Making the Perfect Leather Jacket

For their latest project, the Taylor Stitch Workshop has just introduced a Moto collection—the star of which is a recreation of an old racing jacket. The original is more than four decades old, "worn in like a baseball mitt and fits like a glove too." After some digging, they discovered the jacket was made right around the corner from Taylor Stitch's headquarters at Golden Bear, which has been crafting quality outerwear in San Francisco since the 1920s. Turns out, Golden Bear still had the original pattern so they collaborated on resurrecting the old design, updating it just slightly and reinforcing worn areas to make it even stronger.

Using the soft, worn-in patina of the vintage piece as their reference point, they worked with a chrome-tanned full-grain steerhide, which they say is "buttery soft and comfortable right from the first fitting." Period-specific finishing touches include antique brass YKK hardware, a quilted lining and zig zag stitched collar. The end result is probably the last leather jacket you'll ever buy. A handsome, durable piece of outerwear that looks and feels like that prefect, grail vintage piece (you know, the one you want but never seem to find). And if you think we're exaggerating, just ask the guys who've already funded the project. Taylor Stitch hit 300% of their goal in a day. Grab one during the pre-sale and you'll score 20% off the retail price.