James Dean Jacket

[Peacoat]

Over the years I think it has been pretty well established that the JD jacket had a nylon shell. IMO if it doesn't have that major feature, it is not a JD jacket. I had a McGregor Antifreeze nylon red jacket back then. No telling what my parents did with it when I became an adult and moved out. No way it would fit now as it was probably a size 36 or 38. It probably went in the same dumpster as my million dollar collection of baseball cards from the 50s and 60s.

 

[47993]

Just stumbled upon this and thought I'd let you all know about it: https://craftsmanclothing.com/blogs/news/announcing-the-dean-harrington-a-jacket-fit-for-a-rebel

What can I say...
Obviously, they failed. They are at least trying though. Maybe the Fedora Lounge could help, having discussed the matter since 2006.

 

[thor]

Good pic of JD in his “Rebel” red jacket (with Tab Hunter).

 

[Edward]

Over the years I think it has been pretty well established that the JD jacket had a nylon shell. IMO if it doesn't have that major feature, it is not a JD jacket.

Should go without saying, but yeah. The one on screen is so obviously nylon that anything else looks a bit like somebody turning up with a denim A2 jacket and claiming it to be a 'replica' of Captain Hilts' A2. Just not the same.

Just stumbled upon this and thought I'd let you all know about it: https://craftsmanclothing.com/blogs/news/announcing-the-dean-harrington-a-jacket-fit-for-a-rebel

What can I say...
Obviously, they failed. They are at least trying though. Maybe the Fedora Lounge could help, having discussed the matter since 2006.

Despite the not being nylon, details wise it looks like they caught the crux of the design. What the hell they thought putting the bakc print on it, though.... kills the whole thing at a stroke, imo. Like those Big Bang T-shits they did with 'Bazinga!' on them, and then a massive TBBT logo for those who didn't get it...

 

[ZeppyDoo]

Here’s my McGregor Jacket in Red.
Does anyone know if the zipper of James Deans Jacket was a Talon or Conmatic zipper.

 

[robrinay]

Here’s my McGregor Jacket in Red.
Does anyone know if the zipper of James Deans Jacket was a Talon or Conmatic zipper.

I’m not sure what make the zipper was in the film but I had one of a similar age with a Talon zipper but it’s quite likely that they used several makes. You’ve nailed it! If you watch the film in HD and freeze frame at the point he hands his jacket over you will see the McGregor antifreeze label. Of course there are those that will argue that even if he handed over an Antifreeze in the film it still doesn’t prove that he actually wore it in the film. - That’s just the nature of Fedora Loungers

 

[ZeppyDoo]

I’m not sure what make the zipper was in the film but I had one of a similar age with a Talon zipper but it’s quite likely that they used several makes. You’ve nailed it! If you watch the film in HD and freeze frame at the point he hands his jacket over you will see the McGregor antifreeze label. Of course there are those that will argue that even if he handed over an Antifreeze in the film it still doesn’t prove that he actually wore it in the film. - That’s just the nature of Fedora Loungers

Thanks

Another thing I was wondering is what years where the various McGregor jacket labels used. Here are the main 4 versions I’ve seen. I’ve seen quite a few versions of the label and some say Antron Nylon as opposed to just DuPont Nylon do you know if there’s a difference. Thanks

 

[robrinay]

Sorry I don’t have any info on the labels but I’m fairly sure someone here will know.

 

[ZeppyDoo]

Sorry I don’t have any info on the labels but I’m fairly sure someone here will know.

Thank You

 

[hodgeko]

Reviving this old thread!

I enjoyed reading this one, so I thought I'd share a recent acquisition that was in part inspired by it. I've been looking for a good James Dean Rebel jacket for a long time (since I was a teenager, honestly). Since a red Anti-Freeze is impossible to find, and most of the good repros are pretty expensive, I set my sites on a period-correct lookalike from a similar brand. I've been hunting for Bud Bermas and the like for a while now, and finally found this 60s Sears Oakbrook. It seems very close to the 50s McGregor, to me. The only things not accurate to JD's version are the pockets and the waistband are slightly different, and of course it has that white lining rather than the gray. But these things are not different enough to bother me. The nylon is much softer than I always imagined. I guess I was picturing an L2B weight, but this is more like a coach's jacket. Fit is pretty good, even though it's a 42 and I'm usually more like a 38-40.

Anyway, take a look and let me know what you think. At $25 (less than $40 with shipping, tax, etc.), I'm pretty happy with it!
View attachment Dean 2 2.jpg

 

[hodgeko]

Not sure why it's inserting some pics and making others attachments, but here is the other one.
View attachment Dean 2 2.jpg

 

[Yango]

Lol. “Do not boil”.

 

[Peacoat]

It looks good. You did well with this one.