What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

[ton312]

I now have an internal debate regarding vintage v repro. I am finally in possession of a couple of vintage jackets I can fit into that are pretty nice and I really like them. They are not custom made to my exact measurements but they emanate a cool vibe that is hard to explain.
However, I do have to say that owning a vintage Californian and Sportclad have made me appreciate my GW Californian Ventura even more. JC really captured the spirit and design of these old jackets, and even though I got it off his sales page, and it was not made custom, it sure fits nicely in a way the real thing just doesn't.

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Originals always win. A repro can be great, fit better, be a “better” hide…and somehow still lose. They just do… that’s why they are repros. And that’s the struggle.
That said the GW does look great. Not a knock on it. Just my opinion.

 

[Tom71]

Im going to be a one trick pony for the remaining of this year
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I really can immerse myself into the details of this one. Man, those gigantic sleeve-zippers are the bomb!!

 

[navetsea]

I really can immerse myself into the details of this one. Man, those gigantic sleeve-zippers are the bomb!!

thank you, it's 20cm long, and as long as on my naty jacket, but the contrast to black and the full triangle gusset highlight it better I guess

 

[Al 916]

Originals always win. A repro can be great, fit better, be a “better” hide…and somehow still lose. They just do… that’s why they are repros. And that’s the struggle.
That said the GW does look great. Not a knock on it. Just my opinion.

Steve Harley Cockney Rebel's version of "Here comes the Sun" runs against this (IMUHO) ....but generally

 

[wz1999]

I now have an internal debate regarding vintage v repro. I am finally in possession of a couple of vintage jackets I can fit into that are pretty nice and I really like them. They are not custom made to my exact measurements but they emanate a cool vibe that is hard to explain.
However, I do have to say that owning a vintage Californian and Sportclad have made me appreciate my GW Californian Ventura even more. JC really captured the spirit and design of these old jackets, and even though I got it off his sales page, and it was not made custom, it sure fits nicely in a way the real thing just doesn't.

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Great fit!
JC is THE MAN!!!

 

[Will Zach]

To add to the heat wave theme, it is 80F around NYC today. Perfect time for a yellow Shields...

 

[MrProper]

Originals always win. A repro can be great, fit better, be a “better” hide…and somehow still lose. They just do… that’s why they are repros. And that’s the struggle.
That said the GW does look great. Not a knock on it. Just my opinion.

I think that is a psychological thing ;-)

Suppose I bring a leather jacket machinist into the present time with a time machine. Give him tools and materials exactly in the quality and texture of that time and let him make a 1:1 copy of the same vintage jacket he made 80 years ago and which has survived the time in brand new condition and is now quasi still new.
Which one is vintage then and which one is repro? What is the difference?
And don't forget...the jackets that are new today will be vintage in 50 years. ;-)

So I think it must have something to do with sentimentality. Perhaps the beautiful idea of what the jacket must have experienced everything. Stupid, if this then merely 80 years hung in the closet.

But what do I know, as a vintage philistine. ;-)

 

[Marc mndt]

I think that is a psychological thing ;-)

Suppose I bring a leather jacket machinist into the present time with a time machine. Give him tools and materials exactly in the quality and texture of that time and let him make a 1:1 copy of the same vintage jacket he made 80 years ago and which has survived the time in brand new condition and is now quasi still new.
Which one is vintage then and which one is repro? What is the difference?
And don't forget...the jackets that are new today will be vintage in 50 years. ;-)

So I think it must have something to do with sentimentality. Perhaps the beautiful idea of what the jacket must have experienced everything. Stupid, if this then merely 80 years hung in the closet.

But what do I know, as a vintage philistine. ;-)

I think that part of what makes a vintage jacket special is that it's irreplaceable. If I were to lose my windward halfbelt, I know there's 0 chance of finding another one in the same condition in the same size. The fact that I found this one already feels like winning the lottery. If I lost my Field Leathers today, I could just order another one.

 

[d z]

Ship Leather Jacket of Theseus: is a New Old Stock leather jacket still vintage

 

[ton312]

I think that is a psychological thing ;-)

Suppose I bring a leather jacket machinist into the present time with a time machine. Give him tools and materials exactly in the quality and texture of that time and let him make a 1:1 copy of the same vintage jacket he made 80 years ago and which has survived the time in brand new condition and is now quasi still new.
Which one is vintage then and which one is repro? What is the difference?
And don't forget...the jackets that are new today will be vintage in 50 years. ;-)

So I think it must have something to do with sentimentality. Perhaps the beautiful idea of what the jacket must have experienced everything. Stupid, if this then merely 80 years hung in the closet.

But what do I know, as a vintage philistine. ;-)

I think there’s more to it than that, but indeed there is definitely an element of sentimentality. I’ll try to put it in practical terms, in pictures.
Take these two halfbelts. One California sportswear, one Aero. While the Aero is undeniably better built, better fit, etc…it just doesn’t feel even half as cool. Will 75 years of lived life make it so? To be honest, I doubt it.

When I turn my attention to a jacket I’ve lusted after, the GW Arcaidia, I think about how that was squashed by this vintage Westbury:

These patterns have been copied and reproduced for a reason. There is inescapable derivative quality to repro’s. A repro cannot escape this fate as it’s fundamentally founded upon that principle.
Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the need for them. I’ve purchased plenty and still have one. But at the end of the day, at least for me, repros just don’t scratch me where I really itch. This is why I abandoned any more 5 Star rebuilds and I'm not ordering anymore Aero. It's not that those companies don't make nice jackets, of course they do. But as Marc pointed out, they are very easy to acquire and replace, and that makes them considerably less special to me.

 

[Mrfrown]

Do vests count ?
Today I'm wearing my " modern Chalis vest " from C& C Sutlery.
It's basically a copy of the Filson, but it's a wool vest made to order in the US for $80.
I'm sure it's not as good as the filson, but I quite like it.

Your vest looks comfortable and utilitarian in a good way.

I really like my Filson vests but I got them second hand. Prices for new are super high.

This seems like a pretty long fit- was that to your preference or is this their typical build?

I wore the Comet yesterday for some gaming

 

[wz1999]

Original and Repro…

Do I wear my original… No
Do I wear my GW repro… oh yeah

 

[MrProper]

I think that part of what makes a vintage jacket special is that it's irreplaceable. If I were to lose my windward halfbelt, I know there's 0 chance of finding another one in the same condition in the same size. The fact that I found this one already feels like winning the lottery. If I lost my Field Leathers today, I could just order another one.

I think there’s more to it than that, but indeed there is definitely an element of sentimentality. I’ll try to put it in practical terms, in pictures.
Take these two halfbelts. One California sportswear, one Aero. While the Aero is undeniably better built, better fit, etc…it just doesn’t feel even half as cool. Will 75 years of lived life make it so? To be honest, I doubt it.
View attachment 369300
When I turn my attention to a jacket I’ve lusted after, the GW Arcaidia, I think about how that was squashed by this vintage Westbury:
View attachment 369302
These patterns have been copied and reproduced for a reason. There is inescapable derivative quality to repro’s. A repro cannot escape this fate as it’s fundamentally founded upon that principle.
Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the need for them. I’ve purchased plenty and still have one. But at the end of the day, at least for me, repros just don’t scratch me where I really itch. This is why I abandoned any more 5 Star rebuilds and I'm not ordering anymore Aero. It's not that those companies don't make nice jackets, of course they do. But as Marc pointed out, they are very easy to acquire and replace, and that makes them considerably less special to me.

Thanks for your opinions, Marc, Tony.
Yes, the uniqueness can of course already be an essential point. There is then the collection factor, as there is also with works of art, stamps or old cars.

And your California Sportswear is of course madness.
But I don't agree with the opinion of Aero. I think if this is someone's only jacket and they wear it day in and day out, it will be similarly vintage in 75 years. And probably just as rare. Lol

I'll sum up the appeal of vintage this way: some sentimentality, uniqueness, hunting instinct, finding something unique, collecting passion, owning and wearing something unique or rare, and adding another chapter to the history of the item myself.

In this sense, good and successful hunt for more treasures.

 

[handymike]

I believe that John is the closest we get to @MrProper’s scenario.

edit- I don’t have one of his jackets, but Dave Sheely might also fit into the catagory.

 

[Will Zach]

Thanks for your opinions, Marc, Tony.
Yes, the uniqueness can of course already be an essential point. There is then the collection factor, as there is also with works of art, stamps or old cars.

And your California Sportswear is of course madness.
But I don't agree with the opinion of Aero. I think if this is someone's only jacket and they wear it day in and day out, it will be similarly vintage in 75 years. And probably just as rare. Lol

I'll sum up the appeal of vintage this way: some sentimentality, uniqueness, hunting instinct, finding something unique, collecting passion, owning and wearing something unique or rare, and adding another chapter to the history of the item myself.

In this sense, good and successful hunt for more treasures.

I want to agree with @MrProper on @ton312 Aero in 70 years. It will be as cool as the Cali is now. I also agree with @Marc mndt irreplaceability argument. It gives me a a good feeling knowing that some of my jackets are rare and old...so will be that Aero in 70 years. Can you believe that this yellow thing higher on this page is 50 years old? Isn't it cool?

 

[TLW '90]

Your vest looks comfortable and utilitarian in a good way.

I really like my Filson vests but I got them second hand. Prices for new are super high.

This seems like a pretty long fit- was that to your preference or is this their typical build?

I wore the Comet yesterday for some gaming

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Typical build, but they offer a shorter or longer option, and before they start making it they'll call and confirm chest measurement.
They have a lined and unlined option, and about 7 color options.
They also offer a different style that's a bit more western wear style.

 

[nick123]

B-3 in LA

 

[Canuck Panda]

It's the history behind them that fascinates me. This is why I still go to weekend garage sales. I am not paying for the item, may it be a jacket or a tea cup, but the first person story the seller has for me. I find that history told through peoples personal perspectives are very different than what we would expect.
It's getting really hard to find descendants selling their family heirlooms and have spent enough time with their late grannies to tell their story.
If you were lucky enough to buy a vintage jacket direct from its descendants and were told a personal story behind it, then you have hit the jacket pot. When you do move the jacket on, remember to move the story with it. A jacket is just a jacket, it will last only until the it decompose. But a good story last forever.

 

[TLW '90]

CALCRAFT Sherpa lined wool vest.

I bought it for next to nothing off Ebay a while back to see if I liked wearing a vest, it turns out I do and I quite like this one.

I can't find anything about this brand, but I'm guessing early 90's based on the star symbol for the MADE IN USA .

had a sherpa lined suede vest as a kid with these same USA snaps.


If anyone has some information for me about this brand I'd sure love to know something.

 

[Boyo]

Pink > orange