Objects of Affection: Temple of Jawnz TOJ2.2 Bomber in Front Quarter Horsehide

The TOJ2.2 in Whiskey FQ Horsehide

Some background info: Temple of Jawnz is a three person operation based in Seoul, South Korea that produces a very nice line of shirting, outwear, accessories, and…leather jackets. The whole business is currently internet-based. You provide the measurements, they work with you to get correct sizing for the piece you’re looking to purchase.

On the leather front, TOJ does both stock and made to measure options on three basic models. There’s a Moto, a Bomber,  and a Double Rider’s. They also do a pretty swift business in custom pieces. Hide options include a thick New Zealand lambskin (washed or unwashed), heavyweight calfskin, and front quarter horsehide (FQHH). The TOJ guys also get their hands on things like buffalo and goat sometimes.

On to the Bomber! The official name is the TOJ2.2, and it’s essentially a slimmed down, modernized A2. Higher armholes, a slimmer chest, tighter and longer sleeves. All the fit details I’m pretty much all about. Plus they give you the option to get handwarmer pockets in addition to the traditional top-entry flap pockets. If you’re not looking for a repro–and like having warm hands–that’s a pretty useful bonus.

Throw the option of Japanese-tanned front quarter horsehide into the mix along with all the hard-wearing, beautifully aging, weather proof associations that come with it? Yeah, I’m sold.

As I said before, you can customize a lot of options on TOJ’s jackets. Nevertheless, I can’t really fathom a better version than this one belonging to kryptix at superfuture, in burgundy FQHH with handwarmer pockets and a red cupro lining:

The TOJ2.2 is priced from $550. Do your research over at the superfuture and Styleforum official threads, as well as this post at The Bengal Stripe; get your quick-fix info at the unofficial site; look at more pictures here and here; and finally, email Charly at templeofjawnz@gmail.com to place an order.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of kryptix and TOJ, via superfuture)

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Objects of Affection: Epaulet x Styleforum Double-Faced Japanese Shirts

I’m loving the newest iteration of Epaulet’s ongoing collaborative effort with Styleforum members. Here’s how it works: Epaulet goes to the folks on Styleforum and presents them with a number of options for fabric, style, etc. The members vote. Once voting ends, the winning style(s) get produced in NY in similar fashion to Epaulet’s mainstay “small batch” shirting options.

This time around, the whole process generated two styles: a Club Collar Oxford (link goes to the blue version) and a Double-Faced Japanese Shirt (link goes to the black version). Though the oxford is a damn fine specimen in its own right, the Double-Faced Japanese Shirt just blows me away. Call it a weakness for plaid.

The Double-Faced Japanese shirt is so named because it’s made of Japanese cotton, and because the fabric is two sided. As you can see in the picture above, the outside sports a multicolor tartan while the inside has a micro-gingham that’s visible when the sleeves are rolled and the collar is open, and the gingham actually peeks through the tartan in bright sunlight, which is pretty cool.

A slim cut with box pleating at the upper back for movement and darts at the lower back to keep the silhouette tight, a single button closure pocket at the left chest, and a button down collar complete the package.

More looks at both the black and the cream versions:

Click on over to Epaulet to pick yours up for $130. Just gotta make the call: Black, or Cream (or both)?

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Epaulet)

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Eye Candy: Shades of Grey Burgundy Leather Moto

A quick note: these photos were lifted from StyleForum coverage of Capsule NY. Hope that’s kosher, guys! This jacket is just so nice, I wanted to throw up a few shots.

It’s Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen (formerly Shades of Greige). I’m curious about the name change.

My inner monologue as I scrolled through the StyleForum post: “Oh, man. I’d be looking at that too. I wish I could see more…”

I scroll down: “Oh shit! I CAN see more!”

And finally: “I want that jacket.”

The knit collar/chest panel, the asymmetrical zip, and the color. I’m sold. I don’t care if it’s probably synthetic, as are most (all?) Shades of Grey/Greige items.

Thanks a lot, StyleForum guys. Now I’m fiending for TWO jackets.

(I’m actually fine with that)

—Jonathan

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