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Custom Simmons-Bilt Cross Zip fit- seeking opinions

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,371
Location
California
From reading these past few threads of mis-fittings, I think customers should insist manufacturers sell their jackets based on the actual measurements and be transparent with the numbers. No more of this “measure yourself/give us your height/width” and we’ll figure it out garbage. I know that’s not really your case OP but between this and the Langlitz thread/Lost Worlds build threads refusing to disclose measurements like they’re a proprietary secret, something’s amiss.

nice jacket but that hem measurement’s way out of proportion. Not sure if sizing down would make it all that better short of hem surgery.
 
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Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,841
Location
SoFlo
Amazing response from SB. You did not order a tent, they made you a tent, and they wash their hands...you are stuck with a tent. Wow, I do not know how anyone would order a bespoke jacket from them now.
 
Messages
16,842
I finally go a response from S-B: No offer to remake or refund and not taking any responsibility.

Why!?

Not only this isn't what you paid for or what you wanted but a size 40 jacket simply CANNOT and SHOULD NOT fit ANY human being the way this jacket fit you, with or without the straps, adjusters or whatever.
Size 22 waist is IMPOSSIBLE on a sz. 40 jacket. That's a norm for a size 46 or more. End of story, end of discussion.

This is beyond ridiculous, seriously.
 

Goel

A-List Customer
Messages
339
I had pretty much the exact same response when I got my ill fitting tent from SB as well, although I almost reconsidered I can safely say I'll never order from them again now.

From reading these past few threads of mis-fittings, I think customers should insist manufacturers sell their jackets based on the actual measurements and be transparent with the numbers. No more of this “measure yourself/give us your height/width” and we’ll figure it out garbage.

Selling based on body measurements has never been a good solution, especially if you have an unusual body type. It's probably something that can only be done in person. Best solution for fitting online is test jackets or at least providing measurements.
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
That response is absolutely piss poor and a real disappointment. For a company that was looking like they were ready to finally turn a corner with fresh designs and leathers....this won’t help their case in the least.
DD63AADF-30D6-4E91-956E-BB210A77E215.jpeg
 

TheDonEffect

Practically Family
Messages
623
Dang, so glad I stuck to ordering from local brands.

I'd say take the measurements, build a case for them sending the wrong jacket by showing what the measurements should be, send one more email with your findings, if no go open a dispute with your credit card company and just call it a day.

We were just talking about this in another thread about how unusual it is to buy something that has somewhat of an illusion of "made to measure" and people plop down a grand for, and then receive it and then have to do a catch and release.

This is an extreme example of course, but efej with reputable brands there's just too much risk that the consumer needs to shoulder.

I really get why aero will not deviate from their recipes too much, but they're also guilt of having varying measurements as well. In the end, jacket makers should just sell styles, with designated fits much like off the rack suits, and then a consumer can go get it tailored for their exacting needs.

Just ask guys who get tailored suits, even then the fit takes a few fittings to get right, at least a couple for an established client, and wool and cotton is far more predictable to work with than leather. Even when I ordered a batch of suits, still had to try each one on.

Anyway, I hope simmons does right by you, if not, open a claim with your credit card or PayPal.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,324
Man this sucks. I wasnt expecting this response at all because it's just so obvious that the dimensions are totally off. I really don't understand, how can they NOT take this jacket back and do a rebuild. If I were a maker, I wouldn't want my customers to wear a totally I'll fitting jacket. Not only does it looks bad on your company, where's your pride as a maker?

Anyway, non of the above is going to help you now. My advice would be to sell the jacket (you are never going to be happy with it) and use the money to buy something nice from Aero. Or put in a little bit extra and buy a Field Leathers jacket. Then you'll know you'll be totally satisfied with your jacket. Greg won't accept anything less. It's not just saying, that's actually true.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,725
Location
Iowa
^^ Agreed with what has been posted. Not a good response and hope they will see the light of how their reputation has been hit here, and do you right - you purchased this and they should make it right.
 

torfjord

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,794
Location
Sweden
Their return policy say:
“We will accept a return of a custom jacket if it is shown to have a defect, (natural characteristics in the leather are not classed as defects), there has been a production error or there is an unacceptable margin between the measurements provided against the finished garment measurements.”

https://simmonsbilt.com/pages/returns-policy

I can’t understand how your jacket is not covered by that return policy.
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,841
Location
SoFlo
Man this sucks. I wasnt expecting this response at all because it's just so obvious that the dimensions are totally off. I really don't understand, how can they NOT take this jacket back and do a rebuild. If I were a maker, I wouldn't want my customers to wear a totally I'll fitting jacket. Not only does it looks bad on your company, where's your pride as a maker?

Anyway, non of the above is going to help you now. My advice would be to sell the jacket (you are never going to be happy with it) and use the money to buy something nice from Aero. Or put in a little bit extra and buy a Field Leathers jacket. Then you'll know you'll be totally satisfied with your jacket. Greg won't accept anything less. It's not just saying, that's actually true.
I echo the comment about Greg. I have not ordered anything from him yet, but would with my eyes closed based on comments here, my interactions with him, and one comment from him on his IG. He said that every time he ships out a jacket he is extremely nervous (s&&&tting himself) about the fit. THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT FROM A JACKET MAKER (sorry Greg...;). It shows he deeply cares. All SB business should go to Greg.
 

Pandemic

One Too Many
Messages
1,503
Location
In The Flat Field
Thanks all. It’s been a pretty disappointing and depressing experience. This morning’s email saying that’s how a 38 is supposed to fit really shocked me.

The worst part is that the four off-the-rack jackets I own fit so much better- three Size Mediums and one Size 38. It’s not like I have a super-weird body shape or anything.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
Given that this is basically a tweaked Bootlegger, it should not fit like this. A boxy jacket, perhaps, but not one that looks as though you could hide a bowling ball under it. Also, it's a bloody mail order business, they're first and only answer to this sort of problem should be "This patently doesn't fit, send it back, we'll work something out."
 
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