killer Cheyenne is gone? Say it ain’t so. Mine is one I rarely wear, but can’t seem to let go. Close a time or two, but chicken out and in the closet it remains. Awesome jacket, out of the old, primo CW.

dannyk · Dec 1, 2020

Monitor said:
Vanson is the only constant search I've always had bookmarked on eBay and I can't recall any other maker bringing me as much joy as getting that right jacket by them. I stupidly sell it later on, of course, constantly regretting doing it. Like that Cheyenne recently...

Every one in a while you’ll hop on eBay or grailed and see some custom, or Japan market, or Collab you didn’t know about it and drool over it. Love when that happens. Then I hate myself cause I’m poor ha

Monitor · Dec 1, 2020

JMax said:
Wait, that killer Cheyenne is gone? Say it ain’t so. Mine is one I rarely wear, but can’t seem to let go. Close a time or two, but chicken out and in the closet it remains. Awesome jacket, out of the old, primo CW.

Gone...

It was too large for me to start with and I was only getting thinner. And I needed money for the stupid LW. Retrospectively, of course, I deeply regret selling it. It was a mean jacket in the best hide possible.

Stupid decision like any other I've made.

JMax · Dec 1, 2020

Monitor said:
Gone...

It was too large for me to start with and I was only getting thinner. And I needed money for the stupid LW. Retrospectively, of course, I deeply regret selling it. It was a mean jacket in the best hide possible.

Stupid decision like any other I've made.

You’ve lost a good deal of weight. That’s great. Refresh my memory, the Cheyenne was a 44? I bet you’ve slimmed past my 42 down to a 40?

Monitor · Dec 1, 2020

JMax said:
You’ve lost a good deal of weight. That’s great. Refresh my memory, the Cheyenne was a 44? I bet you’ve slimmed past my 42 down to a 40?

38 going to 36. I wanna fit Japanese sizes.

That jacket was a custom and didn't have a tag, I think but I was guessing it was a size 44-46. It was huge on me but very short, so it worked.

jonbuilder · Dec 1, 2020

jonbuilder said:
I ask the seller for measurements, do not know why as I am not buying jackets I have three for sale myself.

here they are
Jacket flat on the ground with the zipper closed:
-shoulder to shoulder: approx 49 cm
Pit to pit: approx 57 cm
Sleeves: approx 63 cm
Length (taken from the backside under collar to end jacket): approx 64 cm

Graemsay · Dec 2, 2020

Sixties suede café racer. It is a pretty small size (19.75” pit-to-pit).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-leather-Suede-Jacket-1960s-Custom-Cafe-Racer-Small/203094372019

Kubatu · Dec 2, 2020

Sugarcane Horsehide jacket on Yahoo Japan auctions. Only around $90~ atm, but I would be shocked if it didn't go up significantly. Ends tomorrow morning (EST).

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w427513849

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead · Dec 2, 2020

wow that's nice. How's the sizing? Is it like Japanese dimensions where a 38 is really like infant size

I don't trust the numbers they give on those auction sites and good luck getting pictures of the tape. So you really need to know what you're buying.

Kubatu · Dec 2, 2020

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
wow that's nice. How's the sizing? Is it like Japanese dimensions where a 38 is really like infant size

I don't trust the numbers they give on those auction sites and good luck getting pictures of the tape. So you really need to know what you're buying.

The listing had these measurements:

Length: 61
Shoulder width: 45
Width: 53
Sleeve length: 61 Since it is an
amateur measurement, please forgive some errors.

Which translates to 24.01 length, 17.71 shoulder, 20.87 width (chest?), and 24.06 sleeves. Standard for a 38 size, I think, but yeah some measurements are sometimes extremely small, and with no return policy on a pricier international item, it is a bit of a gamble.

When I was using the auction sites earlier, there seems to be so many pairs of really nice leather pants, like Vanson, lost worlds, for below $50, but they were all like...size 26 and 27.

jonesy86 · Dec 2, 2020

Monitor said:
@dannyk , I don't have an account either but it works fine for me. Maybe AdBlock has something to do with it?

Shirt is perfect, even has gussets. Price is high.

https://www.grailed.com/listings/17...-hearts-riders-leather-black-jacket-eu46-eu48

Kinda thin.

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