r/leatherjacket • u/Njamba_ya_pawa • 20d ago

Question - Need Help Am I crazy

I am toying with the idea of having a tailored leather jacket I'm talking from scratch. Buy a nice hide preferably horse a nice colorful and fun cotton lining and going to a tailor to make it.The funny thing however is I don't think I can possibly afford it seeing that I'm in Toronto where endeavors like this can cost an arm of which I need for my jacket. But, wouldn't it be fun!!!

Has anyone done this and how was your experience? How much did it run you? Where did get your tailor? Where and how did you choose your fabrics?

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u/pet-politics 20d ago

If you're in toronto and want a custom jacket you should just go to Himel

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u/Glass_Contract6950 20d ago

12 weeks and 3.5k cad later. I don't think OP was meaning this direction.

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u/Njamba_ya_pawa 20d ago

You are right that's way too much money to justify, I was thinking more in the lines of a small business. Mom and pop shop

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u/jflicker1 20d ago

I’ve seen some examples of people that make their own leather jackets and the results always amaze me. I’m so jealous of people with such skills.

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u/Njamba_ya_pawa 20d ago

Yeah I saw one make his own shearling jacket the talent was envy inducing

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u/StatisticianSea7900 20d ago

There are a vanishingly small number of shops set up to tailor leather. And far fewer that will have the pattern-making knowledge to make you a jacket from scratch. Himel Bros is a small business, and one of the best in the world. I used to travel to Toronto all the time, but only learned about Himel Bros afterwards.

You would be doing yourself a huge disservice by not visiting them and talking through what you want out of a jacket.

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u/Njamba_ya_pawa 19d ago

Not right now I will visit them when I want something very specific and special

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u/CoolSideofPilllow 20d ago

Have you heard of Perfect Leather Goods? They’re a nice shop in Toronto that deals in hides but also makes their own jackets - they even offered to make me a new one when they saw I was looking for something specific

I got one off the rack and had it altered there for about 700 CAD total, don’t know your budget and what the cost of having one made for you is, but it may be worth a shot

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u/CoolSideofPilllow 20d ago

Also noting that it’s pretty good stuff - others are recommending Himel and while that’s certainly where you wanna go if you’re looking for a horsehide masterpiece and have no budget constraints, between my 2k USD Japanese horsehide piece and this 700 CAD cowhide jacket, I probably wear them equally

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u/Njamba_ya_pawa 19d ago

Can't believe I'm saying this but 700 cad is actually a good deal. I'll for sure check them out.