This feature focuses on two HIGHLARGE LEATHERS jackets made from the same extraordinary material: Oklahoma City WWII WAPITI and Stillwater WAPITI.
The Oklahoma City WWII is based on a vintage 1st Type denim jacket, specifically drawing inspiration from the simplified construction associated with WWII-era workwear.
The Stillwater, on the other hand, takes its inspiration from the classic 2nd Type.
Different eras, different front designs, different personalities.
What unites them is the leather: WAPITI LEATHER.
WAPITI LEATHER — Heavy, Wild, Yet Surprisingly Supple
Both jackets are made from Wapiti leather, produced from American elk.
Wapiti is one of the largest living deer species, and the raw hides used for these jackets begin at more than approximately 5mm in thickness.
They are fully vegetable tanned and then shaved down to approximately 2.5mm, creating a leather with exceptional thickness, weight, and presence.
Seen up close, the true character of Wapiti becomes immediately apparent.
The grain is wild, uneven, and highly expressive.
Natural scars, scratches, tonal variation, and differences in grain may be visible from the beginning.
These are not imperfections to be hidden.
They are part of the identity of natural Wapiti leather and make every jacket slightly different from the next.
What makes this leather especially interesting, however, is the contrast between its appearance and the way it actually wears.
At approximately 2.5mm thick, the leather has serious weight and substance.
Compared with many horsehide jackets, it feels substantial and highly present on the body, yet the leather itself is remarkably supple.
Rather than maintaining a rigid, board-like structure, Wapiti follows the movement of the shoulders, arms, and torso surprisingly naturally.
With wear, the fibers gradually loosen and the jacket begins to settle onto the body, developing a softer drape and a more personal silhouette.
Deep creases form across the wild grain, the surface gradually develops a richer sheen, and the overall feel becomes even more comfortable over time.
This combination of thickness, weight, softness, and dramatic aging is one of the defining qualities of HIGHLARGE LEATHERS' Wapiti jackets.
Oklahoma City WWII WAPITI — 1st Type, WWII Interpretation
The Oklahoma City WWII WAPITI is based on the early 1st Type denim jacket.
More specifically, it takes inspiration from the so-called WWII models produced during the Second World War.
During wartime, material restrictions and production demands led to simplified specifications across many forms of American workwear.
That period produced garments with fewer decorative elements, simplified construction, and a stronger emphasis on pure functionality.
Oklahoma City WWII reflects that spirit.
Its asymmetrical 1st Type front, single chest-pocket layout, and restrained construction give the jacket a direct, utilitarian character.
When that simple workwear design is recreated in approximately 2.5mm Wapiti leather, the effect is completely different from denim.
Because the design itself is so restrained, the surface of the leather becomes the main visual element.
The grain, scars, creases, and natural variation are allowed to take center stage.
The back is equally clean and straightforward.
As the jacket is worn, the broad leather panels gradually develop deep creasing and a more relaxed shape, making the evolution of the material especially visible.
For those who appreciate early American workwear, WWII-era simplification, and leather that tells its own story, the Oklahoma City WWII is an especially compelling model.
Stillwater WAPITI — 2nd Type
The Stillwater WAPITI is based on the vintage 2nd Type denim jacket.
Its dual chest pockets create a more balanced and symmetrical front compared with the earlier 1st Type design.
HIGHLARGE LEATHERS retains the recognizable 2nd Type details while incorporating pattern elements inspired by rider jackets.
The result is a cleaner, more refined silhouette that works especially well with the heavy Wapiti leather.
Where Oklahoma City WWII feels raw, early, and workwear-driven, Stillwater feels slightly more structured and complete in its proportions.
The same leather takes on a different personality simply through the change in design.
The rear construction follows the balanced proportions associated with the 2nd Type.
As the Wapiti breaks in, the shoulders and back gradually soften, creating a natural drape that contrasts beautifully with the jacket's substantial leather weight.
Original Steel Hardware
The leather is only part of the story.
Both models use original steel hardware developed from vintage examples.
The buttons and metal components are designed to age alongside the leather.
Over time, the steel develops its own surface character, meaning the entire jacket evolves together rather than the leather aging in isolation.
This is an important part of the HIGHLARGE LEATHERS approach: not simply reproducing the appearance of vintage garments, but creating components that can develop naturally through years of wear.
Original Striped Wool Blanket Lining
Inside, both jackets use an original striped wool blanket lining developed through the study of vintage denim jackets.
The subdued stripe pattern gives the interior an authentic vintage atmosphere while also providing substantial warmth.
The combination is especially appealing: wild, heavily textured Wapiti leather on the outside, and a classic wool blanket lining on the inside.
Even the parts that are rarely seen contribute to the overall vintage-inspired construction.
1st Type WWII or 2nd Type?
Choose Oklahoma City WWII WAPITI if you are drawn to early workwear, the simplicity of WWII-era construction, and a design that allows the leather itself to dominate the jacket.
Choose Stillwater WAPITI if you prefer the balanced dual-pocket front of the 2nd Type and a slightly more refined, structured silhouette.
Whichever model you choose, the defining experience is the same: exceptionally thick Wapiti leather with a wild natural surface, substantial weight, and a surprisingly supple feel.
For those already familiar with Japanese horsehide jackets, Wapiti offers a noticeably different experience.
It has weight, thickness, and presence, yet it settles onto the body with a softer drape and a distinctly organic feel.
The natural scars, uneven grain, deep creasing, original steel hardware, and wool blanket lining all become part of the story as the jacket ages.
These are jackets designed to look better not only today, but years from now.
Shop the Jackets
【HIGHLARGE LEATHERS】Oklahoma City WWII WAPITI
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【HIGHLARGE LEATHERS】STILLWATER WAPITI HL0007
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