Five Star Leather Jackets

[ton312]

What color is the 5* ?

Red russet goat. In reality it’s a terra cotta/orange brown.

 

[Carlos840]

I don’t agree with that in my case but do see that with Seb’s jacket. If you compare the original to mine it’s awfully close. Bear in mind the Arcaidia is a copy as well, not an original jacket. If anything, the 5 Star is closer to the original than the GW. This is the original:
View attachment 284221 View attachment 284222
Arcaidia:
View attachment 284223
5 Star:
View attachment 284225
I think the GW copy is closer to this jacket, which was labeled “campus”:
View attachment 284228

I was comparing the Arcadia and your version, to be honest i had never seen pics of the original.
I do agree that yours is closer to the original than the Arcadia, but i wrongly assumed you had given 5 Star a picture of the Arcadia and they had come up with their version of the curve, not knowing they were copying another original jacket.

For some reason i do prefer the 90 degree angle of the arcadia compared to the more open curve of the other two.

 

[ton312]

I was comparing the Arcadia and your version, to be honest i had never seen pics of the original.
I do agree that yours is closer to the original than the Arcadia, but i wrongly assumed you had given 5 Star a picture of the Arcadia and they had come up with their version of the curve, not knowing they were copying another original jacket.

For some reason i do prefer the 90 degree angle of the arcadia compared to the more open curve of the other two.

Yeah I did not provide Shawn pics of the Arcaidia. I don’t think that would be the right thing to do for a number of reasons but most importantly it then becomes a copy of a copy.

 

[Bahabp100]

Yeah I did not provide Shawn pics of the Arcaidia. I don’t think that would be the right thing to do for a number of reasons but most importantly it then becomes a copy of a copy.

So then how did you order it ? Pice by piece? Feature by feature?

 

[ton312]

So then how did you order it ? Pice by piece? Feature by feature?

See my previous post with the original 50’s design. Both the GW and 5 Star are based off that jacket.

 

[Peacoat]

I'd been emailing with Shawn last week about another new jacket. I sent him some revisions on the idea last Sunday and since then...nothing. Usually, I hear back from him in 1-2 days. I checked to see if there were any holidays going on in Pakistan but there do not appear to be any. I also resent the email just in case it got lost in the shuffle and nothing.

I understand that people have things going on or vacations, illness, etc. I'm not upset or anything, I'm just wondering if others are in contact with Shawn during this past week? Thanks

I have moved this to the original Five Star thread.

If others have had contact with him this past week, perhaps they will speak up. But I believe Seb answered your question.

 

[MrProper]

^^
Contact via Facebook messenger works in any case.

 

[Dav]

I had two emails this morning from Shawn.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I got an email message from Shawn about the mistakes in my jacket saying they are 'small errors' and happen because the photo isn't enough to base a jacket on.

I reminded Shawn that I had specifically asked for the zip to end higher up the jacket (specifying inches) and he had written back during the design process saying 'Don't worry it will be exactly according to the pictures." It wasn't.

Shawn is offering me a discount on the next jacket I have advised him that the mistakes were not small matters and I have asked what kind of discount.

The piping not being accurate actually doesn't bother me too much but I would probably highlight the matter if there was a next jacket.

 

[dlite90]

Is it just me, or are the pockets on the cossack jacket ridiculousy high up? I've thought about buying one in russet goat but the pockets look really inconveniently placed.

Any owners care to comment?

 

[ton312]

I got an email message from Shawn about the mistakes in my jacket saying they are 'small errors' and happen because the photo isn't enough to base a jacket on.

I reminded Shawn that I had specifically asked for the zip to end higher up the jacket (specifying inches) and he had written back during the design process saying 'Don't worry it will be exactly according to the pictures." It wasn't.

Shawn is offering me a discount on the next jacket I have advised him that the mistakes were not small matters and I have asked what kind of discount.

The piping not being accurate actually doesn't bother me too much but I would probably highlight the matter if there was a next jacket.

If he were smart he would remake it free of charge. The cuffs were not as you specified, the piping was off and the zipper placement was wrong. In the grand scheme this is a very small loss for him that would end up paying positive dividends if he gets it right. I hope he chooses the right path. This is the exact point where companies can succeed or fail.

 

[Seb Lucas]

If he were smart he would remake it free of charge. The cuffs were not as you specified, the piping was off and the zipper placement was wrong. In the grand scheme this is a very small loss for him that would end up paying positive dividends if he gets it right. I hope he chooses the right path. This is the exact point where companies can succeed or fail.

Yes, I think you are right. I am surprised that after my buying three jackets from him he is not taking more responsibility for this and working with me. I wonder if I should contact Paypal and send him back the jacket he made. I'm not especially concerned about money - it's more about the point of this.

 

[ton312]

Yes, I think you are right. I am surprised that after my buying three jackets from him he is not taking more responsibility for this and working with me. I wonder if I should contact Paypal and send him back the jacket he made. I'm not especially concerned about money - it's more about the point of this.

I agree. There is an undeniable level of responsibility, particularly if your model is reproducing something as it appears in pictures. I mean my entire endeavor with Shawn is based on these principles, along with my own mods and size specs. That should be where he hangs his hat, to be able to do that without fail, and when one occurs, correcting it quickly and fairly, in the same way we hold other makers here. I’m really hoping he decides to send you a revision, as you envisioned, quickly.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Same thing happened to me. I got 10% off next jacket. Was expecting olive green thread, was more of a light brown (khaki at best). What was more frustrating was there were parts of it done in green thread so his excuse made no sense. There was also the giraffe collar, which I caught in time but cost me an extra $30. And I had to surgically remove some tracing paper or tape that was left on one of pockets. Kind of nicked the leather here and there, but not too bad.

End of day, I could wear what he made me and it still looks good. So I didn't push it. But he probably won't see another order from me unless I'm just getting something stock.

 

[navetsea]

I received my Five Stars jacket and it is very well made (a Sears long half-belt copy).

View attachment 284145

View attachment 284150


Unfortunately a few details are wrong.

I asked for the belt to be removed so that's fine.

One item I clearly specified and got agreement on so I don't know how this happened, is the zip. The main zip is meant to finish 6 inches from the hem as per photo I sent. The zip I got ends at the bottom hem seam of the jacket changing the total look. (in this photo the zip toggle is left up a couple of inches) Also the cuffs I got were about two or three inches too long (compared to my very clear photo) - I think my ones are a copy of ton's extra long cuffs. I don't think they work for this pattern.

Anyway, these things happen, and I am not faulting the quality which is great. Ton's collar which I did request is terrific.

I wrote back advising Shawn of these issues and what arrangement we might come to. I am awaiting a response.

yeah the breast pocket is also too high on the copy, on the original pic the yoke is a bit low and the pocket is even lower, I think you're right they see some resemblance to Ton's and just use his pattern and make it longer not looking at the reference pic anymore, that zipper mistake is unforgivable, you can't stride with it zipped let alone sitting, it has to be replaced with shorter zip to be wearable
I think adding a third decoration button to the cuff might solve the visual issue to a point.

 

[Marc mndt]

There was also the giraffe collar, which I caught in time but cost me an extra $30.

I guess you'll never know, but maybe you'd be able to pull it off. Just like this 'cool' chap.

 

[Seb Lucas]

yeah the breast pocket is also too high on the copy, on the original pic the yoke is a bit low and the pocket is even lower, I think you're right they see some resemblance to Ton's and just use his pattern and make it longer not looking at the reference pic anymore, that zipper mistake is unforgivable, you can't stride with it zipped let alone sitting, it has to be replaced with shorter zip to be wearable
I think adding a third decoration button to the cuff might solve the visual issue to a point.

I reckon they compare reasonably when if comes to the pocket and piping. I don't mind the small variation there. But sure, the pocket could drop by 2 cm and be perhaps 2cm narrower. But I don't have any measurements here to go by, just eye.

He did a great job with the fit and slightly narrower waist. I wasn't wanting an exact copy (I dislike the belt on the original) but the zip was a major issue. The cuffs may grow on me. Maybe I'll keep it.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

LOL. Yeah, I think Ton and Mr Proper are the Shawn whisperers. They on a good roll with him. I said it a few pages back, but I was expecting to start seeing some not so perfect experiences. I know how much time I put into ordering mine (as well as many others who I learned from) and with some of the questions being asked by some of the more casual lookie loos, I could tell only a few had put in the same amount of time understanding the measurements, lingo, process, etc. Not saying that's what happened with Seb, his is clearly a poor mistake from 5*. And that's bound to happen too.

 

[Seb Lucas]

LOL. Yeah, I think Ton and Mr Proper are the Shawn whisperers. They on a good roll with him. I said it a few pages back, but I was expecting to start seeing some not so perfect experiences. I know how much time I put into ordering mine (as well as many others who I learned from) and with some of the questions being asked by some of the more casual lookie loos, I could tell only a few had put in the same amount of time understanding the measurements, lingo, process, etc. Not saying that's what happened with Seb, his is clearly a poor mistake from 5*. And that's bound to happen too.

Yep, this one isn't language or confusion it is a fk up, pure and simple. I emailed Shawn about how long the zip needed to be and that it ended a certain distance in inches above the hem - a distance I specified. He answered - "Don't worry about the zip, it will be according to the photo." You can't do more than provide measurements and a photo and get a shared agreement via email.

But ordering anything on line is a risk and I knew that going in. Shawn probably hands this over the his people for manufacture and here is where the issues may begin. I am providing this mainly so others who want to order here get a sense of what the issues may be and how they are responded to.

I'm not happy with Shawn's email saying that these are small errors based on seeing different things in the photo.That is disingenuous and, I might say, a slippery move.

 

[navetsea]

I guess you'll never know, but maybe you'd be able to pull it off. Just like this 'cool' chap. View attachment 284532

I can deal with the futuristic collar, but the asymmetric waist knit is pushing it too far the heck should that means or function?