Thoughts on my new RM A2?

[Lordofthequince]

Hi all,

long time lurker here… first post. Finally pulled the trigger on a brand new RM A2 in seal brown.

usually I’m a size 42 in jackets, but I went with the 44 given the measurements best aligned to my Schott Perfecto 618 in size 42. I think the shoulders and sleeves ended up fitting well, but the torso is a bit blousey. Also, this is my first shinki jacket, but the leather has a lot more markings and wrinkles that I’m used too, right out of the box, not sure if that’s a QC issue (note the big X that runs where my heart is).

what are your guys thoughts on the fit and quality of the leather?

 

[Blackadder]

It does look rather roomy on you but then you seem to need the extra room for the jacket/sweatshirt you wear underneath.

 

[morrison2951]

Modern A2's are generally quite blousey.

 

[MojaveMan250]

It looks a little roomy but otherwise very nice.

 

[leper-colony]

I think the overall fit looks good, similar to the way they were worn issued.

If anything, the sleeve look slightly long (to me). But I have jackets just like that because I did not have them adjusted when I ordered them, not wanting them to end up too short, lol.

The main thing is if you like it, no matter what we think.

 

[Bfd70]

In my limited experience if A2s are not a little big their mobility is poor.

 

[Jin431]

Welcome here and thanks for posting and sharing your new jacket/experience. If you don't love it, best return it if you still can. I don't know much about how an A2 should fit but this jacket does not look flattering on you. In the last photo, you can see the shoulders are droopy and the back is quite shapeless.

Maybe try wearing better fitting jeans/pants tomorrow with a short sweater or tucked shirt then take another batch of photos of the jacket while unzipped and zipped up.

 

[Lordofthequince]

Welcome here and thanks for posting and sharing your new jacket/experience. If you don't love it, best return it if you still can. I don't know much about how an A2 should fit but this jacket does not look flattering on you. In the last photo, you can see the shoulders are droopy and the back is quite shapeless.

Maybe try wearing better fitting jeans/pants tomorrow with a short sweater or tucked shirt then take another batch of photos of the jacket while unzipped and zipped up.

thanks jin431! The last picture is deceiving, the shoulders end actually perfectly at the seams- the droopiness is the excess leather in the main body of the jacket- which is also leading to the general shapelessness of the back. If you see the front pictures where I am raising my arms, you will see no awkward droopiness that certainly appeared if the shoulder were mis-sized.

Agree on back view not being too flattering- but I do think the jacket looks decent front on, aside from the blousing. Perhaps it would be wise to exchange for a size down while I still can.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

i think you're half to full size too big. It depends on how much layering you'll be doing. Sleeves long, shoulders a little too wide.

 

[pilot error]

Hello and welcome to the fold. Ok, if people are telling you it fits and looks good they're either trying to be nice or they just don't know. It doesn't fit you. I believe that's a Roughwear A2 which is a boxy cut. Real McCoy is maniacal about exact reproduction. For $1500 you can do a lot better. Contrary to popular opinion it's not supposed to be loose, its a trim military fit. same goes for the G-1. a wartime 42 fits like a modern 40, although fit varies widely between manufacturers. Do some research on various makers, last but not least A2's are not good for layering it;s a spring fall jacket I wear my a2's with a t shirt. I thought someone should tell you. Good Luck it's a great hobby!

 

[Jin431]

thanks jin431! The last picture is deceiving, the shoulders end actually perfectly at the seams- the droopiness is the excess leather in the main body of the jacket- which is also leading to the general shapelessness of the back. If you see the front pictures where I am raising my arms, you will see no awkward droopiness that certainly appeared if the shoulder were mis-sized.

Agree on back view not being too flattering- but I do think the jacket looks decent front on, aside from the blousing. Perhaps it would be wise to exchange for a size down while I still can.

agreed there's a lot of excess leather on the whole back of the jacket and a smaller size might give you a trimmer fit for sure but I wonder if you are better off with a leather jacket that does not have knits on the hem. i heard it can be quite tricky trying to find the right cut of A2 that will work for ones particular body type.

 

[BobJ]

When I first looked at your photos I thought - Man that is a nice looking jacket! Then I went on and read all the critical posts about how it fits etc., and then I went back and looked at the pictures again, and thought… Man what a beautiful jacket! Perfect fit! I love the high collar, I love the color of the knits, and I think the leather looks great. I would keep the jacket. As you wear it it will mold itself to fit you better. If you get a size smaller, You might have problems moving around in it and enjoying your life in it. These jackets are made to be worn and worn as you live life, and not just for posing.

 

[ericsanpablo31]

For me it is too big/baggy and the arms are too long.

That said, the bagginess of what you're wearing with it might accentuate the look. Anyways, fit is all personal, but I think this fit is good for a military type jacket - https://www.instagram.com/p/CLw0dyMD4_I/ . I know it's an m-422a and maybe a2s are supposed to fit a bit more relaxed, but just saying that's how I'd want mine to fit

 

[leper-colony]

 

[Jin431]

^ extra cool dudes

 

[El Marro]

In my limited experience if A2s are not a little big their mobility is poor.

This has been mine as well. I think this jacket looks very good from the side shots but I agree that fit is not flattering from the back, there appears to be a lot of excess leather. Sleeves are too long as well, although they might crease up and shorten a bit with wear. I do not think going down a size is the answer because this jacket looks to fit pretty well in the shoulders and the chest and I think that the smaller size would be too tight for you.
Regarding the markings and wrinkles you asked about, those are considered desirable qualities in a good repro A2. That is a characteristic of Shinki horsehide and part of what makes it so special to many people.

 

[f2002q]

Can you take a picture with a dress shirt on and no other layers? In the army picture, they are all wearing only shirts and trousers. Right now it looks a bit big specially the sleeve length and you have another jacket underneath.

 

[Monitor]

Hi, welcome. Send that back. Don't know what everyone is on about, it looks horrible on you. Sleeves look comical sucking in those cuffs. Lower body being wider than the shoulders make you look like you've got a huge gut and the back looks like you're wearing the jacket over a fully loaded backpack. Box that thing and send it back. Yesterday.

X isn't the problem, that's normal.

 

[Marc mndt]

what are your guys thoughts on the fit

First of all, I'm not knowledgeable on A-2 style jackets at all. All I know is that there were many different contracts during the war and some maker's jackets were more fitted than others. But I don't know if it's historical accuracy you're after or you're simply in the market for a nice looking leather jacket. Either way, I don’t think this is it.

Like others have said, there's way too much material in the back and the sleeves are too long. When I think of a good looking A-2 (in terms of fit) I think of @dudewuttheheck A-2.

 

[Monitor]

Good fitting A-2, to me.