On auction is a stunning jacket from high-end Japanese denim/leather goods maker, Nine Lives, which I purchased through Iron Heart UK's 'Sonder Supplies'. The jacket is crafted from yak leather (yes, you read that right!) to an incredible standard - as with all things Nine Lives - and is a size 'Large', which roughly equates to a 38/40" chest.
These jackets are expensive for a reason (they retail for more than £2,000!): the leather really has to be seen/felt in person to believe it. I've regularly read about 'butter-soft' leather (which is normally completely wrong), but this one really IS. The colour is best described as brown with a slightly reddish tinge to it, which sets off the unique indigo sashiko side panels/inserts and brass zips beautifully.
Since I purchased it, I've worn it a handful of times, and it's then spent its life in the wardrobe - time to sell, sadly! There are very light signs of wear (basically, indigo transfer - ahh, the life of a denimhead...)
Key features:
- Custom yak leather with better tensile strength than cow.
- Finished with two different
oils; one is a hard oil from Ireland to give the leather a classic
horsehide riders jacket “hard drape” while still being buttery soft in
the creases. 1.1-1.2 mm
- Extra “sunglass pocket.” The bottom of the pocket is low enough that
glasses sit below the ribcage—the mouth has been made wide enough to
fit the reaching hand... The pocket bag tapers from the mouth so the
frames don’t wedge horizontally
- Elastic-banded bi-swing back
- Two-way premium YKK zipper
More information on the model (in a different colourway), is available here: https://ninelivesbrand.com/products/the-9lives-riders-jacket-burgundy
Key Dimensions (Note: I am 5'9", 165 lbs, and it fits me perfectly):
- Shoulder seam to shoulder seam: 18.5"
- Shoulder seam to cuff: 24.5"
- Armpit to armpit: 21.5"
- Top of collar to bottom of jacket: 27.5"
N.B. The P&P cost featured in the auction is only a guide - I will charge the winning bidder what I am charged. In my experience, this may be c£15 (Domestic UK), and c£30-45 (International).
Please feel free to get in touch with any queries.
Good luck bidding!