The few jackets I have right now are old and, well, ugly. So I’m thinking of getting a nice black leather jacket, but seeing as I have never bought one I don’t know what’s a decent price or what a “good” store to buy one at would be.
So, inform me.
Are there different brands? If so, what are the good ones?
How much should I expect to pay?
Where should I buy one? Is a normal department store like J.C. Penney fine, or should I look for Ye Olde Jacket Store?
How is fitting done, if at all? I’m kinda broad-shouldered and long armed, but not very tall in the torso, so long-sleeved anything tends to fit weird on me.
Depends on the styling and projected use of said jacket. I wear one in the winter. Mine has a zip-out lining that I have never zipped back in. I found it at Costco, of all places. Cost me $55, I think, and has given years of wear without a problem. Looks a lot like this one. If you want a motorcycle jacket that will actually protect you during a wipe-out, then I’d buy something a lot different. So, a little guidence would be helpful.
My wife and I own a small collection each of nice leather jackets. The advice I can give you is simple. Visit your local TJ Max or Marshalls stores a few times to see what is available (they are mega U.S. retailers that sell at discount sometimes by overstocks but with many high quality brands). They have the best deals on good leather at a great price but their inventory changes so you may have to visit more than once. I have bought black and brown leather coats by Perry Ellis, Liz Claiborne, and Calvin Klein from them and never paid over $200. My last buy is my favorite. It is a very classy Tommy Hillfigger coat in a roughly bomber jacket style but with a classic cut and very nice leather. I picked it up for $99 when I went in for something else and there was a whole rack full of them. The ones around here have good leather jackets year round.
I like nicer, rather thin leather but the rougher leather works well on some jackets but doesn’t have the same quality look IMHO. If you shop around a lot, you can learn to easilly tell the quality and price just by touching a sleeve.
Johnson Leather on Polk makes jackets to order in all sorts of styles from “fashion” on up to “CHP motorcycle cop” and in practically any color you’d like. I’ve had a couple of their jackets and the quality is just about as good as it gets.
You might also try the Golden Bear outlet at 200 Potrero.
See gotpasswords’ recommendation. Look at the local stores, try some on, then shop around online to see if you can get a much better deal. If it’s within 10%, shop locally. If the savings is greater than that, go online.
I’ve got an A2 flight jacket, and I just love it. They’re virtually indestructible - there are lots of old pilots from WWII still wearing theirs after 60 years. If you tear the lining or the cuffs you can get them replaced without replacing the jacket. And they look great. Mine was made by Cooper, one of the original suppliers to the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII. Mine’s brown and made of goatskin, but you can get them in black in horsehide.
Just be careful your A-2 doesn’t fit all bloopy and oversized, or you’ll look like an 80s mall rat. Most all under $300 do, unfortunately.
FlightSuits.com does a couple varieties of black A-2. There’s also the G-1 (Navy) version with shoulder pleats for greater freedom of movement, and a couple of “civil” flying and racing jackets in black. (Don’t own one myself, but have heard good things, especially if you order a size smaller than usual.)
I’d like to second Johnson Leather. I’ve got two from them, a bomber style jacket and a sports coat. You can try one on, and then get one custom fitted. They’re not real cheap, but you can pick the exact style you want and get a perfect fit. I was looking at off the rack leather jackets, and never found one close to the style I wanted nor close to a decent fit. The Johnson Leather jackets will probably last you a lifetime. The salespeople are perfectly nice and accommodating.
I just have to warn you. By saying not real cheap, I mean $300 to $400. I think it’s worth it. Please go ahead and check it out, at least to see the quality difference.
I got a black leather jacket at Costco about 2 or 3 years ago. It’s made of lambskin (from New Zealand, if I recall) and is wonderfully, luxuriously soft, to the point where ladies sometimes stroke it (the jacket, you pervs). This is in comparison to a great many jackets that are made with stiffer leather, which I find less comfortable. Its durability is quite satisfactory. It cost less than 100.
Costco probably doesn’t stock such things this time of year, but they may be able to come up with some info on it. Mainly, though, be aware of differences in the feel of various leathers, and look for something you’ll really enjoy wearing.
If you are willing to spend the $$$, then a good A-2 from FlightSuits can’t be beat.
I bought the Historic Horsehide A-2 five years ago and it still looks just as good as it did the day I got it.
Better still, they don’t send you an off-the-rack jacket; they make it for you. Custom sizes are more expensive, of course, but even standard sizes are made for you. When I called them, the guy asked for my measurements and then suggested a 44L. He said “Why don’t we make one for you and send it to you. If you don’t like the fit, send it back and we’ll make another. We’ll keep working with you until we get it right.”
I hear FlightSuits may be raising their prices July 1 (too much business apparently :dubious: ). Might be wise to contact them asap and reserve the current price.
