New budget M-65 Field Jacket?

[4444Design]

M65 in small sizes are available for a steal on all auction or ordering platforms ...

BTW: there was a female version of the M43 field jacket which was issued by the end of the 2nd WW which was specially designed for the different shape of the female body - well the buttons where exposed other than that a very versatile jacket ...

 

[TLW '90]

I have two originals, and wouldn't consider a civilian copy. But she is traveling a different road.

Same here.
I would buy a new M65 from Golden if they were still making them since they were an official contractor making them in the US, but otherwise that's it and I'd only go official issue.

I have the '77 sew sew styles from my dad pictured previously that I've been abusing since I was a kid, and an '85 Winfield in woodland from my dad that I've been abusing at work in the winter for the past 6 years.

 

[MrProper]

A long time ago I tried on a few original ones (in a backyard shop in Munich that only had second-hand military clothing from all kinds of nations, but of course also a lot of Bundeswehr)
Unfortunately, I have to say that they look like a sack of potatoes on me (a fate shared by many others).
If they fit halfway, then the sleeves were guaranteed to be too short and I could still wrap the jacket round my stomach twice.
Maybe I'll try the Helikon. It comes from Europe and I haven't read anything bad about it.
Potato sack is of course perfectly ok if I have to work in it, fight in it or am travelling in the wilderness. And I'm no Arnold Schwarzenegger either But for my purposes, I would like it to be a bit more fashionable. lol

 

[TLW '90]

I think you just have to accept the m65 for what it is and judge whether the jacket fits good for and m65, many types of jacket just don't fit and wear like a leather jacket or sports coat.

 

[MrProper]

If it doesn't fit, it will be made to fit. I think the jacket I found fits quite well.
Unfortunately, I find it difficult to accept ill-fitting clothes. What I do accept is that there are some styles that just don't suit me. But that's ok.
Not everyone can look like Jason Statham in Hobbs & Shaw in an M65. Lol

 

[MrProper]

Not everyone can look like Jason Statham in Hobbs & Shaw in an M65. Lol

Perhaps worth mentioning... I think the jacket Statham wears in the film is a The Real McCoy's and anything but a budget M65.

COAT, MAN'S, FIELD, M-65 / EARLY MODEL

First issued to soldiers in the United States Armed Forces in 1965, the M-65 is the definitive field jacket, a pop culture icon and perhaps one of the most significant garments in menswear design history. It evolved from the M-1943 Field Coat via the M-1951 and is a seminal piece that utilized...

therealmccoys.com

 

[BloodEagle]

Perhaps worth mentioning... I think the jacket Statham wears in the film is a The Real McCoy's and anything but a budget M65.

COAT, MAN'S, FIELD, M-65 / EARLY MODEL

First issued to soldiers in the United States Armed Forces in 1965, the M-65 is the definitive field jacket, a pop culture icon and perhaps one of the most significant garments in menswear design history. It evolved from the M-1943 Field Coat via the M-1951 and is a seminal piece that utilized...

therealmccoys.com

View attachment 641732

Bronson also do a really good version of the sans-epaulettes 1st Model M-65 for a much more realistic price (which still seems a lot for one), but yeah it seems more likely that Stathams is probably a McCoys one

 

[Will Zach]

Bronson also do a really good version of the sans-epaulettes 1st Model M-65 for a much more realistic price (which still seems a lot for one), but yeah it seems more likely that Stathams is probably a McCoys one

To quote a classic (in jail now) - there are a 100 RMC products worth their price, but an M-65 ain't one...

 

[mumpy]

Perhaps worth mentioning... I think the jacket Statham wears in the film is a The Real McCoy's and anything but a budget M65.

COAT, MAN'S, FIELD, M-65 / EARLY MODEL

First issued to soldiers in the United States Armed Forces in 1965, the M-65 is the definitive field jacket, a pop culture icon and perhaps one of the most significant garments in menswear design history. It evolved from the M-1943 Field Coat via the M-1951 and is a seminal piece that utilized...

therealmccoys.com

View attachment 641732

I have this jacket and it is the best modern fitting M-65 for sure. Slimmer, shorter, fits perfectly.

 

[navetsea]

statham's jacket there seems more easier to crease and fit him nicely than original might fit him, perhaps stallone in rambo 1 wore original and how long and roomy it fit him there , and the sans epaulette version is very rare in original version especially in his right size and pristine condition like that, so I agree with theory above, whatever the brand Statham is personally a well dressed guy probably he asked costume department to get him what brand he is willing to wear

 

[TLW '90]

I personally think that an M-65 in your tag size can be considered a subjectively well fitting jacket for an m65 as long as the sleeves aren't too short or something, an m-65 isn't a cross zip or a cafe racer after all.

This is just my opinion, but in that picture Statham looks like he's wearing a reproduction that's not cut like a real m-65 and that this isn't a fit people should be hoping for in an m-65.
I agree that some people might look better in a real m-65 than others do, but I also think one can simply look like they're wearing the right size of M-65 which is okay.
Most people know what an M-65 looks like from seeing people wearing real m-65's, and if you're wearing one in your size it's unlikely anybody is going to give the fit a 2nd thought.

My '77 M-65 for example, I have other jackets that are objectively a better fit but subjectively it's my size of M-65 and I feel I wear it right and would even better if it had a liner ( FT Bliss TX wasn't cold enough to need a liner ).

The '85 example I have is definitely too big on me, but I don't care because I'm wearing it at work and it's all function over form.

 

[navetsea]

the thing is we rarely wear loose fit pants or baggy pants like combat trousers on the lower half, so if the jacket appear too baggy it contrasts too much with neater fitting pants making your overall silhouette top heavy, if you wear fuller leg jeans or straight leg pants then a original pattern M65 might works. I think if you live in the area with abundant supply of the original and you can try them in person you can downsize them to look more tailored since the sleeve length is very forgiving especially with the flap, however some other people live where m65 is in limited supply, there are some importers of real m65 in my country but the price point is like "collectible" item north of $100 since it is aimed at people who collect vietnam war era US military memorabilia, and perhaps the original contract that are plenty in supply at cheap price right now are the ones with plastic zippers or eventhe ones without the sleeve end flaps and in various camo patterns because those are the last production version before the jacket model was replaced right?

 

[mumpy]

The original M-65 I own is two sizes down than my normal size to get the desired fit.

I used to own an original in my size and I looked like a hunter or fisherman when wearing it. In a rural environment it would have been fine but in an urban one looks completely out of place and doesn’t feel right to me.

Even though this jacket is as universal as it goes, it bears a different kind of significance for Americans. Maybe people grew up seeing family members wearing it etc. There is a difference in perception and expected fit. For me it is just a jacket that wears best in a more modern way.

This is unlike other jackets like the MA-1 for example that we have had in Europe when I was growing up. Lots of people have worn them oversized or just the original bulky versions etc. The associations are different and doesn’t look out of place.

 

[Will Zach]

I just found out that Helikon-Tex is a Polish company. And since my friend @barnabus loves his Helikon-Tex jacket, I should be patriotic and get one too...

Now I need to break it to my wife that I will be an old guy wearing a camo M-65, lol.

 

[MrProper]

I just found out that Helikon-Tex is a Polish company. And since my friend @barnabus loves his Helikon-Tex jacket, I should be patriotic and get one too...

Now I need to break it to my wife that I will be an old guy wearing a camo M-65, lol.

My Helikon should be delivered these days. I hope the sleeves aren't too short.

 

[barnabus]

I just found out that Helikon-Tex is a Polish company. And since my friend @barnabus loves his Helikon-Tex jacket, I should be patriotic and get one too...

Now I need to break it to my wife that I will be an old guy wearing a camo M-65, lol.

Now I feel bad that I've got an Alpha M65 on its way to me!

 

[navetsea]

is 2024 going to be a field jacket year like denim jacket year from that year in the past

 

[Aloysius]

I just found out that Helikon-Tex is a Polish company. And since my friend @barnabus loves his Helikon-Tex jacket, I should be patriotic and get one too...

Now I need to break it to my wife that I will be an old guy wearing a camo M-65, lol.

Speaking of Polish makers, I was reading somewhere (maybe Styleforum) about a very traditional tailor there who still makes jackets/coats in the traditional Central European style of suits. I meant to save the name to pass along to you because that would be a cool maker to visit and get something made by next time you visit.

 

[Will Zach]

Speaking of Polish makers, I was reading somewhere (maybe Styleforum) about a very traditional tailor there who still makes jackets/coats in the traditional Central European style of suits. I meant to save the name to pass along to you because that would be a cool maker to visit and get something made by next time you visit.

Thx. I am there right now, till January. If you have his name, pass it along. Still lots of old-style craftsmen in Poland - knife-making, tailoring, woodworking, etc.

 

[barnabus]

@QueenFreyja did you manage to make a decision on your jacket yet?