jollygreenslugg
New Member
G'day folks,
Like so many others here, I'm on the quest for a better A-2 reproduction. I started the quest six years ago when I started working to lose weight. I worked myself down from 145kg (320lbs) to 95kg (210lbs) in a year. I bought a *cough* Banana Republic A-2 copy, which was the best I could afford as incentive to lose weight. Sized 44, it was what I wanted at the time, but as time passed, I realised that I wanted something closer to the real thing. In 2010, I'd put some weight back on, but got back on a health kick, and am now aroung 78kg (170lbs) after losing the weight and building muscle at the gym. A couple of years ago I bought a similar Banana Republic mall-jacket A-2 in size 42. Last year, I bought a Cooper orange label in 40R which is a pretty good fit now. All of these jackets received the painting treatment, and a shot of the Cooper and comparison with the real artwork are attached.
The Banana Republic 42 copped the 'Pistol Packin' Mama' artwork;
I'm a family man with a high-needs disabled stepdaughter, so I'm not in a position to shell out big dollars for a luxury like a top-line jacket. I'd like to buy a mid-price reproduction, and I'm very impressed with the Bill Kelso range. I'm just not sure of the sizing. Having lost all that weight, I'm not carrying fat now, but I'm a bit loose around the middle. My chest measures out at 41 inches now, so I guess a 42 would be about right. I wear 32 jeans comfortably, but 'spill out' a little above the waist. I'm hoping that people here may have a bit of understanding of the sizing issue I'm facing. Does a Bill Kelso 42 sound about right? No doubt, I need to consider differences with the exciting new jackets which are mentioned on the site as being available soon.
One thing that confuses me is the Cooper sizing. The 40 jacket measures around 22 inches from pit to pit, whereas I thought it'd be tighter. Is this standard for modern jackets? The Banana Republic jackets are looser. Is this to allow wearing of layers under the jacket? I'd have thought that a 40 jacket would be 20 inches around the chest. Another thing is that the Cooper is certainly built to accommodate larger figures, and I'm hoping that a Bill Kelso 42 would be a trimmer cut. The big thing that bugs me about the Cooper is that I don't like the soft feeling of the goatskin. The Banana Republic jackets are certainly nothing to write home about as far as accuracy goes, but I did prefer the heavier and stiffer feel of those jackets.
So, I'm sure I could get this information from the good people at Bill Kelso Mfg, but I thought I'd also throw it open to the floor. I've started to put money aside, and I'm hoping to be ready to make a purchase mid-year. I read these pages regularly, and am excited about a seal horsehide jacket as the one for me.
Thank you for your thoughts and advice. I've learned a great deal already and hope to continue this way.
Cheers,
Matt
Like so many others here, I'm on the quest for a better A-2 reproduction. I started the quest six years ago when I started working to lose weight. I worked myself down from 145kg (320lbs) to 95kg (210lbs) in a year. I bought a *cough* Banana Republic A-2 copy, which was the best I could afford as incentive to lose weight. Sized 44, it was what I wanted at the time, but as time passed, I realised that I wanted something closer to the real thing. In 2010, I'd put some weight back on, but got back on a health kick, and am now aroung 78kg (170lbs) after losing the weight and building muscle at the gym. A couple of years ago I bought a similar Banana Republic mall-jacket A-2 in size 42. Last year, I bought a Cooper orange label in 40R which is a pretty good fit now. All of these jackets received the painting treatment, and a shot of the Cooper and comparison with the real artwork are attached.
The Banana Republic 42 copped the 'Pistol Packin' Mama' artwork;
I'm a family man with a high-needs disabled stepdaughter, so I'm not in a position to shell out big dollars for a luxury like a top-line jacket. I'd like to buy a mid-price reproduction, and I'm very impressed with the Bill Kelso range. I'm just not sure of the sizing. Having lost all that weight, I'm not carrying fat now, but I'm a bit loose around the middle. My chest measures out at 41 inches now, so I guess a 42 would be about right. I wear 32 jeans comfortably, but 'spill out' a little above the waist. I'm hoping that people here may have a bit of understanding of the sizing issue I'm facing. Does a Bill Kelso 42 sound about right? No doubt, I need to consider differences with the exciting new jackets which are mentioned on the site as being available soon.
One thing that confuses me is the Cooper sizing. The 40 jacket measures around 22 inches from pit to pit, whereas I thought it'd be tighter. Is this standard for modern jackets? The Banana Republic jackets are looser. Is this to allow wearing of layers under the jacket? I'd have thought that a 40 jacket would be 20 inches around the chest. Another thing is that the Cooper is certainly built to accommodate larger figures, and I'm hoping that a Bill Kelso 42 would be a trimmer cut. The big thing that bugs me about the Cooper is that I don't like the soft feeling of the goatskin. The Banana Republic jackets are certainly nothing to write home about as far as accuracy goes, but I did prefer the heavier and stiffer feel of those jackets.
So, I'm sure I could get this information from the good people at Bill Kelso Mfg, but I thought I'd also throw it open to the floor. I've started to put money aside, and I'm hoping to be ready to make a purchase mid-year. I read these pages regularly, and am excited about a seal horsehide jacket as the one for me.
Thank you for your thoughts and advice. I've learned a great deal already and hope to continue this way.
Cheers,
Matt
) along with an explanation, or even maybe including some pictures of yourself wearing it.
