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Five Star Leather Jackets

born113

One of the Regulars
Messages
270
What is the minimum goatskin thickness (mm) that 5* uses?
I am now looking for the thinnest goatskin.
 

Hobbes1

A-List Customer
Messages
392
it doesn't help that colorwise the pictures of the leather samples on the website are demonstrably not anything like what they actually seem to look like in real life
Yes. More than one of us here has asked Shawn to up his photo game in that regard. IMHO, his while website needs updating and freshening up.
 

hughesovka

One of the Regulars
Messages
177
Location
NYC
Well I got a response this morning to my battery of questions about my order. Unfortunately, the response was a picture of blonde mouton fur, which was not relevant to anything I had sent. Oh boy.
 

Hobbes1

A-List Customer
Messages
392
Well I got a response this morning to my battery of questions about my order. Unfortunately, the response was a picture of blonde mouton fur, which was not relevant to anything I had sent. Oh boy.

Sorry to hear that but if you've read this thread in recent weeks, you will understand that this is typical now. I speculate that "Shawn" is now any number of people for whom English is a Second (or latter) Language who are involved in 5* leather company taking turns responding. The kind of responses some of us get now are nothing like they were just a few months ago. From my experience, one should make the questions as concise and few as possible and maybe broadcast the same thing on multiple platforms (IG, email, WhatsApp and FB Messenger). Then, hope for the best. Good luck!

eidt: if you want, you can put your questions here and people may be able to help you with some of the items on your list? Just a thought.
 

hughesovka

One of the Regulars
Messages
177
Location
NYC
Sorry to hear that but if you've read this thread in recent weeks, you will understand that this is typical now. I speculate that "Shawn" is now any number of people for whom English is a Second (or latter) Language who are involved in 5* leather company taking turns responding. The kind of responses some of us get now are nothing like they were just a few months ago. From my experience, one should make the questions as concise and few as possible and maybe broadcast the same thing on multiple platforms (IG, email, WhatsApp and FB Messenger). Then, hope for the best. Good luck!

eidt: if you want, you can put your questions here and people may be able to help you with some of the items on your list? Just a thought.
Yeah, I'm assuming as such too. I'm confident everything will be resolved. I don't have any actual questions per se, I just want confirmation that my requests re: materials and measurements have been noted for the order. I'm going to follow your advice and reach out across multiple platforms
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,730
You guys make me feel better now. My communication with Shawn has also reduced to just photos. I have one of his horsehide coming to me. I just can't figure out if it's seal or black.

5star CHP 01.jpg


For zippers, I asked for an upgrade to the ones he uses on the Irvin jackets. I don't have his Talons, but the Irvin zippers are steps above the YKK. I can't see the Talons being better either.

5star CHP 02.jpg
 

Hh121

Banned
Messages
3,004
You guys make me feel better now. My communication with Shawn has also reduced to just photos. I have one of his horsehide coming to me. I just can't figure out if it's seal or black.

View attachment 403514

For zippers, I asked for an upgrade to the ones he uses on the Irvin jackets. I don't have his Talons, but the Irvin zippers are steps above the YKK. I can't see the Talons being better either.

View attachment 403515
Is this a replica of Cal? I vaguely recalled someone has send Shawn the original Cal.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,730
Is this a replica of Cal? I vaguely recalled someone has send Shawn the original Cal.
That's what I thought. Someone sent him one to copy and it was on the FB group page.

There is also a Y2 looking coat on the FB group page that was suppose to be made out of some 4.5oz horsehide. Still waiting to see if any respond there or here.
 

troika

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Pittsburgh
Hey everybody, new to FL but have been on styleforum for like a decade. Hello to those of you've that I've interacted on sf as well

I recently got the leather jacket bug, and due to my body shape, I knew I had to go custom, and ended up trying 5*. Although my tastes run more streetwear than heritage, this thread has been hugely helpful to me as I figure out what works/what doesn't.

Here is what I got so far:

Black suede trucker. It was my first order and they ended up making a new listing with my jacket. Shoulders too wide, sleeves too long, chest and waist too small...ugh
20210103_142836.jpg



Black goat trucker. I super mis-sized this and ended up having to was/dry it to shrink it down...shoulders still jut out, but it's better. I also chose the wrong product page on their website and accidentally ordered it without side pockets...
20210924_174200.jpg



Black suede valstar clint model, called western something
IMG_20210910_110403.jpg



Brown valstar Clint. Sorry for the terrible try-on pic, got too cold before I could get a fit off with it. Digging the slightly oversized vibe for sure.
20211102_222734.jpg



Custom order from a James Grose Manilla, but I think that is also heavily borrowed from a heritage brand (forgot which one). Shoulders still too wide here, and as a result, too long sleeves.
20211105_143830.jpg




Ended up placing a new order just last week for a custom makeup modeled after the Jelado Winchester in black goat, which is really an east/west model, and also a black trucker for my wife.

Thanks for letting me crash your party!
 
Last edited:
Messages
10,643
Hey everybody, new to FL but have been on styleforum for like a decade. Hello to those of you've that I've interacted on sf as well

I recently got the leather jacket bug, and due to my body shape, I knew I had to go custom, and ended up trying 5*. Although my tastes run more streetwear than heritage, this thread has been hugely helpful to me as I figure out what works/what doesn't.

Here is what I got so far:

Black suede trucker. It was my first order and they ended up making a new listing with my jacket. Shoulders too wide, sleeves too long, chest and waist too small...ugh
View attachment 403574


Black goat trucker. I super mis-sized this and ended up having to was/dry it to shrink it down...shoulders still jut out, but it's better. I also chose the wrong product page on their website and accidentally ordered it without side pockets...
View attachment 403575


Black suede valstar clint model, called western something
View attachment 403576


Brown valstar Clint. Sorry for the terrible try-on pic, got too cold before I could get a fit off with it. Digging the slightly oversized vibe for sure.
View attachment 403577


Custom order from a James Grose Manilla, but I think that is also heavily borrowed from a heritage brand (forgot which one). Shoulders still too wide here, and as a result, too long sleeves.
View attachment 403578



Ended up placing a new order just last week for a custom makeup modeled after the Jelado Winchester in black goat, which is really an east/west model, and also a black trucker for my wife.

Thanks for letting me crash your party!

Welcome. I think you will find that it is more about the actual jackets here. It’s great.
 
Messages
10,643
Thanks friendo. About the jackets in the sense that I should be posting photos of the clothing item vs fit pics?
No, not at all. My bad. I just meant that folks around here (my opinion), are really into the actual jackets. The history, the makers, the skills required to make them, the hides, hardware, etc. You can learn more about jackets, not just fit and style, though there is that here too. Anyways, welcome bud.
 

troika

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Pittsburgh
No, not at all. My bad. I just meant that folks around here (my opinion), are really into the actual jackets. The history, the makers, the skills required to make them, the hides, hardware, etc. You can learn more about jackets, not just fit and style, though there is that here too. Anyways, welcome bud.

Word, makes sense. I appreciate it. I would love to learn more about this especially as I venture into more different styles, leathers, and customization options.

Next up after this next order will be the east/west sunrise like @red devil made. Was thinking seal cowhide? Although would love to try HH as well, maybe in seal?
 
Messages
10,643
Word, makes sense. I appreciate it. I would love to learn more about this especially as I venture into more different styles, leathers, and customization options.

Next up after this next order will be the east/west sunrise like @red devil made. Was thinking seal cowhide? Although would love to try HH as well, maybe in seal?
RD is definitely someone with expertise in the custom realm.
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,961
Location
London
Word, makes sense. I appreciate it. I would love to learn more about this especially as I venture into more different styles, leathers, and customization options.

Next up after this next order will be the east/west sunrise like @red devil made. Was thinking seal cowhide? Although would love to try HH as well, maybe in seal?

That jacket was an attempt at reproducing the East West "smoke". I guess you already read how I went about ordering it?

It is a jacket that will work in all colours, would be best if the HH is not too stiff and hevy if you went down that route.

As for the Winchester, that is also a great jacket, proper rock star vibe! I would go for a unique colour
 

troika

New in Town
Messages
33
Location
Pittsburgh
That jacket was an attempt at reproducing the East West "smoke". I guess you already read how I went about ordering it?

It is a jacket that will work in all colours, would be best if the HH is not too stiff and hevy if you went down that route.

As for the Winchester, that is also a great jacket, proper rock star vibe! I would go for a unique colour

Thanks! I didn't read about how you ordered it, just that you disliked the leather that it came in (was it conic goat? Sorry forgot), and you stripped it and dyed it. It came out great! What was the ordering process like?

I can't figure out 5* hh, some people say it's kinda thin? I was also thinking a darker chocolate brown suede would be nice for that Smoke.

As for the Winchester, I went with black goat to start, but will probably go for a crazy color next after I nail the fit down.
 

Griemersma

One of the Regulars
Messages
153
Location
Covington, GA
Thank you for the natural light pictures, @Hobbes1. That hide looks pretty great! That's the pull up HH, right? A picture of the whole jacket laid out in daylight would be greatly appreciated (or fit pictures in daylight) if you get the chance.

@Canuck Panda -- that is going to be a great jacket. The seal HH is definitely dark, but not as dark as some of the other pictures have made it look.

I think I've narrowed it down to one of these these two hides (or maybe the Midbrown, but would like to actually see it first) for my HB-- if 5* ever contacts me to build it!
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
I posted this elsewhere but figured it might serve as good advice for members considering a 5 Star build. I’ve ordered around 6 jackets from Shawn, with 5 being extremely detailed with regard to measurements. My last was a slightly tweaked stock offering and I failed to call out the sleeve diameter (as I had done in the past). I would say if this matters to you it is worth mentioning (even on a stock jacket)!
Before with large diameter (pant leg!l) sleeves:
415231DA-F7AB-40C7-B597-46596CD45567.jpeg

8DC9C08C-6983-4769-9EE2-2D3687BD1BA8.jpeg
28F0821C-7B41-4AC1-9B16-82C2BEB39E60.jpeg

After Dena at Leather Care trimmed the fat:
CF0582D4-A159-49F2-8F3A-2BCC2DC3F9E8.jpeg
9DE11790-61B5-46FC-82AC-74FAD6DCBB2A.jpeg

D51063F3-D814-449C-B767-65E4D9902BF1.jpeg

All this just to say, if there is a specific measurement that you don’t see on the size chart and it matters, best not to leave it to chance.
 

Griemersma

One of the Regulars
Messages
153
Location
Covington, GA
@ton312 : Yes-- that is a definite improvement. Is the armscye on their HB 11"? Based on measuring my old Hercules, I asked for:

Armscye: 11"
Bicep: 8.5" (although I think 8" might actually be better, though)
Elbow: 7"
Cuff: 6"

Also, thank you for all of the experimentation and sharing you have done with these jackets-- it really helps the rest of us dial things in for a good fit.
 

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