To alter or not to alter

[JCSD]

I run into this problem quite a bit when buying off the rack because sleeves are inevitably too long given my wider shoulders and shorter stature. I’ve altered a number of jackets with varying degrees of success but, of course, the more expensive the piece the more hesitation I have. Another consideration is the build quality of the jacket- Japanese repros with their exacting nature are the hardest pieces to pull the trigger on. With that said I was hoping to get some input from you guys. Based on conversations with some of our preferred alterations experts the consensus seems to be that the sleeves of my Freewheelers La Brea will be difficult to address based on the various seams and studs on the sleeve.

Are the sleeves visually acceptable as-is?

 

[Peter Bowden]

I would say that yes they are and what a magnificent jacket

 

[Monitor]

Sleeves are perfectly fine.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

All good. Fits the style. A half inch, inch, whatever, not going to make a difference in the experience. The cost plus the risk, not worth it.

 

[MrProper]

Sleeves are perfectly fine.

+1

 

[jonesy86]

Looks good to me.

 

[Guppy]

Looks perfect as is, I wouldn't touch a thing. Don't even think about it.

 

[Fonzie]

They’re perfect. Wouldn’t change a thing.

 

[Carlos840]

Sleeves are good, once the forearms start creasing too it will look glorious.

 

[ton312]

I wouldn’t alter them but I can imagine unzipped they might fall far too long. Is the issue that you want to wear them unzipped rather than zipped? They do look perfectly fine zipped.

 

[TREEMAN]

Looks Fine....

 

[willyto]

Get some water sprayed on those sleeves and wear it around home. Do it daily for a few days, they will get better and flexible.

 

[Tom71]

Looks good as it is. Unzipped maybe a hair long, but hard to tell without actually seeing it. Certainly nothing I would seek to alter.

Jacket looks simply great on you!

 

[Psant25]

Looks great. I have done alterations and not had great success on sleeve shorten or sleeve taper. I did have JL replace both sleeves entirely on a moto jacket and that turned out great. Makes sence as they were basically starting with totally new cut leather from altered patterns. Would never do that to your jacket pictured obviously

 

[Canuck Panda]

Can you wear your wrist watch with the sleeve fully zipped? If no, maybe this is one of the jackets you don't wear a watch with. It's cool the way it is now...

 

[Bfd70]

Sorry man but you’ve fallen into the jacket ocd pool. The water is cold and dark, and the undercurrents are strong. Perfection doesn’t exist. Only thing that will save you is staying away from all jacket propaganda including TFL for a while.

 

[Peacoat]

They’re perfect. Wouldn’t change a thing.

+ 1

 

[JCSD]

I wouldn’t alter them but I can imagine unzipped they might fall far too long. Is the issue that you want to wear them unzipped rather than zipped? They do look perfectly fine zipped.

Would never wear unzipped so guess that’s good.

 

[JCSD]

Can you wear your wrist watch with the sleeve fully zipped? If no, maybe this is one of the jackets you don't wear a watch with. It's cool the way it is now...

An wear

Can you wear your wrist watch with the sleeve fully zipped? If no, maybe this is one of the jackets you don't wear a watch with. It's cool the way it is now...

Watch fits fine under the zipped cuff so no worries there.

 

[JCSD]

Sorry man but you’ve fallen into the jacket ocd pool. The water is cold and dark, and the undercurrents are strong. Perfection doesn’t exist. Only thing that will save you is staying away from all jacket propaganda including TFL for a while.

My OCD is directly proportional to the price I paid for the jacket lol