(The Real) CiDu Leather

[AeroLover]

Aliexpress is advertising an upcoming sale. If you are looking for a men's skirt this one looks interesting. I don't have a lot of men's skirts in my closet.

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Back to leather jackets, I have a few to show.

This first one is a leather aviator's vest, according to the description, made by Cidu. I think it's decent, and distinctive. I think Freewheelers had something in this pattern, and I've seen canvas and leather versions. It's surprisingly warm, has a bunch of pockets, the only thing I don't like about it is the main zipper is a lefty. Lefty zippers are the bane of my existence.

The Type I is a Cidu, and if anyone's interested in it, it's an **L, fits like a 42/Large. It's still got the tags, perfect condition, and I'd take $200 for it, and it's worth that. It's fine, but I don't feel like I'm a Type I kind of guy after all. I like pockets.

This is a hybrid of a Type II and Type III made by Pineal Jet. It has hand warmers, one chest pocket, in kind-of a Type III style, and front pleats like a Type II. It's a bit heavier than the Type I but the same color, probably same leather tannage, but just a nicer piece or a nicer batch. Fits well, comfortable, looks good. The buttons say "HORSE HIDE" but I'm not going to take it to a DNA lab to find out.

The white balance on my phone camera makes the contrast stitching look white in a few of these, but it's actually yellow-orange, same color as on the button hole stitching, which came through somehow.

These are not in the same league as Freewheelers (and I haven't handled Flat Head, RMC, Fine Creek/High Large, etc. to compare directly, but they're obviously not going to be on that level.) But I think they offer a good value. For 10x more you can get a better jacket, but I don't know that I'd say that you're getting a 10x better jacket. Some people would rather wear a jacket that they won't cry about if something happens to it because it cost a couple of car payments.

I also really like the look of this two-tone leather Lee 101 storm rider clone. But then they've got Theodoros selling a canvas-and-leather B-3 for them at this same store, so I gotta draw the line now.

Hey there, if you are still looking to sell that Type I I’m interested.

 

[Guppy]

Hey there, if you are still looking to sell that Type I I’m interested.

Sorry, that one's long gone.

 

[gjchristy]

My Cidu jacket arrived two days ago. I must say that I am very satisfied with it. It fits like the numbers suggested. Hardware and buttons seem to be good quality. Stitching is also very good, straight and tight. I like the blanket Navajo weave as well. Leather is okay, nothing more. It has a slight chemical smell that I think will go away. Sleeves are a tiny bit tight on me and I’m a pretty thin guy. If you’re packing heavier ***s than I do, beware of the sleeves on this one.
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Looks cool. How is it now after a few years?

 

[gjchristy]

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The Bad:
SMELLS BAD! I retract my last comments about Cidu being on par with Schott fashion or Golden Bear jackets. The construction is on par but smell is bad. I know they will air out. But it will be a while before I can actually wear these jackets where as my mall bought jackets is ready to wear on day one. Time cost money.
Sizing inconsistency - These two jackets are exactly the same tag size and design, but the Canvas one is an inch shorter in the sleeves and back length. The quality issue actually worked in my advantage to get a feel on different back and sleeve length. Silver lining.
The good:
Value, sort of. I've never had a Peter's aviator type back design. Now I know exactly how I would want it in my proper repro. I will only keep the canvas Cidu and the leather Cidu will be upgraded. I spent total under $400 on both these Peter's back jackets. Instead of botching up an expensive $1200 repro, my "fit" process cost $200, and I know for sure I will end up with a perfect repro at 1200 dollars.
I know I sound crazy. I will end up spending another 1200 dollars copying (and tweaking) a 200 dollars jacket that copied a 2000 dollars Japanese repro that copied the original vintage. The math works out for me. I would never spend the kind of money for the Japanese repro, but I would pay the price for an Aero (or equivalent). But my Aero (or equivalent) don't always work out as planned. This is how I will resolve that problem.
To me, this is the advantage of the Cidu or Simons jackets. They are very quick and good at getting different designs out to the market. The construction is good. The leather not so great. There is no way I can find a used FW for 200 dollars, let alone a real vintage Peters for even ten times more.

What happened to the Cidu 2 tone brown/black leather... ? I think looks good on u