Five Star Leather Jackets

[psykx]

Has anyone had a jacket made in the new CHL? Ideally the dark brown? Any pictures?

I'm tempted by a trucker jacket.

 

[Pandemic]

Long time lurker here and never really thought it worth gambling on one of these jackets. However, I’ve started to jones for a thick sheepskin Lee 10J (after seeing @Tomwiththeweather ’s original).

I could send them a cotton 101J that fits me well and tell them to copy it in their thickest sheepskin that matches the dark natural colour of Tom’s. What do you guys think? Is this still gambling with disappointment?

 

[MrProper]

Long time lurker here and never really thought it worth gambling on one of these jackets. However, I’ve started to jones for a thick sheepskin Lee 10J (after seeing @Tomwiththeweather ’s original).

I could send them a cotton 101J that fits me well and tell them to copy it in their thickest sheepskin that matches the dark natural colour of Tom’s. What do you guys think? Is this still gambling with disappointment?

Basically, I think that 5* copies quite well. But I'm afraid only if the materials are similar. So thin leather to thin leather, denim to leather, etc. Cotton to sheepskin could be too much.
And then of course there are some things that 5* can mess up.
Do you have a picture of Tom's jacket? Then I could see what you can look out for.

Here is a Frankenstein jacket of mine. 5* was very “creative” in finding a solution to my wishes. The ****** pockets in particular made me shake my head again and again (fur in the pocket, although the wish was to use only the leather = shear off the fur). Nevertheless, this was still one of the cooler jackets out of 5*.

 

[Zoro]

Agreed, I think it's a bad gamble. I would not even say 5 Star would mess it up, but if there's something I've read over and over the thread is that they are unable to do any kind of pattern work or appropriate fitting changes.

My personal bet is that Five Star would do exactly what you ask for and thus you would end up with a jacket with the exact same measurements as the provided one but it won't fit as the original one because the thicker material will make it tighter and less roomy.

 

[Pandemic]

^
Thanks! Appreciate both your responses. This is what I would like it to look like, after sending in a cotton jacket copy:

 

[baldipino]

Thats not good. For me is about mark or quality. It is also about ethics. Badly, marks like Schott do not want to make jackets exactly for you. So, I ve looked at 5 Star. Because my shoulders are huge, Im tall - I have big problem with clothing.
Throwing things away after few wears...not good.

I have a 44" chest but a 32" waist (34" at my belly button) with a short torso and a wingspan 2" longer than my height. At 6' tall and 175lbs, finding ANYTHING off-the-rack with my weird measurements is next to impossible. Cafe racer style jackets never fit as a result. Besides, I've always been into 30's-50's style, with a loose fit bottom and higher waist clothing.
For that reason, I gave FiveStar a chance. My wife and I do our best, but I unfortunately do not have the income to buy a nice, used, high-end jacket with my odd body proportions, much less a new bespoke Aero/Vanson/Thedi, et. al. And I'm envious of those who have the disposable income to purchase multiple jackets just for fun
I was looking for an Indiana Jones jacket (I cosplay/larp with my little kid as Indy and Shorty) that I could wear daily. I slowly accumulated a screen-accurate cosplay outfit including the Wested jacket from Raiders. For myself, I wanted the same basic design, but cut more boxy and short-- like a 1930's military bomber minus the epaulets and knitted sleeves/hem. Given their price point, I gambled on a customized version of their "Grail Hunter" model as it was closest to the cut and size I wanted.
I have no previous experience with buffalo hide, so I have nothing to compare it to in terms of long-term durability. Zippers and linings are easy to replace, and to me they're like tires-- no matter which brand you choose, eventually they need replacing. I will definitely be giving updates, but I'm satisfied with my jacket so far. Here's hoping it doesn't give out after a year!

 

[MrProper]

^
Thanks! Appreciate both your responses. This is what I would like it to look like, after sending in a cotton jacket copy:

View attachment 725449 View attachment 725450

The jacket is definitely cool as a sherpa/shearling. But if the base is a cotton jacket, the measurements may not fit if there is fur on the leather. Unless the cotton jacket is now sized so that you can put a thicker sweater underneath. Or you use very thin shearling. I did with a vest.

But the jacket will definitely have reinforcements because otherwise the buttons won't hold. If 5* hasn't massively improved the shearling, then the leather is very thin and the buttonholes won't hold without reinforcement. Also with this jacket it may well be that they don't shear the fur off the leather before they make pockets ;-)

I'm afraid there are a lot of potential sources of error. Try to find and address as many of them as possible. Always following the motto “if there's something to screw up, 5* will find it and screw it up”. At least as soon as something is interpretable.
Good luck.

 

[jeepTj98]

I’m addicted to buying jackets so I am always looking for good used jackets, even five star. The biggest problem I had with the jackets I purchased from five star was the leather.. yeah the fit was horrible like one arm being bigger than the other lol… but the leather smelled like I don’t know maybe a burnt tire? I understand that the price point is attractive and it’s great that they will customize a jacket for not much more money however in my opinion anything more than $200 for those jackets is too much. There are just too many great used jackets for sale for better money.

 

[psykx]

I’m addicted to buying jackets so I am always looking for good used jackets, even five star. The biggest problem I had with the jackets I purchased from five star was the leather.. yeah the fit was horrible like one arm being bigger than the other lol… but the leather smelled like I don’t know maybe a burnt tire? I understand that the price point is attractive and it’s great that they will customize a jacket for not much more money however in my opinion anything more than $200 for those jackets is too much. There are just too many great used jackets for sale for better money.

Have you tried treating the leather at all? I'm wondering if it's worth getting a jacket made from pull up leather and then using things like Saphir Crème 1925 Pommadier Cream in tobacco brown (or plum) and the pate de luxe wax, that's designed to go over the top, for that deep shine. At least chatgpt thinks it'll work and they are suitable to use on jackets. I've found a wipe down and a coat or two of "leather milk number 3" to do wonders for a jackets scent before, so maybe you'll have some luck.

Or is there another quality of the leather you don't like?

In the UK at least there doesn't seem to be anything horsehide available for anywhere near the same amount. Especially if the custom fitting comes off.

 

[Zoro]

In the UK at least there doesn't seem to be anything horsehide available for anywhere near the same amount

No western readily available jacket will ever be near what Five Star charges, that's why Five Star exists. This said, if you don't particularly want a custom fit or design, I believe the Chinese jackets are better value for similar price.

 

[psykx]

No western readily available jacket will ever be near what Five Star charges, that's why Five Star exists. This said, if you don't particularly want a custom fit or design, I believe the Chinese jackets are better value for similar price.

Do you have names? I'll take a look.

 

[Zoro]

Do you have names? I'll take a look.

Have a go through this thread - https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/chinese-leather-jackets.105232/

There's some aggregators/middlemen such as Tailor Brando, which is where I got my half belt. Otherwise you can use an agent and navigate Taobao yourself for better prices, but it's quite more work.

 

[AlbertOfTheHill]

the leather smelled like I don’t know maybe a burnt tire?

The comments about the terrible smell were a major concern when purchasing.


I can’t say the smell of my jacket is any different, or much stronger, than leather shoes.
May well have been lucky, or it’s specific to only some of their leathers.

 

[jeepTj98]

The comments about the terrible smell were a major concern when purchasing.


I can’t say the smell of my jacket is any different, or much stronger, than leather shoes.
May well have been lucky, or it’s specific to only some of their leathers.

Good deal..

 

[jeepTj98]

Have you tried treating the leather at all? I'm wondering if it's worth getting a jacket made from pull up leather and then using things like Saphir Crème 1925 Pommadier Cream in tobacco brown (or plum) and the pate de luxe wax, that's designed to go over the top, for that deep shine. At least chatgpt thinks it'll work and they are suitable to use on jackets. I've found a wipe down and a coat or two of "leather milk number 3" to do wonders for a jackets scent before, so maybe you'll have some luck.

Or is there another quality of the leather you don't like?

In the UK at least there doesn't seem to be anything horsehide available for anywhere near the same amount. Especially if the custom fitting comes off.

Yeah I have so many conditioners and creams.. honestly depends on the leather and how is was tanned. I have a schott jacket that is chromium tanned I purchased in the 80’s. It still doesn’t need any conditioner. As far as five star, I returned them immediately. Just not for me. I’m sure with proper care they can last a very long time. Leather is very durable.

 

[jeepTj98]

Do you have names? I'll take a look.

I’ve seen some of those jackets made in China and they do look good and I’m sure some of them are. Depends on your style but I’ve had great luck with used vintage jackets. I’ve even washed them very carefully in a washing machine and most of them held up very well. Vintage Sears jackets are good, most of them are. Vintage excelled jackets and of course I will always wear a schott, aero, lost worlds. If you are patient, any of those higher priced jackets clean be had for around $300-$500

 

[baldipino]

I’ve seen some of those jackets made in China and they do look good and I’m sure some of them are. Depends on your style but I’ve had great luck with used vintage jackets. I’ve even washed them very carefully in a washing machine and most of them held up very well. Vintage Sears jackets are good, most of them are. Vintage excelled jackets and of course I will always wear a schott, aero, lost worlds. If you are patient, any of those higher priced jackets clean be had for around $300-$500

I would absolutely love to find a used/vintage jacket of top-tier quality that fits my odd proportions. Anything that fits my waist is ridiculously tight at my chest. Anything that fits my chest tends to be far too loose around the middle, with the exceptions of short hemmed jackets (again, I'm 6' and a 26" length is pretty much a car coat on me) with a tapered middle. And having rediscovered the joy of pleated, high waist trousers, the jacket options for those on a budget are scant. And since I realize education costs, I'm willing to take the 'F' for trying a new class with which I was unfamiliar, though electives are costly. At this point, the tuition gamble is worth it. We'll see come midterms

 

[baldipino]

Nice write up @baldipino! Glad you are satisfied with the result.
Looking forward to some pictures as well, including fit pics.

This is a good example of what to expect from 5 start - they "notice" that the jacket is done or actually start working on it when you poke them. If you had not noticed or called out the wrong hide they would have sent you something else than what you requested. Same with the pocket - not rocket science to look at the order sheet and do a minimal 2min QC themselves to notice that the interior pocket is missing. Just completely sloppy QC work and outsourcing that to the customer. Sure they correct it once pointed out, but slacking off in terms of QC themselves completely.

Agreed on the QC part, though I have some empathy for the clothier as a former waiter. I know what it's like to be in the weeds with too many tables, demanding customers, your manager is breathing down your neck, and you're only on the first half of a double shift. That doesn't excuse missing the request for a medium rare steak and serving it medium well. It just means I send it back. The turnaround time to get it right was negligible, and I received an apology email from both Shawn and Farhad for the mess-ups. It won't cause me to throw them under the Yelp bus for a remade steak, nor would it necessarily scare me off from a return visit, especially if the meal turned out as I'd hoped. But it does mean I've got my radar up for any future/current reviews. Here are some pics, btw...

 

[baldipino]

These should get cheaper in the used market later on, msrp is around $1k so I would assume eventually you’’ll see them closer to $500.

And if you look at the measurements for this sz 42 it seems that it could be a good fit for you, owners say it’s got a cropped and tapered body, they make them in black and brown as well.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/mister-freedom-randall-natural-size-42.119513/

Thanks for the link! Those definitely are in in my measurement zone, though not really my style, detailing-wise. And even used, that price is eye-watering! I appreciate it, though.

 

[Bart666]

So once again, there are comments about the awful smell of 5* jackets.

Please read about the toxic chemicals contained in cheaper clothing products. Especially those from China, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Clothing such as trousers or T-shirts can be washed several times, and this is always recommended to get rid of chemical residues, but you cannot put leather or nylon jackets in the washing machine. Firstly, it may simply be toxic and be absorbed into your body through your skin. Secondly, these substances affect the body's endocrine and cardiovascular systems and are carcinogenic.

In addition, it is not difficult to find information about the conditions in which these items are produced, without any regard for worker safety or the environment. Children are employed to work with leather and dyeing materials.

Is it worth saving a little money?