Objects of Affection: Wrath Arcane Motorbike Jacket

I know. It’s nearly June and I’m still featuring jackets. But I came across this piece from Cleveland locals Wrath Arcane and I just couldn’t help myself.

The Motorbike Jacket is a great combination of a relatively simple silhouette with a whole fuckton of interesting detailing, and to top it all off it’s done in a waxed cotton. Since it’s still that time of year in NY when rain is a constant threat and it winds up inexplicably cold at night, something like this could actually prove pretty damn useful in the near future.

On to the detailing, which is what hooked me on this one. It’s got an asymmetrical snap-close front, as well as a front vent (on the right side of the body only, for some reason). Also features twisted seams on the arms, side welt handwarmer pockets, adjuster tabs at the cuffs and waist, and another asymmetrical touch on the back, this time in the form of a harness detail. It might seem like a lot for one jacket, but the clean lines and tan waxed cotton ground the whole affair nicely and it actually works quite well.

Some more shots:

Brigade sells it for $330, but unfortunately they’re out of stock right now. If you can’t wait and absolutely need to get your hands on one, Asos has it as well, but you’ll have to bite the bullet on an extra hundred on the price tag (about $423). Call it the cost of international commerce.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Brigade)

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Ojects of Affection: Edwin Amp Tramp Bomber

The high today in NYC? 57 degrees. I think that’s cold enough for me to feature a leather jacket.

The Amp Tramp Bomber from the Edwin SS 2010 collection is a take on the classic MA1 flight jacket’s silhouette and detailing (storm flap, sleeve pocket, knit collar/hem/cuffs), but it’s been slimmed up significantly. Edwin also went for leather instead of the traditional nylon, which is a pretty key shift. So: reproduction enthusiasts aren’t gonna love it.

But it’s not trying to be a repro, and considered as a modern jacket in its own right, it’s a win. The feel is certainly part military, but it’s trim enough to have a bit of edge to it as well. A solid “night out” kind of jacket.

The fact that I keep wanting to call it the Tramp Stamp Bomber as opposed to the Amp Tramp Bomber? Well, that’s probably another issue entirely…

A few more shots:

Available at Asos, who also did a pretty damn fine job on the styling for these shots (if you ask me). It’ll run you $465.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Asos)

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Objects of Affection: Pointer Crago in Dark Brown

Yesterday’s insanely warm weather in NYC reminded me that having your ankles covered on a hot day is not always pleasant. So, though I love me my desert boots, I’ve been trolling around for a similar look in a shoe.

Since the Desert Trek from Clarks is out (I hate that seam running down the center), I’m really digging this offering from Pointer footwear: The Crago. You can click the shoe name to see a ton of colorways over at Pointer’s site, but my favorite doesn’t seem to be on there.

It’s that dark, dark brown offering shown above, and it’s available at Penelope’s. I’m particularly fond of it because it’s a little bit different from the norm, while maintaining a look that is distinctly “desert boot” in inspiration.

Different how? Well, the combination of full grain leather and suede adds some nice textural play and breaks from the traditional all-suede or all-leather executions. And because the two materials don’t exactly match one another in color or in the way they react to light (sheen vs. matte), there’s some bonus visual interest there as well.  The use of a relatively low profile wedge sole in white rubber (of the non-crepe variety) is the icing on the cake for me.

A few more looks at the Pointer Crago in Dark Brown:

It’s also on sale! Marked down from $164 to $114. Click on over before they’re gone.

—Jonathan

PS – There’s a tan version as well, if you’re feeling more traditional today.

Pick it up at Penelope’s or Asos.

(Images courtesy of Penelope’s and Asos)

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Objects of Affection: Vintage Lewis Leathers Bronx Twin Track

The good folks over at Asos have a very nice offering on site right now: a vintage Lewis Leathers Twin Track Bronx jacket. It’s from the 80′s, and it’s a damn good looking piece.

Nice, right? Right.

As a brief primer for you, the Twin Track Bronx was introduced in 1966 as an upgrade of the original Bronx jacket. Among the new features: The twin track front zipper that allowed for a roomier fit when zipped in the wintertime (so heavier layers could be worn underneath), and a slimmer one in the summer. The Twin Track Bronx was also the first Lewis Leathers jacket with the distinctive coin pocket zip on the forearm of the left sleeve. Like the original Bronx, the Twin Track version owes much of it’s styling to the influence of American styles like the Perfecto and the Buco.

This particular jacket is especially appealing to me because of the BSA logo on the back. My dad rode a BSA motorcycle when he rode, and I’ve always kinda been enamored of the maker. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the logo itself is a classic.

It also doesn’t hurt that Asos’ detailed material shot shows that the leather seems to be in great condition.

And finally, it really doesn’t hurt that the Bronx jacket looks just cool as hell.

At £500, it ain’t cheap. But considering the new Bronx jackets will run you £650, and don’t have a badass BSA logo on the back, you’re not getting raked over the coals here.

You’ve got to have a fuck ton of attitude to pull this piece off. But if you do, click on over to Asos and pick it up. Fortune favors the bold, kids..

—Jonathan

(All images courtesy of Asos)

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