WPG Irvin...is it worth it?

[Xopher]

What's the 411 on the WPG Irvin? Is it any good? Anybody have one?

 

[Doctor Damage]

Take a look at the last couple pages of this thread, and a few comments sprinkled throughout the thread.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/all-repro-r-a-f-irvin-type-jackets.35314/

 

[l0fielectronic]

I ordered one a couple of weeks back, with some help from the linked thread and some sizing advice from a member here.
Quick dispatch and it went through customs but am still waitng for Parcel Force to send me an invoice for that, which always seems to take them a week or so to do. Once they do and I receive the jacket I'll report in.

About the only working photos I could find of one being worn in the wild are here

 

[Xopher]

I have to say it is a darn sharp looking jacket. And at $400 it has me giving Irvins a real look.

 

[Xopher]

I ordered one a couple of weeks back, with some help from the linked thread and some sizing advice from a member here.
Quick dispatch and it went through customs but am still waitng for Parcel Force to send me an invoice for that, which always seems to take them a week or so to do. Once they do and I receive the jacket I'll report in.

About the only working photos I could find of one being worn in the wild are here

Do you have to size up or down for the WPG Irvin? If I have a 40 chest do so order a 40?

 

[GregGale]

In short: yes.

I own one. It looks pretty close to the real deal, the only downside is the quality. Expect some wartime rushed production model with not 100% correct and accurate stitching and lining. This being said, I would buy one again if mine got stolen.

Beware: they say you need a size larger. I'm size 40, so went for a 42. I sold it, and bought a 40. It was too big so I sold it and now my 38 is a perfect fit.

 

[Edward]

THese are interesting. I remember when they first came out and there was quite a buzz about them; it seems they have retained that, whereas the later batches of the WPG A2 weren't considered to be comparable to the first.

I currently have an ELC Irvin and plan in future to buy an Aero Coastal Command model, but I'd certainly consider one of these as a way to have "another" Irvin a bit cheaper. They do look much nicer in temrsof accuracy than the Aviation Leathercraft Irvin.

 

[l0fielectronic]

Do you have to size up or down for the WPG Irvin? If I have a 40 chest do so order a 40?

Well disappointment today. The WPG Irvin arrived, surprised how small a box it arrived it but its was just kind of balled up and pushed in there. On unpacking it the belt buckle was broken, seems to be made of a very cheap metal looking at the parts so that was pretty disappointing.

Size wise I ordered a 44, am a 44 in suits and it fits okay with a little room, I think a 42 would possibly be too snug around the shoulders for me personally, though I think I could probably fit one. I'd say if you want a snug fitting jacket or are a slim whatever size you are then maybe go down a size or if you want something with a little bit of room then order your normal suit size.

Jacket seems okay, has a few marks to the surface here and there and the leather on the belts does seem very cheap. I was surprised how lightweight it is but then I don't have much experience of these jackets either. It does look good when worn and fits pretty much as I'd wanted but I don't really want to buy a new jacket and have to replace buckles and things.

Only other fit issue for me, and I don't know if its a historically correct thing, but are the cuffs supposed to fit snug? As even with the zips zipped there is about two or three inches of room between my wrist and the jacket - and I don't have slim wrists.

I'll sort out some measurements for the other thread later. As to is it worth the cost. I'm not sure really. The broken buckle and cheapness of the strap and belt leather aren't great but its not a bad looking jacket. I think I'll likely just return it and get a refund rather than a replacement for this one which is a shame.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Thanks for the review. Too bad it didn't work out for you and they're obviously not careful with packaging for shipping. Re fit, if you look at old photos (we have a thread on original Irvins here somewhere) you'll see that these jackets fitted big and over several layers of other clothing.

 

[Deacon211]

That’s a shame about the jacket. I’ve had great products, poorly wrapped, and it really affects the experience...especially if it results in something getting broken. Always surprised when a company doesn’t understand that.

As to your wrist question, my ELC cuffs were snug about my wrists. In fact, I generally had to leave the zippers unzipped by an inch or so or the cuffs kind of got in the way.

That is an odd feature to the WPG jacket. I would imagine it would make the sleeves look kind of sloppy.


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[l0fielectronic]

Re fit, if you look at old photos (we have a thread on original Irvins here somewhere) you'll see that these jackets fitted big and over several layers of other clothing.

Yes, maybe thats why they sometimes advise people to size up. I guess if you wanted to wear it over a uniform or suit you would need to, but over a shirt or jumper I'd definately say normal size would be more than big enough.

That’s a shame about the jacket. I’ve had great products, poorly wrapped, and it really affects the experience...especially if it results in something getting broken. Always surprised when a company doesn’t understand that.

As to your wrist question, my ELC cuffs were snug about my wrists. In fact, I generally had to leave the zippers unzipped by an inch or so or the cuffs kind of got in the way.

Thanks. Can't say if this happened in shipping, though the box was pretty flimsy and beaten up, or it was just a flawed part, either way the part thats broken is very thin and must be quite a soft metal.

Thanks for that re the sleeves cuffs, its fine and not noticeable with your arms down but if you raise them, as you would say when driving, then yes they hang down loose and would lead to pretty draughty wrists. Good to know that other jackets may not have this issue.