Newbie Looking for Advice on First Jacket

[Eliotness]

Hi all,

It all started when I was in a clothing store checking out some items and a Schott 375 Rough out Suede Jacket caught my eye. I tried on an XL, and it fit great. I loved it, but didn't end up pulling the trigger. $1k felt steep for my first foray into the leather jacket world, and I had not even assessed my options. Like the title says, I'm new to the leather jacket world. I'm the kind of person who deep dives on things, so I ended up here since it seems to be the best source of knowledge. I've been checking out the forums the past few days and learned a lot (thanks Gents). Through some of the suggested jacket brands I've seen, I think I've landed on the conclusion that I should try and find one of the high quality makers on the 2nd hand market.

I've been checking out tons of jackets (with a focus on Suede) to narrow down what I think my style would be. I've come to the conclusions below, so I'm basically just seeking the guidance of the experienced FL crew on where I should try and find these on the secondary market (or if anyone is trying to move one in my size).

I definitely like a brown/tan color of jacket, and I think my ideal would be one with a contrast collar.

This Schott X Bespoke Post jacket really spoke to me, but they are unfortunately sold out in the XL that I know fits me well in Schott.

After seeing a bunch of different jackets, I do still love the Schott 375 as well.

I saw a lot of love for Aero on the forum, and love their Type 3 Jacket and their Majestic Jacket.

Finally, probably out of my price range, but I also really like the Real McCoy Western Jacket.

Is there anything else you think I should check out based on what I shared? Any best places to look for the items above? Thanks all. Much love!

 

[bobjones]

Hi all,

It all started when I was in a clothing store checking out some items and a Schott 375 Rough out Suede Jacket caught my eye. I tried on an XL, and it fit great. I loved it, but didn't end up pulling the trigger. $1k felt steep for my first foray into the leather jacket world, and I had not even assessed my options. Like the title says, I'm new to the leather jacket world. I'm the kind of person who deep dives on things, so I ended up here since it seems to be the best source of knowledge. I've been checking out the forums the past few days and learned a lot (thanks Gents). Through some of the suggested jacket brands I've seen, I think I've landed on the conclusion that I should try and find one of the high quality makers on the 2nd hand market.

I've been checking out tons of jackets (with a focus on Suede) to narrow down what I think my style would be. I've come to the conclusions below, so I'm basically just seeking the guidance of the experienced FL crew on where I should try and find these on the secondary market (or if anyone is trying to move one in my size).

I definitely like a brown/tan color of jacket, and I think my ideal would be one with a contrast collar.

This Schott X Bespoke Post jacket really spoke to me, but they are unfortunately sold out in the XL that I know fits me well in Schott.

After seeing a bunch of different jackets, I do still love the Schott 375 as well.

I saw a lot of love for Aero on the forum, and love their Type 3 Jacket and their Majestic Jacket.

Finally, probably out of my price range, but I also really like the Real McCoy Western Jacket.

Is there anything else you think I should check out based on what I shared? Any best places to look for the items above? Thanks all. Much love!

If you are in LA, SF or NYC then go to a Schott store and check out the 341, 370 and 371 in person, all of which are roughouts/suede. Or you can go to the Schott site and view them there.

Keep in mind that suede/roughouts are not wearable in wet weather, so by definition they cannot be worn as often as other types of leather such as waxed horse or cowhide. Roughout is awesome - I just bought one and I assume you saw my post about it - but I have two other leather jackets that I can wear in light rain without being as affected.

That said, as a first timer I'd suggest you give a lot of thought to the following questions:

1-where in your wardrobe is this jacket going to be situated/when are you going to wear it? As an every day jacket for Spring, Fall and say, early winter, a specialized jacket just for going out to dinner, or a jacket that you want to handle any social situation, etc.? The time of the year you plan to wear the jacket also affects what type of material to seek out for the lining, unless it is an unlined jacket like the 375.

2-what is the style you prefer? Longer ones like car coats, shorter ones like the Highwayman, etc. Longer ones are generally warmer, shorter ones are lighter, depending upon the hide, of course.

3-how much effort/time are you willing to put in wearing a jacket that might be uncomfortable for a time until it breaks in over many months or years, or do you want a piece that will be comfortable immediately, but might be less durable/weather resistant?

4-can you fit properly into an off-the-rack jacket, or do you need to buy custom because of your body shape?

5-what is your absolute max budget?

6-how quickly do you want the jacket? OTR from a manufacturer in your country can supply you with your piece a lot faster than an overseas maker that has to make your custom from scratch, and needs your exact measurements.

7-Buying overseas can also cause complexities later. Assuming you buy a jacket and plan to keep it for years to come, like any product it will break down and need servicing, like lining and/or zipper replacements. Having the manufacturer in your country makes it a lot easier than having to ship across the planet.

8. What color do you prefer? This should be closely integrated with the first question; a black or dark brown jacket is more formal/sophisticated than a saddle-colored roughout, and can be worn in social occasions a lighter colored jacket might look inappropriate.

9. sizing - depending on when you want to wear the jacket, if you plan to wear it in 3 seasons you will want it loose enough to fit a sweater underneath, so getting a snug/tight slim fit would not work. If you just want a t-shirt underneath, then by all means, but then wearing it in colder temps won't really work.

These are just a few points to get you started, the experts here no doubt have others you'll want to include as part of your decision-making process. But one point is perhaps most important - do not be rushed/pushed into making any decisions, by a retailer or anyone else. If you are getting a $200 product, then it doesn't matter, but if you are willing to spend $1K or more to get a quality product you want to wear for years, if not decades, than you need to make sure you have given the proper amount of thought because once the jacket is in your hands and you take the tags off - it becomes an expensive mistake if you realize you did not focus enough.

That said, everyone makes mistake no matter how much time you put in, and there is a chance whatever you buy you might decide, for a host of reasons, to sell later on for something new/different. Enjoy the process/journey, and keep an open mind. Much to learn, have you apprentice...