Vespizzare
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 445
- Location
- Santa Monica, CA
Had I not stumbled across the board while researching a Vanson Enfield on ebay, I'm sure I'd have never bought this jacket in a million years. I also should thank everyone who answered all my questions on the hide, cuffs, lining, pockets, collar, zipper, and every other conceivable matter. I posted at least 20 queries and probably a lot more. So what's the story? About two years ago, on the advice of members here, I took a plane to San Francisco and went into JL for a custom fitted motorcycle jacket. It was fun picking the hide, lining, hardware, etc., but at the end of the day, it was still a stock M200. After seeing all the projects here, I wouldn't be happy until I had a totally custom design jacket made. On this one, I was probably the customer who would drive a saint to drink. I started the order in January 2013; then I got sick and was off for a long time, then I called Alan to see if it was ready and he said I never gave the final approval; then I started all over with a new concept (Alan never complained), then I was going to SF until I wasn't. Finally after a million twists and turns it came today. I wanted a WARM jacket for general use but specifically for riding my scooter in the cold when I don't want to look like the Michelin Man with armor and two layers under for warmth. I said I wanted basically a Lost World Rigger (bottom picture) but with a wool collar. They didn't get the zipper exactly the same, but fog of war and all that (it also turned out to be the JL M-120 sans epaulets and two-way pockets). I further thought that would be a good style because the fit is more blousey and the bottom would fit a number of different waistlines. I put on about 15lbs almost overnight due to a medication, so who knows my future belt size? The colors are most accurate in the first pic with me wearing it. The other pix make the hide look too brown and the knits too bright and orangy instead of a darker rust/dark berry hue. At first glance you'd say it was black (except next to black it would look obviously very very dark brown).
The highlights are:
-Cow CMX, black spray over brown. Not the heavy stuff. They shaved it down I think to 2 and 3/4 oz., or something like that.
-Brown thread. (Alan's suggestion)
-A deluxe merino wool lining that Alan had left over from a VIP order (same as Forrest's). I think it's verrry expensive, but he threw it in free (because I'm such a cool guy, I guess).
-Brown permanent mouton collar (with no strap. If it gets that cold I'll tie my muffler around my collar).
-Deep slash handwarmer pockets lined with corduroy (which was suggested on FL.)
-A horizontal inside pocket on each side.
-An antique brass zipper. I originally ordered nickel, then Alan called from out of the blue that they were building my jacket and antique brass was a better match. I went along, both because I trusted in Alan's experience and impeccable taste and because if he cared that much, I wasn't going to tell him to go jump in the bay.
-The tag says 38 but it doesn't mean that much. I think Alan said it was a size 39, but my other JL is a 42.
-I had Alan line up the back yoke seam and the sleeve seam. I just like it better that way (and probably see it as a subtle hint of customization).
-I went with pleating in the arms. If that doesn't work out i'll send it back and do something else.
- Weight = 5.2lbs
What I was going for was a minimalistic design what would highlight the materials. Also I wanted a jacket in a style like I had as a kid. And finally, I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but I'm queer for rust knits (with dark brown). If there was one aspect that drove everything else, it was I wanted rust knits period! I think that's about everything. If I think of something else I'll edit it in. This isn't just for today or this week. I'm conscious of the good possibility that someone in the future using the search function will learn something.
So thanks again for all the advice.
The highlights are:
-Cow CMX, black spray over brown. Not the heavy stuff. They shaved it down I think to 2 and 3/4 oz., or something like that.
-Brown thread. (Alan's suggestion)
-A deluxe merino wool lining that Alan had left over from a VIP order (same as Forrest's). I think it's verrry expensive, but he threw it in free (because I'm such a cool guy, I guess).
-Brown permanent mouton collar (with no strap. If it gets that cold I'll tie my muffler around my collar).
-Deep slash handwarmer pockets lined with corduroy (which was suggested on FL.)
-A horizontal inside pocket on each side.
-An antique brass zipper. I originally ordered nickel, then Alan called from out of the blue that they were building my jacket and antique brass was a better match. I went along, both because I trusted in Alan's experience and impeccable taste and because if he cared that much, I wasn't going to tell him to go jump in the bay.
-The tag says 38 but it doesn't mean that much. I think Alan said it was a size 39, but my other JL is a 42.
-I had Alan line up the back yoke seam and the sleeve seam. I just like it better that way (and probably see it as a subtle hint of customization).
-I went with pleating in the arms. If that doesn't work out i'll send it back and do something else.
- Weight = 5.2lbs
What I was going for was a minimalistic design what would highlight the materials. Also I wanted a jacket in a style like I had as a kid. And finally, I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but I'm queer for rust knits (with dark brown). If there was one aspect that drove everything else, it was I wanted rust knits period! I think that's about everything. If I think of something else I'll edit it in. This isn't just for today or this week. I'm conscious of the good possibility that someone in the future using the search function will learn something.
So thanks again for all the advice.
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