G&B Flightsuits Expedition Jacket (UPDATED)

[Deleted]

Capt_Zak,

As 'Blues stated much thinner than the U.S. Wings. In our climate it's pretty much a spring and early fall jacket.


Good to see you around.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Alabama Jones]

pitfallharry said:

alabamajones said:

Tone: Thanks! if you're as patient and calculating as a Sith you may be able to get one of these off Ebay for half price. Yes, I was lucky enough to get it for considerably less than my Wested.

Harry: As noted above its used, but if you wad your newer goat into a ball and tumble dry the heck out of it, it will break it in beautifully!

Wow, now that's something I never would have guessed. Your jacket looks new in those pics. I never would have thought about looking around EBay for one of those.

Wouldn't it shrink the jacket even on tumble dry? How long would you do it and how many times?

I have thought about sleeping in the jacket a few times because I've heard that works. After I used the Fuller's Earth and let it sit on the jacket for a while it seemed to soften up the jacket a little somehow.......it's kind of weird.

Anyway, glad to hear not only did you get one of these but you got it for less than a Wested.

Harry, thanks! I tumble dried mine on low/no heat for about 6 hours after drowning it, plus a nice Pecards bath. If you can stand a little shrinkage, it will break in/soften up nicely. My FS goat now has more wrinkles and creases than my Wested lamb and, with its inherent ruggedness, is more befitting a "hero jacket" IMO.

These FS G&B jackets are AWESOME!!!.

[indianatone]

Hope you've got some pics coming soon, 'Bama.

Size-wise? Did you get the same size as the Wested?

[garzo]

G-mann, Alabama,

are the G&Bs true to size or not? Sounds like you both have conflicting opinions.
I'm planning to order a G&B and usually wear a size 44. I own a G&B ANJ-3 size 44 and fits great, while my size 44 regular Wested fit me well, but was a bit too wide in the body and I had to get it altered for a better fit. From my experience with the ANJ-3, I'd get another size 44, or do you reckon the Expeditions run a bit bigger?

[Deleted]

Garzo,

I think my G&B's are pretty much true to size. I had a 44 that I sold when I lost weight but I do think it was sized correctly.

IndyBlues just got one too so maybe he will chime in also.

They are Great jackets, you will be very happy.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[garzo]

Thanks G-Mann. A 44 it is!

[IndyBlues]

I would have to say, yes, they fit true to size. I think the patterns give you a little more freedom of movement, but not so much to sacrifice the drape and look of the jacket.
All my Wested's I've owned have fit a bit more snug for their size. If I were to order another Wested, it would probably be a 48, as opposed to my G&B 46.
'Blues

[garzo]

indyblues said:

I would have to say, yes, they fit true to size. I think the patterns give you a little more freedom of movement, but not so much to sacrifice the drape and look of the jacket.
All my Wested's I've owned have fit a bit more snug for their size. If I were to order another Wested, it would probably be a 48, as opposed to my G&B 46.
'Blues

Strange. It sounds like they might run a bit big after all, although I'm sure it varies greatly from person to person (I know I've often tried on things like Levi 501s and shoes that were tagged as the same size but fit very differently, so there could be lots of factors behind correct or incorrect sizing).

I've only owned one Wested -- a size 44 horsehide, and it was a bit roomy, although fine at the shoulders and sleeves. My size 44 Aero Highwayman, Schott motorcycle and G&B ANJ-3 all fit perfectly and narrower than the much wider Wested, which I've since altered.

The thing is though, I don't know if the Wested was an off-the-rack or specially cut to the measurements I put down on the order form. I also wrote them that I'm a regular size 44. There was no size tag on my jacket.

But Blues, if I'm hearing you correctly, that means a G&B 44 would likely be bigger than my already big Wested 44.

One explanation could be that my Wested is not a 44 but a 46 (?). I don't know. But like I said, shoulder seem and sleeves are perfect, and I did order a 44. I just always felt that it was cut more like a coat than a jacket.

I hear that Expeditions, on the other hand, are more tailored along the 80s Cut Wested. Is that correct? 80s Cuts are much narrower, right?

I always figured if ever order another Wested, I would get a 44 80s Cut.

We'll see. I've sent an enquiry to Flightsuits regarding sizing. I wish I could just go to a store and try one on.

Ordering online always seems like a crap shoot.

[Kt. Templar]

Lay your jacket down zipped up and measure across armpit to armpit.

If it's a 44 it should measure something like 24" (x2 = 48", to allow for movement) a 46 will be 2 inches more (obviously!)

[Kt. Templar]

BTW, has anyone had a G&B made to measure? It look like they will do it for $150 extra. (I'm a weird shape and would probably have to resort to that option - if I ever could afford to buy one!)

[Ragingblues]

First off, let me say that I am going completely on what I have read and been told by the G&B owners, so please correct me if I am mistaken here:

I think one reason the Wested may feel roomier at the correct jacket size is the cut joining into the sleeves. The typical "squirrelage factor" that most Wested owners have is due to the sleeve joint being to low, adding extra room under the arm/in the side area. See this thread for info on what the "squirrelage factor" is:
indylounge.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=jacket&action=display&thread=1158892753

The G&B's have the higher sleeve placement which shows far less squirrelage. This would make for a more snug fit under the arm, from the sleeve all the way to the bottom of the jacket. Along with making arm movement easier, it would also make a size 44 fit very different from both companies. This would also explain IndyBlues comment about them allowing for more movement. The higher arm socket placement would do just that without leaving extra room between you and the jacket.

I believe that it's this higher sleeve placement, along with the higher back seam placement that constitute an 80's cut anyway. The funny thing is, an 80's cut would actually just be an accurate Raider's cut in the first place... since the G&B pattern hasn't deviated over the years to accomodate customer requests like the Wested has. So, I'm thinking that a G&B in your preferred jacket size should feel more snug than one from Wested, for the above reason. Like you said though, you can't be sure as to the original jacket size your current Wested was cut from... though KT's info could get you very close.

I have contended for a while now, that all Wested does is take the jacket size you give them and adjust the sleeve length. It seems to be the easiest way to make them, though it sort of takes away the "custom made" idea we have in our heads. People give these off the wall measurements that in many cases, probably wouldn't even work with the jacket's design. So, I'm not blaming Wested for doing this sort of thing.. if my hunch is correct. If they told people that's what they were doing however, it would really simplify the order process on both ends. Most people stress over many of these measurements before ordering, hoping they get it right. If all they had to do was order a jacket size with correct sleeve length, and specify snug or regular fit..... it would remove alot of the worries.

Okay... now it's time for the G&B owners to confirm or deny my opinions on the matter. No matter what Garzo, I think you will be very happy with a G&B, as I have yet to hear of someone who wasn't.

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

If any of you frequent the Fedora Lounge there is an interesting thread about A2 sizing going on over there:

www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=217182#post217182

[garzo]

Ken,

thanks for the solid analysis. I would guess you are right on the money. Already owning a size 44 G&B ANJ-3, I know it's cut well, fits well and allows me a great deal of movement.

The only thing now, though, is that I haven't heard back from any of the G&B staff that I've emailed with a couple of questions, so haven't yet placed the order.

They must be busy with a lot of holiday business or something.

KT, I haven't had a chance to measure but will do and post the results.

[jweaver]

Good post Ken.

I think you're right on the money about Wested. In fact, I think Peter has even said that his jackets are handmade, not truely "custom". What I mean is that he takes your measurements and adjusts a few thing to fit the standard pattern. I'm not saying is good or bad, its just the way it is.

I've had my ToD Wested for over 2 years now and I really like it, but I still have a nagging feeling everytime I put it on that its not really what I want in an Indy jacket. Its kind of a close but no cigar sort of feeling. I see the general design of the Indy jacket, but it doesn't really resemble the jacket from any of the movies. One of these days I'm gonna cave in and buy a G&B.

[Ragingblues]

Thanks much guys! I just hope it helps out or even pans out to be true. G-Mann verified to me on the phone that he believed the differences in the sleeve placement to be a major culprit in the fit department. I think they are both great jackets, so either way you should be happy.... but it is nice to know how to order them correctly.

Ken

[Deleted]

I did not want to Hi-Jack Steve's new G&B thread so I thought I would go back in time and post here.

Steve, you are correct about the VERY Dark Brown color of these jackets. I see your Goat is the same as mine and Indyblues' Lamb.

I have been wearing the G&B a lot lately. It has seen plenty of rain and snow, as most of my gear does. It is now breaking in very nicely after about a year.





Cheers,
G-MANN

[Marc]

Ahhhh!!! My friend it's always great to see good gear getting broken in from you. Perhaps I should just let YOU wear the Todd jacket once it arrives.... naaaahhh

Regards,

Marc

[pastimesteve]

Amazing G-MANN! You wear Indy gear well. Thanks for sharing the updated picture and never hesitate to join in on my threads. Without you and Ken, we wouldn't have this forum and I wouldn't have my jacket!

Steve

[Ragingblues]

John,

The back photo shows how nice and drapey that jacket must be. I also love the pocket size and shape everytime I see an Expedition. It's got the great rounded corners at the bottom and really balance well with the jacket itself. Just think.... all you had to do to get those right was place an order!

BTW... is that a castle behind you in the first pic? Are you really King John? Fess up....

Ken

[Deleted]

Here you can see that the color is even darker than the HJ ribbon on the AB Deluxe.



Cheers,
G-MANN

[bendingoak]

that is a dark brown. Interesting shot of your lid. Shows of the part of the bash most don't show.

[IndyBlues]

More fantastic shots, John. I love the drape of your G&B. Mine is still way too new looking, compared to yours. Think I need to start beating that thing up.
'Blues

[Deleted]

The leather has softened up enough so that even the pocket tends to fold instead of lifting the entire jacket up. If that makes any sense.



Cheers,
G-MANN

[IndyBlues]

Makes total sense, John. My jacket is still a bit stiff in the pocket area. If I sit with it on, the pockets tend to "stand on end", and lift the jacket front up. I'm going to try crinkling them up a bit, see if it helps. Otherwise, the G&B lamb is soft as hell.
'Blues