Question regarding custom order

[Tedquinton]

Hi Guys

Quick question about what is my first custom jacket:

I sent off a series of measurements by email and a couple of months later the jacket arrives.

I am overjoyed as it looks exactly like I'd hoped for. However this joy soon turns to despair as It's immediately obvious it doesn't fit. At first I assumed I'd made a mistake, but on examination it's clear to me the jacket was made too small.

What should I accept as a remedy? There is talk of changing a panel out. My fear is the jacket will then show a flaw as it will of necessity be something of a botched job. It looks amazing as it stands. Or should I insist on a remake.

I'd be interested in your views as I said I'm a complete novice to this custom jacket business.

Many thanks

 

[Smithy]

Talk to the maker. If they're good they should be able to know the solution - usually a new jacket.

Changing a panel sounds a bit iffy to me as you'd be adding a larger sized panel to a smaller pattern which I would have thought wouldn't fit properly. But then I'm no jacket maker so hopefully an expert here can chime in.

 

[Monitor]

What should I accept as a remedy? There is talk of changing a panel out. My fear is the jacket will then show a flaw as it will of necessity be something of a botched job. It looks amazing as it stands. Or should I insist on a remake.

I'd be interested in your views as I said I'm a complete novice to this custom jacket business.

I've been there and what I realized was that I would never have been happy with a jacket that's been altered and messed with afterwards. It would feel like a botched jacket, yeah, and it would bother me just too much to ever properly enjoy it. I may be in a minority here but hey...

If the jacket was not made to your specifications, you should definitely insist on a remake. Even if the mistake is entirely on your end, ask for a remake. It's your money. And if the maker refuses, try to sell it ASAP and invest into another jacket, rather than having it altered and ruined.

My 2¢.

 

[handymike]

All the respected makers will redo the jacket or fix it somehow. Email them.

 

[Tedquinton]

The maker has said they will change out a panel. Not sure if I think this will really work. Would it be reasonable to accept this but with the proviso I can have a remake if I'm not happy with the result?

It's so upsetting because the jacket is absolutely stunning.

I'm still awaiting a response from the maker so I won't go in to any more detail yet as I want to give them the chance to do the right thing, but I do appreciate any advice or knowledge that may help me.

Monitor I think we are on the same wavelength!

 

[handymike]

Depends on the panel and the maker.
I've seen it done flawlessly and not-so...

 

[53Effie]

I was involved in a similar situation and I wish I had insisted on a remake or a complete refund. I paid quite a bit for the jacket and it's just not quite right after the panel modification...kind of a frankenjacket...seams misaligned a little and it just looks like it has been worked over. I do wear it and just try to look at the issues as "patina." When I complained about the issues the maker sort of stonewalled me, so I just dropped it at that point. They were not paying shipping both ways for the repairs either so that was adding up. Chalked it up as a bad experience. I would advise against an alteration.

 

[AdeeC]

A remake is a no brainer unless the alterations are simple like arm length etc. In my business, my mistakes are righted at my cost. Anyhow the maker can still recoup most of his losses by selling the faulty jacket. And they will be small compared to the hit his reputation might suffer.

 

[dan_t]

It really depends on a number of things.
If the maker is first class, they will know what they're doing and would be unlikely to offer a solution which would put a sub-standard product into a new customers hands.
If for instance, it was a side panel which simply needed a little more width, I don't imagine this would alter the rest of the pattern in any harmful way. If however you were trying to add more length to a single panel, this could indeed alter the entire jacket's balance.
Talk to the manufacturer, I am sure they'll guide you correctly.

 

[Peacoat]

I agree with Dan_T above. Manufacturers use side panels to alter the size of the jacket. No reason they can't use a wider panel on a jacket that is too tight. As he said, if the maker is first class, they will know what they are doing. It is bothersome, though, that they missed your measurements to begin with.

 

[eugenesque]

In my opinion, it is never a good idea to alter a leather jacket. Leather is not like cloth where its easily cut and sewn. I would think that there is greater gratification in selling the jacket and making a new one that fits as opposed to altering it.

 

[RapidReaper]

Have had the same issue. Have a new one made. If thing get ugly you can dispute the transaction, assuming you paid via CC or p-pal, just be sure you have all correspondence in hand to submit, showing the jacket was not made to spec. as agreed. Of course, this scenario very very rarely occurs but it's always re-assuring to know all your options.

 

[Tedquinton]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your input. It's good to get some knowledgable opinions, even if there is, as always some contrary views!

I've had a response from the maker and it's all good.

 

[bn1966]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your input. It's good to get some knowledgable opinions, even if there is, as always some contrary views!

I've had a response from the maker and it's all good.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Pictures would be good too if you are happy with the end result

 

[Carlos840]

The maker has said they will change out a panel. Not sure if I think this will really work. Would it be reasonable to accept this but with the proviso I can have a remake if I'm not happy with the result?

It's so upsetting because the jacket is absolutely stunning.

I'm still awaiting a response from the maker so I won't go in to any more detail yet as I want to give them the chance to do the right thing, but I do appreciate any advice or knowledge that may help me.

Monitor I think we are on the same wavelength!

To me this isn't an acceptable solution. Changing a panel is a quick and dirty fix and is a botched up job.
I would insist on a remake, or a refund if the maker isn't ready to do so.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Not trying to dig up dirt but did we hear who the maker was?

I know some people feel that sort of thing shouldn't be aired in public but I believe the opposite. Everyone makes mistakes, nothing wrong with that. Its how we fix them that really tests customer service. If this company looks after you and does the right thing, people should know they look after their customers. Conversely, if they try for the easy way out, its a good warning for the future.

 

[Tedquinton]

Hi Guys

Just following up with a question. If you give you chest measurement as 41 inches and your midriff as 37 1/2 inches, what would you expect a trim cafe racer to measure, I'm thinking pit to pit 22inches across navel 20 inches. Would that be about right for a slim fit? Don't want to make any more mistakes!

Cheers!

 

[Monitor]

Sounds about right. I'm 41.5 around chest and 21.5" - 22" p2p works great for me. I can tell you that jackets with 23" across chest are too large on me.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Chest sounds alright, I usually go 2-4" more than my actual chest size depending on what fit I want.

Waist is tricky.. only the fewest leather jackets out there are truly waisted (=meaning narrow at the waist and going wider against down towards hips), most of them are like tubes towards the bottom, they are as wide as they are all the way down, no more changes down from the waist. So, if the jacket is not waisted, you better make sure it's so short it won't reach your hip region where your body gets broader again if you go for a very narrow waist measurement or you won't be able to zip it up because it's too trim at the bottom.

So, if you go for a 40" at the waist, make sure you are also less than these 40" where the jacket will end.

 

[Fanch]

I am ~42 inches and a midriff of ~38 inches and had 2" added to the circumference of my size 42 Aero Sheene (Cafe Racer pattern) to get a perfect fit. My Sheene has a P2P of ~24" and waist of ~21". I previously tried on a Premier HWM size 42 with P2P of slightly over 22" and 20" waist that was acceptable in the waist but too tight in the chest and especially too tight in the shoulders. IMO tmeasurements don't necessarily tell the entire story; so a fit jacket is generally a better arc. As I've said before. a jacket slightly too big will make you but one slightly too small will make you