Vintage 1990s Red Tips Leather Windward Rider Jacket Made in Italy

A seriously heavy Red Tips rider jacket from the 1990s, made in Italy from thick cowhide and based around the old Windward-style pattern.

The leather is what drew us to this one. It is dense, weighty cowhide with a very dark finish that has worn through naturally to the brown underneath. You see it most strongly around the collar, piping, pocket edges, shoulders and sleeves. There is plenty of grain and creasing as well, but it is the contrast between the dark surface and exposed leather that gives the jacket its character.

The Windward influence is easy to see in the short body and pocket layout. Two diagonal zipped pockets sit across the chest, with the large curved D-pockets below. The lower pockets also have separate hand-entry openings at the sides, so there is considerably more going on here than the front initially suggests.

Red Tips used piping extensively through the jacket, including around the pockets and through the shoulder and sleeve construction. After thirty-odd years of wear, those raised edges have taken most of the rubbing and now stand out against the darker leather. It gives the jacket a great shape when worn.

There are some great little hardware details too. One of the chest zips has a chain-and-ring pull, while the other uses a long cylindrical pull. The main front zip is substantial and fitted with a leather tab. Inside, the zipped pocket has another simple ring pull.

Turn it around and the back is much simpler. A broad panel of cowhide dominates the upper body, leaving a large area of uninterrupted leather where the grain can really be seen. The waist is finished in leather rather than knit, with rows of elasticated shirring drawing in the sides and back. It gives the jacket that compact, slightly rounded rider shape without losing the weight of the leather at the hem.

The dark diamond-quilted lining is substantial and continues through the sleeves, with a zipped internal pocket. The original Red Tips “On The Road” label remains at the neck, together with the Made in Italy identification.

It is a great piece of 1990s Italian leatherwear. Heavy, unusual and already properly broken in, with a pattern that looks back to the great mid-century rider jackets without losing the character of the period in which it was made.

Condition & Preservation

Very good vintage condition.

The jacket has undergone specialist leather cleaning and conditioning as part of our workshop preparation. The treatment has refreshed and nourished the cowhide while leaving the established patina exactly where it belongs.

The zippers have been refurbished, cleaned, serviced, waxed and lubricated and are operating smoothly. Metal fittings have also been carefully cleaned without polishing away their aged finish.

The quilted lining has been cleaned and refreshed. Pockets, fastenings and the elasticated waist have all been checked and are functioning as they should.

Ready to wear.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.

Key Features

• 1990s Red Tips
• Made in Italy
• Heavy-duty cowhide
• Windward-style rider pattern
• Naturally worn dark finish with brown leather showing beneath
• Short blouson cut
• Fold-down leather collar
• Twin diagonal zipped chest pockets
• Large curved D-pockets with separate hand entry
• Extensive leather piping
• Chain-and-ring zipper pull
• Long cylindrical zipper pull
• Heavy centre zip with leather tab
• Shaped leather sleeves
• Broad cowhide back panel
• Elasticated shirred leather waist
• Diamond-quilted body and sleeve lining
• Zipped internal pocket
• Original Red Tips “On The Road” label

Garment Measurements

• Chest, armpit to armpit: 24"
• Shoulders, seam to seam: 20.5"
• Sleeve, shoulder seam to cuff: 24.5"
• Sleeve, underarm seam to cuff: 18.5"
• Back length, collar seam to hem: 25.5"

Best suited to a size Large / 44 chest, with regular proportions through the body and a characteristically short back. For the most accurate indication of sizing, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket that fits you well.