ELMC Californian review.

[Roma]

Thanks. I am 6"2, 180lbs, 42" chest and 33" waist.

If you want the measurements of the jacket they are all on there: (the long versions have 1" extra in body and sleeves)

https://www.historypreservation.com...fornian-vintage-style-half-belt-jacket-black/

So, this one is 25,5", correct, Carlos?

 

[SJC]

So, a couple months ago i ordered an ELMC Californian.
Having a weird body shape i usually really struggle to fit off the rack clothes, but according to the HPA's measurements this jacket looked like it was perfectly sized for me.
I called ELMC, and after talking to Rob and confirming measurements i ordered a 42L jacket.
When it was delivered i was disappointed to find a few things wrong with it, it had snags and stains in the lining, and a couple dodgy stitches. Considering the price this jacket goes for i was less than pleased and sent it back.
Rob immediately offered me a remake, which arrived yesterday and is perfect!

As most of you know, ELMC doesn't customize sizing, they just offer regular and long sizes.
Since they have a 0.5" tolerance policy i asked Rob to make sure the sleeves and body length were long rather than short, and i have to say the fit is as good as it could be.
This is weird considering nothing ever fits me, and since this jacket fits me so well, it must really be hard for "regular" people to get a good fit.
This jacket is definitely aimed at people with an athletic build, very V shaped.

The Leather is thin but not flimsy, it has amazing grain and looks like it will develop a lot of character.
The Rayon lining is very silk like, it glides on and feels cool. With the lightweight leather and rayon lining this is a great jacket for the hotter months.
It feels a lot cooler than a FQHH jacket with a thick cotton lining, and i could easily wear it if the temp was in the 20s C (70F) without dying like i do in my other leather jackets.
The stitching on this one is perfect, probably as good as i have seen on a leather jacket.
It is almost on par with Lewis Leathers, and IMO cleaner than Aero and Alexander which to me have always been good, but not great.

Customer service wise, i have only good things to say about ELMC, Rob is a pleasure to deal with, always ready to answer questions and a really nice guy.
Yes, they did let a jacket out that IMO should have been flagged by QC, but they did everything they could to correct the issue.
All companies make mistakes, it's how they deal with them that is important to me.

One thing i must add, is that i really love the collar! I love how it is in a straight line with the zipper and ends up pointing straight out rather than down.
It is pretty unusual compared to what is available on the market, and it really gives a special look to this jacket.

Now, pictures:

And fit pics, considering this isn't a custom jacket i have nothing bad to say about the fit.

All in all this is a great jacket that i would not hesitate to recommend, yes it is expensive, but it is a great jacket, great hide, great design, and i feel that it was worth it.

Thank you soo much for your review! I am happy the interior is silk-like. Wool makes me sweat profusely.

 

[SJC]

So, a couple months ago i ordered an ELMC Californian.
Having a weird body shape i usually really struggle to fit off the rack clothes, but according to the HPA's measurements this jacket looked like it was perfectly sized for me.
I called ELMC, and after talking to Rob and confirming measurements i ordered a 42L jacket.
When it was delivered i was disappointed to find a few things wrong with it, it had snags and stains in the lining, and a couple dodgy stitches. Considering the price this jacket goes for i was less than pleased and sent it back.
Rob immediately offered me a remake, which arrived yesterday and is perfect!

As most of you know, ELMC doesn't customize sizing, they just offer regular and long sizes.
Since they have a 0.5" tolerance policy i asked Rob to make sure the sleeves and body length were long rather than short, and i have to say the fit is as good as it could be.
This is weird considering nothing ever fits me, and since this jacket fits me so well, it must really be hard for "regular" people to get a good fit.
This jacket is definitely aimed at people with an athletic build, very V shaped.

The Leather is thin but not flimsy, it has amazing grain and looks like it will develop a lot of character.
The Rayon lining is very silk like, it glides on and feels cool. With the lightweight leather and rayon lining this is a great jacket for the hotter months.
It feels a lot cooler than a FQHH jacket with a thick cotton lining, and i could easily wear it if the temp was in the 20s C (70F) without dying like i do in my other leather jackets.
The stitching on this one is perfect, probably as good as i have seen on a leather jacket.
It is almost on par with Lewis Leathers, and IMO cleaner than Aero and Alexander which to me have always been good, but not great.

Customer service wise, i have only good things to say about ELMC, Rob is a pleasure to deal with, always ready to answer questions and a really nice guy.
Yes, they did let a jacket out that IMO should have been flagged by QC, but they did everything they could to correct the issue.
All companies make mistakes, it's how they deal with them that is important to me.

One thing i must add, is that i really love the collar! I love how it is in a straight line with the zipper and ends up pointing straight out rather than down.
It is pretty unusual compared to what is available on the market, and it really gives a special look to this jacket.

Now, pictures:

And fit pics, considering this isn't a custom jacket i have nothing bad to say about the fit.

All in all this is a great jacket that i would not hesitate to recommend, yes it is expensive, but it is a great jacket, great hide, great design, and i feel that it was worth it.

 

[SJC]

Your review was extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Question. The button cuffs. Are they annoying if left unbuttoned in case you wanted to vent air? I've always been in love with zipper cuffs.

 

[Carlos840]

Your review was extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Question. The button cuffs. Are they annoying if left unbuttoned in case you wanted to vent air? I've always been in love with zipper cuffs.

In my opinion this kind of button cuff is mostly decorative.

Honestly i have never opened them, but i imagine they would be annoying if left open.

 

[HPA Rep]

Thank you soo much for your review! I am happy the interior is silk-like. Wool makes me sweat profusely.

The interior is high-quality rayon acetate, which indeed does allow for easy gliding on and off.

 

[HPA Rep]

In my opinion this kind of button cuff is mostly decorative.

Honestly i have never opened them, but i imagine they would be annoying if left open.

I agree that the cuff buttons are something I've never touched and they seem to be more decorative, though they do function and I played with the two positions upon our initial receipt of these jackets so as to get a feel for what they do and how they look, and the same applies for the waist belts on the sides. If left unbuttoned, I think the cuff is sizable enough by measure and design that it could be annoying and also get in the way of activities, though this is a matter of personal choice and opinion.

 

[Hypoxic]

I am 6"2, 180lbs, 42" chest and 33" waist.

Sweeeeet! So when you decide you hate it, you can give it to me!

 

[Carlos840]

Sweeeeet! So when you decide you hate it, you can give it to me!

Jamais!

 

[SJC]

The interior is high-quality rayon acetate, which indeed does allow for easy gliding on and off.

Thank You!

 

[SJC]

I agree that the cuff buttons are something I've never touched and they seem to be more decorative, though they do function and I played with the two positions upon our initial receipt of these jackets so as to get a feel for what they do and how they look, and the same applies for the waist belts on the sides. If left unbuttoned, I think the cuff is sizable enough by measure and design that it could be annoying and also get in the way of activities, though this is a matter of personal choice and opinion.

Thank you so much. Which one do you love more. The walnut or Havana?

 

[SJC]

I agree that the cuff buttons are something I've never touched and they seem to be more decorative, though they do function and I played with the two positions upon our initial receipt of these jackets so as to get a feel for what they do and how they look, and the same applies for the waist belts on the sides. If left unbuttoned, I think the cuff is sizable enough by measure and design that it could be annoying and also get in the way of activities, though this is a matter of personal choice and opinion.

I am actually more in love with the ELMC Roaster 1950's motorcycle in Walnut and black 2.5 oz premium Italian horsehide.

 

[HPA Rep]

Thank you so much. Which one do you love more. The walnut or Havana?

You are most welcome. I received the black example first, then Havana, and I really like them both, but I find the Havana is just that little bit more special and unique. It's also our top-selling color of the three colors available.

 

[rocketeer]

I checked this jacket out at the pop up shop.
How do you find the arm holes? I found them quite small and tight compared to Aero's Highwayman, though I was wearing a sweat shirt with a T underneath but had to go up to a 46 rather than my normal 42, and the sleeve length was perfect
Certainly not a bike jacket, but a nice casual jacket.

 

[HPA Rep]

I checked this jacket out at the pop up shop.
How do you find the arm holes? I found them quite small and tight compared to Aero's Highwayman, though I was wearing a sweat shirt with a T underneath but had to go up to a 46 rather than my normal 42, and the sleeve length was perfect
Certainly not a bike jacket, but a nice casual jacket.

Well, I can't compare to an Aero Highwayman having never tried one on, but the armholes are fine enough for me in my size 40's, which correspond to my actual chest size. Please note that I've not worn mine with a sweatshirt, though I don't anticipate a problem since the only sweatshirts I wear are Buzz Rickson's and these have fitted, vintage-style sleeves and high armholes, providing a wonderful hugging-type fit that has no real sloppiness in the arm/armhole area and are perfect for wearing under trim-fitting jackets; I can even wear one under the ELC RW B-6 in size 40R, which is a very trim-fitting jacket.

We do see, as I've previously noted, those who wear size 42 and larger having a disproportionate need to go up one size in this style, but never two sizes as you noted. Those who have chest measures 36" - 40" seem fully unaffected if they want a trim fit and order, to the best of my recollection, the jackets in a size equal to their chest measure. I can't sway I know why this is, though.