US Wings Indy jackets

Fatdutchman · Post by **Fatdutchman** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:50 pm

Now, for the next installment of "The Tragic Affair of Chris Immel's Jackets"....

Ok, I just ordered an Indy jacket in brown goatskin from US Wings in size Large Long. I was told that the Large size jacket measures 51" on the outside of the chest, so I'm goin' for it... (their XL measures 54", by the way...)

I was told that ALL the Long sizes have been discontinued in this jacket (which they could have told me six months ago...

) They are out of the XL longs. They have all the other sizes in Long at the moment, so, if you're tall like I am (judging by the lack of availability of clothing, I find it hard to believe there is anyone tall like I am!), get one now before they're gone!

They do apparently still have XL long in the "Vintage cowhide". I considered getting the vintage cowhide. I definitely like the actual brown color, but care nothing for anything that is "distressed" (I'm distressed enough as it is!!!). I don't know, maybe if this goatskin one fits me, I might order another one in the cowhide while I can...

"Raconteur Magazine" calls it the greatest costume drama since "The Tragic Affair of Johnathan Nightingale".

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:41 pm

Sounds like it should be a winner. The goatskin they use is one of my personal favorites.

Oh, as a side note, more than likely they hadn't MADE the decision to discontinue the long sizing 6 months ago. I do know that Wings decisions are quick, and once made, they don't linger on the decision but make it so. More than likely they made this decision a week or so ago, and once the longs are gone, no more will be made as they told you.

Regards! Michaelson

randystokes · Post by **randystokes** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:52 pm

This really surprises me, as the population generally seems to be getting taller and, uh, larger. Each new generation of kids -- mine included -- seem to be getting taller. Unless clothing manufacturers start making their "regular" sizes longer for taller people, its going to be hard for the latter to find clothes that fit.

My 19-year-old daughter is 5'10" and her 22-year-old boyfriend is 6'8". My 15-year-old son is 6'4" and still growing. They all have some trouble finding clothes that fit, at least length-wise. Fortunately, clothing manufacturers are producing lots of their stuff in long sizes now, too. So it seems odd that US Wings would have decided to stop making their jackets in long size.

Hmmm. For better or worse, I don't need a long size, though XLs are important for me. I just keep telling people I'm not overweight, I'm just undertall.

Randy

Fatdutchman · Post by **Fatdutchman** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:00 pm

I got quite a runaround a few months ago trying to order a size XL long...

The goatskin on the Wested I sent back and also on a US Authentic jacket I had to send back (see the pattern here?) were both VERY soft. Frankly, I didn't like it. My old Cooper A2 goatskin is a good bit "harder" and much more substantial feeling and is much more like what I think leather should feel like. I hope this jacket will be the same. I guess I'll find out in a few days!

randystokes · Post by **randystokes** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:02 pm

Keep us posted.

I've looked at old, truly vintage jackets before, but I've seldom found one that fits me, 'cause folks didn't used to be as big as now, if you catch my drift.

Randy

Fatdutchman · Post by **Fatdutchman** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:12 pm

I have some books I got titled "Everyday fashions of the Thirties as seen in Sears Catalogs" (also the forties and fifties). Of course, most of the clothing is for women, seeing as how women are far more interested in vintage fashion than men are...but there's a page of mens' leather jackets. ALL of them are horsehide and are available up to a size 48 (most all other clothing is only available up to 44 or 46), and the short jacket is even offered in "extra tall" sizes. SO, if I did live back then, maybe I could possibly get a leather jacket that fit me...though shirts and shoes would have been difficult...

When I get home, later on this evening, I'll scan the page so everyone can see it.

randystokes · Post by **randystokes** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:23 pm

Fatdutchman wrote:I have some books I got titled "Everyday fashions of the Thirties as seen in Sears Catalogs" (also the forties and fifties). Of course, most of the clothing is for women, seeing as how women are far more interested in vintage fashion than men are...but there's a page of mens' leather jackets. ALL of them are horsehide and are available up to a size 48 (most all other clothing is only available up to 44 or 46), and the short jacket is even offered in "extra tall" sizes. SO, if I did live back then, maybe I could possibly get a leather jacket that fit me...though shirts and shoes would have been difficult...

When I get home, later on this evening, I'll scan the page so everyone can see it.

Wow, I'm surprised. It just seems like every old jacket or other piece of old clothing I've seen is smaller. Very interesting.

Randy

Fatdutchman · Post by **Fatdutchman** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:33 pm

Well, I'm sure these sizes were vastly outnumbered by all the 36 regulars, but it does seem that there were at least some things this large available.

All the men's shoes shown only go up to size 11. (I have a 1902 Sears catalog reprint and many of the shoes go up to size 12...still one size too small for me). "D" width was called "wide", by the way!

Pants are the only thing I wouldn't have a problem finding. 38-34 was readily available in all styles. I might have had to walk around with no shoes and no shirt, but at least my nether regions would be covered!

Indiana Johnson · Post by **Indiana Johnson** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:08 am

My problem is just the opposite. I wear a 40 regular jacket, I'm 5'10", 165 lbs with a 32" waist. Most of the time when I buy a shirt, it's a size medium. Some fit me just fine (the ones from Cabelas are great), but the trend seems to be with many manufacturers to make them baggier and/or longer. Since I work in Law Enforcement, I always carry a gun, on or off duty. In the summertime, I just leave my shirt untucked to conceal said firearm. Half of my shirts, size medium, seem to hang down to my knees!! Why the he** do shirts need to be so da** long? Eddie Bauer, Jos Bank, Ralph Lauren, are you listening?
Rant off
It seems that custom made is the only way to go anymore.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Fatdutchman · Post by **Fatdutchman** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:47 am

I buy lots of my clothes from Cabelas. They often have shirts and jackets in tall sizes that fit me reasonably well. USUALLY, they aren't too oversized. Sometimes, the XL shirts are so large, that I think a size Large would work, but I know I wouldn't be able to button the collar. I've been getting some clothes from KingSizeDirect lately too.