Completely leathered: leather jacket-buying advice

I'm thinking of buying a casual leather jacket, bomber or biker-style. I have about £200 to spend. I have no idea where to start. Not fussed about brands, but neither am I against them. Happy to buy a no-name, but I'm guessing the quality is highly variable. Anyone been through this quagmire? Care to advise?

Well shit, son! That is fyah. Just what I'm after...

Quality second hand might be the way to go at that price point - I found a website called leather monkeys that had some decent looking ones when I was looking.

If you're looking at new, don't go to the Lewis Leathers shop as their quality blows everything else out the water & you'll just be upset that you can't have one.

If you can spare the time for a trip, try going to Uncle Sam's in Oxford. It's a vintage shop with a massive selection of leather. Bought mine there a decade ago and it's still surviving.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141616500665?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

#rep

Lewis Leathers... £200 won't get you very far tho'...

Derek at Lewis Leathers is a really old mate of mine, I wish I'd got around to buying a Corsair or Dominator before I left... He's done wonderful things with that company...

Yeah, budget is limited. What about the shops on Brick Lane? Anyone bought from there? Consensus on best for quality/price?

I had a half decent copy which I lived in from '76 till '86 ?
Been huming and haring for years about getting the 'real thing' ...[http://www.lewisleathers.com/Jackets-Overview.html]

Might have to sell my Brompton to pay for it though

used to work round the corner from lewis, always loved the racing jacket, there stuff is smell the quality time.
http://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=Rac442

Secondhand is deffo the way to go with your budget, problem is where do you start?

An old mate has a store called Breuer and Dawson, he's based in Margate but still does a stall in the covered market at Portobello Road, he'd be a good person to ask... You might be lucky and pick up a nice 70s Aviakit or a vintage Schott Perfecto up there, the trick is to keep looking 'til you find something in your size... There used to be a wonderful shop in the stables market at Camden that had loads of old British leathers at knock down prices, the Japanese kids got wise to it and bought them all up... That was 20 years ago tho'...

Good luck!

I just checked their website and they've got a 50s G1 style horse hide jacket for £250, check it out...

http://www.breuerdawson.com

Do you think Derek would give me a discount if I said that I know you? I have been lusting after a Corsair for too long.

I doubt even I'll get a discount and I've known him for thirty years!

Aeroleather have apprentice made horsehide jackets for 300.
Seems like a really good idea to me.

I had a very bad experience with Aero a few years back, I hear things have changed now so you might be OK... When they're good, they're bloody awesome...

I have a frank thomas cruiser jacket, excellent quality and value.

http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php/collection/leathers.html

Can't understand how they're so affordable

Thanks, man - very helpful.

if you want to but Leather jackets in good prices please contact at nadeem@fazons.com

Thanks spammer, didn't realise this thread existed.

Anyway, it's a good excuse to post a picture...

Bought from Grattans catalogue when I was 16. Been modified a little...

Still has the original Hull Spiders club membership pin on it.

I have a lambskin leather jacket - any experts on leather able to advise on the best cleaning and conditioning products/methods?

It's this one:

http://www.menswearstyle.co.uk/products/mens-leather-and-suede-coats/sylar-leather-jacket/460760121