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Review: Real Simons Californian 1940

MadCat

One of the Regulars
Messages
251
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).
The device you used to write this was made using “slave labour” lol.

I’m not into Chinese jackets either, but like I said in my post, I just wanted to see how good this jacket is. And it is good. I’ll wear it. Just like i’ll wear my Nike sneakers made in China and type from my phone that’s made in China.
 

nirvana42

Familiar Face
Messages
62
The device you used to write this was made using “slave labour” lol.

I’m not into Chinese jackets either, but like I said in my post, I just wanted to see how good this jacket is. And it is good. I’ll wear it. Just like i’ll wear my Nike sneakers made in China and type from my phone that’s made in China.
I think it's more about reducing purchases of goods using exploited labor, the best one can, especially for luxury items. It's definitely harder to do with modern necessities like smartphones. The best way is probably second hand purchases to avoid directly contributing to companies that exploit labor. And even if buying from countries like the US, Japan, UK there's still a decent chance of exploitive labor being used (e.g. LA and NYC sweat shops), but it's probably less likely than China, India, etc.
 

MadCat

One of the Regulars
Messages
251
I think it's more about reducing purchases of goods using exploited labor, the best one can, especially for luxury items. It's definitely harder to do with modern necessities like smartphones. The best way is probably second hand purchases to avoid directly contributing to companies that exploit labor. And even if buying from countries like the US, Japan, UK there's still a decent chance of exploitive labor being used (e.g. LA and NYC sweat shops), but it's probably less likely than China, India, etc.
Here is their factory tour. I don’t see 6 year olds sitting in a crowded dirty environment slaving away at a sewing machine. It’s a bunch of Chinese women doing the work in a normal factory setting. Chill.

 
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Arin666

Familiar Face
Messages
60
Nice jacket. Could you share the specific product link on the BH website for this one that you purchased?
 

gjchristy

One of the Regulars
Messages
281
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.
Do you know the maker of the J100 you got? Post some pics.
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
796
Location
San Diego
Do you know the maker of the J100 you got? Post some pics.
It’s Veluokldly brand, full waxed aniline leather and the lining is a cotton-poly blend. Here are a few photos.
DJI_20260312_082939_509.jpeg
IMG_0836.jpeg
IMG_0839.jpeg
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IMG_4157.jpeg
 
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JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
796
Location
San Diego
The leather looks really nice. The arms appear to be a little fat compared to racers. What say u?
The arms are a bit fatter than some of my other jackets, but it doesn't bother me at all. What impresses me about this jacket is that there are no small pieces of leather on the under side of the arms or on the sides of the jacket. It's made like my Lewis Leathers Dominator in that regard.
 

gjchristy

One of the Regulars
Messages
281
The arms are a bit fatter than some of my other jackets, but it doesn't bother me at all. What impresses me about this jacket is that there are no small pieces of leather on the under side of the arms or on the sides of the jacket. It's made like my Lewis Leathers Dominator in that regard.
Nice! My Velo Cross Zip has very nice leather like yours. I wrote a review on it. I think these makers are really coming up in the world. I have had a few China sources projects for my business and found the leather work (Watch Travel Cases) very good.
 

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