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Regius built Windward repro! Black Stallion!

Messages
17,396
Location
Chicago
I’m typing this a day before I post the review. I have my Tito’s and soda and a shit eating grin. I don’t even honestly know where to begin. I’m speechless. That’s a rare phenomenon for a loud mouth Chicagoan. I’ve handled and/ or owned a fair amount of just about everything available, new, old and everywhere in between. That’s not a boast, I certainly don’t have a collection that would indicate as much. I am however, an explorer. The greatest joy for me in this hobby is the unknown frontier. When you catch lightning in a bottle, that’s the cherry on top. Warning: This is a shit ton of words/ stream of consciousness. It has to be said!

I don’t want to get too long winded, pompous sounding or just overly flowery. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of writing a genuine review and having this Regius jacket in my stable absolutely demands it.

Our friend @regius is a long time member and contributor to this forum. He is a student of the hobby, having handled an enormous amount of new and vintage jackets himself. I believe the jacket he has built for me is the physical manifestation of the student becoming the master. I have watched his progress. He has the eye. He gets it. I don’t think this is true of every repro maker in the market. I see many repro makers where subtleties are glossed over. Regius misses nothing. He understands what made the vintage stuff so good (unbeatable really). He has digested it. And from that, this is what followed….

The Jacket:

I proxied an absolutely stunning original Windward Halfbelt sports jacket for Marc (maybe a year and a half ago?). I loved it. Everything about it was perfect. A quintessential example of the 40’s 50’s HB. Short, tapered, just perfect. The scarcity of these can’t be understated. I’ve seen 2 in 20 years. Windward jackets are my favorite. I know people are nuts over the OG Herc but my money is on the Windward label. And I’ve not seen a decent repro of this jacket, ever. I believe there was a Japanese co. that did something similar but that jacket struck me as painfully underwhelming. In my view it missed the mark.
I had seen the Regius Leather version on IG. He nailed it. With help from @Marc mndt, who supplied extremely detailed photos for Reg to work off of…the outcome was spot on perfect. I had to have it.
My jacket is black dyed through Shinki, I believe it is chrome tanned. TBH we talked about so many leather options that I have forgotten what I ultimately chose. It’s an oiled leather, Reg described as slippery. I can see where sewing this would be brutal. Seems like it would want to jog. Perfect mid weight hide, 5.5lbs on the TFL required fish scale. Nice body and drape. Stitching is consistently neat, tight and well done.
Main zip is a NOS Coats and Clark/Crown so it sings when operated. Chest pocket is a shiny brass Diamond Talon and the HB hardware feels like jewelry. The body is blanket lined, reminiscent of a storm rider, with a silky feeling red wine drill in the sleeves and side panels. The liner is paneled to mirror the jackets exterior and the pocket bags feel like heavy sail cloth. Everything is just right. Thoughtful, well placed and perfectly executed…excellent.

The Process:

Working with Reg was an absolute delight. We talked measurements, hides, patterns and techniques spanning months in texts and messages. These conversations were fantastic and let me know I was in good hands with this build. Reg also provided a leather mock up as part of the process. Amazing! It really helped us dial in the fit. I told Reg I wanted him to be free with the build. Use his judgement and his gut on the details, the hide, everything. I wanted him to take his time and I as indistant there was no rush. Reg delivered in short order, and in nothing short of spectacular fashion.

The Result:

One of my absolute favorite and best jackets ever. Hopefully those reading know that statement isn’t made in a glib or casual way. If you’ve seen my posts over the last decade or so here you’ll know I’m not a brand elitist. I sample, as much as I can, in as many styles as as possible, across the decades. I have favorite makers, of course, we all do. But this is my best jacket. It hits all my marks and fits to the absolute NUTS.
Watching Regius blossom and achieve this tier of skill in such a remarkably short amount of time has been a treat. Being able to own one his originals is an honor.
Thank you @regius! Many have tried but you are the first to finally succeed in making me my jacket. ‘Nuff said. To the pics!

The original beautiful Windward (Marc’s jacket):
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The Regius Leather repro:
4A1743D5-20CF-4DB1-AFED-E90ED47AA6A2.jpeg
A684A7EA-94A7-4407-96B2-454762B5135F.jpeg
CD64B321-1128-49A2-A628-678EBE96E7E5.jpeg
ED425E6D-9673-4349-8A91-E44BA86CE25A.jpeg
AC04A277-EC2D-4C74-A7E8-25167ADA7152.jpeg
E1C7297B-0B6B-4D51-A022-290785D7F451.jpeg
B4158763-A30C-4969-9BAD-EAD538D7B1E3.jpeg
82872063-53C6-4663-8208-FB290F6AB91E.jpeg
 

Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,838
Location
GB
I have seen many great jackets, and I have seen you wear many Ton.
This tops it! (as you said to me on a fit a while ago 'Balls against the wall') Beautiful!

@regius Wonderful work !
 

Tom71

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,642
Location
Europe
This is a great jacket made by a great guy for a great guy!

The result is spectacular in every way, but what really lifts my spirits is that this endeavour, the road and the destination would never have been possible without this great community of ours.

Congrats to both the artist and the recipient!
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,692
Location
SoFlo
This is a great jacket made by a great guy for a great guy!

The result is spectacular in every way, but what really lifts my spirits is that this endeavour, the road and the destination would never have been possible without this great community of ours.

Congrats to both the artist and the recipient!
I second this. It is a pleasure and a privilege to witness a birth of an artist and a craftsman on TFL.
 
Messages
17,396
Location
Chicago
I second this. It is a pleasure and a privilege to witness a birth of an artist and a craftsman on TFL.
This is a great jacket made by a great guy for a great guy!

The result is spectacular in every way, but what really lifts my spirits is that this endeavour, the road and the destination would never have been possible without this great community of ours.

Congrats to both the artist and the recipient!
All this^!!! What makes this jacket so special to me is that it was entirely born of this community.
 

AerGuitar

A-List Customer
Messages
449
Location
Missouri
Truly a beautiful jacket! He really did nail the details, and the fit looks perfect. Although it can’t be seen in the pics, I can imagine that you’re also wearing an ear to ear smile! Congrats on this one, very well done!
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,204
WOW, unbelievably nice. There are very few repro makers who are able to capture the true vintage vibe., regius nailed it.

Here's the Rainbow Country copy. At first glance it looks good but in the second pic it shows that it's really just a modern interpretation of the vintage grail.

1668875265787.png


1668875562751.png
 

Mandarin

Practically Family
Messages
644
Great write up and an outstanding achievement by Regius. Congrats to both of you, and to everyone involved.
 

IrishStu

One of the Regulars
Messages
255
Location
Ireland
That is one fantastic jacket. The style is casual yet classic at the same time. I can only dream of having a jacket fit like that. Enjoy wearing it.
 

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