New Himel transcontinental railroad - what do you think, keep or return?

[ton312]

I have yet to see anyone report a good experience with this particular Himel jacket. Only problems.

I agree. Buttons ripping off as I recall. Rippining off, not falling off.

 

[Cyber Lip]

The back buttons are not weird, there are two buttons on the back, and he has it buttoned on the 2nd to make it slimmer. I bought one of these and returned it. I bought the smallest size, M, and it was still too big. The size info on the Orvis site was way off. Sleeves were way too long, but I would have been willing to have it altered if I had liked it enough. The deal breaker for me was the weird collar and neck hole. The collar design is fine, but it's the way it's executed on the jacket. Something is strange about the cut and the way it stands up in front in a weird funky way. And yeah the neck hole is odd shaped and very large. The jacket made my normal neck and head look like a pencil neck and tiny pin head. Just a very strange jacket

 

[marmalademan]

Man, imagine forking out your 2k (or whatever it is) and opening the box to find a neck hole like this on your brand new Himel! Not really a great advert for the brand is it. From all that I've seen and heard on here about these jackets I'm kinda surprised Dave has put his name on them

 

[Boyo]

Yup, I have one which I like, I didn't get quite the deal as the OP but I did get it on sale. I tried the XXL which was too big for me also and sized down to XL.
I do side with the crowd and say this one is too big for you.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I would return this one promptly. Especially if it does not connect with you. Leather looks great, but that's it.

GL with the search!!

 

[Jejupe]

Thanks all. The decision is clear: I will return it.

One thing I’ve learnt about clothing is that if something doesn’t feel right immediately, it will never feel right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BlueWallpaper]

It’s a shame you can’t get it in a smaller size, the style looks really good on you.

 

[Jejupe]

It’s a shame you can’t get in a smaller size, the style looks really good on you.

Thanks, I really like this type of work jackets. / car coats. Maybe because my very first leather jacket was like this.

Now that I decided to return this one, I am thinking about Aero's 1920's work coat in Cordovan Vicenza. I just wonder if that model has wrong fit for me, as I has quite wide shoulders. I've heard that Aero's premier range has narrowish shoulders.

 

[barnabus]

In that similar style, I have the right horn for Aero's Teamster.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I love Himel jackets, but that is several sizes too large for you. I would send it back.

 

[TREEMAN]

Never was crazy about Orvis. IMO whenever they collaborate with a leather jacket maker something is always a little off with the jacket....thinner leather, the cut is off in some way, collar issues....seconds always came to mind.

 

[Jejupe]

Never was crazy about Orvis. IMO whenever they collaborate with a leather jacket maker something is always a little off with the jacket....thinner leather, the cut is off in some way, collar issues....seconds always came to mind.

Orvis must be pushing the manufacturers to produce special edition jackets with very low bulk price, which then reflects to quality of these jackets. I'm just surprised that any high end manufacturer is ready to do second quality special edition under their own name. Me for instance, I will probably never buy another Himel after this experience, no matter how they are praised.

 

[Dr H]

I wouldn't avoid the Himel Northlander (it's quite a different jacket from the Orvis Transcontinental, which is really a budget off the peg version). The process of ordering from David Himel would result in a bespoke jacket.

 

[Carlos840]

Orvis must be pushing the manufacturers to produce special edition jackets with very low bulk price, which then reflects to quality of these jackets. I'm just surprised that any high end manufacturer is ready to do second quality special edition under their own name. Me for instance, I will probably never buy another Himel after this experience, no matter how they are praised.

I wouldn't cross Himel from your list just yet, the jacket he did for me is my best fitting jacket!
Not every pattern works for every body type, this one just really doesn't work for you.

 

[Jejupe]

I wouldn't cross Himel from your list just yet, the jacket he did for me is my best fitting jacket!
Not every pattern works for every body type, this one just really doesn't work for you.

I'm sure he/they can make great jackets, but paying 2500 USD (+30 - 40% on top for shipping + tax + customs) for a jacket after a disappointment like this will probably be mentally impossible for me. I can get three Aeros or Thedis for that.

 

[Jejupe]

By the way, this sizing must be an Orvis standard sizing or something. I ordered together with the jacket a bunch of Polo shirts and sweaters. All XXl. Just tried them on and they are all absolutely H-U-G-E. It seems to me that Orvis's sizing is based on the assumption that if someone is shopping clothes for 50" chest he will actually have 55" chest and 60" waistline.

Now I need to return everything Back to US on my own costs and also reclaim tax + customs, which is a pain in the a** process. Not cool!

 

[navetsea]

US XL is the biggest XL of all standard sizes, asian XL is probably S or M in US sizing.
perhaps the whole ordeal would make you lose your cool and hulk up and then everything fits.

 

[Jejupe]

US XL is the biggest XL of all standard sizes, asian XL is probably S or M in US sizing.
perhaps the whole ordeal would make you lose your cool and hulk up and then everything fits.

I think losing my cool and binge eating and drinking for 6 months would also do the trick!

 

[JMax]

I think losing my cool and binge eating and drinking for 6 months would also do the trick!

I gave you the answer in my previous post

 

[Superfluous]

paying 2500 USD (+30 - 40% on top for shipping + tax + customs) for a jacket . . . I can get three Aeros or Thedis for that.

True. You can also purchase 2-3 US Authentic jackets for the price of one Vicenza Aero jacket, and you can purchase 2-3 mall jackets for the price of one US Authentic jacket. Likewise, you can purchase three Mercedes for the price of one Ferreri, and you can purchase three Toyotas for the price of one Mercedes, and you can purchase three Kias for the price of one Toyota. I could continue ad nauseam.

The issue is ultimately one of subjective value. For some, the optimal price-point for a leather jacket is $200, and anything more is, dare I say, superfluous and a spectacular waste of money. For others, the details offered by Himel are well worth the hefty price. And, for others, the optimal balance falls somewhere in between $200 and Himel pricing.

Personally, I place great value on the details offered by Himel, and I am willing to pay more for these details. I have purchased jackets that did not include similar details and, in the end, I was dissatisfied and sold those jackets (my vintage Buco being the exception). I fully recognize that, at this pricing level, I am far beyond the point of diminishing returns. On the other hand, Aero pricing is also well beyond the point of diminishing returns, and most consumers would argue that paying $1,200 for a leather jacket is pure insanity given the ubiquitous $200 leather jackets. No one is right and no one is wrong. It is all a matter of personal opinion. That said, the "I could buy three for the price of one" argument is, IMHO, not particularly persuasive. I hate to think how many Kias I could purchase for the price of my car. Yet, at the end of the day, I love my car and it is well worth the outlay.

Lastly, I suspect that the Orvis jacket designed by Himel is an accurate reproduction of the original jacket, and the design elements discussed above that some find less desirable are, in fact, a function of Himel staying true to the original.