My jacket finally arrived! Though I don't have pictures yet (explanation further down), I'll give you my initial review of the product.
I guess I'll mention shipping first. I've never ordered anything out of the states before this, so I really can't say it was fast or not. But I imagine 15 days from Australia to Texas is relatively quick.
Now on to the jacket...
Sizing: I would follow Evolve's advice and move up 2 sizes like he did. I on the other hand moved one size up. It's not that it's skin tight (In fact, feels almost tailored made), but the sleeves are on the short side. That and the bellowed pockets feel a tad bit high when putting your hands in them. So, move up 2 sizes and you'll be happy.
Color: In person, it comes off as a true light olive (Instead of the desert sand color). I would compare it to an M-65 field jacket with a slight tint of yellow.
Detail: A quick disclaimer- I have never physically worn or seen the actual Barbour Jacket in person. So I'll be going off photos of the Barbour off the internet.
The button stance is almost screen accurate. the lowest button doesn't line up with the bellow pocket's buttons (This also goes for the top button lining up with welt pocket's button). But that is a minute detail that I can look over. The other details I can look over are that the buttons on the pockets and neck closure are suppose to be smaller. Also the lack of the hood zipper stitching around the neck line, a detail I don't miss (A thing Barbour Dept. B agrees with ). There is a tartan lining in the chest area and on the inside of the bellowed pockets (With wool accents in the stitched areas). The arm's lining seems to be a silky rayon. From what I can tell, all the leather accents are in the right positions (At the sleeves, inside the collar, and bellowed pockets). The drain holes are on the bellowed pockets, but none exist on the armpits. The poachers pocket on the back is functional and is a one solid pocket with two openings. And last, there are pockets on each side of the chest's inner lining.
Quality: Now to why I don't have any pictures. When I first got it out of the packaging, I notice the buttons were stitched on very weakly. After putting it on and doing some Skyfall poses, two buttons popped off the jacket . So I just dropped it off at the tailors to get all the buttons reinforced, before I got any pictures of it. But besides that, the rest of the stitching seems strong. The material is much thinner than expected, but it seems strong and should keep me warm during the early autumn months(After the waxing, it should be good for the winter).
In Conclusion: Overall, It makes for a decent alternative for the real deal. Though quality in certain areas may have been skipped over, it is expected of a replica on a budget. One thing is for sure though, I did feel like 007 for a few minutes. I'll post pictures of the final product when I'm done stripping, dying, and waxing it.
Wow, so much detail! haha thanks very much for the update, I can say that this has helped me a lot. With regards to the sizing, what size did you end up getting? I have long arms but I am also worried that purchasing a XL (as oposed to a L) would make me feel bigger than necessary,
Wow, so much detail! haha thanks very much for the update, I can say that this has helped me a lot. With regards to the sizing, what size did you end up getting? I have long arms but I am also worried that purchasing a XL (as oposed to a L) would make me feel bigger than necessary,
I got a Large. If you are on the fence, move up. before I got the jacket, I thought it would too big around my chest area. But it is just right. A little extra room won't hurt though.
Wow, so much detail! haha thanks very much for the update, I can say that this has helped me a lot. With regards to the sizing, what size did you end up getting? I have long arms but I am also worried that purchasing a XL (as oposed to a L) would make me feel bigger than necessary,
I got a Large. If you are on the fence, move up. before I got the jacket, I thought it would too big around my chest area. But it is just right. A little extra room won't hurt though.
Yeah, think I will go for a large, want it to be quite tight fitting and it sounds just right. Thanks for the advice and cant wait to see the finished product!
Great writeup Leiter! Look forward to the pictures.
I plan on getting one as well though debating going two or three (!) sizes up, mainly for the sleeve length as I have long arms. I'm pretty thin in general and can have the sides taken in but if the sleeves are too short...
Great writeup Leiter! Look forward to the pictures.
I plan on getting one as well though debating going two or three (!) sizes up, mainly for the sleeve length as I have long arms. I'm pretty thin in general and can have the sides taken in but if the sleeves are too short...
Thanks Nouniard. I guess to help with the sizing, my arm length is 25in. (63.6cm) and a large jacket has a sleeve-length is 25.25in. (64cm). If I had another quater inch, it would fit me just right.
Thinking back now, I should have looked at the sizing chart one last time before I hit the order button. I guess I was a little too eager to get it and check.
Can definitely see a significant difference between the two. Is the pvc coating easy to strip or does it come off easily with the MEK?
I think it works best when the jacket is dry and using MEK. It makes it easier for pvc flakes to form when scrubbing and they move freely on top of the jacket. Then grab a rag and wipe away.
I found it harder to remove the pvc when the jacket was already wet. So let it hang dry after you get it out of the wash before you start.
Putting it through the washer right now after a long day of stripping leftover pvc. If it comes out clean, I might get to first color of dying.No pictures for tonight, sorry.
Putting it through the washer right now after a long day of stripping leftover pvc. If it comes out clean, I might get to first color of dying.No pictures for tonight, sorry.
I know Daniel said to use detergent when washing the jacket but are you using it in every wash? And how long are you washing the jackets for when doing so?
I been using detergent every time on a hand wash cycle. I think it takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You don't need to use detergent when dying.
UPDATE: Did step 1 to the dying process. When pulling it out, I notice some missed areas of pvc stripping. Lucky for me, after the jacket dried, I tried the MEK again and it still works without effecting the color too much. A good tip when stripping: When you think you are done, look at it in direct sunlight before and after you wash it. You can spot more imperfections than you would with any other light source.
Looks like a very bright brown, it should look different with the green dye and then when the wax is applied it will begin to take on the look of the original! So far so good though, very impressed with the progress made.
Got done with the dying today. I got in touch with Evolve007 via e-mail and he suggested after I do final stripping touch-ups, I send it through another shot of cocoa brown. I also tweaked my settings a little more on my washer, which helped a lot. After a day of drying, I sent the jacket through the kelly green dye. The results are just right. Unfortunately, I lost my sd card to upload a picture, but I'll post as soon as I find it.
Comments
Thats good to hear, do you think you will get charged extra as it is an import?
I'm not sure, I know shipping cost about $30. I do hope it comes in this week and not next tuesday.
Evolve007 came out with another update video regarding the dying process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B51K3UZXFFE
I guess I'll mention shipping first. I've never ordered anything out of the states before this, so I really can't say it was fast or not. But I imagine 15 days from Australia to Texas is relatively quick.
Now on to the jacket...
Sizing: I would follow Evolve's advice and move up 2 sizes like he did. I on the other hand moved one size up. It's not that it's skin tight (In fact, feels almost tailored made), but the sleeves are on the short side. That and the bellowed pockets feel a tad bit high when putting your hands in them. So, move up 2 sizes and you'll be happy.
Color: In person, it comes off as a true light olive (Instead of the desert sand color). I would compare it to an M-65 field jacket with a slight tint of yellow.
Detail: A quick disclaimer- I have never physically worn or seen the actual Barbour Jacket in person. So I'll be going off photos of the Barbour off the internet.
The button stance is almost screen accurate. the lowest button doesn't line up with the bellow pocket's buttons (This also goes for the top button lining up with welt pocket's button). But that is a minute detail that I can look over. The other details I can look over are that the buttons on the pockets and neck closure are suppose to be smaller. Also the lack of the hood zipper stitching around the neck line, a detail I don't miss (A thing Barbour Dept. B agrees with
Quality: Now to why I don't have any pictures. When I first got it out of the packaging, I notice the buttons were stitched on very weakly. After putting it on and doing some Skyfall poses, two buttons popped off the jacket
In Conclusion: Overall, It makes for a decent alternative for the real deal. Though quality in certain areas may have been skipped over, it is expected of a replica on a budget. One thing is for sure though, I did feel like 007 for a few minutes. I'll post pictures of the final product when I'm done stripping, dying, and waxing it.
I got a Large. If you are on the fence, move up. before I got the jacket, I thought it would too big around my chest area. But it is just right. A little extra room won't hurt though.
Yeah, think I will go for a large, want it to be quite tight fitting and it sounds just right. Thanks for the advice and cant wait to see the finished product!
I plan on getting one as well though debating going two or three (!) sizes up, mainly for the sleeve length as I have long arms. I'm pretty thin in general and can have the sides taken in but if the sleeves are too short...
Thanks Nouniard. I guess to help with the sizing, my arm length is 25in. (63.6cm) and a large jacket has a sleeve-length is 25.25in. (64cm). If I had another quater inch, it would fit me just right.
Thinking back now, I should have looked at the sizing chart one last time before I hit the order button. I guess I was a little too eager to get it and check.
Here's when I first got it in the mail.
I only finished the front today. I'll finish the back and dye it tomorrow. If i'm lucky, I might get to waxing tomorrow, too. Wish me luck.
In the meantime, here's a picture showing the difference in color when stripping (Left stripped, right unstripped).
I think it works best when the jacket is dry and using MEK. It makes it easier for pvc flakes to form when scrubbing and they move freely on top of the jacket. Then grab a rag and wipe away.
I found it harder to remove the pvc when the jacket was already wet. So let it hang dry after you get it out of the wash before you start.
I know Daniel said to use detergent when washing the jacket but are you using it in every wash? And how long are you washing the jackets for when doing so?
UPDATE: Did step 1 to the dying process. When pulling it out, I notice some missed areas of pvc stripping. Lucky for me, after the jacket dried, I tried the MEK again and it still works without effecting the color too much. A good tip when stripping: When you think you are done, look at it in direct sunlight before and after you wash it. You can spot more imperfections than you would with any other light source.
Looks like a very bright brown, it should look different with the green dye and then when the wax is applied it will begin to take on the look of the original! So far so good though, very impressed with the progress made.
Found my sd card. Some spots could still be touched up, but I think it gives it character.
And in pose.