GregGale
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 177
After a visit to the ELC popup store, I'm finally a proud owner of the jacket of my dreams. Thank you all for your help I got in my other thread. Let me share some thoughts and pictures.
1) The store.
Paradise on Earth. Seeing all those beautiful jackets in one place made my eyes dwell up with tears. The service and help was the best I've ever experienced. I spend there nearly 2 hours, trying on everything I possibly could, then again, and again. I was a real pain in the neck. They remained nice, helpful and very supportive. I can't recommend Eastman enough.
2) Picking the Star
I tried a cable raincoat and I quickly realized Havana brown was not for me. I tried a Star in 40 and 42, then a RW 27752 in 40 and 42. The RW 40 was way too small. The RW 42 was OK, but slightly baggier, not the trim fighter pilot look, if you know what I mean. There were large wrinkles on the torso and back. It was the most comfy one, and my girlfriend liked it a lot so there was a lot of pondering. The Star 42 was definitely too big, so it got out of the picture. Then came the Star 40. Perfect, trim fit, like a good glove. Only problem: the sleeves are a tad shorter than what I got used to on my Cockpit A-2. Still, less restrictive in movement. So I went for it.
Then I tried a G-1. I wish I hadn't...that bi-swing back is a dream!!! My gf loved it too. Still, I went for the A-2, because I prefer A-2s.
3) The Star
Wow...simply wow...the quality of the horsehide is amazing. Great texture, not too rigid, weighs much less than my cockpit. The color is exactly what I was after. Dark seal brown with a rusty undertone. The more reddish knits go perfectly with it. The knits are so soft and flexible, I couldn't believe it. Pictures don't do justice...
4) The Sizing: As I said the only problem at first was the length of the sleeves. I got used to my cockpit where the knits almost disappeared under the leather. Here it's different. Yet, even when I stretch my arms forward the sleeves don't slide up too much. I googled pictures and for example this is exactly how George Preddy's A-2 fit his arms too. Buying one with an inch added to the sleeves would have been too long I think.
As for the measurements...I will never buy anything like this off the internet. I've been checking measurements for months, and mathematically a Star 40 could never have fit me. Even a 42 should have been too small. Reality is something else entirely due to different cuts and patterns.
Some photos:
PS: My Cockpit A-2 is now up for sale in the classifieds section
1) The store.
Paradise on Earth. Seeing all those beautiful jackets in one place made my eyes dwell up with tears. The service and help was the best I've ever experienced. I spend there nearly 2 hours, trying on everything I possibly could, then again, and again. I was a real pain in the neck. They remained nice, helpful and very supportive. I can't recommend Eastman enough.
2) Picking the Star
I tried a cable raincoat and I quickly realized Havana brown was not for me. I tried a Star in 40 and 42, then a RW 27752 in 40 and 42. The RW 40 was way too small. The RW 42 was OK, but slightly baggier, not the trim fighter pilot look, if you know what I mean. There were large wrinkles on the torso and back. It was the most comfy one, and my girlfriend liked it a lot so there was a lot of pondering. The Star 42 was definitely too big, so it got out of the picture. Then came the Star 40. Perfect, trim fit, like a good glove. Only problem: the sleeves are a tad shorter than what I got used to on my Cockpit A-2. Still, less restrictive in movement. So I went for it.
Then I tried a G-1. I wish I hadn't...that bi-swing back is a dream!!! My gf loved it too. Still, I went for the A-2, because I prefer A-2s.
3) The Star
Wow...simply wow...the quality of the horsehide is amazing. Great texture, not too rigid, weighs much less than my cockpit. The color is exactly what I was after. Dark seal brown with a rusty undertone. The more reddish knits go perfectly with it. The knits are so soft and flexible, I couldn't believe it. Pictures don't do justice...
4) The Sizing: As I said the only problem at first was the length of the sleeves. I got used to my cockpit where the knits almost disappeared under the leather. Here it's different. Yet, even when I stretch my arms forward the sleeves don't slide up too much. I googled pictures and for example this is exactly how George Preddy's A-2 fit his arms too. Buying one with an inch added to the sleeves would have been too long I think.
As for the measurements...I will never buy anything like this off the internet. I've been checking measurements for months, and mathematically a Star 40 could never have fit me. Even a 42 should have been too small. Reality is something else entirely due to different cuts and patterns.
Some photos:
PS: My Cockpit A-2 is now up for sale in the classifieds section
