Real McCoys G-1 Fit Check

[dudewuttheheck]

My wife paid for my Teamster for my 40th birthday, which turned out to be too big. It was her idea to sell it to fund my Hercules. She wanted me to have a jacket that I got a lot of wear out of so now we basically just say that she got me the Herc for my 40th.... But my wife is pretty cool like that [emoji6]

She sounds awesome.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

The knits on this jacket are 3.5", I think I will ask John Chapman if he has come across any G-1s or it's predecessors that had knit sections that were under 3" in length and how they looked and also ask him what he thinks about shortening that section up. If I feel okay about it after talking with John I'll talk with Steve S to see how he feels about the mods.

But, it would probably be a good idea to put some wear on the jacket before any of that changes were actually made. Maybe if I get used to wearing it as is, the thought of modifying it or selling it will pass.

Hey buddy, I've not had any experience with that sort of surgery, and I'm not sure I'd opt for that route to be honest.
If your wife is cool, then I'd likely go for a shorter jacket.
I'd be more worried having it shopped and sewn personally. Good luck - I see you can still wear a jacket up there but I'd opt to get 'er replaced.

That's a solid stance. Which is still the path I may end up following. I honestly love this jacket though and want to explore all my options before letting it go.

My wife paid for my Teamster for my 40th birthday, which turned out to be too big. It was her idea to sell it to fund my Hercules. She wanted me to have a jacket that I got a lot of wear out of so now we basically just say that she got me the Herc for my 40th.... But my wife is pretty cool like that [emoji6]

I'd like to think mine will be as well. I'll start planting the seed now and see where it goes as I figure things out.




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[Fanch]

With all due respect, I tend to disagree with my old friend @ButteMT61 and would leave well enough alone. IMHO the body length is well within what is acceptable.

 

[thor]

I agree with Fanch. The short-waisted military issue G-1 jackets were worn with a one-piece flight suit (no belt) so jacket body length wasn't an issue. Wearing it with civilian clothes, a short jacket would ride up over the beltline every time you reached forward or upward. The longer G-1 seems a nice concession to comfort and ease of motion IMHO.

 

[Fanch]

Well said, Thor.

 

[ButteMT61]

I'd be hugely disappointed if nobody posted opposing points of view here.
Otherwise just talk to yourself and look in the mirror
I know all too well what it's like to fall in love with a jacket in spite of the doubts.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

With all due respect, I tend to disagree with my old friend @ButteMT61 and would leave well enough alone. IMHO the body length is well within what is acceptable.

I agree with Fanch. The short-waisted military issue G-1 jackets were worn with a one-piece flight suit (no belt) so jacket body length wasn't an issue. Wearing it with civilian clothes, a short jacket would ride up over the beltline every time you reached forward or upward. The longer G-1 seems a nice concession to comfort and ease of motion IMHO.

I'm still hoping with some wear I'll begin seeing it the same way. I have a couple months before I will be able to start doing that though. I'll use the time being to line out my contingencies.

Thor, it was actually your thread on Steve S's build that inspired me to first contact him and that jacket had some extra length to it. So I do agree that the jackets can look stellar with longer than typical fits, I've just been wondering if mine has too much extra length. I definitely believe that if my torso was not a little bit on the shorter side for my height, I wouldn't even be giving the longer jacket length a second thought.


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[theundeadkennedy]

Also, I'll try to get some pictures up of me wearing it with a light sweater or a t shirt. I will most likely be wearing a light sweater during jacket wearing months anyway. It may look less long without a tucked in shirt.


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[pauleway]

With all due respect, I tend to disagree with my old friend @ButteMT61 and would leave well enough alone. IMHO the body length is well within what is acceptable.

+1!!

 

[willyto]

The lenght depends on the trousers that you wear. I thought high rise trousers were favored here (I only wear high rise and wide leg trousers now) so a short waist is perfect but there is a lot of people who have no interested in wearing them and it's fine but for me skinny pants and low waist don't look good with some vintage style jackets.

 

[thor]

That custom Steve S manufactured M-422a measures out to a 46/48 Long and it's probably not 100% "accurate" by strict mil-spec WWII standards but then again, it's custom-made for my long-torso, gorilla-armed frame. I don't worry about sleeves riding up as I drive or belt exposure if I reach across the counter at Starbucks for the cream. It's a great-looking representation of a wartime M-422a but made for a 49-year old 6'1" 210lb guy (me) with modern concessions (longer sleeves & body, multiple inside pockets). If my jacket was shorter yet more visually accurate and proportionate to a standard wartime jacket but less comfortable to wear, I don't think I'd be happy with it. Your jacket looks great, fits nicely and it's got a special connection for you. Enjoy it!

 

[Dracorex]

Like I and others have said before, fit is very subjective. Fit can also be a problem when you are wearing different style jackets. You get used to the fit of a particular style jacket and then when you wear a different style jacket, it just doesn't feel right, it feels different. It doesn't mean that the newer jacket doesn't fit properly, it just feels different than what you're used to. This is what you're experiencing with these two jackets. I think the length of the G-1 is perfectly normal. I actually think the fit of this jacket is fantastic! If the G-1 was as short as the Half Belt it would look ridiculous. These are two completely different styles of jackets and are going to fit differently. Again, in my opinion, the fit of this jacket is absolutely fantastic. I would be extremely happy with the fit of this jacket. It's a beautiful jacket!

 

[plainsman]

My first thought was that the jacket looks already on the short side for my taste. Fit is subjective but do not overthink it: you should feel if the jacket is right or not.
I must say that also the jacket is special and I like to have a connection to things. When you will put it on, you'll remember and that should put a smile on your face.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

That custom Steve S manufactured M-422a measures out to a 46/48 Long and it's probably not 100% "accurate" by strict mil-spec WWII standards but then again, it's custom-made for my long-torso, gorilla-armed frame. I don't worry about sleeves riding up as I drive or belt exposure if I reach across the counter at Starbucks for the cream. It's a great-looking representation of a wartime M-422a but made for a 49-year old 6'1" 210lb guy (me) with modern concessions (longer sleeves & body, multiple inside pockets). If my jacket was shorter yet more visually accurate and proportionate to a standard wartime jacket but less comfortable to wear, I don't think I'd be happy with it. Your jacket looks great, fits nicely and it's got a special connection for you. Enjoy it!

I'm glad to hear you're still happy with your jacket. It's a real looker and an obvious testament to Steve's skill. I also have some gorilla arms for my height, it just didn't get passed on to my torso. I was briefly up to 210 in March, but after cutting out the beer and processed foods for a few days I dropped down to 205 quickly. It didn't sit well on the short torso. I used to be 5'10", but now I'm hovering closer 5'9". Spinal compression has added to the torso shortness.

Like I and others have said before, fit is very subjective. Fit can also be a problem when you are wearing different style jackets. You get used to the fit of a particular style jacket and then when you wear a different style jacket, it just doesn't feel right, it feels different. It doesn't mean that the newer jacket doesn't fit properly, it just feels different than what you're used to. This is what you're experiencing with these two jackets. I think the length of the G-1 is perfectly normal. I actually think the fit of this jacket is fantastic! If the G-1 was as short as the Half Belt it would look ridiculous. These are two completely different styles of jackets and are going to fit differently. Again, in my opinion, the fit of this jacket is absolutely fantastic. I would be extremely happy with the fit of this jacket. It's a beautiful jacket!

Thank you for the kind words. I hope I change my mind, but I'm not sure I would think a half belt length G-1 would look too short. But maybe I'll come around.

My first thought was that the jacket looks already on the short side for my taste. Fit is subjective but do not overthink it: you should feel if the jacket is right or not.
I must say that also the jacket is special and I like to have a connection to things. When you will put it on, you'll remember and that should put a smile on your face.

Thank you as well. I honestly wasn't expecting someone to say they thought the jacket was already short looking, but it is actually an awesomely affirmative statement.

As stated before I will get a couple shots with untucked shirting. Hopefully tonight after we get back from the Inlaws.





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[Peacoat]

While I usually agree with Butte, I have to disagree with him on the fit. I think the length, as Is everything else, is on the money. I have several G-1s and find them to be a bit longer than the A-2s. Your wife did an excellent job. Congratulations.

 

[ButteMT61]

I love a place where people can disagree in a civil fashion.
Good luck on your decision.

 

[Peacoat]

Now that I have gone back and given more time to the photos, I think it may be a bit long in front, but then that is the way the G-2s are made. All of mine are 2 to 3 inches longer in the front than they are in the back.

But, you have an excellent fit everywhere else, and I wouldn't let it bother me. That is the way of the G-2.

 

[nick123]

I have a Gibson Barnes G-1 that's horribly long on me. Yours isn't even approaching that. I think it truly looks great.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

Here are the pictures without a tucked shirt, which is what the jacket will more often than not be worn with. Sorry the light isn't too great, we lost powerful a bit and that's the best that the flash have us.

Looking at the photos, instead of in a mirror, it's not as bad as I originally thought. As I said before, I'm going to give it a real world trial once the weather cools down, but I'm now thinking the the trial is going to go well.

Thanks to everyone's responses, it's awesome everyone feels comfortable expressing their own points of view here. Knowing that, and hearing what you guys thought has made me feel it's worth hanging onto the jacket to at least give it a chance.


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[pauleway]

IMHO, that jacket is NOT too long, (for that model) looks great!!