Bush Jackets

[Doctor Damage]

I ordered and received yesterday one of WPG's "bush jackets" in khaki. I'm deeply impressed by the quality and the details (and the ridiculously low price), but the colour is a middle brown colour, not the tan or khaki colour shown on their website which I was hoping for. I won't keep it, and it will cost more to ship back than it did to buy it(!), so I will probably post it in the Classifieds section for sale (size 42L). Nevertheless, a really nice garment and if all of WPG's stuff is of this quality then they must be one of the best deals around as other have stated.

[Baggers]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. All I can say in Jerry's defense is that his British KD has always been much more "golden" than the lighter shades of modern khaki with which most people are familiar. It might shift a bit from run to run, but I've always considered the variances to be well within the range of what was issued or purchased at the time. The picture on the web site, if I recall, is from his very first run and it has changed over the years, especially the fit which improved dramatically. Lighting can affect pictures as well. I should be getting his Australian pattern KD shirt and trousers in a day or two and I'll see how it compares with his previous offerings. Did you contact him directly about the cost to return it? It might not be as expensive as you think.

[Doctor Damage]

Sorry it didn't work out for you. All I can say in Jerry's defense is that his British KD has always been much more "golden" than the lighter shades of modern khaki with which most people are familiar. It might shift a bit from run to run, but I've always considered the variances to be well within the range of what was issued or purchased at the time. The picture on the web site, if I recall, is from his very first run and it has changed over the years, especially the fit which improved dramatically. Lighting can affect pictures as well. I should be getting his Australian pattern KD shirt and trousers in a day or two and I'll see how it compares with his previous offerings. Did you contact him directly about the cost to return it? It might not be as expensive as you think.

Good to know about the colours, etc, thanks! Truly amazing quality and the price seems almost improbably low.

Yesterday my dad gave me his old safari jacket which is in a light khaki, so ironically I didn't need to order one after all... (shake head). Anyway, I will post it up in the Classifieds and someone will probably want it. If not, I can use it for autumn wear.

[PADDY]

Thanks Pip, look forward to seeing that!! Regards, Paddy.

Just found a photo of my grandfather and some of his friends in India about 1925, dressed for pigsticking. An array of bush jackets: officers'-style tunics; recognizable ancestors of the safari jacket; a rather modern-looking KD hunting jacket with (possibly leather) patches on the shoulders; and amazingly, a leather jacket of some sort, which looks very much like a contemporary Belstaff piece. I'll try and remove the pic from its album and scan it.

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the hand-me-down safari jacket from my father, bought by him about a decade ago and worn on my parents' trip to Poland a few years back.

[Mike K.]

I ordered and received yesterday one of WPG's "bush jackets" in khaki. I'm deeply impressed by the quality and the details (and the ridiculously low price), but the colour is a middle brown colour, not the tan or khaki colour shown on their website which I was hoping for. I won't keep it, and it will cost more to ship back than it did to buy it(!), so I will probably post it in the Classifieds section for sale (size 42L). Nevertheless, a really nice garment and if all of WPG's stuff is of this quality then they must be one of the best deals around as other have stated.

Don't send the jacket back or resell it just because you don't like the color!

DYE RECIPE FOR KHAKI
Two parts RIT tan dye + one part RIT pearl gray dye.

This is the recipe for all things KHAKI in color...the real khaki as it should be. For something the size of a WPG bush jacket, two full boxes tan and one full box pearl gray is sufficient to re-color the amount of fabric. Use an old bottle to pre-mix the dye powder (don't just dump it into the washer or whatever you're using for dyeing or you'll spot the fabric). Also be sure to pre-wet the jacket so it take the dye evenly. Keep it in the dye bath until it looks darker than what you want it to be (it will dry lighter in color). Do NOT put the jacket through a complete wash cycle, just dye it and rinse out the dye. Then put it in the dryer on hot (the heat helps set the dye). I've used this dye recipe countless times and it produces the perfect shade of khaki. I actually just purchased some new dye to re-color my own WPG bush jacket, along with some socks and other items.

[Michel]

Nice and beautiful.It gives the look of a detective.
I know that this jacket design was very inn in 70's and 80's fashion.

[Doctor Damage]

I contacted Filson yesterday asking for size information on their #553 bush jacket, since as a 42L I was unsure of which size I should order. Today they sent me detailed measurements, which I reproduce below. I'm glad I asked, because I would have ordered a L but now it's clear I need a M. I wish all clothing companies provided such detailed measurements!

Filson #553 bush jacket

SPECS: M L

CHEST 52 55
SWEEP 51 54
NECK 18 18½
BACK 33 33¾
ARMHOLE 25½ 26¼
SLEEVE 35½ 36
CUFF 10½ 11

[erik7181]

Could anyone tell me what types of stuff to buy for a safari impression? I know the bush jacket, what kind of pants,boots,shirts.
I appreciate it. You gentlemen make me what to look just as dashing.

[Oldsarge]

How much do you intend to spend? Is this just for goofin' around in or a party? Do you actually intend to go on safari? Even if only eventually? These are questions that help us help you. The times I went to Africa, the safari jacket itself was totally useless. By the time the temperature dropped to the point where a jacket was needed I was either sitting around a nice warm fire or already in bed. But for the look of it all, Cabela's Serengeti Shirt, a pair of lightweight cargo pants, bush hat and (for the ultimate cachet) Russell PH II boots. A proper double rifle will set you back as much as a medium priced car so if your budget restricts you to bolt actions, which are perfectly proper, as well, make sure that they are in real Mauser 98 action and have either shallow V open sights or peeps. A scoped rifle is really uncalled for in Africa except for the most unusual conditions. The ranges simply aren't that long.