Sideslip
Well-Known Member
First off, a hello and very belated best wishes to all as I have been tied up with a bunch of alternately good and tricky family and work pre-occupations. I have been reading the odd forum post though, just not been active. I would say that some of the posts made me smile when I was not otherwise so inclined due to the other stuff so thank you for that!
At some point in the next 6-9 or so months, my GW 'ticket' should hopefully come up. I actually have two deposits down, but a year apart. I currently have a GW Monarch m422 picked up from the sale page which is awesome. The more I wear it, the more it seems to evolve in subtle character. (Un)fortunately, triggered by the lockdowns and hitting 50 last year, I have been exercising and have slightly changed shape resulting in the jacket being too tight in the chest. Therefore, I am thinking over the different USN jacket options and working to narrow that down.
One of the things I really like about the Monarch m422 is the scalloped pocket flaps and chiseled pocket bottom together with the spacing from the zipper. That and the collar are probably the two most visible differences between other USN jackets so I am focusing (slightly obsessing?) about that as an initial differentiator. The m422 collars are quite pointed but while a Cagleco G-1 is very sharp and appealing the collar (and most of the post 1951 jackets) have very rounded collars - something in between is perhaps ideal, with an athletic but functional cut.
So my long short list for a jacket in my measurements is as follows (not necessarily in an order of preference):
1) Monarch or Willis & Geiger m422
2) Willis & Chapman ANJ3A https://goodwearleather.com/WC_ANJ3A_44_Horween/WWII_USNavy_Jacket.jpg
3) Aviator Clothing Company 55J14 https://goodwearleather.com/2022_Aviators_G1/Aviators_G1_55J14.jpg
4) Foster 55J14 https://goodwearleather.com/NewGoat_Foster_55J14/55J14_G1_Foster.jpg
5) Star 55J14 https://www.goodwearleather.com/2020_Star_G1_44/Star_Sportswear_G1.jpg
6) Monarch 7823 [I saw an image of @Chandler's original from JC's CD but don't know if JC makes one].
If I leave aside the m422's, 2), 4) and 6) stand out to me.
JC apparently has a new goatskin source as well.
I have re-re-re-read the excellent 'better fighting garment' compendium and spent a fair amount of time browsing the images there and elsewhere and ultimately re-watched The Bridges at Toko Ri and Devotion as erm, research
. In order to get me out of this introspective cycle, I thought I would open this up to the forum knowledge. Ultimately, I know I will be happy with whatever I choose, but unlike the servicemen of the 40's and 50's, I have the luxury of choice and not just what is issued to me .
At some point in the next 6-9 or so months, my GW 'ticket' should hopefully come up. I actually have two deposits down, but a year apart. I currently have a GW Monarch m422 picked up from the sale page which is awesome. The more I wear it, the more it seems to evolve in subtle character. (Un)fortunately, triggered by the lockdowns and hitting 50 last year, I have been exercising and have slightly changed shape resulting in the jacket being too tight in the chest. Therefore, I am thinking over the different USN jacket options and working to narrow that down.
One of the things I really like about the Monarch m422 is the scalloped pocket flaps and chiseled pocket bottom together with the spacing from the zipper. That and the collar are probably the two most visible differences between other USN jackets so I am focusing (slightly obsessing?) about that as an initial differentiator. The m422 collars are quite pointed but while a Cagleco G-1 is very sharp and appealing the collar (and most of the post 1951 jackets) have very rounded collars - something in between is perhaps ideal, with an athletic but functional cut.
So my long short list for a jacket in my measurements is as follows (not necessarily in an order of preference):
1) Monarch or Willis & Geiger m422
2) Willis & Chapman ANJ3A https://goodwearleather.com/WC_ANJ3A_44_Horween/WWII_USNavy_Jacket.jpg
3) Aviator Clothing Company 55J14 https://goodwearleather.com/2022_Aviators_G1/Aviators_G1_55J14.jpg
4) Foster 55J14 https://goodwearleather.com/NewGoat_Foster_55J14/55J14_G1_Foster.jpg
5) Star 55J14 https://www.goodwearleather.com/2020_Star_G1_44/Star_Sportswear_G1.jpg
6) Monarch 7823 [I saw an image of @Chandler's original from JC's CD but don't know if JC makes one].
If I leave aside the m422's, 2), 4) and 6) stand out to me.
JC apparently has a new goatskin source as well.
I have re-re-re-read the excellent 'better fighting garment' compendium and spent a fair amount of time browsing the images there and elsewhere and ultimately re-watched The Bridges at Toko Ri and Devotion as erm, research
. In order to get me out of this introspective cycle, I thought I would open this up to the forum knowledge. Ultimately, I know I will be happy with whatever I choose, but unlike the servicemen of the 40's and 50's, I have the luxury of choice and not just what is issued to me .
