Obviously an amateur talking here... but I can't stop looking at this picture. It's not the color/look of the next jacket I'm aiming for, but even though you consider it "bruised banana" (lol), I really think it looks... great, to say the least. I know it's not what you wanted though, that's clear to me. Speaking strictly from personal taste. Perhaps "too bruised", but still great, IMO.
I think I would’ve kept it this way if I were able to reduce the contrast between light and dark even further. But I have it all I had and that was as far as I could take it!
Anyone know a source to replace the cheap chrome buckles on my 5*?
Abbey England likely has what you need, and they do their own forging!
Gustin Vintage Heavyweight Sweatshirt - Natural Rainbow Nep - $119 Rugged 14oz cotton that gets better with every wear. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket. They’re not cheap but I’ve been happy with the belt fixings et cetera I got for an erstwhile hobby that dried up when I realized, after friends and family, the only way to keep selling belts would be too much mental work with websites or etsy stores or whatever.
I have these coming to me tomorrow
Slightly more modern than what Abbey specializes in, looks quality though.
The Abbey options were really nice but they have a $25 minimum and that's like 14 buckles and I only need 2. Then considering shipping across the pond I figured I'd just get what I could on Amazon.
Yeah I don’t do amazon but I get it.
I have the basic Irvin. Only if I read your post before I bought it, then I would've gone with the hoodie route. I'd use a thinner fur on the hoodie though to keep the bulk down. The 22mm Irvin is soft and curly but imo would be too bulky for the hoodie.
Same guy that sent him the original 40/41 style Irvin included a Coastal Command example in the shipment, according to info in the threads on Facebook.
