Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

Messages
17,490
Location
Chicago
Not to dispute what is clearly being presented in pure photographic honesty by the straightest of straight shooters around these parts, my take is that the back length of the Hercules Half Belts MUST vary by maker and/or age. BELIEVE YOU ME, I would say that the SHORT BACK LENGTH is the fattest fly in the ointment with Vintage Jacket fit for me. Period. I've been traumatized by short jackets. A short back length has become a total non starter for me.

I do have a few HBs. Even a few Hercs---and all of them are at the very least 24" on the back length. A few are closer to the 25-25.5" range. I have a Goatskin Herc HB with the same Black Label as the HB on Facebook and its definitely longer than 23".

Admittedly, of the jackets I own---I believe they are made by at least 3 different makers and are also different ages. I do not have a Leather Label Herc like Ton has pictured (which appears to be one of the older Labels). I am thinking that there must be some variation in the back length on these jackets. I know they are not all this short. I still think its even POSSIBLE the FB jacket is a tad longer than reported but not much. Take every jacket as it comes and always ask for measurements because I can attest to the fact that some Herc HBs are longer than others.

Lastly, it saddens me a little bit that our brother @ton312 is taking a firm stance against pursuing true vintage jackets in the future. Don't tap out bro!!! These jackets ARE OUT THERE!!! You don't see em everyday but true vintage jackets in good wearable lengths do exist. Tough to find but worth the hunt!!!
I’ll be honest. In 20 years I’ve found only 3 “short styles” that even remotely hit the mark.
This Kurland:
IMG_7617.jpeg

Westbury:
IMG_8009.jpeg

Campus:
IMG_6491.jpeg

The surcoat style is much more my jam. The fact that I even tried to sell the Windward is just insane, as it’s the only vintage jacket I’ve ever owned that actually really fit. I’ll stick with 25” or more and leave the brave to fend the bulls. In the past two years I’ve seen more 23” back and sleeves than I care to count! I’ve also firmly decided this just ain’t it:
IMG_7436.jpeg
IMG_7340.jpeg
IMG_6547.jpeg
IMG_6215.jpeg

I’m bidding a fond farewell to vintage…..until I inevitably change my mind next year.
 

Leather Walker

Practically Family
Messages
617
Location
Barcelona
Well, after much thought, I've decided not to buy that one. This is a late 80s Al's Leather, YKK plastic zippers. The seller is close to know what s/he sells, as in the description talks about Cal and Johnson Leathers. Maybe someone will enjoy it more than I would. Size 38. BIN $169. eBay

s-l1600.jpg
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,823
Location
SoFlo
Well, after much thought, I've decided not to buy that one. This is a late 80s Al's Leather, YKK plastic zippers. The seller is close to know what s/he sells, as in the description talks about Cal and Johnson Leathers. Maybe someone will enjoy it more than I would. Size 38. BIN $169. eBay

s-l1600.jpg
Nice jacket, nice presentation.
 
Messages
11,146
Location
SoCal
Seller has some nice looking jackets and good feedback on eBay... apart from the crazy price for members, is there more to the story?
I'm eyeing the Fidelity IR.
 

TheOldFashioned

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,179
Location
The Great Lakes
Seller has some nice looking jackets and good feedback on eBay... apart from the crazy price for members, is there more to the story?
I'm eyeing the Fidelity IR.
The eBay listing does a much better job showing several of the issues which weren't disclosed at all in the Classifieds listing. The eagle eyes of @Marc mndt pointed out the stitching on the cuff. The photo below is from the eBay listing and was not included in the Classifieds listing:
ASLJ1.PNG


Same situation with the back, though this is a magnified image:
ASLJ2.PNG


Maybe it was a harmless oversight, but call me skeptical.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,096
Messages
3,074,041
Members
54,091
Latest member
toptvsspala
Top