BigBrother
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 196
Just posted this on VLJ, which TFL helped introduce me to just a few days ago. Figure you all would enjoy!
"Wow, this is amazing. So the paint on my account here is probably still wet, I joined what? 48 hours ago? (If curious see my last two posts for what it was I was looking for.)
I usually find nothing I’m interested in at vintage stores, I go with my girlfriend who has amazing success but there’s usually not much along the lines of what I’m looking for (30s-50s clothing but men’s offerings are usually pretty slim.)
Anyway, decided to try out a few local places we hadn’t been to before. Just had a feeling. No joke.
Went to the leathers section at the first, nothing special (though quite a few “passables”, which got me thinking that flight style jackets are more common than I thought at these places).
Went to the second store, really just a 70s-90s type place. Looked at the jackets on a high rack and started spotting the telltale front pockets, elastic cuffs, etc. I had the nice lady pull some of them down for me and was mildly impressed by what I saw- some pretty decent A2 repros, I suppose almost G1s, etc. Most too big on me, many on the rack too ratty.
Then I put this on. Holy %#^. No, it wasn’t a perfect repro or one of the big brands (it’s a Cooper Sportswear A2), but I go damn. Damn damn damn. Price tag says $150.99. Definitely a bit above no-brainer territory for me given it’s not high end and Five Star’s prices, and I decide to ask her if the prices are final (at vintage stores they usually are, but who knows?) She says, “hold on let me look at the tag. Oh it’s red. Yeah those are 50% off.” I go, “excuse me??” Eyes like saucers. She goes, “yeah, actually I can probably do better than that. The owner told us to basically go as low as we we can to get rid of these, they’ve been here forever! Let me look something up... ok the lowest price on the rack for one of these is $85. I can give you that price.” Me: “Wait... 50% *off* $85??!” Her: “yep!!” I just couldn’t believe it. I was going to walk out of this shop with this jacket for about $45. I was holiday/birthday/last day of school level happy and thanked her profusely for making my day!
So! The haul. Is it my end all be all A2? Nope! Is it a damn near perfect fit which will see me through countless upcoming dances and re-enactments, serve as a fantastic measuring jacket for others to come, and a great first jacket for my nascent collection (not to mention practically brand new)? HELL YEAH!
Virtually my dream fit, better than any other A2 I’ve ever tried on by a long shot, and close to my ideal color...
(Picture quality is, I apologize, pure shit
)
Thanks for your help, all!"
"Wow, this is amazing. So the paint on my account here is probably still wet, I joined what? 48 hours ago? (If curious see my last two posts for what it was I was looking for.)
I usually find nothing I’m interested in at vintage stores, I go with my girlfriend who has amazing success but there’s usually not much along the lines of what I’m looking for (30s-50s clothing but men’s offerings are usually pretty slim.)
Anyway, decided to try out a few local places we hadn’t been to before. Just had a feeling. No joke.
Went to the leathers section at the first, nothing special (though quite a few “passables”, which got me thinking that flight style jackets are more common than I thought at these places).
Went to the second store, really just a 70s-90s type place. Looked at the jackets on a high rack and started spotting the telltale front pockets, elastic cuffs, etc. I had the nice lady pull some of them down for me and was mildly impressed by what I saw- some pretty decent A2 repros, I suppose almost G1s, etc. Most too big on me, many on the rack too ratty.
Then I put this on. Holy %#^. No, it wasn’t a perfect repro or one of the big brands (it’s a Cooper Sportswear A2), but I go damn. Damn damn damn. Price tag says $150.99. Definitely a bit above no-brainer territory for me given it’s not high end and Five Star’s prices, and I decide to ask her if the prices are final (at vintage stores they usually are, but who knows?) She says, “hold on let me look at the tag. Oh it’s red. Yeah those are 50% off.” I go, “excuse me??” Eyes like saucers. She goes, “yeah, actually I can probably do better than that. The owner told us to basically go as low as we we can to get rid of these, they’ve been here forever! Let me look something up... ok the lowest price on the rack for one of these is $85. I can give you that price.” Me: “Wait... 50% *off* $85??!” Her: “yep!!” I just couldn’t believe it. I was going to walk out of this shop with this jacket for about $45. I was holiday/birthday/last day of school level happy and thanked her profusely for making my day!
So! The haul. Is it my end all be all A2? Nope! Is it a damn near perfect fit which will see me through countless upcoming dances and re-enactments, serve as a fantastic measuring jacket for others to come, and a great first jacket for my nascent collection (not to mention practically brand new)? HELL YEAH!
Virtually my dream fit, better than any other A2 I’ve ever tried on by a long shot, and close to my ideal color...
(Picture quality is, I apologize, pure shit
)Thanks for your help, all!"
