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 colors of leather 
 This two tone moccasin cowhide vest has front lapels, and two patch hip pockets with flaps - these patch pockets most always come with matching inside pockets using the same braidwork to attach - those inside pockets don't have flaps.
 This braided leather vest was built so it could be worn over a jacket. It's seams, edges, and pockets (and their flaps) are also braided with 1/4" wide laces cut from the same leather that the vest parts are cut from.
 This two tone brown handmade leather vest was custom made in the USA with moccasin cowhide leather that is tanned in the USA. It has patch hip pockets with flaps and, on the inside, it has matching pockets without flaps.
 This black motorcycle leather vest was custom made in the USA with moccasin cowhide. It has two patch hip pockets with flaps and two more similar pockets on the inside using the same braiding to attach them. The inside pockets do not have flaps.
 This black leather vest was made to be worn over a motorcycle jacket. I do that by making some adjustment to its chest size, arm hole size, etc. This vest also has, what I call, a 3" draft flap at the back/bottom of it. It also has the two sets of brass snaps and D rings for closures. There are more pictures of these features on the page this picture is linked to.
 This leather vest has all of it's seams and edges braided. It also has braided lapels on the front, a pointed yoke on the back, and two patch hip pockets with flaps with matching hip pockets on the inside (without flaps). By clicking on the link, you will see more/closer pictures of it.
This two tone moccasin cowhide leather vest has rather unique lapels and back yoke - that back yoke can be better seen by going to the page the picture is linked to. It also has the two slanted slit pockets
 This custom and handmade leather vest was made in the USA with moccasin cowhide that was tanned in the USA. All of it's features were selected by the buyer. Those features are the front split yokes, a back pointed yoke, two patch hip pockets, and conchos that I fashioned to hang the straps from.
 This leather vest is completely hand braided - all seams and edges. It has slanted front yokes, a pointed back yoke, patch hip pockets with flaps that include matching inside pockets (without flaps). It also has two sets of 'trick braided' snaps for a closure. Clicking on the link will bring you to a page with several more pictures of it's features.
 This black leather vest was hand braided and made in the USA using moccasin cowhide leather that is tanned in the USA. It has front lapels, a back pointed yoke, patch hip pockets with flaps (with matching inside pockets - No flaps). It also has a large brass, (YKK #10) zipper. Each vest that I construct is built with the details that a buyer has requested.
 This two tone brown vest was built using moccasin cowhide leather that was tanned in the USA - the vest is also made in the USA. It has a large brass (YKK #10) zipper closure and two patch hip pockets with flaps. Those pockets also have similar inside pockets = four pockets in all. Click to see a larger view of this vest and more details.
 This moccasin cowhide leather vest is completely hand braided. Made in the USA, it has lapels on the front, a pointed yoke on the back, and two slit hip pockets with flaps. Clicking on it will bring you to a page with more details about it.
 This moccasin cowhide leather vest was custom built for the buyer. It has lapels on the front, a pointed yoke on the back, and two patch hip pockets that also have matching pockets on the inside.
 This custom built vest was made in the USA using moccasin cowhide leather that was tanned in the USA. It has lapels in front and a pointed yoke on the back. It's patch hip pockets are attached with a simple braid and these pockets also have matched pockets on the inside (four pockets in all). Click the linked picture for more about it.
 The guy that purchased this vest knew just what kind of pockets that he wanted - I rather like them. Besides those pockets, the vest has front lapels, a back pointed yoke, and a large brass (YKK #10) zipper.
 This custom leather vest was made for a guy who sent me his vest to go by when building one for him. He also supplied the snake skin for the inlay. Both the side and shoulder seams were loosely braided (like 'lace up' vests). Of course, I also did the braiding around the snake skin.
 I encourage you to read my guest book to see what others have said about the leathers they have purchased from me. 
 This black leather vest had slit pockets and a large brass (YKK #10) zipper. It has a back pointed yoke and unlike the majority of my vests, the bottom is squared off all around its whole length. I probably added a zipper pull after the picture was taken.
 This Western style leather vest has front lapls, a back pointed yoke, two slit breast pockets, two patch hip pockets with flaps (with matching inside pockets without flaps), a back/bottom draft flap, and conchos that I fashioned for straps to hang from. Clicking on the link will bring you to more close up pictures of these features.
 The black motorcycle vest has a large brass (YKK #10) zipper and two patch pockets with flaps. It also has a 3" back/bottom draft flap extension. Clicking on the link will bring you to a page with a picture of the vests' back.
 This brown moccasin cowhide leather vest has no front lapels or yokes. It does have a back yoke that goes straight across (not pointed) and slit hip pockets (without flaps).
 This two tone (black and brown) moccasin cowhide leather vest has patch hip pockets with flaps - these include inside pockets (without flaps).
 This custom leather vest was hand made in the USA for the buyer. Made of moccasin cowhide, it features front pointed yokes, a back pointed yoke, two slit breast pockets (credit card size), two slit hip pockts, and with four sets of 'trick braid' straps for snap closures. It also has (what I call) a back/bottom draft flap.
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 These three two toned vests were all bought by the same guy for his bartender employees. They all have split lapels, pointed yokes on the back, as well as, the four pockets done with a simple braid. The picture is linked to a page with several more pictures of these  features.
  # 25  
 1 picture 
 leather vests with braiding 

 All made in the USA using leather that is tanned in the USA  

 Since the mid 1970's, I have custom designed and built hundreds of leather vests like these. The 4 oz. (weight/thickness) cowhide leather I use is often called chap or moccasin leather. It is made/tanned in the US and it is non-toxic. 
  I individually design and personally handcraft each of these vests. Everything on my whole web site is truly handmade - no electricity is used in its construction. Patterns are drawn/laid out, then the holes are punched one at a time. I then cut the laces (from the same leather) and braid them\ parts together. All of the sewing (primariy for zippers) is done by hand using 5 ply nylon thread. All the vests are made with features that the buyer has requested ...making them quite different from one another, truly one of a kind custom pieces. None of them have a lining - this makes them very durable and they far outlast any lining I would use with them. The cost of these vests are usually around $1600 - larger sizes, or many/elaborate features, etc. may affect that cost.  

 I make them with (or without) several different features such as lapels, yokes ...on the front and/or back, different lengths, curves, etc. I've developed a variety of pockets to select from. 

 I encourage you to read my guest book to see what others have said about the leather goods they have purchased from me. 

 There are lots of larger views, and/or more pictures found by clicking on the thumbnails. More vests are added to the top of this page every once in a while. At the bottom of this page, I've added a list of some things to consider when ordering a vest. ...Dave 
 This buffalo (American bison) leather vest was built with leather that the buyer provided - the lacing for it is my moccasin cowhide leather. It has pointed yokes on the front and back, two patch hip pockets (without flaps) that also have matching inside pockets = four pockets in total. Clicking on the link will bring you to a page with more pictures of it.
 #  26  
 4 pictures 
 This two tone brown moccasin cowhide leather vest has front lapels, a back pointed yoke, and front patch hip pockets (without flaps). It also has two mated inside patch pockets attached with the same braiding as these outside ones. It has a 3" draft flap on the back/bottom of it. Clicking on this link will bring you to more text about it and more pictures of it.
  # 27  
 3 pictures 
  # 28  
 5 pictures 
 This custom leather vest was fashioned after a vest that the buyer sent me. He also sent me the elk skin to make it with. I decided to use my moccasin cowhide laces as that would make for a stronger vest. It has a shawl collar, two low hip pockets with two more matching hip pockets on the inside (four pockets in total). Clicking on this link will bring you to a page with more /closer views of its features.
 This black braided moccasin leather vest has slit hip pockets and a 3" draft flap at the back/bottom of it.
  # 29  
 2 pictures 
  # 30  
 2 pictures 
 This braided moccasin cowhide leather vest has two front patch hip pockets with flaps ...which most always means that it also has two more matching pockets on the inside using the same braiding to attach it - that's four pockets in total.
 This two tone leather vest has what I've come to call split front lapels. It also has a back pointed yoke, split hip pockets, and a back/bottom draft flap. Clicking on the link will bring you to more/closer pictures of these features.
 This braided motorcycle vest has slanted front yokes, a pointed back yoke, patch hip pockets with flaps, two sets of 'trick braid' leather snap closures, and a curved 3" back/bottom draft flap. This vest also has four more pockets that you can't see in this picture. Clicking on the link will bring you to (7 more) pictures of it's different features.
  # 31  
 8 pictures 
 Things to consider when ordering a vest: 
(1) Size - a chest measurement. Using a chest measurement is better than a jacket, suit coat size because those sizes can vary from one manufacturer to the next. Another good way to assure the best fit is if a person already has a good fitting vest that can be sent to me to get a pattern from - alterations to that vest can be made. I can return the vest with no damage done to it. 
(2) The length is usually a measurement from the base of your neck (where a vest rests) to your belt line. 
(3) The colors of leather that I offer - Swatch Card 
(4) Do you want lapels or yokes on the front? There are even different kinds of lapels or yokes to consider. Check out close up pictures of these features on vest links above. 
(5) Do you want a yoke on the back? A pointed one, double pointed, straight across the back, or chose your own way. 
(6) Pockets- Most often, I use a patch pockets. Often they are built with a flap. Most of these patch pockets also have a pocket on the inside - in the same location using the same holes. I also use what I call a slit pocket. I have also built variations of this slit pocket with a flap over it. I may even inquire about the angle a person would like these slit pockets to be on the vest. 
 There is another style of pockets that I build and call panel pockets on the lower/inside of the front panels. 
(7) Vest closures, fasteners, ties, snaps, or a zipper - several are pictured on this page: leather vest closures  
(8) When these vests are going to be worn over a jacket, let me know and I will make the arm holes a bit larger and adjust the back of the neck slightly to accommodate. 
(9) I make vests with what I call a draft flap (a longer back). Usually, I make them 3" longer. I've made these with different lines across the bottom/back - here is another way that I can make them. These have become quite popular for my vests. 
​ 
 I consider every vest I've made a one of a kind. Even if I had an order to build two vests exactly alike - there would be differences. 
 back pointed yoke 
 front pointed yoke 
 slit hip pockets 
 slit breast pockets 
 four pairss of snaps 
 back pointed yoke 
 front split lapels 
 patch hip pockets 
 patch breast pockets 
 unique long front lapels 
 and a long back yoke
 slit hip pockets 
 moccasin cowhide vest with extended squared-off draft flap in back 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps
 front split lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets 
 patch breast pockets 
 handmade conchoes wth straps 
 cowhide leather vest 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 front slanted yokes 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 two sets of snap closures 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 a zipper closure 
 cowhide leather vest 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
 cowhide leather vest 
 pointed back yoke 
 slit hip pockets with flaps 
 front lapels 
 pointed back yoke 
 patch hip pockets 
 front lapels 
 pointed back yoke 
 patch hip pockets 
 front lapels 
 pointed back yoke 
 custom patch hip pockets 
 large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
 leather vest with custom handmade cochoes, tassels, and snake skin inlay 
 back pointed yoke 
 slit hip pockets 
 large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
 squared-off bottom 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 a zipper closure 
 squared-off draft flap 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 slit breast pockets 
 handmade conchoes with straps 
 front split lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 slit hip pockets 
 straight back yoke 
 slit hip pockets 
 patch pocketss with flaps 
 front lapels 
 patch pocketss with flaps 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 made with buffalo provided
 by the customer
 front and back pointed yokes  patch hip pockets 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets 
 squared-off back draft flap 
 custom pattern 
 elk skin leather supplied by buyer 
 large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
 large front lapels 
 custom patch hip pockets 
 slit hip pockets 
 squared-off back draft flap 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 front slanted yoke 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 two sets of snap closures 
 curved back draft flap 
  # 32  
 1 picture 
 The guy that purchased this vest sent me a vest of his own to get a pattern from. I then did the features like that vest had. Namely, wide slit hip pockets with D's hanging from them that he used his own closure on. He also sent me the Harley Davidson conchoes that I attached to the vest.
 slit hip pockets 
 four conchoes 
 D rings for closure 
  # 33  
 2 pictures 
leather vest with buttons
pocket - inside and outside
 I fashioned this braided leather vest after a picture that a guy wanted somewhat duplicated. It has the pocket you see in this picture and another similar pocket on the inside - same location. It has three buttons that the buyer supplied. Clicking the link of this picture brings you to a picture of the owner wearing it and the small picture that showed me what he wanted this vest to look like. There also some testimonial words from him about it.
 This custom leather vest with fringe on the back has braided seams, edges, and pocket tops. It also has 3 sets of 'trick braided' snap closures, and two short lengths of braid on the front that straps hang from.
 The back of this vest has fringe hanging from the yoke. It also has a 3" 'draft flap' across the back/bottom. The beading and all of the patches (front and back) were added by the buyer ...who took these pictures of it.
leather vest with fringe
slit pockets 
front tassels 
snap closures 
back yoke 
squared back draft flap 
bead work 

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 4 pictures 
 Anderson Leather Braiding 
 since 1972 

 David C. Anderson 
 1814 5th St. NE 
 Bemidji, Minnesota USA 56601 
 Telephone: (218) 751-0445 
 dave@andersonleather.com  
 or my ISP andlea@paulbunyan.net 
  # 35  
 1 picture 
four slit pockets 
front and back yokes 
back draft flap 
 This moccasin cowhide leather vest was made in the USA. It features both front and back yokes that are all pointed. It has two slit breast pockets (credit card size) and two slit hip pockets. It also has the curved 3" draft flap extension at the back/bottom. Click on it for a larger view of it.
 This two tone Brown leather vest is completely hand braided using moccasin cowhide leather that is tanned in the USA. It features a large brass (YKK #10) zipper and two slit hip pockets. At the buyers request, the bottom is level all the way around it.
   # 36  
 2 pictures 
Brown/Mahogany leather vest 
large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
two slit pockets 
no yokes - plain back 
  # 37  
 9 pictures 
 As I recall, this guy was very explicit about how he wanted his vest built - I double checked each question/answer. The brown and black leathers are both moccasin cowhide. The vest features front pointed yokes and a back pointed yoke. It has one (credit card size) breast pocket and two patch hip pockets with flaps - those hip pockets also have mated inside pockets (without flaps). It has the curved back draft flap and four D rings mounted for his closures.
Black/Mahogany leather vest 
front and back yokes 
two hip pockets (+ two inside pockets) 
one breast pocket (+an inside pocket) 
back draft flap 
'D' rings for closures 
 This two tone brown moccasin cowhide leather vest has the extended back/bottom draft flap and a (YKK #10) zipper closure. It also has inside panel pockets. Also pictured on the page linked to it is a zipper extension that I made for it.
Brown/Mahogany  leather vest 
large brass (YKK #10) zipper 
zipper extender (extends chest length) 
no pockets
no yokes - plain back 
  # 38  
 3 pictures 
 This moccasin cowhide leather vest has all of it's edges and seams braided. It has two slit hip pockets (with braiding) and two sets of 'trick braided' snap closures. It's all hand braided and made in the USA using leather that was tanned in the USA
 leather vest with 
 two sets of snaps 
 slit pockets 
  # 39  
 1 picture 
This custom, handmade moccasin cowhide leather vest was made in the USA using leather that was tanned in the USA. It features front lapels, a pointed back yoke, two patch hip pockets with flaps, and some straps that hang from some braided leather conchoes that I fashioned. Clicking on it will bring you to a page of more closer pictures of these features.
 lapels on the front 
 back pointed yoke 
 two hip pockets with flaps 
 four braided conchoes with 
 straps hanging slit pockets 
  # 40  
 4 pictures 
 This brown moccasin cowhide leather vest has both lapels and slanted yokes on the front of it - that's what the buyer wanted. It also has a pointed back yoke, a single slit breast pocket (credit dard size), and two patch hip pockets (with matching inside pockets). The picture is linked to a page of more views of the vest and its features.
  # 41  
 5 pictures 
 front slanted yokes and lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 front hip pockets w/ simple braid 
 one slit breast pocket 
 This black leather vest was built for a guy to use with his motorcycle. It features two hip slit pockets and a large (YKK #10) brass zipper. It also has, what I call, a back draft flap ...which is a 3" extension of the bottom/back. If you click on the link to this picture, you'll go to other better views of it's features.
 black cowhide leather vest 
 back pointed yoke 
 large YKK (#10) brass zipper 
 two slit hip pockets 
  # 42  
 4 pictures 
  # 43  
 2 pictures 
 black cowhide leather vest 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 two patch hip pockets w/ flaps 
 This custom black leather vest was made with moccasin cowhide leather. It's features include lapels on the front, a back pointed yoke, and two patch hip pockets with flaps. On the page that this picture is linked to is a picture of the back of it.
 This moccasin cowhide leather vest was hand made in the USA using leather that was tanned in the USA. It features lapels, a pointed back yoke, two front slit breast pockets (credit card size), two patch hip pockets (without flaps), and two set of 'trick braid' snap closures. Clicking it's link brings you to a page with some close up of these features.
 moccasin cowhide leather vest 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 two patch hip pockets 
 two slit breast pockets 
 two pairs of snap closures 
  # 44  
 4 pictures 
 black cowhide leather vest 
 front slanted yokes 
 back pointed yoke 
 two patch hip pockets 
 four sets of snap closures 
  # 45  
 3 pictures 
 This black moccasin cowhide leather vest has slanted front yokes, a pointed back yoke, two patch hip pockets (without flaps), and four sets of 'trick braided' leather snaps for closures. It also has a draft flap that has become popular with my customers. This draft flap is a 3" extension of the back/bottom that can better be seen on the page that this picture is linked to.
 Like all of my work, this custom and handmade leather vest was built to the customers specifications. It has pointed yokes (front and back), and patch hip pockets with flaps. The two colors are both brown tones ...with lots of contrast.
  # 46  
 1 picture 
 two tone leather vest 
 pointed yokes - front and back 
 two patch pockets with flaps 
 This two tone leather vest was built with moccasin cowhide. It has 4 sets of 'trick braided' snaps and a zipper for closures. It has no pockets. It does have the back/bottom draft flap that many folks like.
  # 47  
 1 picture 
 two tone leather vest 
​ back draft flap 
​ four sets of snaps 
 large YKK (#10) brass zipper 
 two tone brown leather vest 
 large YKK (#10) brass zipper 
 slit hip pockets 
  # 48  
 1 picture 
 This braided moccasin cowhide vest has braided seams and edges. It has two slit hip pockets and a large brass (YKK #10) zipper closure.
 brown leather vest 
 large YKK (#10) brass zipper 
 slit hip pockets 
 back draft flap 
  # 49  
 1 picture 
 This brown leather vest has seams and edges that are completely braided. It has two slit hip pockets, a (YKK #10) brass zipper closure, and what I call a draft flap across the back/bottom of it.
 Here is a western style braided vest using moccasin cowhide leather. It has pointed front yokes, a pointed back yoke, two patch hip pockets with flaps, ans two breast pockets (credit card size). It also has straps hanging from a concho I fashion with a braided circle.
  # 50  
 1 picture 
 Western leather vest 
 front and back pointed yokes 
 patch hip pockets w/ flaps 
 slit breast pockets 
 braided conchoes with straps 
 two tone brown leather vest 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
  # 51  
 2 pictures 
 This western style two tone leather vest was built with moccasin cowhide. It has front lapels, a back pointed yoke, and two patch hip pockets with flaps.
 This two tone western style vest is built with moccasin cowhide leather including for the braided lacing. It has front lapels, a back pointed yoke, patch hip pockets with flaps and two sets of snap closures braided with what is called a 'trick braid'.
  # 52  
 1 picture 
 two tone leather vest 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 two sets of snap closures 
 This braided leather vest has front slanted yokes, a back yoke, and two slit hip pockets. Like every thing that I build, it was made in the USA and the moccasin cowhide leather used for it was tanned in the USA.
  # 53  
 1 picture 
 braided leather vest 
 front slanted yokes
 back yoke 
 slit hip pockets 
 front lapels 
 back pointed yoke 
 patch hip pockets with flaps 
 hanging straps with D rings
  # 54  
 3 pictures 
 This western style custom and handmade moccasin cowhide leather vest was completely constructed with braiding ...including all edges, seams, lapels, back yoke, pockets and flaps. You can see more about these features in other pictures on the page that this picture is linked to.
  # 55  
 3 pictures 
 This two tone moccasin cowhide leather vest has braided leather seams, edges, back yoke, and pocket tops. The laces for it are cut from the same leather that the parts of the vest are cut from. The back yoke, of a darker color, is suede side out.
 two tone brown vest 
 straight back yoke  = 
 (suede side out) 
 slit hip pockets 
 This (well used) vest has braided seams, edges, lapels, back yoke, and pockets. It's been worn by a bartender and has had many spills on it. It's one of the first items I published on my web site in 1999.
 I learned about Dave's work about a decade ago and always wanted to get one of his vests. Finally, I contacted Dave back in Sept. 2017. After months of planning, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered my vest from him. Working with him was a pleasure and a great experience. He was accommodating and patient with all my indecision. After much research, I knew what I wanted, and I conveyed it to Dave. A few weeks later, my vest arrived. To be honest, I did not know what to expect. I am short and stocky, and most leather products are not made for my body shape. Hence, my expectations were colored by all my previous disappointments. However, Dave got it right. The vest is thick; it looks like it was made by a viking who hunted and handpicked the best, thickest hide he could find, except for it is much nicer. The craftsmanship is spectacular. Dave's braids catch your eyes from far away. I love this vest, and after owning dozens of leather vests, many of which costed me a pretty penny, I finally have my 'one' vest, which I hope to wear for decades to come. ...Ignacio Riesco from Chile