How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[Gamma68]

This brown Langlitz Cascade (dated 1983) came today via the FL classifieds. How's the fit? It's super comfortable right out of the box at the shoulders, chest, sleeves. But it's awfully tight at the waist, which is most visible from the back. I'm wearing a thinner belt with a low profile buckle and just a long-sleeve t-shirt.

No, I don't ride. But I do like to wear my CRs zipped sometimes.

People speak of jackets that mold to one's body over time. Is there such a thing as jackets adapting to one's waist size over time (giving a little)?

 

[Wallman]

Really starting to get the cravings for another Aero jacket.. Something in black... Currently drooling at the thought of an Indian Ranger in CXL FQHH or Steerhide, with a small alteration to the ticket pocket, swapping it for the pocket style of the Motorcycle Jacket.

Or a modified Café Racer - into a cross-zipped jacket. Thinking that would get me the best fit for my body type, but with that cross-zip style that I yearn for

 

[jacketjunkie]

This brown Langlitz Cascade (dated 1983) came today via the FL classifieds. How's the fit? It's super comfortable right out of the box at the shoulders, chest, sleeves. But it's awfully tight at the waist, which is most visible from the back. I'm wearing a thinner belt with a low profile buckle and just a long-sleeve t-shirt.

No, I don't ride. But I do like to wear my CRs zipped sometimes.

People speak of jackets that mold to one's body over time. Is there such a thing as jackets adapting to one's waist size over time (giving a little)?

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Looks great, just go Hugh Jackman style and don't try to zip it up. I don't think it's going to give much in the waist, Langlitz leather is too strong for that. A jacket like that is a good motivation to stay in shape!

 

[Gamma68]

Looks great, just go Hugh Jackman style and don't try to zip it up. I don't think it's going to give much in the waist, Langlitz leather is too strong for that. A jacket like that is a good motivation to stay in shape!

Yes, good motivation to avoid gaining weight. My bone structure won’t shrink though. If I could somehow get about 1” more out of this jacket at the waist, it would be more comfortable. Perfect, even.

 

[handymike]

I know this feeling...

 

[El Marro]

Gamma68,
I tried to stretch a medium weight cowhide Langlitz jacket by wearing it with a couple wool vests and a sweater on underneath. I found that although this might have stretched it a wee bit, the jacket was still too tight for me.

 

[barnabus]

Soak it first. Soak it and then wear it while it's damp, done up over the top of a couple of bulky sweatshirts. It'll be a bit horrible while it does, but it should dry with a little more room for you.

Keep wearing it until it dries out. You can always wash the sweatshirts afterwards.

 

[Gamma68]

Soak it first. Soak it and then wear it while it's damp, done up over the top of a couple of bulky sweatshirts. It'll be a bit horrible while it does, but it should dry with a little more room for you.

Keep wearing it until it dries out. You can always wash the sweatshirts afterwards.

Thanks for this advice. I had thought of trying the water soak treatment. Maybe I’ll try soaking the waist alone and wearing it over some thick sweatshirts because I like the fit everywhere else.

 

[red devil]

I know this feeling...

Me too...

 

[ton312]

So this came, fit pics and impressions to come later

It's time for da pics blue devil. Da pics. Where are da pics. Why aren't you posting dem now. And so on.

 

[Guppy]

I like the leather on my model e, it's more waxy and shiny, I have confident it will aged like the one Guppy got from eBay.

Give it time... I'm sure it will.

 

[Gamma68]

Some initial success. I took a spray bottle and soaked down the lower third of my Cascade, then wore it over a t-shirt, flannel shirt and sweatshirt. Added my thickest leather belt. Wore it wet for about 8 hours. It's about 90% dry.

Measured the waist and it has expanded from 17.5" pre-soak to 19.25". Much more comfortable at the waist now.

My hope is that it won't retract with that final bit of drying to 17.5"

 

[navetsea]

becareful with stitched hem, even when the leather can expand, the thread not so much unless it is designed to stretch like on t-shirt.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Some initial success. I took a spray bottle and soaked down the lower third of my Cascade, then wore it over a t-shirt, flannel shirt and sweatshirt. Added my thickest leather belt. Wore it wet for about 8 hours. It's about 90% dry.

Measured the waist and it has expanded from 17.5" pre-soak to 19.25". Much more comfortable at the waist now.

My hope is that it won't retract with that final bit of drying to 17.5"

17.5 to 19.25”...impressive Gamma!!
Makes me wonder if i can get 1” out of sleeves??

 

[handymike]

1' is doable if the shrinkage is due to creasing.
I've done it with a 1940s jacket successfully.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^i have a Lee Trevor trucker that needs 1”. Been thinking of trying a wet sleeve stretch. Thanks Mike.

 

[handymike]

As it's drying, stuff some full bottles in the sleeves to give some weight. I tried mine on quite a few times during the process to tug on the sleeves. Then back on the hanger with the bottles...repeat...

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^super idea Mike!! I’ll wear it wet then finish dry it with some full bottles. Maybe there’s hope for the Trevor. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks man.
Bowen

 

[Gamma68]

becareful with stitched hem, even when the leather can expand, the thread not so much unless it is designed to stretch like on t-shirt.

Yes, good point. I will take a careful look at the stitching tomorrow when the jacket is 100% dry. I’ll also measure again to see if the jacket hem maintains its width.

 

[Gamma68]

I'm very pleased to report that after a soak, stretch and dry routine, the waist width on my Cascade increased from 17.5" to 19". I see no problems with the hem stitching.

Before and after pics below. You *may* be able to see a little expansion from the back. It's subtle visually, but the fit is much more comfortable now. Unqualified success.

BEFORE

AFTER