RL Half Belt

[BobJ]

That's a beautiful jacket with a lot of character... and you wear it well. Wish I could get so lucky!

 

[ProteinNerd]

Great score!

 

[Roma]

Too bad it's impossible to touch the hide but the look and fit is great. And there're a few details I'm a great fan of: the D ring closure and outer back seam (is that bi-swing, btw???). Nice score.

 

[l0fielectronic]

RL do do some nice vintage inspired pieces for sure, I'm not keen on their 'new' prices but there are bargains to be had out there on certain auction sites Nice jacket, fit looks spot on.

 

[Edward]

Ok, so I know it's not a good idea to search eBay jackets when you've just got back from the pub, but I spotted this Ralph Lauren half belt at a very low 'buy it now' and before I knew what had happened I'd bought it. Although I've never been a fan of fashion leather, this had so much vintage half belt detail going for it, I though it was worth a punt. Jacket arrives today and, to honest, it's not bad at all. It's a grainy cowhide but it has some heft to it, it drapes well and feels very wearable. The stitching is looks neat, the zips are solid and the fit is pretty good. I see so many RL lamb skin windbreaker style jackets on eBay but I don't think I've ever seen a half belt like this. For a cheap knock around jacket, I think this might actually get some wear. Apologies for the iPhone photos.

Looks great - quite a score. RRL do nice stuff, if you can get it cheaper than the exorbitant retail!

View attachment 46508

That lining, btw, is MacBeth Ancient tartan - https://www.scotlandshop.com/tartan.aspx/MacBeth-Ancient-Tartan-13371

A particularly nice one, looks great with that hide.

technovox - the back pleat works a treat, like my Pioneer. The buttons on the cuff straps look vintage too, just nice details. "Where was it made"? I knew someone would ask that. I'm trying not to look at that label, it says China - might have cut it out. In my defence, I had know way of knowing that when pressed the BIN button, didn't even ask for the usual measurements. Got to say though, they've got this Californian pattern down to a tee

The Pioneer is definitely the design it reminds me of - that same sort of slightly longer, 1940s halfbelt. Lovely.

Best I've managed on tiddly-eBay was sixty quid's worth of vintage ties. Lovely ties, mind...

 

[Fanch]

Edward, the first thing that came to mind was the similarity between the OP's RL HB and my Pioneer. Honestly said, I think I prefer the left chest pocket on the RL arrangement over the angled front yoke on my Pioneer. There is a striking similarity between the backs of the RL and Pioneer, including the D-ring closure of the side straps.

 

[Monitor]

Again, it's a really fantastic jacket, and the fit is spot on. And I love that collar. Did you shape it? Leather looks fantastic. And please don't remove the Made in China label. If it makes just one hater to shuddup about the inferiority of the jackets that are made in China, it's worth it.

Man, I wish I had a HB that's nearly as good as that.

Oh, wait... XD

 

[pauleway]

Very nice fit!

 

[Cooperson]

BobJ, ProteinNerd, LOfielectronic, pauleway - Thank you chaps.

Roma - this is a centre pleated back, others will correct me if I'm wrong but I understood the bi-swing is the type you see on the Aero long half belt or teamster?

Edward - I've no idea what the full retail would've been on this jacket, can't find any reference to it anywhere, but yes exorbitant I'm sure. Good spotting on the lining btw, I wondered which one it was. Looking at the pattern again, it does resemble the Pioneer apart from the cuff straps.

Monitor - I wet and shape all my jacket collars when I get them, can't stop myself I'll leave the Made in China label then, there's no doubt these boys can build a jacket, if they ever got their hands on some Shinki hides I think they could do something very special.

 

[bn1966]

I nearly purchased an Indian LML scooter once (ended up with a nice Italian one that better met the brief). Lots of these LML owners take the Indian badges off in the hope that someone will think it's an Italian Vespa

They are a nice Indian scooter the LML, If I'd purchased one I'd have left the LML badge on.

 

[Fanch]

bn1966 it would almost be a sacrilege to buy a scooter not made in Italy unless maybe a Honda.

 

[ProteinNerd]

And I love that collar.

.......who are you & what did you do with Monitor [emoji6]

 

[Cooperson]

I'm a collar man myself, if they're not right it drives me crazy. Been asked if I have any better photos, took a few today in better light. Don't know what breed these Chinese cows are, but they've got some grain going on:

 

[handymike]

Here in CA I've seen Indian Biagi scooters that Look the part of the old Vespas. I hear they are more reliable too.

 

[Sloan1874]

If you compare this half-belt to the Gustin on the other thread, it just shows what a difference a bit of investment in design and fit makes.

 

[Edward]

I think I prefer the left chest pocket on the RL arrangement over the angled front yoke on my Pioneer.

Yeah. I like the yokes, but when I ordered my Dustbowl I went for the plain front with pocket too. It's a great look.

 

[bn1966]

bn1966 it would almost be a sacrilege to buy a scooter not made in Italy unless maybe a Honda.

Ha..ha..I've just purchased a Yamaha Scooter & a right hooligan it is too

My Custom/tuned Vespa is still happily lording it over the shed though.

 

[Cooperson]

Up for sale in the Classifieds!