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Ladies Perfecto style jackets? Anyone?

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,738
Location
Iowa
Hello Leilah and welcome to FL! Good to see ladies interested in these jackets too!
Consider Fox Creek leathers. Softer of feel but thick and substantial as well. USA made, reasonable prices. These come up in ebay quite often in Women's, as others have stated they typically sell for a lot less money. Good luck in your search!
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
Thank you all for your replies and recommendations. I'm about to set up some search alerts on ebay as suggested. I've found that the best fitting jackets for me all have a ptp width of around 17". XS/32-34" ladies jackets are sure hard to come by but I shan't lose hope! Going to keep searching. I'm also a sucker for silver hardware against rich black leather.

I'm going to have to save to have one custom-made aren't I? Ha.
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
Thank you all for your replies and recommendations. I'm about to set up some search alerts on ebay as suggested. I've found that the best fitting jackets for me all have a ptp width of around 17". XS/32-34" ladies jackets are sure hard to come by but I shan't lose hope! Going to keep searching. I'm also a sucker for silver hardware against rich black leather.

I'm going to have to save to have one custom-made aren't I? Ha.
Keep HD cycle queen in your saved search!

4BC7F7DA-210A-4735-B2F4-8695CE1838E1.jpeg
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
Owned one of those too! Grabbed one in a 34" - alas, again too bulky up top. I looked like an American football player. The leather was so nice though that I was half tempted to reline it with thinner fabric and have it taken in around the chest but figured it was far too much work. Perhaps a 32" would have fit better.

Keep HD cycle queen in your saved search!

View attachment 233751
 

Corsair42

One of the Regulars
Messages
197
Location
United Kingdom
Keep your eye out for vintage ladies Lewis Leathers Lightning jackets, also 'Fieldsheer' and 'Interstate' leathers were doing decent cowhide jackets exactly to the Lightning pattern (possibly in the same place) in the 60s and 70s. I had a Lightning Jacket from ebay from the 70s I picked up for a girlfriend for about £100 and sold on as it was too short and currently have a very small ladies interstate Lightning jacket that is identical to the Lewis except for the badge and label that someone unfortunately cut a lapel off and been wondering whether to get it repaired with a suitably old and similar hide donor jacket or just stick it back on Ebay, it only cost me about £25. Basically, if you want a small, close fitted short tailored ladies vintage motorcycle jacket, old Lewis, Interstate or Fieldsheer are relatively common and on Ebay frequently and cheaply
 

Corsair42

One of the Regulars
Messages
197
Location
United Kingdom
Keep your eye out for vintage ladies Lewis Leathers Lightning jackets, also 'Fieldsheer' and 'Interstate' leathers were doing decent cowhide jackets exactly to the Lightning pattern (possibly in the same place) in the 60s and 70s. I had a Lightning Jacket from ebay from the 70s I picked up for a girlfriend for about £100 and sold on as it was too short and currently have a very small ladies interstate Lightning jacket that is identical to the Lewis except for the badge and label that someone unfortunately cut a lapel off and been wondering whether to get it repaired with a suitably old and similar hide donor jacket or just stick it back on Ebay, it only cost me about £25. Basically, if you want a small, close fitted short tailored ladies vintage motorcycle jacket, old Lewis, Interstate or Fieldsheer are relatively common and on Ebay frequently and cheaply

Should probably add, there is a company in the US making jackets currently called Interstate so I would set searches for 'used' only
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
Rivetts are great. I think I've spotted a few on a stall in Brick Lane Market in London. They didn't have my size but I remember being impressed by the quality. I already have a vintage "lightening" style jacket that set me back (I kid you not - 30 quid) and it's the most beautiful jacket I own. A miracle find. Fits me like a glove and is sturdy as heck.

I'm going to ask a question - may sound insane. Seeing as I'm so reluctant to let go of my waxy cowhide Schott 536W that fits pretty well all over except the length, do you think it'd be possible to have a few inches taken off from the bottom by a competant tailor that works with leather? I'd have to lose the belt but that doesn't bother me (much). Is there a way to do this despite the position of the center zip?
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
That one looks pretty cool, is it really that long that you'd risk getting it butchered? I think I'd try to learn to love the jacket as it is if the rest fits you well rather than getting it shortened and completely ruin it.

It just doesn't fall in the right place. Far too long at the back. It sort of goes over my butt.
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
It just doesn't fall in the right place. Far too long at the back. It sort of goes over my butt.
I think you’d have a problem with the belt. Even if you were to subtract an inch you’d run into the belt loops being too close to the hem causing the proportions to look off. I’ve attempted these kinds of alterations in the past and they never met my expectations.
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
I think you’d have a problem with the belt. Even if you were to subtract an inch you’d run into the belt loops being too close to the hem causing the proportions to look off. I’ve attempted these kinds of alterations in the past and they never met my expectations.

What about if the belt was removed entirely?
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
What about if the belt was removed entirely?
Then you’d have to remove the loops as well I suspect. And you’d have the holes left in the jackets body from the top of the loop. If you wanted to move the loops up I suppose you could but then they’d be too close to the cig pocket.
 

Tom71

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,761
Location
Europe
Himel offers a short version of the “Nyla” with a back length of 19,2” for a 35” chest.

In terms of price perhaps not for today, but it took me forever to dare to invest in my first Himel, and I have no regrets.
 

Leilah Wilde

New in Town
Messages
42
Himel offers a short version of the “Nyla” with a back length of 19,2” for a 35” chest.

In terms of price perhaps not for today, but it took me forever to dare to invest in my first Himel, and I have no regrets.

I've been acquainted with Mr Himel and from what I've gathered so far, he's a really lovely guy. Super helpful. Adore Himel jackets and I've heard so many great things but I'll definitely have to acquire a few more 0's on my bank statement before I can splurge on one of those bad boys.
 

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