How Tight is too tight?

killrmonkey · Post by **killrmonkey** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:12 pm

I just recieved a US Wings size M jacket that I love. It's an absolutely beautiful jacket but I'm a little concerned about the sizing. The sleeve length is perfect, and overall I think the fit looks perfect; it has a nice tailored look. However, it is a little tight in the shoulders and upper arms. I'm about 5'8", 170lbs, but with pretty broad shoulders. I usually wear a 42R suit jacket.

I know the movie jackets had a fitted cut, but how small is too small? I'm used to wearing oversized leather jackets, so I don't have anything to compare to. The only thing I'm worried about is putting too much stress on the seams if I move too much the wrong way (arm way over head elbow bent seems to tug a little on the inside of the pleat in the back). Do you think there is anything to worry about or am I just being paranoid? Should I send it back and get a large? I've heard how large the US Wings sizes run and I think the large is going to be too baggy or the sleeves/overall length too long.

Also, does a somewhat tight feeling jacket start to feel looser as the leather softens or gets broken in?

Thanks!

Jason

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:16 pm

I originally ordered a Medium US Wings jacket and found that the fit was perfect except for the shoulders were too tight and sleeves too short. I'm 6'-0" and don't have broad shoulders. I sent it back for a large which fit better and was the same length in the sleeves (which were still to short). Then came the customer service problems and my eventual purchase of a Wested. But that's a story for another time.

Luke

killrmonkey · Post by **killrmonkey** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 7:31 pm

Thanks skywlkrinc,

Hmmm...from your description of the two US Wings you had, it sounds like a large might fit better. I was hoping I didn't have to return it in part because of some of the stories I've read about US Wings customer service in recent months!

Jason

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:21 pm

US Wings took longer than 10 weeks to answer my email as to why they hadn't sent me back the fourth jacket in a series of exchanges (poor quality hems). Finally they got tired of me and gave me my money back. From there, with the amount of a US Wings jacket, I bought a Wested Last Crusade style and an Akubra Federation. I won't buy anything from US Wings again. But that's just me and my experience. A lot of people have had great experiences with US Wings.

Luke

IndianaCollins · Post by **IndianaCollins** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 7:26 am

I haven't ever even seen a USW Indy in person (but the vintage cowhide looks cool), but to me, the pockets don't look right. Their not sculpted, like the Wested and Gibson and Barnes. Anyway, my story with wings is: I was once considering buying a M vintage cowhide from a forum member. I'm 5'10", and usually wear a 40L jacket. Now, the USW sizing chart says it will fit someone my height, but I couldn't find a sleevelength thingy on the chart. So, I emailed USW, told them what I needed(including sleevelength, weight), and was told I needed a M. I asked if the medium long would be more apropriate, and I dunno. he flew up, saying that he makes jackets for height and weight, not sleevelength, and quote "not to be a smart ###, but what exactly is your question?". I was quite peeved.

SHARPETOYS · Post by **SHARPETOYS** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 7:47 am

I know for me if something isn't comfortable i won't wear it. The sholders aren't going to stretch so i would send it back for a larger size or a refund and buy another jacket from one of the other companys that make them.I have bought things and was excited about them or i got a good deal and i said to myself it will stretch or i'll get use to it and then it ends up sitting in my closet. Comfort is the name of the game.

Sharpetoys

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 9:39 am

I have bought things and was excited about them or i got a good deal and i said to myself it will stretch or i'll get use to it and then it ends up sitting in my closet. Comfort is the name of the game.

You could not have said it better!! If you don't buy something that is
comfortable right out of the box, then chances are you are NEVER going
to put it on.

I do it with shoes mostly. I will see a really expensive pair of shoes that
are on sale, buy them, and then find out why they were on sale! They
were the most uncomfortable things to put on your feet!! But I would tell
myself, hey, they will loosen up, or stretch out with wear. But because
they are uncomfortable right from the box, I don't even attempt to put
them on. Who wants to walk around all day with their feet hurting?

If you do not like the fit, send it back if you can. Wings will sometimes
not take a product back if you take the slip off of it. Be prepared for
a fight!

I had the same customer service problems with Wings myself, and I
can tell you that you will be much happier with a Wested! They have
cowhide jackets just like Wings. They have lambskin jackets just like
Wings. But, Wested will never have the poor service of Wings. Wested,
and Peter in particular, will always take back your jacket if you are not
happy with any part of the purchase. Period! He knows true customer
service!

With Wings, you will be lucky to get thru on the phone to get a required
"Return Authorization" number. Then, when you do, and if you can send
the jacket back, you can expect at least a month of time going by before
you even hear whether they got your return or not. Most people have had
to call up multiple times to confirm that their jacket return was indeed
received by Wings. Then it can take another month to get your new
jacket.

Just send it back for a refund and buy a Wested. Its cheaper, even
with the customs fees and the PBB Global hit.

But if you deside to get another Wings jacket, you absolutely MUST do
the following:

1. Get a Delivery Confirmation Notice from the post office applied to the package!
This will mean that someone at Wings will HAVE to sign for the package
when it arrives! Then you get a notice in the mail that tells you what day
they signed for it, and what time ext. This is VERY important! In my case,
they actually tried to deny that I even sent them a package!! Thank God
I had the delivery confirmation notice that proved they had received it!
Then they tried to tell me that they couldn't find it! I said thats too bad,
but I have proof they received it, and to give me my money back, or
I would contact the BBB and file an insurance claim thru the post office
for the jacket. Which brings me to the next point.

2. Insure the package for your TOTAL cost of the jacket! If it cost you
the usual $339.00 plus their $19.95 shipping, insure it for the full $360.00
bucks! This way, if they do loose it, or say they never got it, you can
recoup your full money.

3. Write on the package, 4 times on the top, and 4 times on each side of
the four sides, the return authorization number! Why 4 times? Because
if for some reason, another piece of shipping information gets placed over
a return authorization number, they can't say that they don't know what
the package is for, and then deny again that you did not follow their
exact specifications for sending the jacket back. Is this over kill? Probably.
But its much better to go overboard then to have them deny they know
what the box is for.

4. Send the package Priority Mail from the post office. This will get it
there in two days. It only costs about a dollar or so more than using
the regular way, but it will get it there quick, and then you can start
the process of calling them and asking why you still don't have a return
jacket yet.

If you follow those things, your experience may, just may, go by with
less hassles than we have had. But be prepared for a month or two long
hassle.

Flathead

killrmonkey · Post by **killrmonkey** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 2:36 pm

Wow, the customer service issue with Wings sounds worse than I thought!

Thanks flathead for all the advice, if I send it back I'll definetly use it.

Sharpetoys - I know what you mean, and I'm trying not to let that cloud my judgement too much.

It's not so small as to be uncomfortable, but it does pull a bit tight when reaching up, or if I hug myself . It's in the range where it's OK, but could stand to be a bit bigger. That's what makes it so difficult.

If I decide not to keep it, I'll probably return it and get a Wested, as I think a large US Wings might be a bit too large, whereas the Wested will be however I want it.

Jason

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 9:25 pm

killrmonkey wrote:If I decide not to keep it, I'll probably return it and get a Wested, as I think a large US Wings might be a bit too large, whereas the Wested will be however I want it.

Jason

That's what I would do if I were you......actually, that's what I did.

Luke

SHARPETOYS · Post by **SHARPETOYS** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:14 pm

Just a note if you have trouble with US Wings and you charged your jacket your charge card company will help you with the refund if they seem to take to long or start playing silly games.
Regards,

Sharpetoys

killrmonkey · Post by **killrmonkey** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 4:18 am

Thanks guys, I've definetly decided to send it back and go for a Wested. I did like the wings jacket if it wasn't for the sizing issues, but I'm sure I'll like the Wested just as much or probably more so. I'll let you know how the return situation works out with US Wings.

Jason

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:25 am

Just a note if you have trouble with US Wings and you charged your jacket your charge card company will help you with the refund if they seem to take to long or start playing silly games.
Regards,

For this to happen, you first have to wait over 30 days AFTER you send
it back, and then you have to provide PROOF that you sent it back when
you did, and then you have to provide proof that they did indeed receive
it.

Thats why you should always get some kind of Retrun signatures by
using Delivery Confirmation from the post office!

You also have to wait at least 30 days as well to try to get your money
from the post office using the insurance that I told you to put on the
package. Its along time, but its worth the hassle.

Thats what I did when Wings took almost two months to the day to
process my return, and credit my credit card for a 70 dollar hat! Two
months!!

I told my credit card company, and they did indeed want to help, but
they could not until at least 30 days had past. Then I had to get all the
information for them. I also filed a claim with the BBB against Wings as
they would not answer any of my e-mails or phone calls when I tried
to resolve this on my own. As a matter of fact, it was the claim against
them thru the BBB that got my credit back with an appology. But two
months is just too long, and its very poor customer service. Thats why
I will also never order from them again. Its just not worth the trouble.

Yes, it works, but no, its not instant, and you still have to provide all
the proof of your purchase, and return.

Flathead

killrmonkey · Post by **killrmonkey** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 6:33 pm

Yes, I did charge it so at least I have that recourse if I have real problems with returning it. Hopefully it won't come to that (crosses fingers).

BTW, I compared the measurements from a 42R jacket that fits me great and they are practically identical to Wested's measurements for a 44R.

Jason

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 6:50 am

BTW, I compared the measurements from a 42R jacket that fits me great and they are practically identical to Wested's measurements
for a 44R.

Thats what I found also. I also wear a size 42R suit. I purchased
a size 44R Wested, and it fits great! I did however have Peter
add an extra inch to the front length in order for it not to ride
up. And that worked out fantastic!

I am VERY happy that I did not order a size 42R or it
would never have fit right!

If you are ordering your first Wested, or any jacket for that
matter, ask the vendor to give you some of the jackets measurerments
from several different sizes. I always ask for the actual chest
measurement of a garment, the shoulder measurement, the
total length, and the diameter of the sleeve at the forarm of
jackets that are size 42, 44 and 46. This gives me a good
"go-by" for my order. And it shows you just how a certain
vendor may make their things. I then can add or subtract from
the measurements of the size jacket that fits me best according
to their measurements. Its really helped me out of a jam more
than once!

Its really suprising how different the same size jacket can be
coming from different vendors.

Flathead