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Levis LVC 1930s Menlo leather jacket - question

Marv

Well-Known Member
I have just picked up (well waiting for it to arrive) a Levis LVC 1930s Menlo leather jacket and have a question regarding applying a leather conditioner to it.

The jacket is made from sheepskin so was wondering what the best type of leather conditioner would be suitable to use on this type of hide.

The jacket is a dark seal brown colour with factory distressing so wanted to tone this down a little, not too bothered about whether the hide darkens once the conditioner has been applied.

Probably looking for a non greasy application / finish to the hide so any suggestions would be appreciated - as I am UK based, anything suitable which can be purchased here would be preferable.
 

Marv

Well-Known Member
No, its this one Ken.......

cl044-levis-vintage-clothing-menlo-leather-jacket-m.jpg
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
Just my subjective opinion but I'm not terribly keen on that distressed weathering look they've attempted there. Looks a lot like one of those Indy jackets where someone has gone overboard with the sandpaper and whathaveyou and it ends up looking very artificial and too deliberate.

If it was me I'd be trying to tone it down with something but that's just me.
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Pecards will probably darken it but it will make it more supple and nourish it, its what I have been using with good success, and as Tim mentioned it will also tone down some of those lighter 'worn' areas. Ken has mentioned a product that doesn't seem to darken the leather and if this is what you want then it may be best to defer to his product knowledge.
 

Marv

Well-Known Member
Thanks chaps, the fit is pretty good for an XL and I would say that it is more like a size 44" reg with Pit to Pit measurement of 24 inches than a 46" XL which is fine.
I could probably fit into a size L but it would be a bit on the snug size I think though.

The jacket is made from sheepskin (not lamb) which I wasn't sure about until I received the jacket and it the hide is extremely light also has a repro Talon zipper.

From what I have researched from the web so far, Levis LVC made three seperate runs of the 1930s Menlo jacket with each one varying differently in sizing measurements, fit and level of distressing depending on which year it was made.

I did find a bottle of ELC Liquid leather conditioner to which I tested it on some of the hidden overally distressed areas which seemed to improve the hide some what in both texture and shading.

After seeing the results of the previous testing, I have applied the leather conditioner sparingly over most of the jacket with positive results.

The Levis LVC 1930s Menlo jacket was seen being worn briefly by Daniel Craig in Skyfall where James Bond is "enjoying death" so to speak.

I would have to say wearing a distressed jacket is an acquired taste (never owned one before) but I am liking it so far.
 
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