Lewis Leathers Super Monza Custom

Initial pics of my grail jacket:

A white leather jacket? You are much braver than I am...

Wow. Beautiful jacket. The white makes all the jacket details pop. Looks like what a deity would use for riding

Would love to hear how you plan to use it--for riding I assume. A bike with a white color scheme? The new Moto Guzzi V7 has a white color scheme, so I'm picturing how that would look. A club with a white color scheme? Is white the new black?

Sorry, I can picture it peppered with the various colours of insect insides... Looks good tho.

Usage for the Monza

Thanks for the compliments. In the colder months here in SoCal I plan to be able to drive opentop with a skullcap on. My opentop is a racing version without any softop ability, so when the hardtop is removed, its off for good. 65F feels like 60 and 60F feels like 55F when the windchill is on at speed. This will be fun.



Bug splats won't be problem, but dirt/dust/exhaust may well be. I applied a matte coat of Cole Haan leather protectant to enable easier cleaning, but I am still trying to identify the optimal way to clean the seams (probably with a detail brush), and the lining at home. I don't know if I can trust the leather cleaners with my rather unique finished jacket. Or I can let it age naturally and with normal use, as to build character. I feel the sky's the limit and we'll see how much time I have on my hands to play around with my hobby
I've been researching the advantages of white leather over black under the sun and all studies point to white running droves cooler because white dye inherently reflects 80 of light (causing 50% of the heat buildup). Black reflects only 5%. The other half of the equation causing heating is basically IR spectrum under sun exposure which cannot be seen visually by the eye, so this comparison is assuming both white and black leather is similar in its IR reflectance capability, a caveat that has to be verified. When standard black leather dyes and top coat is applied that it heats up so much. There are new dyes made that reduces IR spectrum. That coloring system on the market is TFL and aims to make black leather as cool as white, not quite but close by making gains in the IR spectrum. Imagine White TFL that makes gains in reflectance in both visible light and in IR spectrum. That would be the ultimate cool jacket. It would be great if LL used that system, but that has some UV resistance issues even by TFL's own product description. I've yet to do an experiment with my other LL jacket (a black Sportsman). I want to measure internal temp and surface temp of both color jackets at specific durations in the California sun. I need to dig out my thermometers to do the experiment. More later.

First Wearing-In at home

Lounging around at home, looking at my jackets, I decided to put the Monza on for a first wearing in. It hasn't molded to my torso yet, and the initial fit is very new and sterile, unpersonalized in a way. The styling along with the color is decidedly motorsport. I realize that most of the talk here is more vintage based. My current interest is in the modern with homage to vintage design. The sizing is exactly as I asked for and dealing with Derek in England was most pleasant. As a matter of fact I am very surprised at the accuracy of the sizing and fit given the concise sizing notes exchanged: Chest/Height/weight/overall build and the original factory order number of the LL Sportsman that I also have were the basis of the sizing for this Super Monza. I hope to get some pics with the jacket in action outdoors sometime. Opinions welcomed.

May you not go crazy trying to maintain its clean looks.

Congrats! I will be in London in a few weeks and plan to meet Derek at LL and get measured up for a Monza and a pair of Westway boots. BTW, your jacket seems to fit a bit loose. Did you ask for a more relaxed fit or is that how they normally fit? I will use mine for riding my motorcycle, and want a very slim cut to keep out the wind. Other LL jacket owners care to comment on the fit of their jackets?

I'll post pics of my Sportsman 68 and the crazy thing is the jacket is like another layer of skin. My biceps, if I flex, can be seen . . . crazy.

That is a sweet jacket. I have a white cotton cafe racer style jacket, every time I wear it I'm scared as hell I'm going to soil it. It will look very bad ass in that car.

Thanks for the input

Thanks for the input and compliments,
Yes, my intention was to have a well tailored jacket for driving open top. I would recommend a more snug fit if used for fall protection specifically. We'll I never got around to owning / riding a motorcycle but was introduced to cycle gear by friends who ride and as a speedboard freak myself, I have a set of very snug full leathers and helmet for bombing down hills. I knew that the jacket would not be tight on me as I chose a 38 base and I am 37 chest with 30 waist and small frame. I would say that a person with average build would be snug for LL leathers. My sportsman feels the same, but lighter because its shorter and has less material ( no lancer front, double straps, etc.). I am still wearing in my Sportsman and will get to the Monza eventually. Even with a normal fit these jackets need to be worn in in order to mold to the individuals movements. As the jacket wears in it will look more relaxed.
Also, LL has tight fit version of their jackets as well for the punk look
BR

London

sammy said:

Congrats! I will be in London in a few weeks and plan to meet Derek at LL and get measured up for a Monza and a pair of Westway boots. BTW, your jacket seems to fit a bit loose. Did you ask for a more relaxed fit or is that how they normally fit? I will use mine for riding my motorcycle, and want a very slim cut to keep out the wind. Other LL jacket owners care to comment on the fit of their jackets?

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Boy I wish I could have visited their shop. Just let Derek know what your intended use is and he'll fit you right up. Enjoy your visit and do let him know that his white Super Monza customer from California says Hi!

White garments- care

goldendawn7 said:

That is a sweet jacket. I have a white cotton cafe racer style jacket, every time I wear it I'm scared as hell I'm going to soil it. It will look very bad ass in that car.

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Thanks!
Yeah, white can be a pain to maintain. I don't mind the normal aging and wear that will creep up, but to keep disasters from happening, I have dressed the leather and put leather protectant to increase its soiling, water, and stain resistance. In your case, white cotton, suggest using Scotchgard fabric protector before you go to town with your cotton jacket. That way, cleaning will be a snap and you won't have to worry about staining so badly as to render a white garment unpresentable.

Best Regards.

I'd have been frightened off the white myself due to my perception that it would be difficult to keep clean, but it really is a very striking look. Not that many of them around.... the last prominent one I can remember was the (Brando style) one sported by the lead in Ashes to Ashes, the 80s-set 'sequel' to Life on Mars.

Nice! Unique! Good for you! Actually, I think a natural aging process for that jacket, whatever it might entail could be prove quite interesting. Are you going to wear that one in the shower?lol




dean

Remember that Lewis leathers will be moving later this month to larger showrooms so check their site incase they are in the process of moving and closed.

Only in SoCal lol!

I cant even keep a tshirt white, good luck with that, hopefully it lasts longer for you than it would for me!

I'd like to know how this jacket has aged.

wooooooooooooooow.

I need this at some point in my life

Time flies. Just decided to get back on Fed Lounge after years of work work work :^). To that last comment, just do it and get it out of your system! I no longer have the car but still have the jacket. The jacket has done so well on my motorbike and the memories made are very fulfilling. I may put it on this weekend to celebrate this being one of my first serious leather pieces