LEATHER JACKETS

Vintage leather jackets are timeless staples, with specific styles from brands like Schott NYC, Harley Davidson, and Avirex being highly sought after by collectors for their quality, history, and iconic designs.
Popular Styles and Brands
  • Biker/Motorcycle Jackets (e.g., Schott NYC "Perfecto"): The most iconic style, popularized in the 1950s film The Wild One. These jackets are heavy-duty, built for protection, and develop a rich patina over time.
Schott NYC: Famous for the original asymmetrical zipper "Perfecto" jacket, known for its D-pocket, wide lapels, and belted waist. A true piece of Americana, vintage Schott jackets are among the most valued in the market.
Lewis Leathers: A legendary British brand that crafted classic biker jackets with distinctive quilted shoulders and reinforced elbows.
  • Bomber/Flight Jackets (e.g., A-2, B-3): Originally designed for pilots in the World Wars, these jackets are shorter with ribbed knit hems and cuffs for insulation.
    Avirex: A well-known manufacturer that produced military-style flight jackets, including the classic A-2 model, which are popular vintage items.
    Eastman Leather and The Real McCoy's: These brands are known for their painstaking, high-quality reproductions of vintage military flight jackets, crafted with era-correct details and materials.
  • Café Racer Jackets: Emerging in the 1960s, this minimalist style was favoured by motorcyclists wanting a sleeker, more streamlined look.
    Features: Defined by a simple, straight front zip and a clean, band collar (with or without a snap closure).
    Brands: Vanson and Aero Leathers are known for both vintage pieces and modern high-quality recreations of the cafe racer style.
  • Motorsport/Sponsor Jackets: Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, these jackets are characterized by bright colours, colour blocking, and an array of brand patches and logos from racing teams and sponsors (e.g., Ferrari, Red Bull, Marlboro, Alpinestars, Yamaha).
    Avirex and NASCAR: These brands produced many of the sponsor-heavy, graphic racing jackets that were a major part of 90s streetwear and motor-sport fashion.
  • Distressed Leather Jackets: Characterized by a deliberately worn or aged appearance, often with a unique patina developed through years of wear. The appeal lies in the rugged, lived-in look.
    Brands: While many brands offer distressed styles, the vintage look of older jackets naturally produced through use is highly sought after, as seen in items from high-end designers like vintage Gucci or more mainstream brands.
Vintage leather jackets are timeless staples, with specific styles from brands like Schott NYC, Lewis Leathers, and Avirex being highly sought after by collectors for their quality, history, and iconic designs.