El Marro
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- Messages
- 3,591
- Location
- California
I ordered my first new Langlitz back in January. I knew that I was looking for a basic two pocket Columbia. I do not ride a motorcycle but I am a huge fan of the Columbia and other CHP style jackets. After looking through some photos on the Langlitz Japan website I discovered the 1947 Columbia, a new jacket made with the same features as the original Columbia (such as wider lapels and a narrow stiffening band at the bottom that does not dip at the back).
I worked with Scott to iron out all of the details before finalizing the order. We exchanged half a dozen emails and spoke over the phone several times. I found him to be very helpful and patient in taking time to answer all of my questions and making sure that I understood the pros and cons of various options. One example of this was the decision whether or not to make the jacket with a bi-swing back. The original Columbia did not have any kind of gussets or action back. I liked the clean lines of the original jacket, but Scott explained that this would provide much less freedom of movement and I am glad I listened to him and chose to go with the bi-swing back.
My jacket arrived in mid March and it was love at first sight:
I wore the jacket non stop for almost a month. While I absolutely loved my new Columbia, there was one problem that bothered me more and more as time went on: the jacket was too tight at the bottom. The jacket has lace up gussets at the waist on both sides. Even with these gussets fully expanded the jacket was almost skin tight. It felt like a leather corset when I inhaled deeply, and that was certainly not the look (or feel) I was going for! Ideally I wanted a jacket that fits well, but would allow for a little expansion at the waist as time went on, not one that was too tight right from the beginning.
I called Langlitz and spoke to Scott again. He was helpful as always, and he made it clear that my satisfaction with the jacket was the #1 priority for him and the entire crew at Langlitz. Scott put me in touch with John, who is in charge of returns and remakes. John had me take some measurements, and also some photos with the jacket on zipped and unzipped. After reviewing the photos he and I spoke about different options to resolve the problem. I told him that because the jacket was too tight over my lower rib cage as well my hips, I did not think that a simple alteration would suffice. I also assured him that my weight remains fairly steady and I had not gained five or ten pounds since the jacket was ordered. John asked me to send the Columbia back so that he could see it in person and review the measurements.
I sent the jacket back and waited a few days after they had received it to call John and check in. I was hoping that he would at least have had a chance to look at it by then, but his response blew me away. John informed me that they had already made me a new jacket with more room where I needed it, and that the jacket would be shipped out that afternoon. I received my new Columbia a couple days later, and once again it was love at first sight:
I can't say enough how impressed I was by my experience with the folks at Langlitz. They did everything possible to make sure that I was happy with the jacket in the end and I would recommend them to anybody who is looking for a new leather jacket. It is true that their jackets cost more than some of the other options out there, but I think the level of service they provide completely justifies the price. Thanks for reading my story.
I worked with Scott to iron out all of the details before finalizing the order. We exchanged half a dozen emails and spoke over the phone several times. I found him to be very helpful and patient in taking time to answer all of my questions and making sure that I understood the pros and cons of various options. One example of this was the decision whether or not to make the jacket with a bi-swing back. The original Columbia did not have any kind of gussets or action back. I liked the clean lines of the original jacket, but Scott explained that this would provide much less freedom of movement and I am glad I listened to him and chose to go with the bi-swing back.
My jacket arrived in mid March and it was love at first sight:
I wore the jacket non stop for almost a month. While I absolutely loved my new Columbia, there was one problem that bothered me more and more as time went on: the jacket was too tight at the bottom. The jacket has lace up gussets at the waist on both sides. Even with these gussets fully expanded the jacket was almost skin tight. It felt like a leather corset when I inhaled deeply, and that was certainly not the look (or feel) I was going for! Ideally I wanted a jacket that fits well, but would allow for a little expansion at the waist as time went on, not one that was too tight right from the beginning.
I called Langlitz and spoke to Scott again. He was helpful as always, and he made it clear that my satisfaction with the jacket was the #1 priority for him and the entire crew at Langlitz. Scott put me in touch with John, who is in charge of returns and remakes. John had me take some measurements, and also some photos with the jacket on zipped and unzipped. After reviewing the photos he and I spoke about different options to resolve the problem. I told him that because the jacket was too tight over my lower rib cage as well my hips, I did not think that a simple alteration would suffice. I also assured him that my weight remains fairly steady and I had not gained five or ten pounds since the jacket was ordered. John asked me to send the Columbia back so that he could see it in person and review the measurements.
I sent the jacket back and waited a few days after they had received it to call John and check in. I was hoping that he would at least have had a chance to look at it by then, but his response blew me away. John informed me that they had already made me a new jacket with more room where I needed it, and that the jacket would be shipped out that afternoon. I received my new Columbia a couple days later, and once again it was love at first sight:
I can't say enough how impressed I was by my experience with the folks at Langlitz. They did everything possible to make sure that I was happy with the jacket in the end and I would recommend them to anybody who is looking for a new leather jacket. It is true that their jackets cost more than some of the other options out there, but I think the level of service they provide completely justifies the price. Thanks for reading my story.
