Measurements and fit detail.

[TXFlyGuy]

I'm probably late to the party, as certainly you FL frequent flyers already knew this.

As the measurements were taken on all of my leather jackets, it was discovered that they really had little to do with quality of fit.

Example, my G&B A-2, which fits nearly perfectly on my shoulders, and has a nice "square shoulder" look, is a bit wider than some other jackets that actually "droop" at the shoulder. I do not care for the droopy shoulder look.

My USWings G-1, the narrowest of all my jackets, has a spot on fit at the shoulder.

So it must be the way the overall cut is made, and the construction of the coat as to how it will fit.

I have a G&B Navy G-1 ordered, in a size 38. Spoke with Jenna today, getting all of the measurements for both the 40, and the 38.

The Cockpit G-1 that recently arrived might (might) just stay in my collection.

By the way...how many G-1's is too many?

 

[Carlos840]

There is no such thing as too many jackets, G-1's or anything for that matter.

You are absolutely right though, measurements don't mean everything. Different patterns fit differently with the same measurements, and an inch here and there usually matters less than we like to think it does.

A few months ago i started a database with the measurements of all my jackets, it has been really helpful in helping me make sens of various measurements and fits. I highly recommend doing the same thing.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-leather-jacket-database.93804/

 

[Doctor Damage]

As the measurements were taken on all of my leather jackets, it was discovered that they really had little to do with quality of fit.

You are absolutely right though, measurements don't mean everything. Different patterns fit differently with the same measurements, and an inch here and there usually matters less than we like to think it does.

I always cringe when people new to clothing (well, new to caring about clothing) start asking about fit and measurements and stuff, since it's impossible to provide guidance given the million variables between jacket fit and the human body. I can only repeat the quote "Life is a gradual release from ignorance."

 

[TXFlyGuy]

I always cringe when people new to clothing (well, new to caring about clothing) start asking about fit and measurements and stuff, since it's impossible to provide guidance given the million variables between jacket fit and the human body. I can only repeat the quote "Life is a gradual release from ignorance."

Yes, it is a process, and the journey is the destination.

 

[Carlos840]

I always cringe when people new to clothing (well, new to caring about clothing) start asking about fit and measurements and stuff, since it's impossible to provide guidance given the million variables between jacket fit and the human body. I can only repeat the quote "Life is a gradual release from ignorance."

I think we are all guilty of this at some point, i know i was!
After i got my first well fitting leather jacket i went through a phase of being convinced that every single other jacket i bought after that had to have the exact same measurements. If it didn't have the same measurements, it couldn't possibly be a good fit.

IMO it takes a lot of time and dedication/obsession to start understanding things more in depth.
It also takes a lot of trying different patterns, different makers, different measurements, and not everyone has the will/time/budget to go through the sheer number of jackets it takes to get a better understanding of what is going on.

 

[Bfd70]

^so much for a short trip!
Must learn to enjoy the process.
There is no there. Repeat.

 

[thor]

“How many G-1’s is too many?”
My wife would probably say “3” but my collection is currently around 20 (3 original M-422a’s, 6 or 7 original G-1’s from the 1950’s to the 1990’s, the rest are repro’s) but I’ve stopped counting.
They are my all-time favorite leather jacket and I just keep finding more to add to the collection.
I did recently sell 4 of them so it’s a fluid situation and I am now much more discerning before buying any more.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

“How many G-1’s is too many?”
My wife would probably say “3” but my collection is currently around 20 (3 original M-422a’s, 6 or 7 original G-1’s from the 1950’s to the 1990’s, the rest are repro’s) but I’ve stopped counting.
They are my all-time favorite leather jacket and I just keep finding more to add to the collection.
I did recently sell 4 of them so it’s a fluid situation and I am now much more discerning before buying any more.

Well, guess I have a ways to go to catch you! 4 A-2’s, 4 G-1’s with one more on the way. Mine are all current day repros, nice jackets for sure.

‘’But you can only wear one at a time’’...the wife. She really is a good sport about it.

 

[El Marro]

I managed to claw my way out of the G-1 rabbit hole, but not before I bought six of the damn things (3 originals and 3 repros). My favorite is the ELMC Horsehide G-1 I am wearing in my avatar pic. It is one of my most comfortable, best fitting jackets, and more often than not it is the jacket I reach for when I’m heading out the door for work in the morning.

 

[Big J]

Ha, G-1 addiction! It's ridiculously easy to get.
I was looking at a pile of four on the floor, then I realized that it was five! Had to check which patches I'd slipped in the pocket to remember why I bought it.
Maybe a dozen or so now; LW, Aero, ELC, and jackets from the 60's and 70's. They're so cheap and ooze cool! And I bought MiG Killers of Yankee Station which gave me even more inspiration for patched G-1s; these guys had amazing stories.
And just for me, the AVG/USN make me think of Asia- China, WWII, Korea, Vietnam. The A-2 doesn't get me that way.

 

[nick123]

The G-1 and its predecessors are indeed fascinating beasts. I got one from Thor; an unlabeled (probably 70s) with stitch holes suggesting a prior patch. Even though it tells no particular story, it must have one.

By far the coolest jacket I ever owned was a very good condition W&G AN-6552 from 1943. A google search of the particular contract revealed that very little documentation of that particular numerical contract was around on the net. Whoever I sold it to, I will offer $800 lol. I bought it for $350 at a hobby shop...

I don't think one can have too many G-1s. Even the modern cow Excelled is interesting; way heavier than any other G-1 I've handled and thus cool; a little different. But going back to the ANs/22as, that stencil under the collar is just bitchin'. And then things also get interesting with the 55Js!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I think this has been covered in many ways over many posts.

Measurements may be overrated BUT they are still your best bet for a decent fit. If I had twigged to this 10 years ago I would have saved huge money on jackets that were tagged my size but were not my measurements.

For instance, I have never lost out in any jacket I have bought that had 19-20 inch shoulders, 23 pit to pit and 26 sleeves. This has applied to around 20 jackets bought in many patterns and materials.

But whenever I have gone by size, a large or a 42, the darn thing has often been too small or loo large.

 

[pak]

Well, guess I have a ways to go to catch you! 4 A-2’s, 4 G-1’s with one more on the way. Mine are all current day repros, nice jackets for sure.

‘’But you can only wear one at a time’’...the wife. She really is a god sport about it.

Unless of course you layer.