Denim Jackets - New or Vintage

[Monitor]

After a severe disappointment with the IH storm rider I ordered the SE x IH 23 oz type III. Was thinking of lining it with a vintage poncho in the body and maybe some quilted nylon in the sleeves. All depends on the fit unlined. Something like this...maybe a brighter colored blanket/poncho but I’ve mocked it up with my 526PJ. Could be cool.
View attachment 193104

Would be super cool. That poncho looks great and seems heavy. This has the potential to be turned into a perfect denim jacket. The blanket on a Storm Rider was nice but too thin, really. I'd go with something carpet weight. Once I completely destroy the sherpa lining on the IH, I'll do the same. It might take a while, though...

 

[ton312]

That's a great idea! And, I can assure you - it's a beautiful jacket. The only concern I have with lined jackets is that the materials behave differently when washed. Have you ever had an issue with that?

I don't wash my denim jackets...if they need it I'd just give it a soak.

 

[ton312]

The blanket on a Storm Rider was nice but too thin, really. I'd go with something carpet weight.

Completely agree. The poncho is really heavy...be perfect in the body. I love my sherpa lined Levi's but I think something like this would be even better for the cold and it would undoubtedly look better.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Loft is a major factor in warmth. It's one reason why they had so much difficulty matching the warmth of down as they developed synthetic insulation for sleeping bags etc. Of course, once down gets wet, it's useless. It loses all that loft, and all the tiny pockets it creates to trap warm air, thus trapping out cold air, are voided. Synthetic doesn't so readily lose that property when wet. This makes me believe that sherpa lining would likely outperform blanket lining. It has loft, and as a further guess, more pockets in its fibers to trap air. A blanket lining of equal thickness might make it an even match, though. It all depends on how the fibers are mingled and bonded and whether the fibers themselves are hollow or solid and so on (hollow is warmer/better as a general rule). Would some really thick polarfleece be considered a blanket lining or a sherpa lining? I would think they could mimick old school sherpa with thick polarfleece, but how much would that poke at the traditionalists? Keeping that blanket look seems a little more limiting than trying to blow out some exceptionally warm sherpa with polarfleece technology. Who knows? Patagonia does all kinds of great, weird things with textiles. Maybe they could do a super thick blanket lining that retains that blanket look. If only climbers still wore denim.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I think, my Levi's type III sherpa Denim jacket is a good combination. It's winterwarm (too warm for autumn), but because of the non-windproof Denim permanently breathing.

 

[handymike]

I have been a total hold-out with the denim jackets, but I finally caved. It should be here on Wednesday.

 

[ton312]

I have been a total hold-out with the denim jackets, but I finally caved. It should be here on Wednesday.

What did you go with?

 

[handymike]

I ended up with an Apolis chore coat in denim. I love my indigo dyed wool version, so I jumped when the Cone Mills denim one popped up on ebay.

 

[ton312]

Might be time to have “the talk” with your leathers. Daddy still loves you but he’s going away for a little while...

 

[handymike]

Nah, it’s mainly for work. The talk will come once I get my sewing machine and start making my own jackets.

 

[navetsea]

I ended up with an Apolis chore coat in denim. I love my indigo dyed wool version, so I jumped when the Cone Mills denim one popped up on ebay.
View attachment 193281

it's denim.... but last time I wore some jacket in denim but not in the canonized format, I almost got stoned outside the city wall.

 

[handymike]

Yeah, but wait until this baby starts to fade...

 

[ton312]

Yeah, but wait until this baby starts to fade...
View attachment 193376

This is why I can’t understand how a leather aficionado wouldn’t love denim. It ages and patinas in such a beautiful and similar way to leather. As witnessed by this example off the IH forum

 

[navetsea]

yea, but if a denim reach that fade you better spray it with fixative before it gets paler and losing contrast.

 

[ton312]

yea, but if a denim reach that fade you better spray it with fixative before it gets paler and losing contrast.

Takes some serious wear. The jacket pictured was crowd sourced and sent around the globe by the members who chipped in. Worn as legit workwear, tree trimming, cement mixing etc. over a year or two. Would take me 10 to get there.

 

[navetsea]

seems like it takes serious wear until it starts to get some fading, but when the fading is happening seems like it is losing color at faster rate, is it true with denim? from denim fading contests around the internet seems like it takes forever for the first sign of fading, but from then on, it mere take a month to the next level of fade, and few months to look pale all around. that scares me a bit.

 

[ton312]

seems like it takes serious wear until it starts to get some fading, but when the fading is happening seems like it is losing color at faster rate, is it true with denim? from denim fading contests around the internet seems like it takes forever for the first sign of fading, but from then on, it mere take a month to the next level of fade, and few months to look pale all around. that scares me a bit.

I don’t think so but it probably also depends on the process. I’ve worn my IH more than any other jacket almost exclusively since I received it. I have no fear of it ever losing a significant amount of indigo (mind you I WILL NOT wash it, barring a serious flop/stain). If you regularly wash your jacket that will most certainly accelerate the process. Otherwise, it’s literally years and years and years to see much of any real fade. I’ve got some electric blues coming through but also have sections that look unworn!

 

[El Marro]

My new Brave Star “Johnny Cash” black sherpa arrived today. My initial impression is quite positive, especially after the recent failure with the IH Storm Rider. Fit is comfortable but not too loose. It is fairly lightweight and yet seems pretty warm. I will post some pictures of it when I get a chance to shoot them. Meanwhile here is a catalog shot from the Brave Star webpage

 

[Rosecitymike]

My Bravestar arrived today. This is literally right out of the box. Pretty damn happy with the jacket, especially for the price.

 

[El Marro]

My Bravestar arrived today. This is literally right out of the box. Pretty damn happy with the jacket, especially for the price.
View attachment 197259

Looks good man!
I agree that Brave Star is delivering a well-made jacket for a reasonable price.