What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

Benny Holiday · Feb 18, 2020

zebedee said:
If it's a tailor-made suit, I think that the nature of the fabric and fit are very much connected: it is possible to narrow down the margin of error quite satisfactorily, especially if multiple fittings are involved.

I've never felt that this was the case with leather- sometimes there's a lucky fit on someone's used item, or you get a pretty much ok fit, but the variations in hide, weight, layering and expectation - especially when we're talking online ordering - suggest to me that a (good- to very-) reasonable fit is a good outcome. My goat 50's HB drapes in a totally different way to any of my other jackets, and it might not 'fit' as well as my Cafe Racer, but it's ok by me.

For all the great points about this place, the exposure to great jacket makers and swapping info about repairs and new products and shared likes/experiences, the downside, and this is of course just me talking, the downside is we've got to the point where we know what the ultra-perfect fit is we want to achieve and for many of us it's so obsessive that we let go of some really great jackets that still fit well - they just don't fit our neurosis about the all-consuming "perfect" fit. Now guys I'm not criticising anyone, far from it, I'm preaching to myself here - I know I over obsess about fit myself. And everyone who's said the jacket is too big, your opinion is every bit as valid as my 2 cents' worth.

I guess what I'm saying is that I've seen some exemplary jackets pictured here and the more you see that the more anything even slightly less than that photographed perfection falls short of the mark. If I hadn't looked at those pics, well, ignorance is bliss; I'd have been happy with a fit that is just what your average person who's into this style would dig - I'm not talking mall jacket blousiness here (is blousiness even a word?). Looking at old photos of halfbelts, Depression-era jackets and WWII flight jackets is good for bringing me back to reality. Not everything fit like it was bespoke, and yet it still looked good and many times rough and utilitarian.

So we know what Carlos means when he feels it's not as good a fit as his other jackets, but if I were to show his photos to some of my non-FL friends who are into vintage clothing and style, they'd just say what a cool jacket it was and how good he looks in it. They wouldn't pick up on it not being a super-duper perfect fit, because it fits well and looks cool.

marker2037 · Feb 18, 2020

Carlos840 said:
I am not usually one to ask for fit advice, but the fact that i waited almost 4 years for this jacket means i am really struggling to be objective...
The upper chest and arms look good, but the stomach area feels like a bag.
When i wear it it feels too big, but seeing the pictures it looks kinda ok.

What says you TFL?

I think the jacket looks fine on you, even though you seem to have other more close fitted jackets. This may feel looser now, but the profile still looks great. I think it deserves to be broken in and worn more to better meld it to your body. As was previously said, a slim fit denim jacket underneath would be a great look with this jacket if you want to layer.

mtrlr · Feb 19, 2020

Brettafett said:
Grabbed the AVI A-2 today. This is the 2019 version (currently still on website). Very light and comfortable A-2. I had the slightly darker seal knit, replaced with seal knit from MASH.
Byson UK did the work, which was… ok.
I don’t think this version is as Bronco-esque as the V1 and V2 jackets, but its my favourite. So easy to wear.
View attachment 214217

That's the best fit A-2 I've seen. I'm not much into flight jacket, but this picture of yours really get me thinking.

Imuricecreamman · Feb 19, 2020

Will try to put some consecutive days on this guy.

Screenshot_20200219_091841_com.android.gallery3d.jpg

Brettafett · Feb 19, 2020

Seal Liberty BK Roughwear 23380 today. Phone pics are tricky, colours on the right is relatively accurate.

Carlos840 · Feb 19, 2020

willyto said:
I agree with you both but we seem to be the minority.

You won’t wear it as much, I can feel it. Also I don’t think it suits you as well as other jackets like the Himel Chevalier, Lewis Leathers MK2, the RMC, La brea(even with the snug shoulders and arms) or some others.

I’ve got an original Sunburst half belt that is size 42 and being now a size 38 it stills fit me because the waist and hem is slim enough. In your case the shoulders look dropped and the stomach/waist and hem look too big and flares at the bottom.

Half belts are supposed to be fitted at the waist, that’s what the belt does, it’s not just aesthetics.

Thank you everyone for your input.

Although most of you were positive about the fit it just wasn't right for me.
I don't think i would have ever worn it feeling good about it.
It should be on it's way tomorrow to it's new owner...

58panheadfan · Feb 19, 2020

Carlos840 said:
Thank you everyone for your input.

Although most of you were positive about the fit it just wasn't right for me.
I don't think i would have ever worn it feeling good about it.
It should be on it's way tomorrow to it's new owner...

Wise decision...

torfjord · Feb 19, 2020

Natural CXL Dustbowl on a sunny day. Norwegian fisherman’s sweater adds quite a bit of warmth.

regius · Feb 19, 2020

Eastman B3

regius · Feb 19, 2020

regius said:
Eastman B3

Hh121 · Feb 19, 2020

Aero HB

Captain Sensible · Feb 19, 2020

Eastman

hondurasdave47 · Feb 19, 2020

Hh121 said:
Aero HB View attachment 214577 View attachment 214578 View attachment 214579

Stunning.

ton312 · Feb 19, 2020

Hh121 said:
Aero HB View attachment 214577 View attachment 214578 View attachment 214579

ton312 · Feb 19, 2020

Although I didn’t truly get to wear it today I couldn’t wait to get home and put on this Natal. Easily the thickest hide I’ve had from any maker to date. What’s most impressive is how comfortable it is. Like a 10lb deerskin. It drapes beautifully. Just when I thought I was going full denim bro...brother Ivan pulled me back into the fray. Really love this one. Just feels right. Understated and easy to wear

Monitor · Feb 19, 2020

ton312 said:
Although I didn’t truly get to wear it today I couldn’t wait to get home and put on this Natal. Easily the thickest hide I’ve had from any maker to date. What’s most impressive is how comfortable it is. Like a 10lb deerskin. It drapes beautifully. Just when I thought I was going full denim bro...brother Ivan pulled me back into the fray. Really love this one. Just feels right. Understated and easy to wear View attachment 214615
View attachment 214614

That's it, I want it back! Why did I sell this perfection of a jacket? Because of LW which is hilarious because with all the Stu's manifestos on how heavy their HH is, this Natal is literally 2x thick. Maybe more. At first when I only had the vest, I thought it's some lightweight version but nooo... Stu's HH just isn't that heavy.

In short, it fits you better than anything so far. I mean it.

ton312 · Feb 19, 2020

Monitor said:
That's it, I want it back! Why did I sell this perfection of a jacket? Because of LW which is hilarious because with all the Stu's manifestos on how heavy their HH is, this Natal is literally 2x thick. Maybe more. At first when I only had the vest, I thought it's some lightweight version but nooo... Stu's HH just isn't that heavy.

In short, it fits you better than anything so far. I mean it.

Man I love it. It shot up to my all time top three first time I put it on. I’ve been down the rabbit hole, chased plenty of LW, Vanson, Aero...many others. All spectacular in their own way for sure. I’m happy here though. It’s like pouring leather syrup over your shoulders. I’ll stick!

handymike · Feb 19, 2020

Deerskin jackets feel so good!

SinSir · Feb 20, 2020

ton312 said:
Although I didn’t truly get to wear it today I couldn’t wait to get home and put on this Natal. Easily the thickest hide I’ve had from any maker to date. What’s most impressive is how comfortable it is. Like a 10lb deerskin. It drapes beautifully. Just when I thought I was going full denim bro...brother Ivan pulled me back into the fray. Really love this one. Just feels right. Understated and easy to wear View attachment 214615
View attachment 214614

Looks good man. You're made for cross zips. I should have hit the gym to get a couple inches bigger in the chest to take advantage of your past purges! Your fit pics of CZs is what sent me way down my own rabbit hole in CZ land. I was always much more of a CR guy.

I completely understand the beefy cowhide feeling like deeetskin. That's the modern Cal for me. Its not as thick as this one but no slouch either at 1.6mm+. I see this term deer tanned leather tossed around. I've never had a jacket that was specifically called deer tanned by the maker but that's what my Cal makes me think of everytime. So beefy yet so comfy.

Anyhow wear it well, it looks great!

ton312 · Feb 20, 2020

SinSir said:
Looks good man. You're made for cross zips. I should have hit the gym to get a couple inches bigger in the chest to take advantage of your past purges! Your fit pics of CZs is what sent me way down my own rabbit hole in CZ land. I was always much more of a CR guy.

I completely understand the beefy cowhide feeling like deeetskin. That's the modern Cal for me. Its not as thick as this one but no slouch either at 1.6mm+. I see this term deer tanned leather tossed around. I've never had a jacket that was specifically called deer tanned by the maker but that's what my Cal makes me think of everytime. So beefy yet so comfy.

Anyhow wear it well, it looks great!

It’s such a soft hide that it camouflages the weight. I’m not typically a drape guy but this thing hangs like a cardigan sweater. It’s sticky and spongy. Really weird and just a delight to wear! I actually instantly thought of your CAL when I unboxed it. Reminds me very much of your jacket. The grain, everything. Thanks for the kind words!
ps- we should still do a field trip to Horween, maybe this summer. Winter break got away from me this year.

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