1940’s (?) jacket ID help

[jellybean]

Hi all,

I’m totally new to this, hope this is the right way to do this - I bought a leather jacket from a vintage shop last weekend and would love to find more information about it. It was marked as 1940s on the shop tag, but I don’t know enough about jackets to say whether that is true or not. I’d really like to know how old it is, and any info about what type of jacket it is, etc. I was so excited to find something that fits me perfectly and is just the style I was looking for! The leather is in great shape; I plan to get the lining and zipper replaced once I find a suitable tailor.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

 

[B-Man2]

Are there any other tags on the inside of the pocket or in the lining of the jacket ?
Not sure if it’s a 1940s jacket but might be 1950s. Very nice condition for its age .

 

[jellybean]

Are there any other tags on the inside of the pocket or in the lining of the jacket ?
Not sure if it’s a 1940s jacket but might be 1950s. Very nice condition for its age .

No other tags, unfortunately. Left me with very little to use as search terms.
Thanks, I’m very happy with the condition it’s in, can’t wait to the zipper fixed so I can wear it properly.
Any thoughts on what this style would be called?

 

[B-Man2]

Looks like a very similar style to a female aviators jacket.

 

[MikeyB-17]

Is the zip damaged? If not I’d keep it, that’s a really nice Art Deco style puller. Or if the male side is knackered it’s possible to replace the track and swap the pullers over. Nice jacket. I’d try and keep as much of the original lining as possible too, if it was me.

 

[Shanghai-Mayne]

Congratulations.

 

[Micawber]

Welcome. I like the jacket, personally I wouldn't change anything.

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, I’d leave everything as original as possible. Is the zipper not functional?

 

[jellybean]

The zippper is unfortunately not working. The teeth are extremely loose and the zipper can’t seat. I like the idea of keeping the puller, if possible!
The lining is extremely torn and falling apart in many places. eg it’s completely shredded at the armpits. It’s wearable for now, but I feel like I’m damaging it further every time I put it on. And since I will have to travel a fair distance to an appropriate tailor I’d like to get it all fixed up at once.
Since the lining needs replacing anyways, I’d really like to use a warmer/cozier fabric - since the jacket is a shorter style, I can’t really layer underneath it like I otherwise would. Is this a sacrilegious thing to do?

 

[jellybean]

Looks like a very similar style to a female aviators jacket.
View attachment 180819

Can it be an aviator jacket if it doesn’t have the front flap pockets? That’s the thing I most strongly associate with that style, but I don’t know the technical definition.
I am very curious if it was originally a men’s or women’s jacket, the shop I purchased it in had it with the men’s clothes. For fit reference, I am 5’8’’

 

[jellybean]

The curved front seams are very unique (at least compared to all the pictures I’ve looked through so far), wondering if there’s a particular time/style they can be traced to. Anyone recognize them? Would love to see pictures of something similar

 

[mulceber]

Can it be an aviator jacket if it doesn’t have the front flap pockets? That’s the thing I most strongly associate with that style, but I don’t know the technical definition.
I am very curious if it was originally a men’s or women’s jacket, the shop I purchased it in had it with the men’s clothes. For fit reference, I am 5’8’’

The definition of an aviator jacket is pretty fluid. As long as it's a style that was once used by aviators, it qualifies. But imho, there are 3 broad categories:

• cross-zip style - these look like biker jackets, like you'd see in the Wild One, but they're brown and have less metal bits on them.
• jackets with knits, whether they be made of leather, cloth, or nylon
• shearling jackets

 

[B-Man2]

Can it be an aviator jacket if it doesn’t have the front flap pockets? That’s the thing I most strongly associate with that style, but I don’t know the technical definition.
I am very curious if it was originally a men’s or women’s jacket, the shop I purchased it in had it with the men’s clothes. For fit reference, I am 5’8’’

The fact that you’re wearing it and it’s trim on you immediately suggests that it’s awoman’s jacket. However, at 5’8” I guess it could have been worn by a guy, but he would have had to have been very thin with narrow shoulders. So I’m still going with a woman’s jacket. BUT… the zipper puller is on the right side which was usually the case in men’s jackets ….. so …. Ya got me on this one!

 

[Micawber]

The zippper is unfortunately not working. The teeth are extremely loose and the zipper can’t seat. I like the idea of keeping the puller, if possible!
The lining is extremely torn and falling apart in many places. eg it’s completely shredded at the armpits. It’s wearable for now, but I feel like I’m damaging it further every time I put it on. And since I will have to travel a fair distance to an appropriate tailor I’d like to get it all fixed up at once.
Since the lining needs replacing anyways, I’d really like to use a warmer/cozier fabric - since the jacket is a shorter style, I can’t really layer underneath it like I otherwise would. Is this a sacrilegious thing to do?

No not sacrilegious on a jacket you intend to wear and enjoy. A sympathetic zip [retaining the puller]and lining replacement would be sensible. Something cozy is going to need some thought as it is a fairly trim fit as is. Surprising how warm silk or synthetic can be...

 

[jellybean]

The fact that you’re wearing it and it’s trim on you immediately suggests that it’s awoman’s jacket. However, at 5’8” I guess it could have been worn by a guy, but he would have had to have been very thin with narrow shoulders. So I’m still going with a woman’s jacket. BUT… the zipper puller is on the right side which was usually the case in men’s jackets ….. so …. Ya got me on this one!

If the zipper is on the side of men's jackets I'm going to guess that's the answer - I wouldn't say just because it fits me it must be women's. The sweater I'm wearing in this pic is men's, and I frequently buy men's pants for the extra length + pocket space I also really prefer men's for anything with cuffs (especially flannels) because the cuffs on women's clothing are way too snug in the wrists for some reason. women's clothes are honestly terrible in so many ways, but that's a topic for another day

 

[jellybean]

No not sacrilegious on a jacket you intend to wear and enjoy. A sympathetic zip [retaining the puller]and lining replacement would be sensible. Something cozy is going to need some thought as it is a fairly trim fit as is. Surprising how warm silk or synthetic can be...

Glad to hear I wouldn't be committing crimes against vintage clothes! I think I should be fine as far as space, I'm wearing a pretty thick sweater in the pic and it was still quite roomy. I'm thinking maybe a nice heavy flannel - would be warm and soft, and is exactly my vibe fashion-wise. but I'll see what the tailor recommends