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Leather jacket sizing, too big or small?

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,614
Location
California
After looking at the photo again I’ve decided I’m much more worried about the shirt under the jacket than the jacket itself. What is going on with that shirt?!? It’s all bunched up in a weird way and don’t even get me started on the collar, does it even have a collar?
 

Eagledog

Familiar Face
Messages
79
Location
Midwest
Perhaps the aftermath of a fight. Someone grabbed the collar turning it inside out at the throat. Moments later Someone else snapped the picture.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,785
I still don't think the jacket is either too big or too small. Your fit pic was probably taken with the camera too close and too low and you had a relaxed fitting T shirt underneath, all these added up to a not the best fit pic. But since the shoulder fits I will say the jacket fits.

However, I said it before and I will say it again, for two grand you can do better. Hear my out,

John Elliot Jacket vs Schott 618 vs Vanson C2
Image1.jpg


The JE jacket seems like a smash up of the 618 and the C2, deep V neck line like the C2 and the overall fitting like the 618. The big mistake is that JE lowered the belt to where your pants belt is and the other two kept it higher at the belly button height. This lower belt makes the JE bulge out and make the slim dude look like middle age me with the muffin top. When worn open all three will be more or less the same given the shoulder fits just right. The JE also has nice Riri zipper and a fancy way to do the chest pocket, but this is 50 dollars premium at best, not 1000 dollars.
Schott has naked cowhides versions, which is the same as your JE. Quilt lining can be swapped out for less than 150 dollars, you can get a quote from both Schott repair and Arrow leather works. Vanson also has naked cowhide now they call deertan which is also the same as your JE jacket, and you can custom order the Vanson with whatever lining you want, they has some cool looking rayon and cotton linings. And for ethics, there is no ethics in business. But you can take the extra cash and donate it a charity of your choice and make a real difference. And the tax return you get on the donation receipt should cover the cotton/rayon lining cost and then some. Unless JE is your family or long time best friend, your money can go much further with other options.
 

Doctor Death

New in Town
Messages
18
I think it's a size too big, but I can't say for sure because you haven't zipped it up. The sleeves look a touch long, although for motorcycle riding they should be a bit long, usually down to the mid-palm. This one comes down a bit longer than that though.

The upper chest near the armpits are creasing up length wise, which indicates that the jacket is a size too big. But if you plan on wearing a hoodie underneath, this jacket might fit pretty well.

And yeah, what the hell is it with that shirt? Maybe with a good flannel button shirt that jacket would look much better?

IMO you'd do better with Schott, Fox Creek Leather, Hillside USA, or San Diego Leather Factory. All made in USA too. They charge a lot less than 2K. 500 could get you a pretty nice jacket at the latter three. Fox Creek and Hillside do frequent sales too. You can get one of their thinner jackets if you want a "fashion" jacket that you can wear in warmer weather.

In 90 degree weather, I don't think there is any jacket on earth that would be appropriate. That's like tank top and shorts weather.
 

centurionslut

New in Town
Messages
9
I think it's a size too big, but I can't say for sure because you haven't zipped it up. The sleeves look a touch long, although for motorcycle riding they should be a bit long, usually down to the mid-palm. This one comes down a bit longer than that though.

The upper chest near the armpits are creasing up length wise, which indicates that the jacket is a size too big. But if you plan on wearing a hoodie underneath, this jacket might fit pretty well.

And yeah, what the hell is it with that shirt? Maybe with a good flannel button shirt that jacket would look much better?

IMO you'd do better with Schott, Fox Creek Leather, Hillside USA, or San Diego Leather Factory. All made in USA too. They charge a lot less than 2K. 500 could get you a pretty nice jacket at the latter three. Fox Creek and Hillside do frequent sales too. You can get one of their thinner jackets if you want a "fashion" jacket that you can wear in warmer weather.

In 90 degree weather, I don't think there is any jacket on earth that would be appropriate. That's like tank top and shorts weather.
Thanks for that. I'll see how it goes with medium
 

Doctor Death

New in Town
Messages
18
Thanks for that. I'll see how it goes with medium
Oh, it doesn't come in numbered sizes? Just letter generic sizes, eh? I think Monitor is right. A different size probably won't fit you better. The sleeves might be shorter or the chest might fit better, but something else might fit wrong. If I tried that on in a store, and that's what I saw in the mirror, I would pass. Just my 2 cents. Never heard of John Elliott. I'll check out their website.
 

centurionslut

New in Town
Messages
9
Oh, it doesn't come in numbered sizes? Just letter generic sizes, eh? I think Monitor is right. A different size probably won't fit you better. The sleeves might be shorter or the chest might fit better, but something else might fit wrong. If I tried that on in a store, and that's what I saw in the mirror, I would pass. Just my 2 cents. Never heard of John Elliott. I'll check out their website.
Thanks for that. You're probably right.
 

Doctor Death

New in Town
Messages
18
Thanks for that. You're probably right.
Yeah, I try to avoid letter size jackets. Cockpit USA recently had a real nice looking moto jacket that I wanted. Thought about it a long time, ended up passing on it because it comes only in letter sizes. And 900 bucks was too much of a risk for my taste.
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,894
Location
East Java
I still don't think the jacket is either too big or too small. Your fit pic was probably taken with the camera too close and too low and you had a relaxed fitting T shirt underneath, all these added up to a not the best fit pic. But since the shoulder fits I will say the jacket fits.

However, I said it before and I will say it again, for two grand you can do better. Hear my out,

John Elliot Jacket vs Schott 618 vs Vanson C2
View attachment 645258

The JE jacket seems like a smash up of the 618 and the C2, deep V neck line like the C2 and the overall fitting like the 618. The big mistake is that JE lowered the belt to where your pants belt is and the other two kept it higher at the belly button height. This lower belt makes the JE bulge out and make the slim dude look like middle age me with the muffin top. When worn open all three will be more or less the same given the shoulder fits just right. The JE also has nice Riri zipper and a fancy way to do the chest pocket, but this is 50 dollars premium at best, not 1000 dollars.
Schott has naked cowhides versions, which is the same as your JE. Quilt lining can be swapped out for less than 150 dollars, you can get a quote from both Schott repair and Arrow leather works. Vanson also has naked cowhide now they call deertan which is also the same as your JE jacket, and you can custom order the Vanson with whatever lining you want, they has some cool looking rayon and cotton linings. And for ethics, there is no ethics in business. But you can take the extra cash and donate it a charity of your choice and make a real difference. And the tax return you get on the donation receipt should cover the cotton/rayon lining cost and then some. Unless JE is your family or long time best friend, your money can go much further with other options.
based on these 3, schott wins easily in term of looks, vanson screams "where you park your harley" a little bit, and the left one screams"this jacket is not designed to be zipped up/ we haven't tested how this jacket look zipped up"
 

Eagledog

Familiar Face
Messages
79
Location
Midwest
I noticed that you said thick real motorcycle jackets are unbearably hot for you when it's 90 degrees. Would you care to share the circumstances you were wearing motorcycle jackets when 90 outside? It didn't sound like you ride a bike. In stop and go weather on a motorcycle an airbag would be a better choice, if you do.
If you're an aviator flying open cockpit in something like a Pietonpol Air Camper, it is unlikely you will be more than 1500 feet AGL , so the temperature will be about the same.
Do you work with a blast furnace and need leather protection from the heat?
 

Cyber Lip

Practically Family
Messages
782
Location
Seattle
I think it looks about right if you'll be layering with hoodies etc with it. the sleeve length is exactly the way I like mine too btw. I agree though that for 2k you can do a lot better. That jacket is as 'generic motorcycle style jacket' as it gets. Looks like a $300 - $600 jacket
 
Last edited:

Cyber Lip

Practically Family
Messages
782
Location
Seattle
Quite a few of us are into fashion, actually. The pushback against, say Real McCoys or Fine Creek or whatever at the time as "fashion jackets" is actually usually by someone like @Monitor pointing out that these brands are essentially nobodies in the fashion space.

When I said I assumed this was a $200 Made in Pakistan generic Perfecto, I wasn't joking. It really does look like that. Completely underwhelming jacket. If you want to go into the fashion realm, why not get something that's actually flattering in cut and material?

The MMM 5-Zip is a fantastic jacket. There are also lots of cool jackets put out by various RL labels, although the one I'm loving most this season isn't in leather.

This is the point. No one is saying "if you spend $2000, it needs to be a dreadnought from Lost Worlds", but maybe it should be distinguishable from the Amazon top result. (Hell I have argued on this very forum that LW's take on the Perfecto design while high quality has an ugly layout.)


A little meaningless. There is good MiUSA stuff and crappy MiUSA stuff just that there is from Japan or anywhere else.



What's your point? Lots of crap is made in LA too.


Johnson leathers is the OEM for lots of high end fashion leather jackets across the world.

They're a workshop in San Francisco with a very skilled team of patterners, machinists, and experts in leather jackets. They can make anything you dream up, to an almost absurd degree. And no one is saying that you need to get heavy and/or stiff leathers.



What their ethics are? Lol. Anyway, Johnson passed away last spring. His shop is basically the heir to SF's very rich legacy in making outerwear.



Your loss.

Did you come here to get feedback or to be told your jacket is the best thing in the world?

I think @Canuck Panda's suggestion of a Schott jacket was more based on the fact that the Schott he mentioned has a much more flattering shape. Hell, Schott even makes it in a really nice lambskin, so you could get the super soft feel with a better shape and hardware.

By the way, despite this weird "fashion vs TFL" thing that's being set up, Johnson (especially) but also Schott and Vanson have done tons of private label work for the most exclusive fashion brands out there.

I wouldn't be too tough on him in regards to Johnson. I was curious about their offerings once and went to their site and there was nothing there
 

Cyber Lip

Practically Family
Messages
782
Location
Seattle
I was curious so I googled John Elliot, and found the jacket. My advice to the OP is to return this piece of crap and get a refund pronto. If you're dead set on a classic MC style jacket, you can get lots of advice here about great options for around and under 2K.

Anyone up for a good laugh should check it out here:

https://www.johnelliott.com/products/leather-moto-jacket-black
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,105
I wouldn't be too tough on him in regards to Johnson. I was curious about their offerings once and went to their site and there was nothing there

Yeah I was mentioning the Johnson stuff just to explain to him who they are, not to rag on his original reaction.

It's totally understandable that he'd have no idea because they are primarily a white label brand; like how a random person, even a fashionable one, probably won't know what Caruso is but they make the high end Ralph Lauren suits and jackets.

My main point is that the jacket in OP is indistinguishable from a cheap generic black leather jacket, and it looks even worse in the full product photo shoot you linked.
 

Cyber Lip

Practically Family
Messages
782
Location
Seattle
the jacket in OP is indistinguishable from a cheap generic black leather jacket, and it looks even worse in the full product photo shoot you linked.

I thought so too. It looks super cheap and awful in their own photos. It looks like one of those cheap women's faux MC jackets that were a fad like 5-10 years ago and every shop in the mall carried. Also, love how under the specs it states "100% Genuine Leather". Always a sign of high quality LOL
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,105
I thought so too. It looks super cheap and awful in their own photos. It looks like one of those cheap women's faux MC jackets that were a fad like 5-10 years ago and every shop in the mall carried. Also, love how under the specs it states "100% Genuine Leather". Always a sign of high quality LOL

Every other American woman owns this jacket except she was wise enough to pay less than $100 for it lol.
 

PilotJens

A-List Customer
Messages
356
The hide looks like 5* steerhide lol .
The only good thing are the riri zippers but those can be found on less expensive jackets too.
 

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