An In-Depth Review of Schott: Iconic Leather Jackets Made in the USA
When it comes to classic American leather jackets, few brands are as iconic and well-regarded as Schott. Founded over a century ago, Schott has a rich heritage of crafting high-quality outerwear that is built to last. From pioneering the first motorcycle jacket to outfitting the US military, Schott has made an indelible mark on fashion history.
In this comprehensive Schott review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand‘s background, most popular products, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if their jackets are worth the investment. As a leather jacket enthusiast myself, I‘ve done extensive research and even visited Schott‘s factory to give you an insider‘s perspective.
The History of Schott: 100+ Years of Quality Craftsmanship
To really understand the Schott brand, it helps to know their storied history. The company was founded in 1913 by brothers Irving and Jack Schott in New York City. They started out making raincoats in a basement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In the 1920s, Irving Schott designed and produced the first leather motorcycle jacket, known as the "Perfecto."
The Perfecto jacket was named after Irving Schott‘s favorite cigar and originally retailed for just $5.50. Little did the Schott brothers know they had just created an enduring fashion icon. The Perfecto became the jacket of choice for everyone from punk rockers to Hollywood celebrities over the coming decades.
In addition to the Perfecto, Schott also created the classic bomber jacket and peacoat for the US Air Force and Navy during World War II. The military continued to contract Schott to make peacoats for sailors for another 60 years, a testament to their quality and durability. Schott is the longest running US Navy peacoat maker, with over 4 million made to date.
Today, Schott is still a family-owned business run by the third and fourth generations of the Schott family. The vast majority of their products are made at their factory in New Jersey, with some under license in other countries. Schott‘s adherence to their founding principles of "quality, durability, and value" has remained unchanged for over a century.
Schott‘s Most Popular Products
While Schott makes a variety of leather jackets, coats, and accessories for both men and women, they are most well-known for a handful of iconic styles:
The Perfecto Leather Motorcycle Jacket
The Perfecto is the jacket that started it all for Schott. Introduced in 1928, the double rider motorcycle jacket features a distinctive asymmetrical front zipper, snap-down lapels, epaulets, and zippered cuffs. The original design was a bit longer to protect the wearer‘s back while riding a motorcycle.
Over the years, Schott has released the Perfecto in a variety of fits and leather types like black steerhide, brown lambskin, and hand-distressed, aged cowhide. The current version is slimmer than the original 1950s silhouette. It retails for around $900.
The Perfecto has been worn by countless cool guys over the years including Marlon Brando in "The Wild One", James Dean, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, Nas, Jay-Z and many more. It‘s a true cultural touchstone.
The Classic Racer Leather Jacket
Schott‘s Casual Racer is another moto-inspired leather jacket but with a more minimalist, pared-down look compared to the Perfecto. It has a standard front zipper, mandarin collar, zippered cuffs and no extra bells and whistles. The Racer has a slim, modern cut and comes in a heavy naked cowhide that will develop a beautiful patina with wear. Retail price is around $900.
The B-3 Shearling Bomber Jacket
Reminiscent of the bomber jackets Schott made for WWII pilots, the B-3 is made of warm, genuine shearling with a hefty sheepskin collar. The B-3 is extremely warm and perfect for the harshest winter weather. Like the original, it has a cinchable waist, bi-swing back for ease of movement, and wind flap. It‘s a serious bomber jacket with a price tag of $1,300 to match.
The Classic Melton Wool Naval Pea Coat
Schott has been making navy peacoats for sailors since the 1940s, so they definitely know what they‘re doing. The Classic 32oz. Melton Wool Naval Pea Coat is about as traditional and well-made as peacoats come. It features a double-breasted front, convertible notched collar, and slash pockets. The dense wool provides serious wind protection and warmth. While you can find fashion peacoats for less, Schott‘s version is authentic military-spec and will last a lifetime for about $300.
The One Star Perfecto Leather Jacket
Schott recently started offering a customization program where you can design your own Perfecto jacket. You get to choose between a few leather types, hardware color, and add custom embroidery. I had the chance to make my own One Star Perfecto recently and the experience was fantastic.
After placing the order online, I visited Schott‘s factory in New Jersey where they‘ve been making jackets by hand since 1953. It was incredible to see all the individual steps that go into making a Perfecto – from cutting the leather hides to adding the zippers and hardware. Around 60 employees work at the factory, many who have been with Schott for decades.
My custom jacket was ready in about 4 weeks and the quality and fit are impeccable. The embroidery adds a nice personal touch that makes the jacket feel even more special. A One Star Perfecto starts at $1000.
Materials & Construction
Schott is absolutely obsessive about the materials that go into their jackets and it shows in the final product. Most of their leather jackets are made from heavy 3.5oz to 4oz cowhide or beautifully soft lambskin that is drum dyed for consistent color. The leather is sourced from the best tanneries in the USA, Canada, and New Zealand.
Schott uses solid brass hardware like zippers and snaps that have a satisfying heft to them. The main zippers are typically heavy-duty Talon or YKK metal zippers that should last as long as the jacket itself. Unlike cheaper jackets, they don‘t skimp on the details.
Constructionwise, Schott jackets are solidly put together with reinforced stitching at all the stress points. The Perfecto in particular has a complex pattern with 30+ pieces of leather that are all stitched together by hand. It‘s incredible craftsmanship that is increasingly rare these days.
Fit and Sizing
Schott‘s fits tend to run slim compared to most American brands. Depending on the jacket and leather type, you may need to size up for a comfortable fit. For example, I normally wear a size 38 jacket but take a size 40 in the Perfecto for a trim fit.
Fortunately, Schott provides detailed measurements for each size on their website, so take the time to measure a jacket you currently own and compare. If you‘re unsure or between sizes, I‘d recommend sizing up as it‘s easier to adjust a slightly big jacket than one that is too tight.
Pricing
There‘s no getting around it – Schott jackets are expensive. Most of their leather jackets hover around the $800-$1000 mark, with their shearling bombers going up to $1500.
However, when you consider the quality of materials, domestic manufacturing, and utter longevity of Schott products, I believe they are fairly priced within the market. There are definitely brands that charge as much or more for jackets made from inferior leather in factories overseas.
A Schott jacket is something you buy for life. Personally, I‘d rather invest in one really fantastic jacket I love wearing than replacing cheaper ones every few years. It‘s the kind of item you may even pass down to your kids one day.
Customer Reviews
Schott products tend to get rave reviews from customers, particularly their leather jackets. There are thousands of glowing reviews and testimonials from fans across the web. Here are a few highlights:
"I finally received my Perfecto jacket in the mail yesterday and I am blown away by the quality. The leather is thick but soft, the hardware is substantial, and the cut is perfect. I can see why this is the jacket that all other motorcycle jackets are compared to. It‘s simply perfect." – John L.
"I‘ve had my Schott 141 Cafe Racer for 3 years now and it keeps getting better with age. The leather has taken on a beautiful sheen and molded to my body perfectly. It‘s the jacket I reach for more than any other in my closet. I imagine I‘ll still be wearing it 20 years from now." – Bill M.
"Bought the 740 brown leather bomber a couple months ago and couldn‘t be happier. The leather is buttery soft but thick enough to be warm. I love the vintage look and the fit is spot on. I get compliments every time I wear it. It‘s a forever jacket for sure." – Rachel D.
Of course, no brand is perfect and there are a few criticisms of Schott scattered around. Most often it‘s regarding the fit being too slim for some customers‘ tastes or the sleeves being slightly long. A few reviewers also found the return/exchange process cumbersome. However, the vast majority of reviews are very positive.
Caring for a Schott Leather Jacket
A Schott leather jacket is truly a lifetime investment, so taking good care of it is crucial. Fortunately, Schott includes care instructions with each jacket purchase and has a page on their website dedicated to leather care tips.
The main things are to store your jacket in a cool, dry place on a wide wooden hanger to help it keep its shape. Avoid storing it in plastic or non-breathable garment bags. If your jacket gets wet, hang it to dry naturally away from direct heat sources which can cause the leather to dry and crack.
You can remove small stains and scuff marks with a clean cloth and some warm water. For tougher stains, Schott recommends taking the jacket to a professional leather cleaner. Every so often, you‘ll want to treat your jacket with a gentle conditioner made specifically for leather to keep it supple and moisturized. Once a year is usually sufficient unless you live in a very dry climate or wear your jacket daily.
Schott Compared to Other Leather Jacket Brands
When it comes to American-made leather jackets, Schott has few peers. The two other heritage brands that get mentioned alongside Schott are Vanson and Langlitz, both of which specialize in heavyweight motorcycle leathers. Vanson and Langlitz have a more understated, funktional aesthetic compared to Schott and sell for similar prices in the $700-$1000 range.
Compared to designer leather jackets from brands like Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, Burberry, etc., I personally prefer the more rugged, authentic look and feel of Schott. Designer jackets in the $2000-$5000 range are often made of thinner, more delicate lambskin and have a very slim, fashion-forward fit. Of course, those jackets are lovely and serve a different purpose, but in my experience, Schott offers the best combination of quality, style, and value.
On the more affordable end of the spectrum, there are brands like Schott‘s diffusion line Schott Bros and All Saints that make entry-level leather jackets for around $400-$600. Those can be a good way to dip your toe into the moto jacket look, but they won‘t have the same caliber of materials and construction as a mainline Schott jacket.
Is a Schott Leather Jacket Worth It?
After all my research and hands-on experience, my answer is a resounding yes, a Schott leather jacket is absolutely worth the price if it‘s within your budget. Schott practically invented the leather motorcycle jacket and they remain the gold standard in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and iconic style. The fact that they are still manufactured domestically in the USA is incredibly rare and adds to the appeal.
A Schott jacket is a very considered purchase to be sure, but I believe it‘s the kind of item that transcends trends and only gets better with age. It‘s an investment that you can feel good about because you‘re supporting an independent, family-owned business, highly skilled local manufacturing jobs, and a product that is ethically and sustainably made.
If you‘re lucky enough to visit Schott‘s NYC flagship store or factory, I highly recommend it to see the incredible care and detail that goes into every jacket. Feeling the heft and smelling the leather in person is an experience in itself. And if you have any sizing or styling questions, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and happy to steer you in the right direction.
Ultimately, there‘s just something special about a Schott leather jacket. Whether you go for the classic Perfecto or one of their more understated bombers or cafe racers, it‘s a jacket that will serve you well and likely become a cherished wardrobe staple. With proper care, your Schott jacket will age and patina beautifully, molding to your body and picking up stories along the way. An icon in its own right, a Schott jacket has a timeless cool factor that makes it well worth the price.
