A Visual Guide to Good Wear Jackets

[Graemsay]

 

[Graemsay]

Top row:

• Security Aviation Togs A2
• Arnoff ANJ3A
• Californian Racer / Buco J100
• Monarch Grizzly

Bottom row:

• Good Wear A1
• Monarch Messenger
• Californian Mojave
• Californian Ventura

 

[handymike]

Californian Imperial

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks very much for this thread, and for HM's above photos. I was just doing my bi-weekly check of GW's Sales page and saw the Monarch Grizzly shown in the top row above. It says something fine about an artisan that he can get you to completely rethink a certain style: I'd always thought of Grizzlies as kind of an over-the-top, caveman kind of look, which would have been okay when I was eighteen but not now, but after seeing these shots I started thinking "Hmm, fur and leather, hmm."

 

[tmitchell59]

That Imperial may be my favorite GW.

 

[Bunyip]

Great thread. I love that whole bottom row.

 

[Carlos840]

I am weirdly attracted to that Grizzly! It's on his sales page and it fits me...

I know i shouldn't, but i kinda want it...

 

[nick123]

Thanks very much for this thread, and for HM's above photos. I was just doing my bi-weekly check of GW's Sales page and saw the Monarch Grizzly shown in the top row above. It says something fine about an artisan that he can get you to completely rethink a certain style: I'd always thought of Grizzlies as kind of an over-the-top, caveman kind of look, which would have been okay when I was eighteen but not now, but after seeing these shots I started thinking "Hmm, fur and leather, hmm."

Right up your alley TB:

 

[mendelboaz]

I just love that Aviation Togs.. Great pattern & collar.

 

[nick123]

I think this montage perfectly illustrate's JC's good taste in leather choice and balance. The guy is brilliant.

 

[tropicalbob]

Right up your alley TB:

Don't forget the Screaming Blue Messiahs' "I Wanna Be a Flintstone."

 

[tropicalbob]

Nick, thanks for the tune. I think I'll use it for my Freshman comp. class. We'll see just how liberal that ol' administration is! How about The Cramps' "What's Inside a Girl?"

 

[nick123]

Nick, thanks for the tune. I think I'll use it for my Freshman comp. class. We'll see just how liberal that ol' administration is! How about The Cramps' "What's Inside a Girl?"

Haha it will be above their heads. People think those 60s garage songs scream misogyny, but quite the opposite. When you break down the tunes, most of it is cleverly disguised heartbreak with frustration turned inward. Tongue in cheek.

Best example is "Little Girl" by Syndicate of Sound. You think he's railing against women, but it's the opposite when you really explore the song. He' putting himself down! A wonderful play on words.

The Dead Boys' version, however, may have been more literal...

 

[Graemsay]

I put the picture together in a vague attempt to figure out which jacket I actually want John to build for me. I've been going around in circles with the decision. The current front runners are:

• The Security Aviation Togs A2. Hence the choice of a slightly left-field pattern.
• The Arnoff ANJ3A, or possibly the L.W. Foster G1, which has a similar cut. But, given the opinion on this thread, I think that an A2 would make more sense in Sydney and Melbourne. Incidentally, John thinks that they're a similar level of warmth, but the A2 is more breathable.
• A hair-on hide version of the Grizzly, such as Aero's Palamino, or a "bald" version like the Trail Rider. It really depends on whether I can convince JC to build one.

Of course, I could take the sensible course of action: Buy an A2 and then order the ANJ3A and Grizzly-esque utility jacket down the line.

 

[AdeeC]

I have a GW SAT A2. I can attest that it is a super fine jacket exhibiting superb workmanship and attention to detail. Those little details that make it different to all other A2's makes it a great alternative to owning too many almost identical A2's. I believe it is not a great seller for JC. Not even listed anymore on his website. On VLJ, Diamond Dave called it ugly. Not sure why.
Owning two Grizzly's I have some reservations about the MONARCH Grizzly's styling. Looks a little long and boxy. Then again he does appear to have a longish torso and it is a prototype.

 

[Graemsay]

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the SAT A2 @AdeeC. I like it because it's a bit different.

The fit of the Monarch Grizzly could probably be tweaked, and slimmed down or shortened. That said, most of JC's sample jackets have a 26" back, so it might be what works for him.