The L2 - Horween Chromexcel #8

This L2 is crafted from full grain steer hide made by the Horween Leather Company in Chicago. If you’re looking for an absolutely special, drop-dead gorgeous leather for your L2, you have found your style. Horween's Chromexcel is famous and Color #8 even more so. We've used it in accessories and they're beautiful. We've used it in our sneakers and they became the stand-out color in the line. We were a bit skeptical about how it would turn out in jacket form, but when we got the sample back it was just so unusual and rich. We can safely say, in jacket form this color is a jaw-dropper. Like Horween’s Dublin line, Chromexcel has tremendous base shade and pull up. The difference with #8 is in its dark burgundy color. Its deep base results in a much more subtle beauty. You still get color variation as the jacket bends and creases, but it's more fluid and muted than in lighter CXL colors. Instead, you see wonderful gradations from deep brown-reds to slightly lighter reds. Even differences in light bring out new beautiful shades. This jacket reflects each movement you make and the patina that develops over time is masterful. You can instantly sense the huge reward in store as this jacket ages over the years. This leather is downright burly. We think of these Horween L2’s like a great pair of heavy raw denim. It’s a process. Difficult and stiff at first, but the way they begin to mold to your body, the creases they form on the arms and the way they absorb all the little details of your daily life are just pure beauty.

A great leather jacket must be nicely tailored and perfectly constructed. Our L2 is designed to hit near the waist, staying true to this style's functional roots as a motorcycle jacket. There is an ample amount of taper from chest to waist, making the overall silhouette clean and fitted. Our fit helps give this jacket the versatility to look just as good worn to the office or out at night (even when you leave your bike at home). To us, staying true to this iconic style meant honoring key details. Foremost is the double collar, perfectly sized with each point secured by an antique brass snap. Defining the front is an off-center body zipper, a functional element to protect against wind, and a wonderful asymmetrical detail. We use our large size 10, antique brass, vintage shaped Talon zipper. From the start, we knew our L2 had to have the D-pocket. This pocket is highly functional and the beautiful curved shape adds true character to the jacket. Opposite the D-pocket is an additional slash pocket, also secured with a Talon zipper. All this beautiful antique brass hardware lends a rustic contrast to the leather. A seamless center back panel is the perfect showcase for the beautiful leathers we use and gives you a huge plane of hide to admire. The bottom back gets a rectangular segment in true moto style. Large gussets on the side-back allow for better movement and are punctuated by zippered vents. Finally, this style wouldn’t be complete without the shoulder epaulettes and zippered cuffs. The body and arms are lined with a jet black herringbone cloth that lends a subtle texture to the interior of the jacket. What we love most about this style is how all this detail comes together into a functional and beautiful whole.

Leather jackets like ours that are made in the USA using our quality of material and construction are typically priced at $1000 or higher. The efficiency of the Gustin model, with your support, lets us do much better.