Review: Real Simons Californian 1940

[MadCat]

I never supported buying a Chinese leather jacket, but this brand I wanted to give a try (Real Simons).

Buying procedure and price:

Bought from Brakehouse. Was straight forward, and they’ll answer any questions you have via their chat. Shipping took about 2.5 weeks to the US. Price listed is $608 USD shipped. I paid a little less using a discount code.

Packaging:

Came shipped in a plastic bag and the jacket was wrinkled up. The wrinkles went away after a few minutes out of the package. Came with a garment bag which is nice.

Initial thoughts:

Once I opened the package, an immediate smell of leather hit my nose, in a good way. No chemical smell whatsoever. Just a beautiful leather scent. I also noticed the beautiful color and graining of the horsehide.

Construction/Leather/Hardware:

Overall very good. A few wonky stitches, nothing major. Every leather jacket i’ve owned had some stitching flaw.

Hardware is of good quality at first glance. Zippers are “Ideal” brand. Repro or authentic, not sure. Time will tell how the hardware will hold up. Leather is a nice and buttery “amber-dyed high-density vegetable-tanned horsehide”. It’s beautiful. No break in required.

Fit:

The size is 2XL. I would say this equates to a size 44.

The fit is bang on. I have never had a jacket fit me so well. I am kind of shocked for an “off the rack”’sizing of this jacket. I am very happy with the fitment. Also the pattern allows for decent freedom of movement. Note this jacket has no action back or underarm gussets. Even zipped up all the way, the ease of movement is good. Better unzipped though.

Conclusion:

My mind is blown with everything about this jacket. From the construction to choice of leather, everything is outstanding. I’ve had and handled jackets from all over, even Japan, and I must say this jacket is extraordinary. Do not hesitate to try them out!

Pics:

 

[LuddGang]

How are the arms on this? Every time I’ve explored more ‘economical’ makers they seem to have tubular arms or poor hardware and I regret even bothering to try them.

 

[MadCat]

How are the arms on this? Every time I’ve explored more ‘economical’ makers they seem to have tubular arms or poor hardware and I regret even bothering to try them.

Arms are great. Sleeve length perfect, dimensions are good.

Hardware seems good quality. Time will tell. Zippers are Ideal brand. Not sure if they’re fake or authentic.

 

[JonS1967]

Very nice! I really like the model you got. Good fit too.

 

[Zoro]

It does look good, but I find the price you've paid too much. In the end it all has the value someone gives it, but I would really struggle to pay so much for a jacket when if something goes wrong with it, I am likely to have zero support from the shop or maker. Plus at that price you can find really good things in the used market or, personally, I would just go and increase it for something else.

 

[MadCat]

It does look good, but I find the price you've paid too much. In the end it all has the value someone gives it, but I would really struggle to pay so much for a jacket when if something goes wrong with it, I am likely to have zero support from the shop or maker. Plus at that price you can find really good things in the used market or, personally, I would just go and increase it for something else.

I agree and disagree. I think for under $600 USD the jacket punches above it’s weight. The leather alone is very nice. You really do have to see and feel it in person. I was doubting the jacket myself before making the purchase.

Honestly, I just wanted to try it out. And was pleasantly suprised. If something does go wrong with it (not sure what), I am sure Brakehouse would provide the support. Even if they didn’t, I can have it repaired anywhere.

 

[JonS1967]

It does look good, but I find the price you've paid too much. In the end it all has the value someone gives it, but I would really struggle to pay so much for a jacket when if something goes wrong with it, I am likely to have zero support from the shop or maker. Plus at that price you can find really good things in the used market or, personally, I would just go and increase it for something else.

I think these look like they’re really nice jackets, but the $600 price tag gives me pause. I’m gonna spend that much money, I would probably just pony up some extra to get a real heritage brand. But that’s just me. Having said that, I am tempted. I almost purchased their J 100, but the crush on retro was about $130 less so I went for that instead. No regrets, although I’m sure I would’ve loved the real simons version.

 

[MadCat]

I think these look like they’re really nice jackets, but the $600 price tag gives me pause. I’m gonna spend that much money, I would probably just pony up some extra to get a real heritage brand. But that’s just me. Having said that, I am tempted. I almost purchased their J 100, but the crush on retro was about $130 less so I went for that instead. No regrets, although I’m sure I would’ve loved the real simons version.

I totally understand you!

 

[minimalist]

I never supported buying a Chinese leather jacket, but this brand I wanted to give a try (Real Simons).

Buying procedure and price:

Bought from Brakehouse. Was straight forward, and they’ll answer any questions you have via their chat. Shipping took about 2.5 weeks to the US. Price listed is $608 USD shipped. I paid a little less using a discount code.

Packaging:

Came shipped in a plastic bag and the jacket was wrinkled up. The wrinkles went away after a few minutes out of the package. Came with a garment bag which is nice.

Initial thoughts:

Once I opened the package, an immediate smell of leather hit my nose, in a good way. No chemical smell whatsoever. Just a beautiful leather scent. I also noticed the beautiful color and graining of the horsehide.

Construction/Leather/Hardware:

Overall very good. A few wonky stitches, nothing major. Every leather jacket i’ve owned had some stitching flaw.

Hardware is of good quality at first glance. Zippers are “Ideal” brand. Repro or authentic, not sure. Time will tell how the hardware will hold up. Leather is a nice and buttery “amber-dyed high-density vegetable-tanned horsehide”. It’s beautiful. No break in required.

Fit:

The size is 2XL. I would say this equates to a size 44.

The fit is bang on. I have never had a jacket fit me so well. I am kind of shocked for an “off the rack”’sizing of this jacket. I am very happy with the fitment. Also the pattern allows for decent freedom of movement. Note this jacket has no action back or underarm gussets. Even zipped up all the way, the ease of movement is good. Better unzipped though.

Conclusion:

My mind is blown with everything about this jacket. From the construction to choice of leather, everything is outstanding. I’ve had and handled jackets from all over, even Japan, and I must say this jacket is extraordinary. Do not hesitate to try them out!

Pics:

Not bad. I find most of these Chinese jackets have a disproportionately spavcous neck area.

By the way, what are your measurements?

 

[MadCat]

Not bad. I find most of these Chinese jackets have a disproportionately spavcous neck area.

By the way, what are your measurements?

Body or jacket?

 

[Welts and Wefts]

just on pricing, can US buyers buy direct through taobao? Not sure how the tarrifs work, and there's no CS, but savings could be had...

 

[MadCat]

just on pricing, can US buyers buy direct through taobao? Not sure how the tarrifs work, and there's no CS, but savings could be had...

Yes, and it is cheaper on there, but I just heard mixed reviews about using that app with the shipping being kind of sketchy so I just decided to buy from the site.

 

[Welts and Wefts]

Yes, and it is cheaper on there, but I just heard mixed reviews about using that app with the shipping being kind of sketchy so I just decided to buy from the site.

Oh I totally get paying more for security and CS. I was just wondering if direct was an option for Americans

 

[Hide'n'seek]

Another blatant Highwayman copy !!

 

[minimalist]

Body or jacket?

Body proportion.

 

[minimalist]

Another blatant Highwayman copy !!

 

[LuddGang]

I would rather have an Aero than a Japanese or Chinese jacket (partly because I like to support UK manufacturing, partly because I just really like the jackets and the patterns work for me) but I'd say the real objection to the Chinese makers for a lot of people, including me, is that the supply chain is just not something I feel comfortable supporting with my money. The denim is slave labour cotton and I can't imagine anything else made at too-good-to-be-true prices are a barrel of laughs either.

For me, that's the main reason I don't want to buy these products (even if, in some cases, the designs do appeal).

 

[Bfd70]

Do you own an iPhone, Nikes, or tv? It seems strange to me when people won’t buy China made leather jackets because of labor practices when their house is fullof made in China stuff.

 

[LuddGang]

Do you own an iPhone, Nikes, or tv? It seems strange to me when people won’t buy China made leather jackets because of labor practices when their house is fullof made in China stuff.

You don't have to let perfect be the enemy of good. Clothing is an easy win - none of us have to own this stuff. It's one of the few areas of life where sticking to your ethics is actually really easy, especially if you're willing to use places like Vinted and eBay.

(that's not to say I judge people for taking up these bargains - you're right that there's an element of hypocrisy there and people can decide what they're comfortable with, it's none of my business. I'm just making the point that there's a difference between the Japanese/European makers and the Chinese options)

 

[MadCat]

Body proportion.

43” chest
19” shoulder
5’11” height
33” waist