Any leather jacket recommendations for a big guy?

[Trouser Bark]

I would think it best to follow LeatherHunter's lead. Follow his suggestions and wear it the manner he wears it.

He's posted several pics here and I doubt that any of us would've guessed he was tipping in at three bones. The trick is to look at someone that carries it well and emulate them. The alternative is to learn on your own and that comes at risk as the right leather jacket can enhance appearance and the wrong style can detract.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

I have one custom made Five Star, which I am adequately pleased with, and as a starting point I think you could do a lot worse. Also with custom made you can just change the collar to one that pleases you, be it shirt or notch type etc. You'll just have to give them lot of measurements (I gave 13 different measured points) and add a little room the stiffer the leather you choose. The jacket most likely will not be perfect, but I'd wager it to be good enough to start with if you do your do diligence with the measurements.

I'm fine with imperfections here and there, my main concern is whether or not it'll last me a while. If not, I think I'd rather save up for a Johnson Leather jacket.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

I would think it best to follow LeatherHunter's lead. Follow his suggestions and wear it the manner he wears it.

He's posted several pics here and I doubt that any of us would've guessed he was tipping in at three bones. The trick is to look at someone that carries it well and emulate them. The alternative is to learn on your own and that comes at risk as the right leather jacket can enhance appearance and the wrong style can detract.

JEZZAAAAA! Love Jeremy.

That aside, I'll definitely heed LeatherHunter's advice, he looks very good in those jackets, definitely knows what he's doing.

 

[TartuWolf]

For your size and budget 5 star is not an awful option by any means. You'll likely get a decently fitting decent jacket. You'd likely get a much better jacket for the same price if you hunt for 2nd hand jackets, but that will be much more time consuming and likely involve compromises in terms of sizing / fit unless you get extremely lucky. So in large part it's a question of urgency and convenience.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

For your size and budget 5 star is not an awful option by any means. You'll likely get a decently fitting decent jacket. You'd likely get a much better jacket for the same price if you hunt for 2nd hand jackets, but that will be much more time consuming and likely involve compromises in terms of sizing / fit unless you get extremely lucky. So in large part it's a question of urgency and convenience.

Hey, sorry I'm just getting around to replying, I thought I had earlier before I went to work. If the measurements I send are followed to a good degree of accuracy, I have no immediate concerns about fit. I just have no real knowledge on how 5* garments generally fare with time and wear. That's my big concern and where I feel I could use some reassurance with regard to their offerings specifically.

 

[LeatherHunter]

Hey, sorry I'm just getting around to replying, I thought I had earlier before I went to work. If the measurements I send are followed to a good degree of accuracy, I have no immediate concerns about fit. I just have no real knowledge on how 5* garments generally fare with time and wear. That's my big concern and where I feel I could use some reassurance with regard to their offerings specifically.

Use Search bar using this (if you haven’t already)

Five Star Leather Jackets​

over 400 pages dedicated to Five Star, I don’t know how to hot link but it should work by searching.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

Use Search bar using this (if you haven’t already)

Five Star Leather Jackets​

over 400 pages dedicated to Five Star, I don’t know how to hot link but it should work by searching.

I have, and I guess that's where my apprehension about the company comes...I remember reading a lot of mixed feedback on one of the larger threads about them. A lot of the negative comments were in regards to the accuracy of the reproduction models, as well as issues with fitting. I don't really worry too much about the former, and, assuming the measurements I provide are taken into account, I shouldn't have much issue with the latter. Still, it leaves me hesitant, even with the number of recommendations I do get. I'll have to continue my reading to see if anything in regards to my concerns specifically pops out as a strong criticism, but in the meantime I'll also have to keep perusing for other options.

(EDIT: I apologize if this message is arrogant or rude, not my intention, though I think I may have come off that way. I am rather tired, please forgive if I cause any offense)

 

[MrProper]

I have, and I guess that's where my apprehension about the company comes...I remember reading a lot of mixed feedback on one of the larger threads about them. A lot of the negative comments were in regards to the accuracy of the reproduction models, as well as issues with fitting. I don't really worry too much about the former, and, assuming the measurements I provide are taken into account, I shouldn't have much issue with the latter. Still, it leaves me hesitant, even with the number of recommendations I do get. I'll have to continue my reading to see if anything in regards to my concerns specifically pops out as a strong criticism, but in the meantime I'll also have to keep perusing for other options.

(EDIT: I apologize if this message is arrogant or rude, not my intention, though I think I may have come off that way. I am rather tired, please forgive if I cause any offense)

Admittedly, my experience with 5* was some time ago and perhaps things have changed for the better in the meantime.
My biggest criticism of 5* is that the leather was simply poor compared to others. Paper-thin pieces of leather were lined up next to thick pieces of leather, the colours were consistently flat and dull -> i.e. boring, there was sometimes too much top coat, blemishes on the leather were smeared with top coat. Specifications were not adhered to and some photos were designed in such a way that it looked as if the measurements would fit, although they did not. In fact, most of the > 10 jackets were more or less flawed. The most perfect jacket was a copy of my daughter's existing fashion faux leather jacket, which actually turned out very well.
If you don't know your measurements and aren't 100% sure what you're doing, you should steer clear of 5*.
But to play jacket designer and get quick results, or to have an exact copy made, 5* is great for that.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

Admittedly, my experience with 5* was some time ago and perhaps things have changed for the better in the meantime.
My biggest criticism of 5* is that the leather was simply poor compared to others. Paper-thin pieces of leather were lined up next to thick pieces of leather, the colours were consistently flat and dull -> i.e. boring, there was sometimes too much top coat, blemishes on the leather were smeared with top coat. Specifications were not adhered to and some photos were designed in such a way that it looked as if the measurements would fit, although they did not. In fact, most of the > 10 jackets were more or less flawed. The most perfect jacket was a copy of my daughter's existing fashion faux leather jacket, which actually turned out very well.
If you don't know your measurements and aren't 100% sure what you're doing, you should steer clear of 5*.
But to play jacket designer and get quick results, or to have an exact copy made, 5* is great for that.

I'd pretty much be doing an exact copy of an existing jacket, with small additions to the shoulder width and elbow diameter. That's pretty much it. But your experience with their leather quality is important to me. Unless there are maybe some ways to troubleshoot those issues by opting for different leathers, or being really specific about uniform thickness, I think I'll have to steer clear and maybe save up more for a Johnson Leather.

 

[TartuWolf]

Saving up for Johnson Leathers is a fantastic idea if your budget allows it.
Yes people have had rather mixed experiences with 5*.
Yes they are sneaky and manipulate images to make you think that they adhered to requested measurements when in reality it's actually off.
Yes the leather is rather meh, but you can also see examples of DECENT (not great) leather.
If you actually send in your jacket to be copied then your chances improve greatly in my opinion.
The more details you specify the higher the chance that it turns out well (for example specify that leather thickness should not warry more than 0.1-0.2mm one way or another).
But it would require a lot more work from your side and it would still be a nail bitter.
Johnson Leathers would sort you out without any worries and you'd end up with a top quality jacket.

 

[MrProper]

for example specify that leather thickness should not warry more than 0.1-0.2mm one way or another

I had done that. Unfortunately with moderate success.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

Saving up for Johnson Leathers is a fantastic idea if your budget allows it.
Yes people have had rather mixed experiences with 5*.
Yes they are sneaky and manipulate images to make you think that they adhered to requested measurements when in reality it's actually off.
Yes the leather is rather meh, but you can also see examples of DECENT (not great) leather.
If you actually send in your jacket to be copied then your chances improve greatly in my opinion.
The more details you specify the higher the chance that it turns out well (for example specify that leather thickness should not warry more than 0.1-0.2mm one way or another).
But it would require a lot more work from your side and it would still be a nail bitter.
Johnson Leathers would sort you out without any worries and you'd end up with a top quality jacket.

Saving up for Johnson Leathers is a fantastic idea if your budget allows it.
Yes people have had rather mixed experiences with 5*.
Yes they are sneaky and manipulate images to make you think that they adhered to requested measurements when in reality it's actually off.
Yes the leather is rather meh, but you can also see examples of DECENT (not great) leather.
If you actually send in your jacket to be copied then your chances improve greatly in my opinion.
The more details you specify the higher the chance that it turns out well (for example specify that leather thickness should not warry more than 0.1-0.2mm one way or another).
But it would require a lot more work from your side and it would still be a nail bitter.
Johnson Leathers would sort you out without any worries and you'd end up with a top quality jacket.

I've been trying to see how much a Johnson jacket might cost, been in contact with them, but I haven't sent anything over the weekend. Once I get a quote, I'll decide. It might be the case the 5* is the best option in my budget, and I'll have to be really careful to specify good leather, uniform thickness, etc.

 

[Boyo]

I was thinking since you're Texas based you may be able to check out a Harley Davidson Dealership for a chance to try on some of the jackets they offer. most are branded with some HD logo and such but the Cycle King isnt.. not sure if this is close to what you're after but it might be a good place to start.. they make em in Big Boy so you should find your size.

*edit not sure if this is available at a dealership or only online...

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/cycle-king-jacket/p/99543-21MM

 

[bn1966]

Having a jacket cloned when I sent 5* the original worked well, custom sending measurements was a disaster both occasions I tried it & the pre delivery photo with tape measure images on one was manipulated and measurements received weren’t the ones requested …. So it didn’t fit.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

Having a jacket cloned when I sent 5* the original worked well, custom sending measurements was a disaster both occasions I tried it & the pre delivery photo with tape measure images on one was manipulated and measurements received weren’t the ones requested …. So it didn’t fit.

Do you mind me asking how you went about the custom measurement process? I've heard people say they achieved success by being really specific and not being afraid to ask for double/triple checked measurements. I just don't know if I want to send my safari jacket as it has some significant sentimental value.

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

I was thinking since you're Texas based you may be able to check out a Harley Davidson Dealership for a chance to try on some of the jackets they offer. most are branded with some HD logo and such but the Cycle King isnt.. not sure if this is close to what you're after but it might be a good place to start.. they make em in Big Boy so you should find your size.

*edit not sure if this is available at a dealership or only online...

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/cycle-king-jacket/p/99543-21MM

View attachment 712591 View attachment 712591

I might have to check this out, not a bad idea!

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

I have one custom made Five Star, which I am adequately pleased with, and as a starting point I think you could do a lot worse. Also with custom made you can just change the collar to one that pleases you, be it shirt or notch type etc. You'll just have to give them lot of measurements (I gave 13 different measured points) and add a little room the stiffer the leather you choose. The jacket most likely will not be perfect, but I'd wager it to be good enough to start with if you do your do diligence with the measurements.

Revisiting this. Do you remember which measurement points you gave them? Also, how accurate were they in following these measurements?

 

[MrProper]

Revisiting this. Do you remember which measurement points you gave them? Also, how accurate were they in following these measurements?

Here is an example of how I specified some jackets for 5*.
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0XwmmKgqGuvV2rvJzjd0l-5wQ#Project_Cafe_Racer

 

[ComradeElephant1917]

Here is an example of how I specified some jackets for 5*.
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0XwmmKgqGuvV2rvJzjd0l-5wQ#Project_Cafe_Racer

Dang, that's rather impressive how comprehensive you were. I've been in contact with Shawn to try and figure out somethings, I thought I was being specific with my email, I think you have me beat there sir! I appreciate you providing me with this. I'll have to make a similar document for my own order.

 

[bn1966]

Do you mind me asking how you went about the custom measurement process? I've heard people say they achieved success by being really specific and not being afraid to ask for double/triple checked measurements. I just don't know if I want to send my safari jacket as it has some significant sentimental value.

Sent them all the measurements for a 48 G-1 measured from a 48 G-1 and what I got had some of the basics E.G pit to pit and shoulders out of whack (wrong). QC pics pre shipping to me with tape in place (though not all tape visible) showed what I’d requested ….. didn’t fit and didn’t measure the same as implied in the pics. Sent them a denim Trucker in the flesh and a leather one was made pretty much mm perfect … a win that time. Off the strength of the Trucker ordered a suede version in unlined goat .. arrived mm perfect … dye came off on everything it touched … got a full refund and binned the jacket.