Freewheelers Switchyard coat

[Guppy]

It is nice to see that this jacket found a good new home after a journey from Japan to Switzerland then to Honkong and now to the USA. The jacket fits you perfectly, wear it in good health

It's more well-traveled than I am, for certain. If only I could have such an adventure... Perhaps I shall divert some of my jacket budget into travel...

 

[Lebowski]

It's more well-traveled than I am, for certain. If only I could have such an adventure... Perhaps I shall divert some of my jacket budget into travel...

Well, I think you actually can - it's just a question of a choice between a wonderful overseas adventure or a couple of jackets to buy (in case of this Freewheelers - it would be enough funds for that good idea even from a single jacket possibly))
So - it's up to you Sir. It's your choice!)

 

[willyto]

I think this one it's definitely a keeper and one of the best if not the best in your collection.

Looks and fits you a lot better than that longer leather coat from SB.

 

[nick123]

As far as I know this jacket is a modern japenese repro of 1920s-1930s american leather jacket.
Does anybody know how exactly the original pattern was looking?
Who was its original maker (or possibly there were several original makers) then?
Maybe Terry might help with that?
It'd be very interesting to me to know the history of this pattern or/and to have a link to read about that in detail. Thanks in advance.
P.S. The leather on this repro looks very nice, Shinki HH in all its glory!

I coincidentally ran into this. I think it's a Californian. Close at least:

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/c635462128?conversionType=search_suggest

 

[Lebowski]

I coincidentally ran into this. I think it's a Californian. Close at least:

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/c635462128?conversionType=search_suggest

Thanks Nick, I've also seen this one on eBay - it definitely looks quite similar from the front, but it's half-belt from the back (not car coat' back as Guppy's jacket above).

 

[Guppy]

I think this one it's definitely a keeper and one of the best if not the best in your collection.

Looks and fits you a lot better than that longer leather coat from SB.

Oh, it's not even close. The Freewheelers is perfect, but I can't layer more than a thin sweater underneath. The Simmons Bilt is very nice, and can take a heavier layer under it with no problems. With a thick sweater, the sleeve length is less of a problem. And it's a heavier leather, which I like a lot. It's more of a heavy coat than a jacket. The Switchyard is more a jacket than a coat.

 

[Lebowski]

Oh, it's not even close. The Freewheelers is perfect, but I can't layer more than a thin sweater underneath. The Simmons Bilt is very nice, and can take a heavier layer under it with no problems. With a thick sweater, the sleeve length is less of a problem. And it's a heavier leather, which I like a lot. It's more of a heavy coat than a jacket. The Switchyard is more a jacket than a coat.

Switchyard is a winter/late cold autumn jacket, it implies to wear some good winter layering underneath.

 

[Guppy]

Switchyard is a winter/late cold autumn jacket, it implies to wear some good winter layering underneath.

I don't know that it's worth arguing, but I don't really agree.

It's a thin leather, the lining isn't particularly warm, and it has no insulation to speak of. Based on the tagged size, it fits correctly, and it's a trim fit, not intended to have a lot of room for layering underneath. Like I said, I can manage a thin sweater or sweatshirt, but one of my bulky Irish cable knit sweaters, I don't think it's possible. Maybe if I were to size up to a 44, but I like the way the 42 fits me, it's perfect, I don't think I'd want to size up. But I'd certainly try one on if the opportunity ever presented itself. It's an absolutely wonderful light jacket though, easily my favorite of its type.

 

[ton312]

I don't know that it's worth arguing, but I don't really agree.

It's a thin leather, the lining isn't particularly warm, and it has no insulation to speak of. Based on the tagged size, it fits correctly, and it's a trim fit, not intended to have a lot of room for layering underneath. Like I said, I can manage a thin sweater or sweatshirt, but one of my bulky Irish cable knit sweaters, I don't think it's possible. Maybe if I were to size up to a 44, but I like the way the 42 fits me, it's perfect, I don't think I'd want to size up. But I'd certainly try one on if the opportunity ever presented itself. It's an absolutely wonderful light jacket though, easily my favorite of its type.

Agreed. This is far more a jacket than a coat. It’s supposed to fit trim. It doesn’t look like it’s meant for layering at all, and nor should it be.

 

[Cyber Lip]

I have a Switchyard and it's the warmest leather jacket I own. Don't agree that it's more jacket than coat. It's a winter/late fall coat. The lining is a medium wool blanket and the storm cuffs keep the heat in nicely. It's perfect for the winters here (Seattle), and looks great with scarves. Definitely not a light jacket. But yes, flattering to a physique but not made for layering anything heavy underneath. But, works great with a long sleeve thermal T or Henley over a T-shirt, or a hoodie, or a track jacket underneath. It's really a great look and comfy warm when worn like that. But if you live somewhere where you need something to spend time outdoors in blizzards and sub zero temps, it's not intended for that

 

[Guppy]

I have a Switchyard and it's the warmest leather jacket I own. Don't agree that it's more jacket than coat. It's a winter/late fall coat. The lining is a medium wool blanket and the storm cuffs keep the heat in nicely. It's perfect for the winters here (Seattle), and looks great with scarves. Definitely not a light jacket. But yes, flattering to a physique but not made for layering anything heavy underneath. But, works great with a long sleeve thermal T or Henley over a T-shirt, or a hoodie, or a track jacket underneath. It's really a great look and comfy warm when worn like that. But if you live somewhere where you need something to spend time outdoors in blizzards and sub zero temps, it's not intended for that

I'm in Northeast Ohio, and our winters are different from the Pac NW. I'm OK in the Switchyard down to maybe 35F or so, below that I'd opt for something I can put a sweater under, or a parka.

 

[Guppy]

Wore the Switchyard today, temps around 40F.

It's still one of my personal favorites.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

That is a seriously great jacket!

 

[lina]

I'm in Northeast Ohio .

Do you know the song "Northeast Ohio Rocks" by the band Rat Queen? Check it out, on any of the music streaming services that the kids these days use. (Full disclosure -- that's my daughter's band!)

 

[mtrlr]

Great jacket !

 

[dubpynchon]

Wore the Switchyard today, temps around 40F.

It's still one of my personal favorites.

The leather looks great on this.

 

[Guppy]

The leather looks great on this.

Oh, it is.

 

[Guppy]

Do you know the song "Northeast Ohio Rocks" by the band Rat Queen? Check it out, on any of the music streaming services that the kids these days use. (Full disclosure -- that's my daughter's band!)

I never heard of them, but that's not surprising as I haven't really followed music in the last 15+ years.

Pretty cool that your daughter's in a band. They have a sound like some of the 90's alt rock I used to listen to in college, although they sound like they're a bit more in tune an recorded cleaner.

Do you/your daughter have a connection to Northeast Ohio?

 

[lina]

I never heard of them, but that's not surprising as I haven't really followed music in the last 15+ years.

Pretty cool that your daughter's in a band. They have a sound like some of the 90's alt rock I used to listen to in college, although they sound like they're a bit more in tune an recorded cleaner.

Do you/your daughter have a connection to Northeast Ohio?

Yeah, she grew up listening to (through her parents) L7, Bikini Kill, etc, on the louder side, but also Liz Phair, Magnapop, and some slightly poppier 90s stuff, and I think has sort of combined them into Rat Queen's sound. She's currently a student at the college of Wooster, and has discovered and become a part of Ohio's distinctive arts and music culture (Devo and Chrissie Hynde from the old days, Black Keys and Hanif Abduraqib from the new days). It's a much friendlier and supportive scene than NY and LA and the like!

Anyway, nice of you to listen. Their "big hit" btw is not NE Ohio Rocks, but "Other Wonders" -- very dance-y!

 

[Bfd70]

Photo update?