It goes without saying that Einstein was no style icon… intentionally, at least. The man famously wore the same shirt each day to remove the time wasted on decision-making. However, over the years, he’s certainly become somewhat of an accidental style icon. While he didn’t pursue fashion consciously, his visage has been copied by many. His unruly hair, pipe, and rumpled workwear are synonymous with the misunderstood genius and has created a distinctive, instantly recognizable look that designers and brands still reference.
Of course, there was one piece of clothing that stood above the rest: the Menlo Cossack Jacket, which is now an archive piece for Levi’s and one that they’ve continued to reissue over the years in honor of Einstein. This time around, it’s been given perhaps its most exclusive revival yet.
Archive Authenticity
Back in 2016, Levi’s acquired Einstein’s original jacket at a Christie’s auction, nabbing one of the most iconic garments in 20th-century history. That brown leather coat, purchased by Einstein in the mid-1930s after settling in the U.S., became his daily uniform for years. It appeared in countless photographs, cementing itself as part of his visual identity.
For this 2025 release, Levi’s Vintage Clothing went straight to Italian artisans who specialize in heritage leather goods. The result is a jacket made from full-grain sheep leather that captures the natural grain and warm patina of the archive original and will age naturally over time.
Design Details
The construction stays faithful to Einstein’s jacket in every way that counts. A structured stand collar gives it the instantly recognizable silhouette you see in all those old photos. Five buttons run down the front, echoing early 20th-century workwear hardware. Two slanted welt pockets sit at the waist, favorite practical usage without disrupting the clean lines of the jacket’s cropped, boxy fit.
Adjustable side tabs at the hem let you customize the fit a bit, while buttoned tabs at the cuffs mirror the original’s construction. The interior keeps things simple with reinforced stitching and a sturdy lining designed for actual use rather than occasional wear.
Rarity and Presentation
Levi’s capped this run at exactly 800 jackets worldwide. Each one comes with a hand-numbered tag, turning it into a legitimate collector’s piece. The packaging includes a Christie’s auction-style paddle — a nod to the 2016 sale that brought Einstein’s jacket into the Levi’s archive and making this feel like a piece of cultural history.
Spec Sheet
Model: Levi’s Vintage Clothing Menlo Cossack ‘Einstein’ Jacket
Material: 100% full-grain sheep leather
Construction: Italian-made
Lining: Reinforced with sturdy interior
Features: Stand collar, button-front closure, slanted welt pockets, adjustable hem tabs, buttoned cuff tabs
Fit: Slim
Limited Edition: 800 pieces
Pricing & Availability
Priced at £1,095 (~$1,500) and limited to just 800 pieces, the Menlo Cossack ‘Einstein’ Jacket is available now through select Levi’s stores and online retailers.
Recap
Levi’s Menlo Cossack Einstein Jacket Reissue 2025
Levi’s just dropped their most exclusive reissue yet of Einstein’s iconic Menlo Cossack Jacket. Only 800 Italian-made pieces worldwide, each hand-numbered and faithful to the brown leather coat he wore constantly in the 1930s.
