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

[Jejupe]

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.

While I agree what you're saying, I think you're missing my point. This Orvis Himel was the only Himel I have ever seen in flesh. In my humble and very subjective opinion this particular jacket was worse than some of my Aeros or even Schotts. And I'm not even talking about the fit. That considered it's a hard sell to convince me to pay 3 x Aero price to get a "real" Himel. I still might do that someday, because I think other manufacturers are not making as nice work coat designs as Himel.

But then again, I am guy who would drive a Kia if it was as good (in my opinion) as my current more expensive car.

 

[ton312]

the design elements discussed above that some find less desirable are, in fact, a function of Himel staying true to the original.

I don't think that's true in this case. It appears this jackets proportions are wildly out of sorts. I mean I could get my waist into one of those sleeves and I'm not a small guy by any means. The neck configuration seems quite odd as well. Certainly this jacket is a poor fit, as shown here, but as a whole, this just looks plain out of proportion and I'm not convinced it would look much better in the proper size...

 

[ton312]

While I agree what you're saying, I think you're missing my point. This Orvis Himel was the only Himel I have ever seen in flesh. In my humble and very subjective opinion this particular jacket was worse than some of my Aeros or even Schotts. And I'm not even talking about the fit. That considered it's a hard sell to convince me to pay 3 x Aero price to get a "real" Himel. I still might do that someday, because I think other manufacturers are not making as nice work coat designs as Himel.

But then again, I am guy who would drive a Kia if it was as good (in my opinion) as my current more expensive car.

Is this jacket not a "real" Himel? Is this pattern farmed out and not made by Himel Bros? To my knowledge these jackets were batch produced for Orvis by Himel...

 

[Superfluous]

I don't think that's true in this case. It appears this jackets proportions are wildly out of sorts. I mean I could get my waist into one of those sleeves and I'm not a small guy by any means. The neck configuration seems quite odd as well. Certainly this jacket is a poor fit, as shown here, but as a whole, this just looks plain out of proportion and I'm not convinced it would look much better in the proper size...

I agree that the proportions -- particularly the sleeve width -- are less desirable. However, unless and until you see the original jacket that Himel was reproducing, it is impossible to know if the proportions come directly from the original, or whether Himel altered the original proportions. I personally have no clue.

 

[zebedee]

I'd keep it for a bit. The sleeves will shorten somewhat and it's a stunning colour.

 

[ton312]

I agree that the proportions -- particularly the sleeve width -- are less desirable. However, unless and until you see the original jacket that Himel was reproducing, it is impossible to know if the proportions come directly from the original, or whether Himel altered the original proportions. I personally have no clue.

True, But the Himel's I tried on at Mildblend had super narrow sleeves (sz 44" mind you). I just can't see this sleeve type being historically accurate to much of anything. I've had a few vintage Barnstormers that didn't exhibit even half that width!

 

[Jejupe]

Is this jacket not a "real" Himel? Is this pattern farmed out and not made by Himel Bros? To my knowledge these jackets were batch produced for Orvis by Himel...

I suppose it is, as Himel put their logo on it. I refered to theory we discussed here earlier that Orvis Himels are of inferior quality.

 

[ton312]

I'd keep it for a bit. The sleeves will shorten somewhat and it's a stunning colour.

Plus you can sleep in them!

 

[ton312]

I suppose it is as Himel put the logo on it. I refered to theory we discussed here earlier that Orvis Himels are of inferior quality.

Yes, I think that the jackets he makes as stock for retailers are certainly not as good as the custom makes. The mildblend jackets were completely underwhelming at best and frankly were laughable next to my Aero j-106.

 

[Jejupe]

I'd keep it for a bit. The sleeves will shorten somewhat and it's a stunning colour.

Too late for that. I already sent it back.

 

[marmalademan]

If the original pattern had sleeves and neckholes like that why would Orvis or Himel choose this one to replicate?

 

[Jejupe]

If the original pattern had sleeves and neckholes like that why would Orvis or Himel choose this one to replicate?

Maybe Orvis bargained for lower package price so long that Mr Himel thought: "You want cheap?! I'll give you cheap!".

 

[Superfluous]

Per Himel, Orvis altered his pattern.

 

[ton312]

Per Himel, Orvis altered his pattern.

I kind of figured that had to be the case...

 

[red devil]

Per Himel, Orvis altered his pattern.

I wonder why he agreed to that... it certainly is a big disservice to his brand.

 

[ton312]

I wonder why he agreed to that... it certainly is a big disservice to his brand.

Money talks and bullshit walks

 

[Superfluous]

I wonder why he agreed to that...

I suppose Orvis presented an opportunity for Himel to do a bulk sale of standardized jackets and Himel agreed to the design requirements of Orvis in order to complete the deal. Making one-off custom products is a tough business, particularly when applying the artisan craftsmanship that is the hallmark of Himel's bespoke jackets. While superlative quality is obviously Himel's paramount objective, he also must pay his expenses and keep the business afloat. Himel does not enjoy the economy of scale achieved by certain larger manufacturers. Himel is both an artist and a small businessman, and when opportunities like this become available, it is hard to say no. I have never seen one of his Orvis collaborations but, based on what I read here, it clearly in not on a par with Himel's one-off bespoke jackets. I am not going to boycott Himel simply because one of his collaborative products was less than desirable. Likewise, I am not going to boycott Ferrari simply because they recently produced this abomination:

Just as Ferrari remains capable of producing masterpieces notwithstanding the above-depicted FF, Himel also continues to produce superlative jackets notwithstanding the Orvis collaboration. One need look no further then Carlos' recent acquisition for confirmation of Himel's enduring quality.

 

[ton312]

Wait...what's not to like about a rocket powered station wagon?!?!? Everybody has to pay bills...I say good for him if he can hock off a run of jackets and not deal with a bunch of jacket queens and social media posers...OMG. I was looking too closely at that LW ryder. I'm sorry.

 

[Jejupe]

Ferrari is an excellent comparison point if the purpose of comparison is to prove that 2/3 of the price of a Himel is purely based on the brand instead of value for money.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jejupe]

.