-
The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.
a quick question trying to decide between a G-1 from Johnson Leathers or GibsonBarnes
- Thread starter tmak
- Start date
Featured products
-
Alden 403 Moc Toe Boot - Brown Chromexcel - $680 The classic "Indy" style Alden Boot in the classic Horween brown Chromexcel. -
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. -
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket.
+1......I have 5 G&B's....ordered my normal size, and they all fit fine.
nick123
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 6,371
- Location
- California
Here's a used G&B G-1 I picked up. I'd size down one size unless you want a jacket you can layer heavily under (I didn't here). I have a good closeup pic of the dark brown goatskin in decent lighting but it's not uploading!
Just my humble opinion, but even 'one size down', that G&B looks kind of baggy on you. This is fine, but it's the main reason I threw my teddy in the corner when trying to purchase a G&B 'G-1'- they were cut so oversize that I actually told them it was dishonest to describe them as 'Navy G-1' on their website.
My Aero W&G repro is so much trimmer, as is my LW G-1. Even my 'looser cut' E-series G-1's are about 10 inches slimmer across the body than G&B's alleged 'Navy G-1'.
For some reason, this desperately annoys me about G&B.
Maybe it's because I know they used to do better.
Big J, I agree with you. I used to have a lot of time for G&B and still own a couple of their jackets. They were always a little generous size wise but now... urgh! That G1 is okay but it just doesn't look flattering. The shape in those shots at least seems sack like and that irritates me because I would contemplate buying more of their stuff but even a size down a bad pattern isn't going to please me.
nick123
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 6,371
- Location
- California
That's because it's about 1-1.5 sizes large, but I'm alright with it (other than the length). But yeah, even with a snug fit, I think G&B has their jackets designed with some excess leather, which will give the impression that it looks larger than it feel. For the price, and if you aren't aiming for a snug/streamlined look, their G-1 is an excellent value. I owned used BK M-422a that was an excellent jacket. In that one I had to upsize from a 40 to a 42 and it was still arguably too snug (military fit).
nick123
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 6,371
- Location
- California
All fair and respected opinions that I value. No worries.
Nick, Seb,
The actual quality of G&B jackets still pretty good value for money.
Sizing and fit is purely subjective. I like my G-1s to be really trim (although my wife says that they make me look like a sausage about to burst). My A-2s I like a little looser.
I don't mean to disparage Nicks jacket at all. If I'm honest, G&B does bring out an irrational level of irritation in me because I know from reading the lounge a few years back, that their patterns used to be much better.
There is another Lounger (all apologies, I can't remember who) who likes all his ELC, Aero, and LW flight jackets a little big, and they always look really good in his photos.
So, yeah, I think it could just be me obsessing.
The actual quality of G&B jackets still pretty good value for money.
Sizing and fit is purely subjective. I like my G-1s to be really trim (although my wife says that they make me look like a sausage about to burst). My A-2s I like a little looser.
I don't mean to disparage Nicks jacket at all. If I'm honest, G&B does bring out an irrational level of irritation in me because I know from reading the lounge a few years back, that their patterns used to be much better.
There is another Lounger (all apologies, I can't remember who) who likes all his ELC, Aero, and LW flight jackets a little big, and they always look really good in his photos.
So, yeah, I think it could just be me obsessing.
nick123
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 6,371
- Location
- California
No big deal Big J. I too noticed a pattern change with Gibson Barnes jackets, maybe two years ago. I'm not sure when this G-1 was made. But it feels as I remember the one I tried on in 2011-12. In my opinion, it's still cut a lot better than the current Civil A-2. I tried that on in a size 38, and sent it back the next day.
If one had a little extra cash, I'd recommend the M-422a or historic A-2s, as I think those haven't been changed. Still speculation though. Others too have noticed a pattern change with their jackets recently, but I don't want to make any conclusions until it's been varified.
I'll probably be posting this jacket in the classifieds, as it's too long, rather than feeling too big on me.
That certainly doesn't represent my perspective. I'm old and not interested in fashion and have never spent even close to 1000 on a jacket. But I do like a jacket to have tailoring with some flare - a tighter pattern would cost no more. So many patterns today seem tailored for physiques like Homer Simpson's. The older G&B's were much nicer.
Last edited:
