Epic Leather

I gotta kiss it goodbye. This leather baby's off to a country beloved to me, sweet sweet Japan. I love you Japan. I do. Everyday more and more. sniff, sniff. Makes me misty.



I can just picture it now, a mini motorcycle mistress cruising in Langlitz Leathers duds down the streets of Tokyo. I wish I wish I wish.



I really hope to be able to use this money to go back to Japan this summer. Fingers crossed on the economy! Until then I'll hunker down and watch stupid youtube vids until everything settles down.

Hardcore XXX Thrift-score

I'm a thrift junky and will never go to a store without fully pillaging its racks. And I'm soooo glad I stayed at Goodwill after I found my project leggings.

I found the most killer Jil Sander backless dress for $9.99 (!!!)(--plus my 10% Goodwill discount, of course.)



I'm not a part of the typical Jil Sander demographic, it's true. I mean I'm a young lady, but I have a penchant for the matronly. I've been really into the angles of bandage dresses. This is a deadly hot open back dress and it fits like a glove.

Today's just the day to prove I've really got a thing for old lady gear. Here's an Andrea Jovine purple wool coat that's tailored so perfectly. It'll look rad with new dress or just with t-shirt, scarf and leggings.

Hit the Jacket-pot

After much anticipation, I went to Langlitz Leather company this morning to find out more about my leather. As soon as the counter-person set eyes on it, he had a smile from ear to ear.

One by one the Langlitz staff came to check out my jacket reeling at the fact I'd found it at a thrift store. (Oh, and I bought it in Washington [where sales tax is applicable] but used my Oregon state ID to forfeit paying tax)Cheap!

The staff was so great and helpful. He told me about the details of the jacket (Crown zipper, green label, horsehide, etc.) and dated it for me. I spent half the weekend online dying to find out more information. It really helped to confirm my suspicions. Of course it'd make sense to keep it, it's my size and it's GORGEOUS! But, I think there is a special someone who'll like it better than I. Someone who loves motorcycles and will wear it regularly. Keep an eye out for this bad boy on ebay. It should be quite a ride!

MLK+UNICORN+VALENTINE'S=Thrift Jackpot

The adventure continues at this thrift store:

I spied the most incredible motorcycle jacket in a tinsy-tiny size, which is super rare. I unhooked the jacket and slid it on. OH, man it felt amazing, stiff, perfectly worked in and RAD antique hardware.

Riding the high of finding a perfect leather jacket for mere pittance, I start looking closer.

Langlitz Leathers is a local Portland motorcycle leather wear company producing 5 pieces daily and only one outlet in America but 50 licensed dealers in Japan (!). They've been around for 62 years, since 1947!
Behind the jacket was a pair of itty bitty leather riding pants.


I bought the jacket and left the pants behind. I didn't see how anyone would ever fit in them, definitely not me.
We left the store and I started checking out ebay and vintage sites trying to find something similar and things got interesting.




I looked up the name on the inside pocket, "Mrs. Bert Taylor", well Bert Taylor really. And found he was a professional Norton racer in 1927. This was his wife's custom made leather.
Finding the provenance and history I felt guilty about separating the pants from jacket and returned to buy them for $14.99.

It took me a few hours to find any information on this particular jacket. It was older than all the Langlitz Leather jackets online. I FINALLY found this page in a Japanese book about the history of leather jackets (for sale on ebay).
(click to enlarge)
JACKPOT! A 1950-1956 Langlitz Leather horsehide Columbia leather jacket with matching pants. I'm hoping to go to Japan and have a good chunk of my expenses paid with these babies. First, I'm going to head to Langlitz and talk to Dave (who is a minor celebrity in Japan) and see what he has to say about cleaning and treating the leather. I also would like to find out more about the jacket and possibly what it's worth since I haven't found any online from the 50's for sale only a few from the 60's. I have learned a whole hella of a lot about vintage leathers, I'm now a huge fanatic!

Reminds me of the first time I encountered a Langlitz Leather jacket, 2002 working at Music Millennium.



Check the hat. Benicio is a bigger fanatic than I, bless him.

Thrift Heaven Valentines Day

My fella and I decided to take a spur of the moment trip to the coast Friday the 13th. We decided to go to Astoria, OR (yes, Oregon--I get confused) and ate at the cheesily named but delicious Baked Alaska. Then we didn't go too far before we found a hotel that accepts dogs, kind of a mistake. It was a dump. Next time we sneak Johnny in to a fancy place. Best part was hotel TV: Cosby Show marathon. HEY-OH!

After waking up with cricked necks and smelling like smoke (in a non-smoking room?)we set out to explore Astoria and it's surrounding parts. wasn't going to leave without (finally) seeing the Goonies House. Mission accomplished.


There's a constant stream of people walking up the drive to this house. I suppose if you wanted to make a Goonies/Israeli statement that's cool.

That's Data's house.
We headed home and hit every thrift store on the way back to Portland, including the thrift mecca of Longview. There's like 6 thrift stores in a row in the downtown area. I started taking picture of every thrift store and was really into the thrift store as political messageboard. See?

MLK + unicorn (a super good omen). The woman behind the counter told me that she too had a dream. It was to open a thrift shop. She keeps the picture to remind her of the importance of having a dream.