Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Why not that much love for Schott 530?

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,286
It has no discernable style imo. Why not go all the way and buy a cross-zip? My personal style is flight jackets, but if I were going to go in and buy a black biker/racer jacket, I would get the more Iconic Schott Perfecto, or if money was no object, the Buco J-24. The collar is ugly, you’re better off getting Baracuta G9 in suede if you want a straight zip high collared jacket.

Not really sure what you mean. I don't usually like cafe racers but they are very much their own style, with their own look and pedigree that's different from the aviator-derived styles like 613/618. They come from the top half of two-piece racing suits, the stand collar designed to fit more neatly with the helmet. I don't think we can argue that Steve McQueen looked anything but cool in his stand-collar leather and waxed cotton jackets on his motorcycle races.

There are also jackets that are sort of in-between like straight-zip CHPs. And the collar isn't ugly–in fact it's one of relatively few cafe racer collars I've liked.

A Harrington jacket is extremely different in both look and use case, and I say this as someone who likes them a lot; the suede ones especially are likely to be very lightweight fashiony jackets (nothing wrong with that, but it's a different use case from getting a sturdy waterproof motorcycle jacket.)

FWIW I think as far as icon status goes, the Schott 613 beats the Buco J-24 pretty handily, due to its prominence in the punk rock scene as immortalized by the Ramones. The closest thing to a pop culture moment with a J-24 is probably the somewhat J-24 looking Bates worn by Arnie as the Terminator. Both great jackets, although if I were buying new I would (and did) get the Schott over any repro J-24 on the market. The pattern is simply better, and in my view the hides are hard to beat.
 

WolfofStateSt

A-List Customer
Messages
407
Not really sure what you mean. I don't usually like cafe racers but they are very much their own style, with their own look and pedigree that's different from the aviator-derived styles like 613/618. They come from the top half of two-piece racing suits, the stand collar designed to fit more neatly with the helmet. I don't think we can argue that Steve McQueen looked anything but cool in his stand-collar leather and waxed cotton jackets on his motorcycle races.

There are also jackets that are sort of in-between like straight-zip CHPs. And the collar isn't ugly–in fact it's one of relatively few cafe racer collars I've liked.

A Harrington jacket is extremely different in both look and use case, and I say this as someone who likes them a lot; the suede ones especially are likely to be very lightweight fashiony jackets (nothing wrong with that, but it's a different use case from getting a sturdy waterproof motorcycle jacket.)

FWIW I think as far as icon status goes, the Schott 613 beats the Buco J-24 pretty handily, due to its prominence in the punk rock scene as immortalized by the Ramones. The closest thing to a pop culture moment with a J-24 is probably the somewhat J-24 looking Bates worn by Arnie as the Terminator. Both great jackets, although if I were buying new I would (and did) get the Schott over any repro J-24 on the market. The pattern is simply better, and in my view the hides are hard to beat.
Well I can’t argue with:
1. Steve McQueen
2. Everything else you said

I always forget about this jacket:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0025.jpeg
    IMG_0025.jpeg
    81.4 KB · Views: 62

JasonY

New in Town
Messages
44
I find mine to be extremely comfortable and the leather quality is excellent. It's a Buck and Ball collaboration so I'm not sure if it represents the standard Schott version. If anything, it is a little trim in the chest/shoulders and I feel the sleeve openings are a little forward. The action back makes up for most of this.
IMG_7861.jpeg
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,286
Saw an ad from Schott today about how the 530 is their bestselling jacket and I laughed because we had this whole bizarre thread about how unpopular it is.
1741555355666.jpeg
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,320
Location
London, UK
All personal aesthetics aside, the good Schotts are nice. The US made ones are the ones to go for. Insane money new here in the UK now: both London stockists want £1,425.00 for a new 618 or 641. Used they can be had for £400-500, size, condition et cetera depending.

That sort of money, I'd also consider Aero, with comparable models now £400 or do cheaper new, and about the same used. Lewis are now a little cheaper than Schott locally new, rarer on the used market though. I'm considering a career racerctype myself soon; I'm looking at Goldtop, around £400 new, and for my money as good as any Schott I've handled. Far Eastern made instead of US made if that matters to you.

Vanson also do great jackets in this style, though harder to come by in the UK.
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,286
It's clearly more popular out there than in here. Interesting, though: I'd have thought for sure it would have been a Perfecto was threir top seller!

I think people seeking out Schott qua Schott are looking for Perfectos but I figure the customers who are simply seeing leather jackets at some kind of men’s or outdoor shop are probably picking out simple things like this, or a collared version, or a civilianised A-2.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
110,706
Messages
3,106,099
Members
55,150
Latest member
Top46
Top