A pithy waxed pull-up horsehide from Italy combines Hack with a warming plaid wool lining from Mallalieus of Delph in England in this collarless vest. In the leather, buckling, stretching, abrasion and similar stresses quickly form visible signs of wear, resulting in a beautiful patina. This effect is intentional. Four set pockets, two of them with flaps, and an inside pocket with zipper take small items of daily use.

Behind Hack Lederware is Christoph Hack, founder and master leatherworker with his own studio in Cologne. For decades, he has been working with a wide variety of leathers, gaining a wealth of experience that flows into the design of his garments. For example, Hack uses exclusively open-pored leather from Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia to craft durable, functional clothing and understated accessories for us. The pieces, made from cowhide, horsehide, and deerskin, bear traces of the animals’ lives, such as insect bites or thorn tears. Their patina—which develops through movement and frequent wear—is expressly desired, as it demonstrates that the leather garment is allowed to age gracefully. It is precisely through this natural aging process that Hack’s jackets acquire their unique “character.” They are manufactured at Hack’s headquarters in Cologne and at a partner facility in Poland.