-an ongoing series spotlighting companies proudly waving the Made In America flag

If you look hard enough, you can still find the Made In America label all around, some companies have been producing their wares right here at home for decades, and others are just starting out, determined to  restore the once thriving Made In America label to your clothes.  The latest in our series, MADE IN THE USA: Leather Edition, spotlights two of the best companies making leather jackets right here in the U.S.

PUBLIC SCHOOL NYC

Public School NYC is a newish brand out of New York, naturally, headed up by designer Matthew Osborne, turning out some of the freshest, most chic, urban hipster looks around.  With clothes exemplified by skinny pencil trousers, lots of layers, dark colors and leather, leather, leather.  Leather jackets, leather creepers, leather vests, even mixed fabric wool blazers with leather sleeves.  Every item is devastatingly cool and defining the fashion moment we’re in now.  In short, if this is the first time you’ve heard of Public School NYC, it’s definitely not going to be the last.  Although Public School NYC sources their fabrics worldwide, most notably from Italy and Japan, all of their construction is proudly done in Manhattan, carrying on the city’s rich history of garment production in America.  But, back to the leather, one of Public School’s especial strong points is their leather jackets. Topping our list is their Modern Bomber Jacket, classic and chic but equally as manly and American. Our personal favorite is the shearling lined, washed lambskin jacket.  Get ‘em while you can, Public School NYC regularly sells out their jackets to their growing legion of covetous fans.

SCHOTT NYC

Established in New York in 1913 by Russian immigrant brothers, Schott NYC has been manufacturing clothing in the city for the last 100 years, truly exemplifying the American dream and establishing themselves as an integral part of Americana with their Perfecto jacket, first produced in 1928 for Harley Davidson, it’s the design that we all consider to be the classic motorcycle jacket. The Perfecto has been worn by everyone from Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones, to James Dean, to Debbie Harry to the Ramones to The Sex Pistols.  The classic, American symbol of rebellion, the Perfecto continues to be one of Schott’s top sellers.  Beyond the motorcycle jacket, Schott’s range now includes wool jackets and apparel alongside their signature leathers.  For a sleeker, more uptown cool look, there’s the Cowhide Casual Racer that’s pretty much only casual if you’re Steve McQueen.