WPG "Classic Jacket"

[Edward]

Anyone seen one of these in person? WPG give it the following description:

We found this jacket in a thrift shop, and everyone we showed it to loved it, so we decided to make a limited run. These are made in the same drab wool elastique as our Indiana Jones pants and Officer "Pink" trousers. This fabric wears like iron and resists wrinkles. Genuine leather buttons.

WPG's website isn't set up in a way where I can include a photo in-post, but here's the link...

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5747-WPG-Classic-Jacket/#ixzz3XOL4maKM

Looks interesting. I like the bellows pockets. Basically a civilian version of a military jacket (or was the original a repurposed, civilianised military jacket of some sort?)

 

[DougC]

Saw that the other day on the site--if you get one, review it, please.

 

[JR Greenhorn]

I have one of these. I like it.

The fit took some effort to get right. Based on other WPG items I have and an e-mail recommendation from them, I tried a 48L first. It was huge on me, so I exchanged it for a 46L. I have their UK belted bush jacket in 48L, and I doubt I could button it in a 46L. With the Classic Jacket though, the 46L fit great--much truer to size.

The sleeves were oddities though. They were way too long for me, and I wear a 17.5 - 38 shirt--I can't think of more than one other time that sleeves have been too long for me! When I brought it to my seamstress to have the sleeves shortened, she commented that the sleeves were a little "saggy", but she didn't take them in. The finish of the cuff had been a little sloppy, and just cleaning that up (with the shortening) helped a lot. When I picked it up she commented that some of the liner hadn't been very well sewn, so she restitched that for me too. Based only on the two examples I handled, I suspect the finishing may be a bit inconsistent with these.


Other than the issues with the sleeves and some general quality of finish issues, the fit in the body and shoulders is good, if slightly more relaxed than many sport coats. Most of what I've tried from WPG has been both too girthy and a bit short on the body for me, but this coat is just about right.


My wife didn't like the look of the bellows pockets in the online pictures, but she said they didn't look as bad in person (which is a compliment, I assure you). They're plenty big to swallow a lot of stuff, but due to the type of material and the way they're bellowed, they'll sag and bulge if overloaded (as you'd expect).



I really like the material. It's the "wool elastique" from their light shade ["pink"] officer's trousers. You could pick up the trousers too for a 2-piece suit (I expect I'll do that at some point), or even go with the also-matching breeches! As the descriptions for those three items suggest, the material will stretch generously if pulled, but it seems to have a good memory (so far). It has a ribbed texture; coarser than what you see on most similar coats, but finer than any other knit wool I've seen (or any corduroy, for that matter). It breathes pretty well--better even than a 100% linen coat from Orvis I recently tried.




I was hoping the styling of the coat would be casual enough that I could wear it to the office without fuss, but the first time I did so (wearing it with jeans, even), I aroused suspicions that I had a job interview elsewhere that day. That probably says more about my office's dress code than anything, but maybe it suggests how the style will be perceived by others.



All things considered, I would purchase this coat again. Even though it was a bit of a hassle to get the right fit, I'm actually glad that the sleeves gave my seamstress something to work with.

Sorry for the lack of photos. I'll try to get some taken if I can find some time in the next few days.

 

[JR Greenhorn]

Here are the large photos from their website:

 

[Doctor Strange]

I had similar fit issues with WPG.

First I got their belted bush jacket in a 48... and ended up exchanging it for a 48 Long, not because I needed length so much. My girth made it look short. The 48 looked like a shirt, the 48 Long like a jacket.

Then I got one of their enlisted Ike jackets in a 48 XL (the XL being for added waist width, not overall size), thinking it would be a similar fit. It was much too small: I ended up trading it for a 52 XL. Mind you, I've never been a size 52 in anything before!

Both jackets fit me well and are very well made for the price. But it's a shame that WPG's sizing is so inconsistent and that both garments required a return to get right.

 

[rocketeer]

Hi Edward, just a note:
There is a discussion on What Price Glory a bit further down the page about their poor customer service. Worth a look?

 

[Dinerman]

Anyone seen one of these in person? WPG give it the following description:




WPG's website isn't set up in a way where I can include a photo in-post, but here's the link...

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5747-WPG-Classic-Jacket/#ixzz3XOL4maKM

Looks interesting. I like the bellows pockets. Basically a civilian version of a military jacket (or was the original a repurposed, civilianised military jacket of some sort?)

Looks very much like late 1950s westernwear jackets