Sorry guys, but this thread is getting boring- unless @himelator decides to chime in .
I'd take a more nuanced approach here: what you pay for what you wear says something about who you are. Judgment, that'll happen no matter what. Some are just more polite about keeping their thoughts to themselves.
Carlos looks fantastic in his Himel Jacket. It fits him better than any of his others and looks the bomb....so what is that worth?
How does this work?
I bought a chevalier last month, what does that tell you about me?
Nothing!
All you know from that is that i like leather jackets, and that a month ago i had $2250 to spend on one. That's it.
Everything else you think you know is just your opinion and it is meaningless!
You seem to be under the impression that when I said "judgment happens," it would be me doing the judging. Ok, I'll oblige: Honestly, dude, it's a cool jacket. Wear it in good health.
I think the misconception is that when someone has a candid opinion, especially if this opinion disagrees with (or openly challenges the ideas held by) others, it is perceived as unfair judgment or as a personal attack. If it's not possible to discuss why those differences of opinion or interpretation exist, then why even come to a forum in the first place? If an opinion is meaningless, then it shouldn't matter (to you or anyone else) anyway.
Superfluous made some interesting comparisons between Himel and some designers' jackets. What I want to do is to ask you lads here, between the Himel Kensington ($2450) and the Goodwear Californian Racer ($1549), which one is better in terms quality? That is almost 1k difference in there.
I think the misconception is that when someone has a candid opinion, especially if this opinion disagrees with (or openly challenges the ideas held by) others, it is perceived as unfair judgment or as a personal attack.
I think we can agree that on the whole...we all like pizza. Some like it with a thin crust, some like a pan pizza and others prefer stuffed. We may not like the same toppings or crust but we are all seeking a delicious pizza. The root motivation for each of us is exactly the same. At least from my experience here. I'd also like to note I wasn't knocking the brand. Just my observations from a small sample of off the rack jackets (which were priced under a custom job).Ton, I genuinely respect your above-posted opinion. Why? Because it is based on real world experience, as opposed to hypothetical, theoretical, generalizations. I also appreciate the fact that, when sharing your opinion, you do not label, (mis)characterize or disparage those who view the issues differently. Instead, you respect and embrace our differences. Well done.
The root motivation for each of us is exactly the same. At least from my experience here.
I'd argue he was workwear-inspired. Nothing wrong with that. But his stuff isn't meant to be treated the same way a Carhartt work jacket would be. I'd still buy his stuff if I could afford it (or, more aptly put, if I was willing to pay the retail price).
$2500 is affordable to most people and isn't insane for a jacket that only gets better with age and that you'll potentially wear for the next 20 years and beyond. Some of you are acting as if it's a pie in the sky outrageously unobtainable amount of money LOL. When you think about the accumulated amount the average person spends over time on jackets that need replacing every couple of years because they either wear out or go out of style. $2500 isn't a bad investment.
IMHO, people should not be spending a month's salary on a leather jacket. That is not prudent.
According to cpi inflation calculator, $2250 in 2018 is equivalent to $216 in 1950 (to pick an arbitrary date). Back then a jacket might have cost $20, I think. But were made in an era when the materials were more common, and were mass produced with economies of scale. For an over built, artisinal homage to the originals, from a boutique maker, I think 10x over inflation isn't unreasonable. At all.