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Tips for small vintage leather jackets?

DavidZL

New in Town
Messages
3
Hi Leather Jacket Enthusiasts -

I am excited to join as a new member on here.

I have referenced this site for quite a while and find it very helpful and the members passionate and knowledgeable. Particularly, the deep dive threads into Windward, Penney’s, Sears, etc.

I currently own a 1960s Schott perfecto in a size 34 which fits me really well. I think - for shorter people (or at least shorter arms) - a vintage Schott compared to new ones is the way to go because new ones measure 24” long in the sleeves and my vintage model is 22”. Obviously, if you use it for riding longer is preferred for use of lifting your arms for the handles. I don’t ride, maybe one day when my young children are grown!

As happy as I am with my 1960s Schott, I continue to hunt for my personal holy grail. As a very big Bruce Springsteen fan, I have always wanted his Born to Run album cover jacket which I have learned is a Windward in steerhide with two stars. The fit of his is perfect in my opinion - short length in the body, slim in the sleeves and body but not too slim. After years and years of looking, I recently found a Windward on eBay that is close (but not quite) the Springsteen Windward. This one may be sheepskin, it has diamond pulls and ‘three dot’ details above hardware and is missing the three studs on the bottom of the back panel and two stars on the epaulettes (this one has single stars).

If any folks on here have leads on a small steerhide windward, please let me know! I am also open to similar ones: Penney’s, Guide Master Wolf, Daniel Boone. Or even other vintage brand suggestions good for shorter statures. I am tempted to try a 1950s or 1960s Harley Davidson, as I think they have great character (like the Austin Butler thread….that is a cool jacket for sure!). My only hold up is the arm lengths appear to be 24” or even longer.

Anyways, looking forward to learning more on here from anyone with info on vintage brands and good cuts/models for those in search of smaller jackets.

Sincerely,
David
 

TartuWolf

One Too Many
Messages
1,088
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Welcome David! Very nice first post! Can't help you much myself but others will definitely chime in. Good luck with the search! Would love to see some pics and fit pics of your vintage Schott.
 

semolina_pilchard

A-List Customer
Messages
335
Location
Europe
It could be worth looking on the Japanese sites like Buyee or From Japan, as smaller sizes appear quite often in Japan.

I think I read somewhere that a member here has one of the Boss's old leather jackets, can't remember who it was but would love to see more of the jacket :cool:
 

jeo

One Too Many
Messages
1,980
Location
Philadelphia
How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

I have the Springsteen jacket in mint condition but it’s a size 38. Looks like that could be big for you.
 

DavidZL

New in Town
Messages
3
Welcome David! Very nice first post! Can't help you much myself but others will definitely chime in. Good luck with the search! Would love to see some pics and fit pics of your vintage Schott.
Thanks for the kind words! Happy to post pics of my 1960s Schott and the research I have done on the Springsteen jacket (see red lining and back design in 70s photos). I included pics of the sheepskin Windward I recently found.
 

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DavidZL

New in Town
Messages
3
How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

I have the Springsteen jacket in mint condition but it’s a size 38. Looks like that could be big for you.
Wow mint?! Might be too large, I am 5’3” 130lbs typically an 18” (maybe 19”) across pit to pit measurement is best for me.
 
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