Club Obi Wan

I know the quest for SA is its own whole thing, a sort of holy grail if you will. But then there are those of us who want an Indy style jacket, that speaks to the spirit of the jacket, but sacrifices film-fidelity for things like ruggedness, fit, and style.

To that end, I thought I'd start a thread to see if anyone has found any good bomber style jackets, sans elastics, that are close enough.

Our friends at Schott NYC have a new one for the fall: http://www.schottnyc.com/products/waxy- ... m?catID=21" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I went to see this in the store, and it's pretty nice. It's got buckles on the sides and half-belted in back. It's a bit more form fitting than the bi-swing of a true Indy, and the tighter arm holes don't give you the flying squirrel. Plus, Schott jackets are tough as nails.

I don't personally like this one, but British Lewis Leathers has a bomber style intended for motorcycle riding: http://www.lewisleathers.com/productinf ... umJakNo699" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I like a jacket designed to stand up against asphalt attack.

Anyone else got any non-Indy Indy jackets?

That Schott is a jewel!!

GREAT looking jacket!!!

The Schott jacket is pretty spiffy. Sort of a cross between an Indy and Surrogates jacket.


The Lewis jackets looks really plasticy to me.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

The Schott is their take on a 1950's long half-belt. It's not as well done as Aero's version but it's decent. Aero specialises in period jackets, some of them date back to the time of Raiders.

I think a 1930's Indy would have worn an A1. If anyone wold care to past one... The A1 was the first of the classic flying/adventurer jackets that was developed in the 1920's.

Thanks, CM. I hadn't heard of Aero. They have some pretty good bomber-ish jackets.
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/prod ... sicleather" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aero in Scotland would be seen by many to be amongst the premier leather jacket makers in the word. They are hand crafted and rugged pieces - the opposite of fashion leather. Their jackets are based on genuine vintage patterns. But their jackets may not appeal to many Indy fans. They don't use light lamb and the leather they prefer is 3oz horse hide which is very heavy and stiff. It feels like armor and an Indy jacket in this would weigh 5-6 pounds. In fact it's too thick for me in this Australian climate.

I just bought this one!



Vanson made copy of a Californian. Made right here in the US of A!! Always thought the historical Indy would wear one of these...

Dang that is a nice one. Wow


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That's an outstanding jacket, and it's on my wish list!

Oooo, purrrrrrdeeeeeee.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

that is sweeeeet!!!!

Hollowpond wrote:I just bought this one!



Vanson made copy of a Californian. Made right here in the US of A!! Always thought the historical Indy would wear one of these...

Can you get these from Vanson or do you need to go through Logan's Closet?

Pretty sure Logan's Closet exclusively...

Got it today, and fit pictures are coming, but seriously...I've waited my whole adult life for this jacket.

Uh, something about that statement seems AWFULLY familiar.

Haha! Fair enough...fair enough.

Sooo... you'll be getting rid of it in what? 6 months? a year?

Keep me in the loop

Not this one. It's perfect....

But there is a precedence here.

I'll give you the benfit of the doubt T... and until May of next year...



Then it's MINE, ALL MINE

Oh, our friends Cockpit USA, who gave us the Roughneck jacket, now have the sniper jacket:
http://www.cockpitusa.com/men/sniper-jacket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'll say this: there used to be a Cockpit USA store in NYC, and I tried on the Roughneck. It was a good looking jacket; it draped a LOT better than a true Indy. BUT it was made of a pre-distressed leather that I didn’t believe would stand the test of time. Besides, very expensive stuff.

A real Indy may have worn one of these - 1920's leather chore coat. It would have been 10-15 years old at the time of Raiders. It's a bit like Fedora's longer jacket in Last Crusade. It's by Aero, a company many believe is the greatest manufacturer of leather jackets.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/prod ... hp?id=2391" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Finally some fit pictures!

SUPER cool lining!!


The grain, color and the Talon zip..

LOVE THIS JACKET!!!

Oh, and this will be the the first jacket that I've kept that WILL NOT be artificially distressed! Mock if you will (its totally deserved... ), but this one will be passed on to the grandkids!!!

Looks great. I love the color of the leather, especially where it is showing some wear already. Looks even better than Tony's version. Enjoy it!

Hollowpond wrote:LOVE THIS JACKET!!!

Awful. Just awful.


The leather looks like plastic , the fit is all off , and your plaids clash!



Send it to me post-haste for immediate destruction.



Regards,

Indiana Jeff

There's some pretty impressive jacket choices out there! I agree with Hollowpond that some of these you could pass on to your kids or grandkids...they're practically heirlooms.

Indiana Jeff wrote:

Hollowpond wrote:LOVE THIS JACKET!!!

Awful. Just awful.


The leather looks like plastic , the fit is all off , and your plaids clash!



Send it to me post-haste for immediate destruction.



Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Okay...it's on the way...sorry...



You are right that the plaids don't match though!

Hollowpond wrote:Oh, and this will be the the first jacket that I've kept that WILL NOT be artificially distressed! Mock if you will (its totally deserved... ), but this one will be passed on to the grandkids!!!

AdaminNYC wrote:Oh, our friends Cockpit USA, who gave us the Roughneck jacket, now have the sniper jacket:
http://www.cockpitusa.com/men/sniper-jacket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'll say this: there used to be a Cockpit USA store in NYC, and I tried on the Roughneck. It was a good looking jacket; it draped a LOT better than a true Indy. BUT it was made of a pre-distressed leather that I didn’t believe would stand the test of time. Besides, very expensive stuff.

WOW I LOVE that jacket!!!!! If only I could spare that kinda cash!

I've got a St. John's Bay jacket, purchased at Penneys in the mid 90's. It's got most of the features of the Schott discussed above (zippered chest pocket, cuffs with snap fasteners, side straps, bi-swing back, and flannel lining), but lacks the half-belt. I didn't buy it as an Indy jacket, but I've always liked the overall look, and it certainly looks like it is from the right period...like it could have hung on the rack in the same store where Indy bought his jacket.

ron521 wrote:I've got a St. John's Bay jacket, purchased at Penneys in the mid 90's. It's got most of the features of the Schott discussed above (zippered chest pocket, cuffs with snap fasteners, side straps, bi-swing back, and flannel lining), but lacks the half-belt. I didn't buy it as an Indy jacket, but I've always liked the overall look, and it certainly looks like it is from the right period...like it could have hung on the rack in the same store where Indy bought his jacket.

Could you post a picture of it?

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/ursac ... a.jpg.html

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/ursac ... 1.jpg.html

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/ursac ... 6.jpg.html

^^^Looks great!

Nice but I get more of a 1950's design vibe from that one.

Since Hollowpond post pics of this Californian from Vanson, I guess I can post mine from Bill Kelso!

The jacket is based on TN pattern.

The leather is Liberty HH in seal brown and with tartan lining

And here some fit pics :

I have to say, I really like the half-belt look. It adds character. Hollowpond, I think that jacket is very well suited to you - the color, the hide, the style, all together jst flat out works.

All this sorta-Indy-Jacket talk makes me miss my Magnoli Vintage Adventure jacket. That was my favorite. Someday, I'll have to replace it, but it's on somebody else's back now.
For what it's worth, this is my #1 find. http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/vintage ... p-152.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have something else now, only half as nice and about a third the quality... but no pics yet.

All this half belt talk makes me think of Starsky from Starsky and Hutch.

Thanks Chewie!! It is my "forever jacket"

Is this tag actually sewn in your BK jacket?



Regards! Michaelson

Yes, apparently all half-belts from BK have an "original" label sew in

Interesting.

Thanks!

Regard! M

Not much different than a repro A-2 label. Adds to the authentic reproduction, tags and all, like the Bermans and Nathans tag in the Relic Hunter. The pocket probably has the Bill Kelso Mfg tag.

Great looking jacket, by the way!

It is a nice looking jacket.

With that tag I'm concerned about how long before one of these tries to be sold as "new old stock found in the back of my granddad's closet."


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Indiana Jeff wrote:It is a nice looking jacket.

With that tag I'm concerned about how long before one of these tries to be sold as "new old stock found in the back of my granddad's closet."


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Fair enough, yeah, I could see that. Either way, both jackets would cost a lot of money. Can't say it would be really worth it. There are easier ways to scam people.

Forrest For the Trees wrote: Fair enough, yeah, I could see that. Either way, both jackets would cost a lot of money. Can't say it would be really worth it.

Initially, yes, they're both high end, cost wise, and both well worth the money.

I think what Jeff is talking about is which one would hold a higher value in the secondary market......an original, or a copy with a reproduction tag and no indication on the tag of it BEING a reproduction? Once it leaves the possession of the first owner, who would know its original history? I think you know the answer to that one.

It's still a very nice looking jacket. I just wish they'd stop using those labels in their jackets and sew in one of their own.

Regard! Michaelson

Forrest For the Trees wrote:

Indiana Jeff wrote:It is a nice looking jacket.

With that tag I'm concerned about how long before one of these tries to be sold as "new old stock found in the back of my granddad's closet."


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Fair enough, yeah, I could see that. Either way, both jackets would cost a lot of money. Can't say it would be really worth it. There are easier ways to scam people.

Sure, a new Bill Kelso still costs a pretty penny, but like Michaelson said, with the 'reproduction' tags in the jacket it would be more difficult to tell the difference from a true vintage jacket. On the secondary market, pristine vintage jackets easily go for over $1,000 especially if it was being offered up in a common size.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff