Trying to decided between a G1 jacket and a 33 halfbelt

[crispyfresh]

I'm having a hard time trying to decide between a military spec G1 offered by Cockpit U.S.A. and a 33 half belt being offered by Simon Cathcart. I'm not looking for anything outside the price range being offered here, both being around $600 with tax. The main thing I'm looking for is a jacket that can REPLACE a sport jacket. I want a leather jacket that can be dressed up with a Fedora, shirt and tie. I also want the jacket to be able to be worn casually. I love vintage 1930s and 1940s looks, so I've kind of leaned toward that spear pointed collar of the 33 halfbelt by SJC. I also like how the G1 can look good both casually and dressed up. Its just a hard decision. I don't wanna spend for both. Any suggestions to help my decision will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Caber]

I've always wanted to try a G1. I would go with The G1

 

[MrProper]

I see it exactly differently and would take the halfbelt ;-)

 

[Guppy]

G1 looks more military (because it is)/law enforcement, while the half-belt looks more civilian.

 

[crispyfresh]

G1 looks more military (because it is)/law enforcement, while the half-belt looks more civilian.

Thats true but I have seen both of them dressed up like I want and they both looked good. Its gonna come down to whether the G1 looks good with a high crown fedora, which is how I want to wear it. I know the halfbelt does. The G1 dresses down better. The halfbelt appears to dress up better. Thats the concondrum I have. I might have to splurge and get both, lol.

 

[handymike]

Halfbelt

 

[Bfd70]

Sjc is more versatile. You can dress up a G1 but it’s always going To be a work jacket.

 

[Tom71]

Not a problem to dress up in a G-1.

 

[TheDonEffect]

As mentioned, half belt dresses up better. Not that the G1 can't, but this is a question of greater/less than, in which case half belt dresses up better.

The fabric portions and patchy nature of the G1 is what keeps it more casual for me. But it's all about your vibe, if you got that grizzled, I'm going to show up to this event on one of my panheads because I ain't got no cages in my garage sorta vibe, then yeah absolutely.

 

[Bushman]

Always been a G1 fan myself, but the half belt is probably more versatile.

 

[ton312]

Two totally different flavors. I'd say get both. The halfbelt is more stylish and sophsticated in my opinion. It's also far more flattering in terms of design. But if you have the itch for a military jacket, the HB won't scratch it.

 

[photo2u]

A nice fitting goat skin G-1 flight jacket is a value garment in my book. Friend, Truly I do not understand how a jacket with a patch depicting a character throwing bomb is considered "dressing up" By all means a plain G-1 can and will look good "dressing up"

In my view, it is easier for a half belt to dress up or down.

One of the most versatile jackets is the G-1 type. I have many and I do like them. My favorite is a custom-made m-442a Flight suits made with a very 40s period looking Indian goat skin. I ride in it, and it is a "safe" choice for most occasions.

As trends go, the new Maverick movie is out, and I believe there will be a strong G-1 sales. To me this means prices will get higher.

 

[crispyfresh]

After reading the replies, and they are very good, combined with what I'm looking for, I'm leaning toward the half belt. I can always double back and get the G1 by eliminating some other purchases I'm debating. I want another wax jacket from Barbour, lol. That might be on the chopping block to accomadate getting two leather jackets. Either way it goes, I'm going with the half belt as the first purchase.

The halfbelt is a obvious choice for dressing up. The surprise is how good the G1 does dress as well. As I stated in my initial post, I'm trying to replace wearing a sport coat. When you get into sport coats, you have to have several of them and you have to match your outfit. Leather jackets that can be dressed up are a very good way of getting around that problem. In the summer, I've gotten away from sport coats. I do play with waistcoats in the summer. My problem was the winter.

 

[crispyfresh]

One more thing, while over at the Cockpit U.S.A. website, I ran across a military jacket that combines elements of both the halfbelt and the G1. It has a vintage straight collar, though not spear point, its very close, and the chest pockets of the G1. Its a interesting combination that obviously can be dressed up or down:

Surface Warfare Jacket | Navy SWO Leather Jacket

Made from full-hide goatskin leather, the Surface Warfare Jacket is both incredibly functional and an amazing looking jacket for everyday use. Order today!

cockpitusa.com

 

[crispyfresh]

Halfbelt
View attachment 428687

I've seen that picture and sent it to FiveStar a few months back when I was contemplating having a custom jacket made by them. Then, SJC dropped their halfbelt and I went away from Fivestar and have been contemplating the SJC ever since. lol

 

[Carlos840]

I don't think you can dress up a G1, to me it's top gun and that's it...
The half belt on the other hand is really nice.
I have the blue wool version of that jacket and it is really well cut, it feels great worn. Construction is nice, but i found the leather accents on mine to be pretty average leather. This all leather version looks like nicer hide.
The only thing i don't like is the oversized chest zipper pull, it looks off to me.

 

[crispyfresh]

I don't think you can dress up a G1, to me it's top gun and that's it...
The half belt on the other hand is really nice.
I have the blue wool version of that jacket and it is really well cut, it feels great worn. Construction is nice, but i found the leather accents on mine to be pretty average leather. This all leather version looks like nicer hide.
The only thing i don't like is the oversized chest zipper pull, it looks off to me.

The zipper pull with the loop does look very different when compared to a ball chain pull. It is vintage correct though.

 

[handymike]

It is longer than the vintage ones, but you can shorten it.
You might want to save up and try something like this Thedi one day:

What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

Beauty, do you have a picture of the back? Thank you, this is how it looks from the back

www.thefedoralounge.com

 

[crispyfresh]

The VERY day I post the SJC jacket after checking almost daily for the last4 months or so, my size disappears, lol. Which one of you bounced on my jacket? lol

 

[Brandrea33]

After reading the replies, and they are very good, combined with what I'm looking for, I'm leaning toward the half belt. I can always double back and get the G1 by eliminating some other purchases I'm debating. I want another wax jacket from Barbour, lol. That might be on the chopping block to accomadate getting two leather jackets. Either way it goes, I'm going with the half belt as the first purchase.

The halfbelt is a obvious choice for dressing up. The surprise is how good the G1 does dress as well. As I stated in my initial post, I'm trying to replace wearing a sport coat. When you get into sport coats, you have to have several of them and you have to match your outfit. Leather jackets that can be dressed up are a very good way of getting around that problem. In the summer, I've gotten away from sport coats. I do play with waistcoats in the summer. My problem was the winter.

Congratulations in advance. I think you made a wise decision.