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So Here's What You've Done To Me

Stlawrence

New in Town
Messages
32
I had an LL Bean Flying Tigers jacket for years. In fact, I've bought three of them over the years, and both sons received them after I outgrew them. I was perfectly happy with the jackets. Loved them, in fact.

Well. The last one I bought I got as an impulse purchase at an LL Bean outlet store. I liked it, but it always seemed a bit big on me. I had the thing for about three years when, one day this year, I noticed something. I had bought a Tall. I'm not tall. I'm, well, rather squatty. I had worn it, as I say, for about three years and even though I thought it was big on me, suddenly I was dissatisfied with it. I gave it to my 6'1" son, and it fit perfectly. But that put me in the market for a new one.

I made the mistake of searching the web, and found this site. Big mistake.

Now, I pore through photos of different vendors' sites, looking for signs of authenticity. I've become a nit picker to the extreme, blowing up photos to make sure the jacket has the ever-so-necessary waistband seam across the zipper flaps. Why? I don't know, but I think it must be necessary.

I have spent hours on Ebay, looking at different jackets (all G-1s) and wondering if they would fit my endowed figure. As an aside, I consider a little (ahem) extra weight as an important survival preparation, much like Thor's orange whistle and my Leatherman. When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'll survive in my G-1 jacket while all you thin guys have succumbed to starvation long hence. Sure, you'll look good, but I'll survive.

Having narrowed my choice to the Excelled G-1, yesterday I showed my wife a photo of Thor wearing his. I proudly told her that Thor is a ferry captain. Surely she would recognize that if I bought the same jacket, I could be a NYC ferry captain, too, or at least frequently be mistaken for one. I thought she'd be impressed and say something like, "Wow. You're friends with a NYC ferry captain?" I was prepared to tell her how tight Thor and I are, with his having responded to at least two of my posts.

No. She said, "Ooh. I don't like that collar. Can't you get one with a leather collar like your old one?"

I bristled. I mansplained that the wool collar is the hallmark of the authentic USN G-1 Bomber Jacket. I tried to show her the waistband seam, but she was uninterested. I pouted for hours, and I can put a pout on. I learned pouting from my mother, who could throw a pout that would bring you to your knees from across the room. So far, we're at a standoff. Her final answer was, "Get the one you want. I don't care." Now, if you're married, you know what that means.

What have you done to me?
 

Jejupe

Practically Family
Messages
957
Location
Finland
Now I own more jackets than I can reasonably wear

I’ve been wondering what might that number be for your average lounger? 10?20?more?

I have about 15 at the moment with a few more on the way, and I’m starting to feel that just *MAYBE* I might soon have an unreasonable amount of jackets. I Think that if you ask my wife, that point was reached about 14 leather jackets ago...

And yes, the lounge did this to me too. Last year on one day (which turned out to be start of something expensive) I typed in google ”best leather jacket makers” with intention of buying myself a proper jacket. I ended up in TFL and rest is history and large credit card invoices.
 

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,581
Location
California
Stlawrence, welcome to the lounge! I fear that you are only in for more rejection, followed by more sullen pouts if you keep hanging around here. I have learned the hard way that my girlfriend is not particularly interested in my leather jackets, nor do we share the same taste in clothng in general. I am always pleasantly surprised when she tells me that a jacket, a pair of pants, or shoes that I'm wearing look nice.
I would buy the Excelled G-1 since you have your heart set on it. Then you can get to work finding the perfectly authentic A-2 so as to have a jacket without that nasty wool collar. Good luck!
 

Superfluous

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,995
Location
Missing in action
11812477_f520.jpg
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,823
I had an LL Bean Flying Tigers jacket for years. In fact, I've bought three of them over the years, and both sons received them after I outgrew them. I was perfectly happy with the jackets. Loved them, in fact.

Well. The last one I bought I got as an impulse purchase at an LL Bean outlet store. I liked it, but it always seemed a bit big on me. I had the thing for about three years when, one day this year, I noticed something. I had bought a Tall. I'm not tall. I'm, well, rather squatty. I had worn it, as I say, for about three years and even though I thought it was big on me, suddenly I was dissatisfied with it. I gave it to my 6'1" son, and it fit perfectly. But that put me in the market for a new one.

I made the mistake of searching the web, and found this site. Big mistake.

Now, I pore through photos of different vendors' sites, looking for signs of authenticity. I've become a nit picker to the extreme, blowing up photos to make sure the jacket has the ever-so-necessary waistband seam across the zipper flaps. Why? I don't know, but I think it must be necessary.

I have spent hours on Ebay, looking at different jackets (all G-1s) and wondering if they would fit my endowed figure. As an aside, I consider a little (ahem) extra weight as an important survival preparation, much like Thor's orange whistle and my Leatherman. When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'll survive in my G-1 jacket while all you thin guys have succumbed to starvation long hence. Sure, you'll look good, but I'll survive.

Having narrowed my choice to the Excelled G-1, yesterday I showed my wife a photo of Thor wearing his. I proudly told her that Thor is a ferry captain. Surely she would recognize that if I bought the same jacket, I could be a NYC ferry captain, too, or at least frequently be mistaken for one. I thought she'd be impressed and say something like, "Wow. You're friends with a NYC ferry captain?" I was prepared to tell her how tight Thor and I are, with his having responded to at least two of my posts.

No. She said, "Ooh. I don't like that collar. Can't you get one with a leather collar like your old one?"

I bristled. I mansplained that the wool collar is the hallmark of the authentic USN G-1 Bomber Jacket. I tried to show her the waistband seam, but she was uninterested. I pouted for hours, and I can put a pout on. I learned pouting from my mother, who could throw a pout that would bring you to your knees from across the room. So far, we're at a standoff. Her final answer was, "Get the one you want. I don't care." Now, if you're married, you know what that means.

What have you done to me?
Greetings Stlawrence:
First, welcome to the lounge. Great entrance.
I love your post. Best prose of the addictive thought process ever!
And...”mansplained”...priceless!!!
I began my journey in the “felt” threads but alas, so much more body to cover, so i sated the need here with leather. And so we go.
I’m drawing the line at vehicles!!
Good luck and welcome yon bird of feather.
Be well. Bowen
 

thor

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,007
Location
NYC, NY
This was a thoroughly enjoyable post, very humorous and on point with what most of us have gone thru.
Thank you @Stlawrence and @nick123 for the kind words! :cool::)
My first leather jacket was a Schott A-2 style bomber which I was completely happy with and wore for many years.
And then, lo and behold, I stumbled first upon the Eastman Leather Clothing website (instant jacket nirvana :eek:) and shortly thereafter The Fedora Lounge.
After lots of internet research (my wife might call it “time wasting” ;)) I quickly settled on the G-1 as my favorite jacket.
Now my G–1 collection is complete (for now, at least), my closet is chockablock with leather jackets of all types and yet I still do my fair share of “research” here on TFL and elsewhere.
I truly value the opinions, insights, knowledge and humor we all share here.
 

Powerband

Practically Family
Messages
840
What’s the book called? Sounds like an interesting read!

....I feel bad I had no idea

I would like to know the exact book, too.

Here’s the overall detail about the “American Dunkirk.”

https://insh.world/history/the-great-boat-lift-of-911/

EDIT: in the below video (narrated by Tom Hanks), if I’m not mistaken, you might even see clips of interview with our good Captain. A hero.

https://www.americanwaterways.com/m...tom-hanks-narrates-untold-tale-911-resilience


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

thor

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,007
Location
NYC, NY
If you guys are interested in the maritime evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11, the best video documentary is probably “Boatlift 9/11”, narrarated by Tom Hanks (it’s on YouTube). It’s only 17 minutes long but it’s VERY informative and covers all the details (and I am indeed one of the captains interviewed).

I was also profiled in the History Channel 9/11 documentary “Fifteen September’s Later” (filmed for the 15th anniversary of 9/11).

And the book that was mentioned is titled “Dust to Deliverance” by Jessica DuLong. I’m interviewed in that book as well.

Thank you gentlemen for your interest in this seminal event.
 
Messages
17,475
Location
Chicago
If you guys are interested in the maritime evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11, the best video documentary is probably “Boatlift 9/11”, narrarated by Tom Hanks (it’s on YouTube). It’s only 17 minutes long but it’s VERY informative and covers all the details (and I am indeed one of the captains interviewed).

I was also profiled in the History Channel 9/11 documentary “Fifteen September’s Later” (filmed for the 15th anniversary of 9/11).

And the book that was mentioned is titled “Dust to Deliverance” by Jessica DuLong. I’m interviewed in that book as well.

Thank you gentlemen for your interest in this seminal event.
Damn Thor. Had no idea. Respect. My hat is tipped to you sir. My sister in law was an Amex employee who worked in the towers. I'll never forget the panic we felt when we couldn't reach her.
 

Superfluous

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,995
Location
Missing in action
If you guys are interested in the maritime evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11, the best video documentary is probably “Boatlift 9/11”, narrarated by Tom Hanks (it’s on YouTube). It’s only 17 minutes long but it’s VERY informative and covers all the details (and I am indeed one of the captains interviewed).

I was also profiled in the History Channel 9/11 documentary “Fifteen September’s Later” (filmed for the 15th anniversary of 9/11).

And the book that was mentioned is titled “Dust to Deliverance” by Jessica DuLong. I’m interviewed in that book as well.

Thank you gentlemen for your interest in this seminal event.

RESPECT!

Thank you for your service.
 

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