Vintage Jackets You Regret Not Buying

[dudewuttheheck]

I was also worried it would be a bit too small but in hindsight it was certainly worth it to check out

Yeah we both missed out I think

 

[jeo]

Easily my biggest regret is not getting this Sears Topline, sold for a crazy price in this condition about $280 (looks pretty much mint, save for a small hole in the leather)
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This almost has the look of a mall jacket that someone replaced the liner on. Sears Topline was short lived in the early 40’s from roughly 1940-1943. They were fancier jackets, not this simplified almost late 50’s looking type of m/c jacket. Leather looks good on it, but it does not look early 40’s. Do you have any more pictures of this guy?

 

[Jasonissm]

This almost has the look of a mall jacket that someone replaced the liner on. Sears Topline was short lived in the early 40’s from roughly 1940-1943. They were fancier jackets, not this simplified almost late 50’s looking type of m/c jacket. Leather looks good on it, but it does not look early 40’s. Do you have any more pictures of this guy?

That does make a lot of sense and would explain the price and condition. I've attached the full set of photos. Interesting, the YKK zip looks very weird to me.

 

[Jasonissm]

This almost has the look of a mall jacket that someone replaced the liner on. Sears Topline was short lived in the early 40’s from roughly 1940-1943. They were fancier jackets, not this simplified almost late 50’s looking type of m/c jacket. Leather looks good on it, but it does not look early 40’s. Do you have any more pictures of this guy?

Here's another Topline I found with a very basic design. Looks like an unrefined A-2 to me, and I have less doubts about the authenticity of this one due to the wear and use of a crown zip, what do you think?

 

[jeo]

That does make a lot of sense and would explain the price and condition. I've attached the full set of photos. Interesting, the YKK zip looks very weird to me.

Yes it looks weird but it also looks to be a replacement. The serval sleeve zips look 50’s. This style wasn’t out in the early 40’s and I’m sure if you look at the catalogs from 40-43 you won’t see this, that’s why I thought it probably isn’t a Topline.

Here's another Topline I found with a very basic design. Looks like an unrefined A-2 to me, and I have less doubts about the authenticity of this one due to the wear and use of a crown zip, what do you think?

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This one at least looks old and the A-2 style came out in the 30’s so those two things add up. I’d have to look through the catalogs of which I have most of the pages it’s just they’re not dated. I know Terry has them all dated so maybe @tmitchell59 can chime in.

 

[jeo]

This is what I’m used to seeing from Topline. Fancier designs, different leathers like capeskin, suede, goatskin etc…

 

[tmitchell59]

I will post the 1943 Sears Catalog pages with the first mention of Topline. Very few of the extraordinary jackets posted here are in any year Sears catalog. Catalogs do have their limits as these pages show. Perhaps their is a catalog supplement I have not seen which shows more Topline. It is evident this line was a cut above and more importantly The Last of the fancy designs. WWII ended that.

Here is my calfskin Topline. I had this jacket for years till I could name the leather. I bought an older California Sportswear jacket in the same leather with a Calf Skin tag.

I don't recall I have seen others in Calf Skin. It is beautiful. This jacket is a 44. This particular front design shows up in several CSC jackets including a Sportclad I own.

 

[jeo]

Here’s the only page I’ve ever seen that mentions Topline. Not sure what year it’s from.

 

[tmitchell59]

1943 Sears catalog

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[Jasonissm]

1943 Sears catalog

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Thank you so much for sharing these images, after viewing the Sears catalogs, something caught my eye and I remembered another jacket I missed out on. I was bidding on it, looked like a quality wool jacket, but I've never heard of the brand, it had a crown zip as well. But now I see in this Sears catalog mention "Buck Skein", is this a Sears brand and have you owned jackets of their label?

Here are some images of the one I missed.

 

[tmitchell59]

ut now I see in this Sears catalog mention "Buck Skein", is this a Sears brand and have you owned jackets of their label?

Buck Skein labels show up the Sears catalog for several years. The brand was independent of Sears, as I see it. I've seen many with this label, but yet to own one.

There is an interesting Vest with their label on ebay, but too small for me. It was wool and leather.

 

[photo2u]

It’s taken a few years but I’ve finally gotten over @JMax buying “my” Hercules a few years back . He was wiser and didn’t wait for measurements
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That belt if quite something. I think I got this jacket from him. However, the belt in your image might not look like the excellent belt that is currently with the jacket. In Any rate, If it makes you feel better, there is still a big chance you could get the same jacket at a good price. Just keep an eye on the Sears, Oak Brook. They look the same and made by the same maker with one exception, the Oak Brook I have is narrower at the shoulder area. Kind of strange because Oak brook does have several D pockets designs and labels.