Naked Ambition

[JCSD]

Naked leather, that is.

Following the thread about natural leathers and the process of breaking them in to gain that hard-earned patina I couldn’t resist this Unfinished Horsehide Sunburst on the Aero Sales Page. I’ve broken in plenty of veg tan cowhide leathers in belts, wallets and bags but never anything in horsehide and never in a jacket.


My intention is to just wear it plain and simple without sun tanning or using any type of conditioners. I know it’ll be a slow process getting it to where I want but I’m hoping that the end result will be personal to me and the journey that I take in this jacket.


Not sure how I feel about the stretch marks on the back that seem to be accentuated by the sunburst detail so I’m open to opinions and comments.

 

[Guppy]

Unless I miss my guess, this is Vicenza, not CXL. Natural Vicenca tends to look more like "cream" or pasty white guy, while natural CXL tends to be a more dull brown.

I think it'll be interesting to see how this develops and darkens. I don't think I'd worry about the stretch marks on the back, I'd just wear it and let it age. Probably the markings will add character and some color variation, not a bad thing if you ask me.

 

[Carlos840]

I think the stretch marks look great, can't wait to see what this ends up looking like!

 

[Sloan1874]

My recommendation would be to wipe the whole jacket down with water, stick it in a sunny window, and repeat a few times. The wash will give you an even, all-over watermark, and the sun treatment will deepen the colour to a honeyish tone. After that, I'd just wear and try to forget that the jacket's going to get marked to hell.

 

[Boyo]

How does it look on?
I’m working on a highwayman in the same leather.. I went with the water treatment and suntanning route..so mine darkened pretty significantly, but there is definitely an awkward stage.
I like your idea of just wearing it.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Naked leather, that is.

Following the thread about natural leathers and the process of breaking them in to gain that hard-earned patina I couldn’t resist this Unfinished Horsehide Sunburst on the Aero Sales Page. I’ve broken in plenty of veg tan cowhide leathers in belts, wallets and bags but never anything in horsehide and never in a jacket.


My intention is to just wear it plain and simple without sun tanning or using any type of conditioners. I know it’ll be a slow process getting it to where I want but I’m hoping that the end result will be personal to me and the journey that I take in this jacket.


Not sure how I feel about the stretch marks on the back that seem to be accentuated by the sunburst detail so I’m open to opinions and comments.


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I keep coming back to look at this unpainted canvas. The back panel will be epic in time with all the grain patterning.
It reminds me of when the winter young ladies went to the beach for spring break and came back bronzed beauties.
Words were hard to describe them too!
Most outstanding jacket!!
B

 

[JCSD]

Unless I miss my guess, this is Vicenza, not CXL. Natural Vicenca tends to look more like "cream" or pasty white guy, while natural CXL tends to be a more dull brown.

I think it'll be interesting to see how this develops and darkens. I don't think I'd worry about the stretch marks on the back, I'd just wear it and let it age. Probably the markings will add character and some color variation, not a bad thing if you ask me.

Not really sure which type this is but it’s definitely mid-weight so I’m thinking Vicenza between the two that you mentioned. Just trying to get my head wrapped around a “new” jacket that has so many visible marks from the get go. I’m sure it’ll all be a faint memory once the patina kicks in.

 

[JCSD]

I think the stretch marks look great, can't wait to see what this ends up looking like!

It’s the journey that I’m most excited about but it’ll most likely be a long one given the other jackets I have in rotation. Best idea would be committing myself to 60 days straight with it this winter but I think we can all attest to the inherent challenge in that.

 

[JCSD]

My recommendation would be to wipe the whole jacket down with water, stick it in a sunny window, and repeat a few times. The wash will give you an even, all-over watermark, and the sun treatment will deepen the colour to a honeyish tone. After that, I'd just wear and try to forget that the jacket's going to get marked to hell.

I’ve been reading up on all the various methods that forum members have utilized to kick start the break-in process including yours- lots of options for sure.

 

[JCSD]

How does it look on?
I’m working on a highwayman in the same leather.. I went with the water treatment and suntanning route..so mine darkened pretty significantly, but there is definitely an awkward stage.
I like your idea of just wearing it.

I’ve loved seeing the pics of the evolution of your Highwayman and it was actually the catalyst for my purchase. I’ll get some fit pics up soon but still trying to decide about fit. I’m used to tighter fits like the Ridley and Boardracer so the Sunburst seems very roomy in comparison- especially in the sleeve despite the fact the shoulders fit fine.

 

[JCSD]

I keep coming back to look at this unpainted canvas. The back panel will be epic in time with all the grain patterning.
It reminds me of when the winter young ladies went to the beach for spring break and came back bronzed beauties.
Words were hard to describe them too!
Most outstanding jacket!!
B

Thought that the Sunburst detail would be really interesting with all of the patina once it’s broken in. Only time will tell but I hope your analogy rings true!

 

[Powerband]

This jacket is eye candy! Its unique gift is that it offers us the freedom to imagine, like a canvas to its artist.

...I’m used to tighter fits like the Ridley and Boardracer so the Sunburst seems very roomy in comparison- especially in the sleeve despite the fact the shoulders fit fine.

I hear you on the difference in fit. When I choose a leather jacket for my riding, my first criterium is that it must be tight-fitting because in a crash, a loose-fitting jacket will bunch and roll up to potentially expose body parts to the pavement at high speed. The advice to choose a tight-fitting leather jacket for riding is old and common, as I’m sure you’ve read or heard about. Your Aero D-pocket fits you exquisitely and it was meant for you, and your board racer probably fits you just the same—and both are traditionally motorcycle jackets.

Your naked hide sunburst is a beautiful jacket to be worn in conventional ways, perhaps even layered with a heavy sweater underneath. And remember also that, when the sunburst breaks in, It will conform to your body better than it currently does, which probably hangs on your body slightly like a cardboard box, if I have to guess.

I have non-leather jackets that fit me very well, yet aren’t tight like my leather motorcycle(-style) jackets such as my Vanson Armored Cafe, LW, Schott Cafe, and even my Iron Horse Cafe.

Lots of break-in methods, but if you choose to do so naturally, be sure to avoid any drop of water while it’s still in the nude state. Give it lots of [emoji274].


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