Ever "Ike" a dress jacket?

[Fletch]

I'm thinking of taking a tweed suit jacket (repro vintage, mid '80s) that's way too short in the skirt for me and having it tailored into an Eisenhower-esque waistband jacket.

I know WWII pilots often had their dress blouses converted to Ikes, so it can be done. I just wonder whether anyone here has ever had it done, and if so, what the final product was like. (Pix doubly appreciated!)

 

[Matt Deckard]

Never had i done though i know the first Ike jacket was a cut down standard tunic.

Hmmm... Keep us posted.

 

[MrBern]

I'm thinking of taking a tweed suit jacket (repro vintage, mid '80s) that's way too short in the skirt for me and having it tailored into an Eisenhower-esque waistband jacket.

I know WWII pilots often had their dress blouses converted to Ikes, so it can be done. I just wonder whether anyone here has ever had it done, and if so, what the final product was like. (Pix doubly appreciated!)

Thats a great question. The Big "IF" is whether or not you can find a competent tailor to do it...and how much would be charged.

 

[Matt Deckard]

 

[Fletch]

A regular rainbow of pinks, ODs and chocolates there, hmm?

I'm assuming the officers on either side are wearing the lighter, rough wool OD fabric (such as commonly associated with ground officers) - and that the other 2 visible are (respectively) all chocolate and pink/chocolate cavalry twill.

I didn't know an all-chocolate uniform was authorized, but maybe the guy was a particularly hot pilot and could get by with it.

I don't like the single buckle waist as it isn't meant to be worn open. I have in mind a banded waist with a plain front closure and button or buckle tabs at either side.

 

[Jovan]

Ike jackets look quite smart. Modern uniforms aren't ever as good as the ones back then.

 

[Fletch]

Everything's changed. The way people wear clothes has changed, the military has changed, and the people who make up the military have changed.

 

[BellyTank]

With a jacket with smaller/higher armholes and a smart fit, the results would be good-
You need some darts into the (new) waistband and a just-too-wide jacket, with slouchy armholes would not work so well.

My opinion-

B
T

 

[Fletch]

Not understanding the armhole/waist relationship, BT.
Would the waist ride up when you lift your arms?

 

[griffer]

Not sure about the ride up, but I can see it looking sort of M.C. Hammer pants on your head.

Imagine a full, big shoulder modern jacket, suddenly 'pegged' and brought in snug around the wasit, it would produce a sort of puffy silhouette, like a chef's hat.

 

[Fletch]

Yeah, mebbe. Might have to have some padding pulled out of the shoulders.

 

[Feraud]

Not understanding the armhole/waist relationship, BT.
Would the waist ride up when you lift your arms?

Most definitely! I have a trenchcoat with low armholes. It becomes a miniskirt everytime I lift my arms to hold a subway handrail.

 

[Fletch]

Eek! Can't be exposing my embonpoint to the populace!

I better check the 'scyes on this jacket...maybe I'm better off having a vest and matching newsie cap made.

 

[BellyTank]

Not understanding the armhole/waist relationship, BT.
Would the waist ride up when you lift your arms?

It's about the width of the body and general sloppy fit- a sharper jacket will make a super-sharp IKE.

Sloppy, low sleeve-heads will get in the way of the desired effect.
Low armholes equals too wide through the chest and back.

B
T

 

[MrBern]

Hmm, the officer on the right with the lightest color ike jkt...the pockets dont seem to have pleats. Interesting.

heres a nice write up on IKE jkts including a recollection from Eisenhower's assistant recalling the tailor beign brought in to work on the Quartemaster's first sample.

http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/ikejack.htm

 

[Flitcraft]

Denitely curious to see how this project turns out.

 

[Jovan]

Everything's changed. The way people wear clothes has changed, the military has changed, and the people who make up the military have changed.

Unfortunate. The US military uniforms of yesteryear look a lot more handsome and were far better made. In contrast, I believe a lot of military uniforms in Britain are still tailor made by Henry Poole or Huntsman. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MrBern]

cut-down

I've got a couple dark od tunics, but havent had the heart to 'ike' them

Hopefully this one will fit w/o having to resort to a tailor.
closed auction

 

[Shearer]

I've got a couple dark od tunics, but havent had the heart to 'ike' them

Hopefully this one will fit w/o having to resort to a tailor.
closed auction

Well, there it is in all its glory.

If it doesn't fit can I cut it down for myself? :whistling

 

[Fletch]

Bump, eh?

Just me talking, but that dropped waistband and exposed nonbrass buttons just don't look quite right. But nicely crafted it is, and certainly unusual.