Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[Jon Crow]

There's almost certainly companies in India that will make you a nicer leather jacket at that price point than we're paying much more for in the West.


Unfortunately, we have no one out there who can give you specific recommendations. Maybe the guys at Thedi could make a recommendation, if you give your background/context? I think they'd realise you're not trying to get a Thedi on the cheap or something; you are a local customer looking for a jacket.

(Theodoros used to manage a Harley Davidson leather factory in India.)

ARK leather is Indian I believe

 

[Zoo]

The attached leather tag identifies it as CSC.

I appreciate your input. My earlier question wasn't clear. I was wondering how often they used a size 14 tag in jackets. Did they even make kids sizes? Thanks!

 

[tmitchell59]

I was wondering how often they used a size 14 tag in jackets. Did they even make kids sizes

Yes, they did make Kids size leather jackets. They show up occasionally. The measurements are odd, 19 inch shoulders and a 20 inch pitt. The way it hangs on the hanger is an adult jacket, perhaps it is 44 instead of a 14. I would want to see the tape on the jacket to know before I bought.

 

[Faris]

There's almost certainly companies in India that will make you a nicer leather jacket at that price point than we're paying much more for in the West.


Unfortunately, we have no one out there who can give you specific recommendations. Maybe the guys at Thedi could make a recommendation, if you give your background/context? I think they'd realise you're not trying to get a Thedi on the cheap or something; you are a local customer looking for a jacket.

(Theodoros used to manage a Harley Davidson leather factory in India.)

Leather makers in India use poor quality & largely split (thin) leather. Animals aren’t the best fed & their living conditions ain’t the best either.

Didn’t understand the Thedi part. You mean I should contact Thedi leathers to get recommendations on Indian made jackets?

 

[Faris]

At chest size 36 and preference for brand new jackets like you told me, there aren’t any high quality brands I can recommend at $400-500 range. For used jackets, you can look into vintage or the Japanese market.

Leather jackets are highly durable, and take a long time to break in. Buying new is kind of a waste tbh. It’s much like buying a car—better to buy used to avoid paying for marketing, rent for the dealership, etc.

Crush on Retro and 5 Star leather seem to fall in the 400-500$ range for horsehide / deerskin. Would you recommend?

 

[jchance]

Crush on Retro and 5 Star leather seem to fall in the 400-500$ range for horsehide / deerskin. Would you recommend?

No, I don’t see how those made-in-China or made-in-Pakistan leather jackets would be any different than made-in-India leather jackets locally available to you for inspection. Why don’t you like made-in-India leather jackets?

 

[Faris]

No, I don’t see how those made-in-China or made-in-Pakistan leather jackets would be any different than made-in-India leather jackets locally available to you for inspection. Why don’t you like made-in-India leather jackets?

5-Star leather is made in USA I think.

I dont prefer made in India jackets because -

1. Poor quality leather (too much splitting, grain correcting)
2. Animal isnt well fed
3. Poor living conditions/standards of the animal
4. Majority of the decent quality leather is exported to fast fashion brands like All Saints, Diesel, M&S etc
5*. One benefit of point 4. - export surplus jackets can be purchased for 50-60$ from the same brands

 

[jchance]

5-Star leather is made in USA I think.

I dont prefer made in India jackets because -

1. Poor quality leather (too much splitting, grain correcting)
2. Animal isnt well fed
3. Poor living conditions/standards of the animal
4. Majority of the decent quality leather is exported to fast fashion brands like All Saints, Diesel, M&S etc
5*. One benefit of point 4. - export surplus jackets can be purchased for 50-60$ from the same brands

Nope, made in Pakistan. Labor cost in the US would drive the price to at least $1500-2500 for a leather jacket.

#1 can be fixed by importing your own leather and then use a local artisan. The rest has nothing to do with the final product of leather jacket.

As I said, made in China, Pakistan, and India leather jackets are not much different and essentially the same. At $400-500 new, you get what you pay for.

 

[Faris]

Nope, made in Pakistan. Labor cost in the US would drive the price to at least $1500-2500 for a leather jacket.

#1 can be fixed by importing your own leather and then use a local artisan. The rest has nothing to do with the final product of leather jacket.

As I said, made in China, Pakistan, and India leather jackets are not much different and essentially the same. At $400-500 new, you get what you pay for.

Your suggestion of importing the leather is indeed a good one. Will look into it (God-Willing)

 

[Aloysius]

Leather makers in India use poor quality & largely split (thin) leather. Animals aren’t the best fed & their living conditions ain’t the best either.

India has great leather makers; they just aren't selling to the local market but direct for overseas companies. Similar situation with Pakistan and other places. Like no one in a hot Southeast Asian country is going to wear one of the super warm RRL shirts that is made there.

Didn’t understand the Thedi part. You mean I should contact Thedi leathers to get recommendations on Indian made jackets?

It probably won't work, but just in case. Theodoros (Thedi) used to run Harley Davidson's leather jacket manufacturing in India, so he might know some good makers you could go to.

Crush on Retro and 5 Star leather seem to fall in the 400-500$ range for horsehide / deerskin. Would you recommend?

Not familiar with the first; as for the latter, I don't think India would let you import something direct from Pakistan.

 

[Zoro]

Not familiar with the first

The first (Crush On Retro) is a Chinese middleman (aka reseller) of a myriad of Chinese makers. Same as Tailor Brando.

 

[Faris]

G1 Flight

Is this authentic & how much do they go for?

Jacket is super heavy weight (around 3kgs). Looks like full grain goatskin but has the thickness of cowhide. Removable liner, functional internal pockets for pens & knives. Hand warmer pockets seem to be lined by moleskin.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

G1 Flight

Is this authentic & how much do they go for?

Jacket is super heavy weight (around 3kgs). Looks like full grain goatskin but has the thickness of cowhide. Removable liner, functional internal pockets for pens & knives. Hand warmer pockets seem to be lined by moleskin.

Not authentic in the sense that no G-1 was ever issued by the U.S. Navy with a zip-out liner.

They've also never had hand warmer pockets.

This is probably cowhide made to look like goat. Fake fur color.

Jackets are worth what people will pay for them. I would not purchase this one, so to me it's worth zero. But if you want hand warmers and a zip-out liner, then this one looks fine. I reckon 50-80 USD is a fair price.

 

[Faris]

Not authentic in the sense that no G-1 was ever issued by the U.S. Navy with a zip-out liner.

They've also never had hand warmer pockets.

This is probably cowhide made to look like goat. Fake fur color.

Jackets are worth what people will pay for them. I would not purchase this one, so to me it's worth zero. But if you want hand warmers and a zip-out liner, then this one looks fine. I reckon 50-80 USD is a fair price.

Makes sense, appreciate the knowledge.
I have seen similar jackets posted for 500$ or more on eBay & thought were overly priced.

There’s a B-3 that I would like to share as well. Hope you can help.

 

[tapado power]

1- Buco J31
2-Buco JH1
3-Late 40's Buco J21
4-Buco J23 (Whool lining)
5-Buco J24
...

I have one with their vintage, reddish wool lining, which Stu used to offer. I will put it for sale.

 

[Bfd70]

Nope, made in Pakistan. Labor cost in the US would drive the price to at least $1500-2500 for a leather jacket.

#1 can be fixed by importing your own leather and then use a local artisan. The rest has nothing to do with the final product of leather jacket.

As I said, made in China, Pakistan, and India leather jackets are not much different and essentially the same. At $400-500 new, you get what you pay for.

Schott and Vanson are made in the US and can be had for $900

 

[Faris]

@The Lost Cowboy
Here’s the B-3 I wanted you to see. I am guessing this isn’t authentic because black dye & has hand warmer pockets instead of patch. Definitely is sheep fur inside (passed the hair burn test).

Also, 2nd pic the lining fur has some bald patches (detached fur) which shows the finer hair follicles & animal grain below the fur.
I was wondering how come the main body of the jacket has grain if the fur is on the lining.

Could it be that fur is separate leather attached to grain side of another leather because ideally jacket should be fur inside & sanded roughout outside

3rd pick is the underside of the hand pocket fur lining, which also looks somewhat like undyed sheep hair that has been trimmed.

 

[Hoanglong]

I just bought this jacket Schott 618 for $120 (custom print on the back by the previous owner). I've never seen this type of zipper before. Does anyone know when it was manufactured and any other information about it?

 

[Rick Dalton]

What model is it? I’ve never seen that one. According to the seller, it’s a modified Bootlegger (??). The back looks like a Schott Perfecto. There are some scratches on the shoulder, noticeable color fading/loss, and white spots on the collar and shoulder. How would you rate its condition?

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

@The Lost Cowboy
Here’s the B-3 I wanted you to see. I am guessing this isn’t authentic because black dye & has hand warmer pockets instead of patch. Definitely is sheep fur inside (passed the hair burn test).

Also, 2nd pic the lining fur has some bald patches (detached fur) which shows the finer hair follicles & animal grain below the fur.
I was wondering how come the main body of the jacket has grain if the fur is on the lining.

Could it be that fur is separate leather attached to grain side of another leather because ideally jacket should be fur inside & sanded roughout outside

3rd pick is the underside of the hand pocket fur lining, which also looks somewhat like undyed sheep hair that has been trimmed.

I'm really sorry, I don't know anything about these jackets. Hopefully someone else can help you!