Freewheelers LA BREA size 38 Rude Black

[thedennissystem]

Brand new (received in the mail Saturday) FW La Brea in Rude Black size 38. Fits me a bit longer in the body and sleeves than I’d like. Incredible workmanship and beautiful leather. Get it now before I keep trying to convince myself to make it work!

$2250

 

[thedennissystem]

Measurements might help!

Chest 20.25”

Shoulders 18.5

Front Length 25”

Back Length 23”

Sleeve 24.75”

 

[ragtime_joe]

Do you have any pics of it on? I'd like to see the fit.

 

[Robbie79]

I've been searching for a used LaBrea size 38-40 for a while....so please wear it for a year and then I'll take it ;-) Anyway, GLWS and stay healthy!

 

[thedennissystem]

I've been searching for a used LaBrea size 38-40 for a while....so please wear it for a year and then I'll take it ;-) Anyway, GLWS and stay healthy!

Would you accept the cumulative time I spent dreaming about the jacket + time waiting after I pre-ordered it? Would add up to about a year. Also, FWIW this leather is extremely malleable IMO. The creasing and tunneling started almost immediately upon trying it on for a few hours indoors. Definitely doesn’t feel like a tough break in.
Thanks for the well-wishes and same to you re: staying healthy!

 

[thedennissystem]

Do you have any pics of it on? I'd like to see the fit.

Here ya go!

 

[Robbie79]

Here ya go!
View attachment 222459 View attachment 222460 View attachment 222461

IMO the fit is really good (jacket is not too long) and the sleeves will slightly shorten after wearing it for a while due to creasing. If I was you I would definitely keep it.

 

[Carlos840]

I agree with @Robbie79 that's a perfect fit!
I understand if you don't want the jacket because it's not a style you enjoy or if it is uncomfortable to wear, but if you are selling it only because of a perceived bad fit issue, i would rethink that. It looks great!

 

[Kuro]

I believe those fit pics are amazing!

 

[thedennissystem]

Thanks all.. I’ve definitely been going back and forth on the fit. To be honest, the issue seems to be the mirrors in my apartment - they make me look extremely wide in the jacket which doesn’t seem to come out in pictures. Thinking I’ll keep it thanks to the encouragement.

Special thanks @Carlos840
Your La Brea was what really stirred my interest in this style and the review you posted made it impossible for me to not try FW after owning Flat Head and RMC jackets.

 

[handymike]

Yes!!!
Keep! keep!

 

[Kuro]

Something to consider about the way this jacket fits, I see you mentioned "wide". And since I own a Centinela, which is on a similar construction on the back of the jacket, may make some sense.

It appears from my experience with the Centinela that Leathertogs designed these jackets to have an action back, without tucking away material. Those extra panels sewn to the left and the right of the rear center panel would be tucked away in an action back, but in a Leathertogs design, the leather breaks in and folds and extends itself as needed. The shoulders are large with large openings, which creates a ball and socket effect (the best way I can describe how the leather moves based on this design that allows for your arm movements in the jacket).

Since this is supposedly a faithful reproduction of the vintage jacket design, it looks to me that Leathertogs had wide shoulders and back panels to allow for room to move without using an action back. Considering this is not fashion (I mean, it IS at this point, but considering the choice to follow the design of the original, I think that can be understood as not a fashion choice) then the jacket can look wide. Once it can be accepted that this is "form following function" (and interesting function in absence of the action back) the jacket can be enjoyed for what it is. A great early American motorcycle jacket!

Respect!

 

[Carlos840]

Something to consider about the way this jacket fits, I see you mentioned "wide". And since I own a Centinela, which is on a similar construction on the back of the jacket, may make some sense.

It appears from my experience with the Centinela that Leathertogs designed these jackets to have an action back, without tucking away material. Those extra panels sewn to the left and the right of the rear center panel would be tucked away in an action back, but in a Leathertogs design, the leather breaks in and folds and extends itself as needed. The shoulders are large with large openings, which creates a ball and socket effect (the best way I can describe how the leather moves based on this design that allows for your arm movements in the jacket).

Since this is supposedly a faithful reproduction of the vintage jacket design, it looks to me that Leathertogs had wide shoulders and back panels to allow for room to move without using an action back. Considering this is not fashion (I mean, it IS at this point, but considering the choice to follow the design of the original, I think that can be understood as not a fashion choice) then the jacket can look wide. Once it can be accepted that this is "form following function" (and interesting function in absence of the action back) the jacket can be enjoyed for what it is. A great early American motorcycle jacket!

Respect!

+1 to that,

The LaBrea has wide shoulders for its size, and my new Leathertogs which is based on an original has a very similar shoulder design.
To me it looks like an hourglass shape, but where the narrow part would be at the pits, and the widest at the shoulders and the hips. It's a weird shape/design, but it works, and it seem to be a Leathertogs thing since both my leathertogs have it.

I would understand selling this LaBrea if you were stuck in a situation like i was in with my SanMateo, it looked good in pictures, but was super uncomfortable to wear because it was too small.
But if it is comfortable just keep it, it looks great.

 

[Kuro]

I am certain that this is a Leathertogs functionality design. I don't know enough about jacket design and etc, but they obviously did not use an action back as one is understood today, but managed to achieve the same thing with their design.

 

[thedennissystem]

Something to consider about the way this jacket fits, I see you mentioned "wide". And since I own a Centinela, which is on a similar construction on the back of the jacket, may make some sense.

It appears from my experience with the Centinela that Leathertogs designed these jackets to have an action back, without tucking away material. Those extra panels sewn to the left and the right of the rear center panel would be tucked away in an action back, but in a Leathertogs design, the leather breaks in and folds and extends itself as needed. The shoulders are large with large openings, which creates a ball and socket effect (the best way I can describe how the leather moves based on this design that allows for your arm movements in the jacket).

Since this is supposedly a faithful reproduction of the vintage jacket design, it looks to me that Leathertogs had wide shoulders and back panels to allow for room to move without using an action back. Considering this is not fashion (I mean, it IS at this point, but considering the choice to follow the design of the original, I think that can be understood as not a fashion choice) then the jacket can look wide. Once it can be accepted that this is "form following function" (and interesting function in absence of the action back) the jacket can be enjoyed for what it is. A great early American motorcycle jacket!

Respect!

+1 to that,

The LaBrea has wide shoulders for its size, and my new Leathertogs which is based on an original has a very similar shoulder design.
To me it looks like an hourglass shape, but where the narrow part would be at the pits, and the widest at the shoulders and the hips. It's a weird shape/design, but it works, and it seem to be a Leathertogs thing since both my leathertogs have it.

I would understand selling this LaBrea if you were stuck in a situation like i was in with my SanMateo, it looked good in pictures, but was super uncomfortable to wear because it was too small.
But if it is comfortable just keep it, it looks great.

Thanks @Kuro & @Carlos840 I actually noticed off the bat how easy movement is in the jacket. I don’t need it for riding now, but might in the near future and can tell it would be a comfortable jacket to ride in. In fact, it’s far more comfortable than other leather jackets I’ve owned or tried on and I’ve tried and owned quite a few. This thread has quickly changed my mind and I’ve decided to keep it and break it in properly.

 

[Carlos840]

Thanks @Kuro & @Carlos840 I actually noticed off the bat how easy movement is in the jacket. I don’t need it for riding now, but might in the near future and can tell it would be a comfortable jacket to ride in. In fact, it’s far more comfortable than other leather jackets I’ve owned or tried on and I’ve tried and owned quite a few. This thread has quickly changed my mind and I’ve decided to keep it and break it in properly.

 

[Lebowski]

Thanks @Kuro & @Carlos840 I actually noticed off the bat how easy movement is in the jacket. I don’t need it for riding now, but might in the near future and can tell it would be a comfortable jacket to ride in. In fact, it’s far more comfortable than other leather jackets I’ve owned or tried on and I’ve tried and owned quite a few. This thread has quickly changed my mind and I’ve decided to keep it and break it in properly.

Smart decision to keep it, if choose a size smaller - and it might fit uncomfortably tight. You did well when purchased this beaut in a proper size, so selling it would be a huge mistake in this case. Glad to see you've finally decided to keep that beast!

 

[Robbie79]

Thanks @Kuro & @Carlos840 I actually noticed off the bat how easy movement is in the jacket. I don’t need it for riding now, but might in the near future and can tell it would be a comfortable jacket to ride in. In fact, it’s far more comfortable than other leather jackets I’ve owned or tried on and I’ve tried and owned quite a few. This thread has quickly changed my mind and I’ve decided to keep it and break it in properly.

Wise decision!!

 

[Jroot]

@thedennissystem , great profile name btw. Out of curiosity, what are your measurements from when you took those fit pics?

 

[thedennissystem]

bump. moving on from this - it’s been worn for one full season but has tons of life left.

this style has also been temporarily discontinued due to a global leather shortage so these may become even rarer for a few years.

cheers