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Real McCoys London visit...

kliffjumper123

Familiar Face
Messages
58
Hey all,

If you've seen some of my most recent threads, I'm pretty new to the game. And BTW, I finally found an A-2 (a story for another thread).

Recently, I was able to pop on over to the UK for a few weeks visiting friends and on one of the days I just went out to the Real McCoys store. I had a fabulous time and was able to acquire a few small things, but being a high school student means that spending upwards of 1000 dollars or pounds on a jacket is probably not the best idea (A damn good way to get in trouble though). But I did actually try some stuff on, those being an M-43, an A-2 (the slimmer cut) and a Buco J-24. This post is a bit directionless but I figured I could provide some insight for those looking at RM stuff (but obviously can't try it on beforehand).

The M-43 was previously a jacket that I never even considered primarily because I find that wearing a field jacket isn't always practical from a style standpoint (and I already have an M-65 which I seldom wear) but the fit was awesome and the jacket quality is phenomenal.

The A-2 was the slimmer cut of their A-2s. I typically wear a 36 or 38 but went for the 38. I found that they were really good quality but since they were HH, very stiff and honestly, not that comfortable out of the box. That's not me complaining though as it was really awesome. In a sense, I'm really glad that I didn't get a RM in 36 online from Japan as I wouldn't be able to return it.

Personally, I never really considered a biker jacket like the Perfecto style ones but I actually really loved the Buco so was wondering if anybody had any thoughts on the jacket? I found the 38 to be pretty snug, and a bit short for my liking, but otherwise, it was a fabulous jacket.
 

kliffjumper123

Familiar Face
Messages
58
I visited there recently & was rather taken with one of the early MA-1 repros on offer (north of £1000), didn't come away empty handed..I now own a RM bandana :)
Which bandana did you come back with? I myself got the one with the Anchor. I was also able to get a RM sticker.
 

Justhandguns

Practically Family
Messages
780
Location
London
The prices there are out of my reach, I usually go there to buy the magazines. In terms of choices, we are quite spoilt in central London. RM, Clutch, Lewis, American Classic are all within walking distance, there's also RedWing and Filson at Carnaby Street.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,084
Location
London, UK
The prices there are out of my reach, I usually go there to buy the magazines. In terms of choices, we are quite spoilt in central London. RM, Clutch, Lewis, American Classic are all within walking distance, there's also RedWing and Filson at Carnaby Street.

Clutch I've not yet been in. The others are all lovely, but the prices.... yeesh! You need to go and look in Nigel Cabourn first, then they all look much more reasonable.... ;)

Still want me some of those Lewis WEstway boots, though...
 

Mich486

One Too Many
Messages
1,690
The prices there are out of my reach, I usually go there to buy the magazines. In terms of choices, we are quite spoilt in central London. RM, Clutch, Lewis, American Classic are all within walking distance, there's also RedWing and Filson at Carnaby Street.

Would add Rivet and Hide and Son of a Stag (this is in the east end but still not a long ride away from the others). The prices well... they are up there with designer brands.

I haven’t visited Clutch but their online offering is pretty good. I see they will also offer Clinch boots at some point. Worth keeping an eye on!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

kliffjumper123

Familiar Face
Messages
58
The prices there are out of my reach, I usually go there to buy the magazines. In terms of choices, we are quite spoilt in central London. RM, Clutch, Lewis, American Classic are all within walking distance, there's also RedWing and Filson at Carnaby Street.

I myself was staying in Putney so Leicester Square is a bit of a ways away, but public transport makes all the difference. Shopping in London for anything is absolutely awesome.
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,424
RMC quality is extremely high, especially with their leather jackets. I know this firsthand. Their motorcycle jackets are often undersized, but extremely nice. I would think about sizing up, but if you like it, I definitely say go for it!
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
Clutch I've not yet been in. The others are all lovely, but the prices.... yeesh! You need to go and look in Nigel Cabourn first, then they all look much more reasonable.... ;)

Still want me some of those Lewis WEstway boots, though...

And before that, pay a visit to Son of Stag. The mark-up on their stuff is nosebleed inducing. Why anyone would actually pay their over-inflated prices when a bit of diligent searching online would produce a much more reasonable result is beyond me.
 

Mich486

One Too Many
Messages
1,690
And before that, pay a visit to Son of Stag. The mark-up on their stuff is nosebleed inducing. Why anyone would actually pay their over-inflated prices when a bit of diligent searching online would produce a much more reasonable result is beyond me.

So true! Son of Stag prices are just above the other retailers for some reason I don’t understand. Their Buzz Rickson stuff for instance is pricier that buying off the Buzz Rickson site itself. Same for Pherrow’s vs Clutch. Maybe they were the first offering certain brands? Certainly with the increase in competition they need to change strategy in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
I understand that there is a management policy that demands a specific mark-up, rather than any exclusivity.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,084
Location
London, UK
And before that, pay a visit to Son of Stag. The mark-up on their stuff is nosebleed inducing. Why anyone would actually pay their over-inflated prices when a bit of diligent searching online would produce a much more reasonable result is beyond me.

The difference being that when I come out of SoS, I'm sad that I cannot afford All The Things - whereas with Cabourn it's less shock at the price and more that anyone will buy some of those abominations at any price! ;)

So true! Son of Stag prices are just above the other retailers for some reason I don’t understand. Their Buzz Rickson stuff for instance is pricier that buying off the Buzz Rickson site itself. Same for Pherrow’s vs Clutch. Maybe they were the first offering certain brands? Certainly with the increase in competition they need to change strategy in my opinion.

I can only conclude that it's the 'free market' in action; there must be enough people buying from them or they'd change the model. In some cases I suspect people do talk themselves into over-paying because they reckon they can't get the stuff elsewhere (possibly true for some of the bits they do). Eastman jacked their prices way up recently - some of their A2s are now priced alongside Goodwear. I did wonder if that had anything to do with an SoS deal, though I heard rumour that relationship went south over ELC's London pop-ups anyhow. There certainly are people out there who will pay over the odds without checking - I've so many times seen on eBay people paying more than the new price for something because they obviously haven't researched it. Fools / money....

The interesting thing will be at what point the market breaks - and whether any of the names that have gotten into that high end come back down to meet the market over time. The latter, unlikely, I would think, but equally I don't think the market will ride that high forever. For sure a number of labels that were well within my price range when I first got into this game - Eastman especially - have now pushed themselves far beyond what I could honestly justify paying.
 

Graemsay

Practically Family
Messages
998
Location
Melbourne
The trick with Cabourn is to buy during the sale, when it's 40% or 50% off.

I like some of his clothing. I had a blue and white Ventile smock for years, which I wore until it fell apart.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,084
Location
London, UK
The trick with Cabourn is to buy during the sale, when it's 40% or 50% off.

I like some of his clothing. I had a blue and white Ventile smock for years, which I wore until it fell apart.

TBH, I'e yet to see anything in there which even on sale prices wasn't either cheaper elsewhere, or a great vintage design ruined by "I'll just put my own spin on this...".
 

Baseball Guy

New in Town
Messages
13
Location
UK
Main issue with these stores is limited stock size wise. As to the prices, if they've got it in stock, try it and if you like it, shop around on-line. Possibly why the prices are so high as their overheads are also.

NB Safest way to shop there is to leave credit card at home, or in wife's purse - providing she doesn't know the PIN.
 

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