Sheepskin breaking in and B-6 fit pics

• Nov 21, 2012

• #1

M

Mark-D

New in Town

Messages

43

Location

Belgium

Hello,

I just got the chance to try on a new ELC roughwear B-6 in a size 38 regular.

You can see some pictures here:

Am I right in thinking that this fits too tight? Should I get a size larger?

The sleeves on this jacket were too short in any case.

I was impressed by the quality of the jacket. But it also seemed quite stiff and it was not easy to put it on the first time. Will a sheepskin jacket like this also loosen up and get softer and more pliable like a leather jacket?

Best regards,
Mark

 

• Nov 21, 2012

• #2

P

pauleway

Practically Family

Messages

655

Location

Western NY

That is a beautiful jacket, you definately have to go up at least one size!

 

• Nov 21, 2012

• #3

ducatimonster

Familiar Face

Messages

93

Location

Barcelona

Hi
Yes, I agree.
A bit short, specially on sleeves

Extremely nice jacket anyway !

 

• Nov 21, 2012

• #4

Edward

Bartender

Messages

24,789

Location

London, UK

Looks short on the sleeves. As to the body.... I should think a closer fit would have been the desired objective. As I recall, the design brief for the B6 was a sheepskin jacket that would offer some of the warmth of the B£ but without the bulk, which pilots in cramped conditions were reporting to be a problem.

 

• Nov 22, 2012

• #5

M

Mark-D

New in Town

Messages

43

Location

Belgium

Thanks for the feedback. The sleeves are indeed much too short.

What is the experience of sheepskin jacket owners as to breaking in and stiffness of a new jacket? Is it normal for a new sheepskin jacket to be very stiff? I really had to struggle to put up the collar and buckle it. Is this due to the jacket being too small or is it normal for a sheepskin jacket to be stiff initially?

 

• Nov 24, 2012

• #6

W

WhiskeyTangoFox

One of the Regulars

Messages

157

Location

Iowa, U.S.A.

It is normal for veg-tanned sheepskin to be stiff right out of the box. My Rough Wear B-3 was quite stiff initially. I don't know how your jacket feels to you (tightness wise) but it looks like you could go up one size. Beautiful jacket for sure!

Noel

 

• Nov 25, 2012

• #7

H

HighandDry

A-List Customer

Messages

364

Location

Seattle

My Aero B6 was soft as butter right from the start.

 

• Nov 25, 2012

• #8

M

mattp

One of the Regulars

Messages

161

Location

Australia

I've only handled Aeros, and as mentioned above they seemed pretty soft even when brand new.
I don't think the fit (in the body) is too far off, but would certainly be trying on the 40 to see which feels better. As you've already mentioned the sleeves are much too short, but it is a lovely jacket!

 

• Nov 25, 2012

• #9

3onaMatch

One of the Regulars

Messages

165

Location

Brooklyn

Hey just for reference on ELC's sizing, what size do you normally wear in a suit jacket?

 

• Nov 26, 2012

• #10

M

Mark-D

New in Town

Messages

43

Location

Belgium

Size 40 (European size 50) taken in a bit at the waist. So I guess I'm in between size 38 and 40.

 

• Nov 26, 2012

• #11

Aerojoe

Practically Family

Messages

587

Location

Basque Country

Too short from my view, I agree. When cold enough to wear a sheepskin jacket, you're going to freeze your butt, fellow :eeek:

 

• Dec 5, 2012

• #12

Foster

One of the Regulars

Messages

261

Location

N.C., U.S.A.

I have a sheepskin B3 which has leather reinforcement on the sleeves. The sleeves especially were very stiff to begin with, but softened up nicely over time. It took a couple of months of regular wear, from what I recall, but that was around 8 years ago so some of that memory may have faded as to the specifics. I do remember driving in the car with it, and getting a call from a friend. My arm was nearly losing circulation by the time the call ended, due to the new stiff sleeve not designed for such a elbow bend!