Levi’s Brings Back Einstein’s Favorite Leather Jacket, and Only 800 Exist

Albert Einstein wore a lot of hats during his lifetime. Physicist, Nobel laureate, patent clerk, violinist. But if you’ve ever seen candid photos of the man outside the lecture hall, you probably noticed something else: the guy had serious style. His favorite outerwear? A brown leather jacket he picked up in the 1930s after immigrating to the United States. That same jacket is now back, thanks to Levi’s Vintage Clothing, and only 800 people worldwide will get to own one.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: ~$1,500 USD (£1,095.00)
Where to buy: Levi’s and select retailers

The Jacket That Defined a Genius

Here’s the backstory. Levi Strauss & Co. purchased Einstein’s original Menlo Cossack jacket at a Christie’s auction back in 2016. The piece had become one of the physicist’s most recognizable garments, showing up in photographs and public appearances throughout his later years. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t trying to make a statement. It was just a really good leather jacket that happened to belong to one of history’s greatest minds.

Since acquiring the original, Levi’s has released several limited-edition reproductions. Each run sells out to collectors, workwear enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the intersection of history and craftsmanship. The jacket represents something rare in fashion: a piece with genuine provenance that actually looks good on its own merits.

This latest reissue continues that tradition. Levi’s Vintage Clothing has recreated the Menlo Cossack with the same attention to detail that made the original worth auctioning in the first place. If you missed previous releases, this is your chance. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger on a heritage leather jacket, that moment is now.

Italian Craftsmanship Meets American Heritage

The 2025 reissue comes from Italian artisans who specialize in this kind of work. The leather is full-grain sheep, chosen for its natural texture and the way it develops character over time. That patina you see on well-loved vintage jackets? This one will earn its own with regular wear. The stitching is reinforced throughout, and the lining is built to handle years of actual use rather than occasional closet appearances.

Design-wise, Levi’s kept everything faithful to Einstein’s original. The structured stand collar creates that distinctive silhouette you see in the historical photos. A button front closure keeps things clean and classic. Two slanted welt pockets sit at the waist, maintaining the jacket’s streamlined look while still giving you somewhere to warm your hands.

The fit details show real thoughtfulness. Adjustable side tabs at the hem let you dial in exactly how you want the jacket to sit. Buttoned tabs at the cuffs echo the original construction and add another layer of adjustability. The overall cut is slim without being restrictive, which means it actually works with modern wardrobes.

Everything about the construction suggests this jacket is meant to be worn hard and worn often. The combination of quality materials and proven design means it should age gracefully rather than fall apart. That’s the whole point of heritage clothing: pieces that get better with time instead of worse.

Price: ~$1,500 USD (£1,095.00)
Where to buy: Levi’s and select retailers worldwide

800 Numbered Pieces and a Nod to History

Levi’s limited this run to exactly 800 jackets worldwide. Each one includes a hand-numbered tag inside, which means yours will be unique within a very small club. For collectors, that numbering adds tangible value. For everyone else, it’s a nice reminder that you’re not wearing something mass-produced.

The packaging deserves mention too. Every jacket ships with a Christie’s auction-style paddle, a direct reference to the 2016 sale where Levi’s acquired Einstein’s original. It’s a clever touch that connects your jacket to the specific moment in history that made this reissue possible. The whole presentation feels considered rather than thrown together.