SOLD - 1998 Helmut Lang Denim Jacket

TheExit148TheExit148 Posts: 563MI6 Agent
Well, I had to sell my first HL denim jacket, and was lucky enough to be able have some additional funds and found another size 48 jacket. The fit isn't right for me still in this jacket so I need to sell it.

When it arrived in the mail, the seller didn't disclose a penny sized red ink stain on the pocket. I did my best at trying to remove it. There is some slight discoloration but I also applied some indigo dye to the spot to help blend it better. There is some fraying on the spot as well, that is about a 1/4" in size (see pics). If you want to have it fixed up, you can send this off to Indigoproof in the US for repair, and she'll clean it up beautifully. She'll match the repair fading to the surrounding area, fix the hole and the staining with new denim yarn. You won't know there was an issue. I've used her before for denim repair and her work is flawless. I was going to send it off to her, but the fit isn't working for me.

The jacket is a bit lighter in person than in the pictures. It's a great vintage look, that is close to DC's actual jacket in fading. Some more wearing and washing will fade this even closer to his.

Overall great vintage condition other then the issue mentioned above. When worn its hard to see and barely noticeable. Comes from a smoke free/pet free home!

Pics here http://imgur.com/a/IUqe6

Measurements

Pit to pit: 21.75"
Waist: 19.75
Shoulders: 18.75"
Back Length: 22.5"
Arm Length: 25.25"

I paid $175 USD for this, but because of the issue with the pocket I'm asking $115 USD OBO shipped in Canada, or +shipping everywhere else. These usually sell on ebay and grailed for $200-325 plus shipping regularly. Payment by paypal.

PM if interested.

Comments

  • Jeff LynneJeff Lynne Washington DCPosts: 53MI6 Agent
    Don't mean to keep this open. But if the new owner is also not a fan, I will happily take it off their hands.

    Thanks.
  • Obi Sean KenobiObi Sean Kenobi Posts: 215MI6 Agent
    If it doesn't fit, it's yours! :))

    I'm right next door in Delaware as well!
  • Obi Sean KenobiObi Sean Kenobi Posts: 215MI6 Agent
    Back up for sale! Jacket too small for me!
  • Jeff LynneJeff Lynne Washington DCPosts: 53MI6 Agent
    Just received the jacket from Sean. It fits like a freaking glove. At a similar height and build to DC it fits pretty much as it does him. My only gripe is that it's a bit dark. I wouldn't call it anywhere close to the lighter fading of DC's and though the original poster said the jacket is lighter in person, it's a bit darker. A small plus is because of that the stain is harder to see in person.

    As an aside, if anyone ever wants to part with a lighter color of this jacket in a size 48 I will happily purchase.

    Big thanks to Sean for being a stellar seller and sending the jacket in time for me to take it on a long business trip. You made my day, Sir. Cheers.
  • GSGS Posts: 333MI6 Agent
    Jeff - I have a lighter version which is a size 48 that just doesn't sit right on me - if you PM me with your email address I will send some photos for you.
    Grant
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,113MI6 Agent
    GS wrote:
    Jeff - I have a lighter version which is a size 48 that just doesn't sit right on me - if you PM me with your email address I will send some photos for you.
    Grant

    Just curious as to what about the fit isn't right, Grant. I've put off getting a 52 because of concerns about the body length being too short.
  • GSGS Posts: 333MI6 Agent
    Steve, I think that's the exact problem I am having. Have tried the size up too and that's just too big so think I need a 49!
  • Jeff LynneJeff Lynne Washington DCPosts: 53MI6 Agent
    Hopefully the following helps as I spent a while trying to find a denim jacket in general that fit me.

    To the people mentioning length, these jackets are definitely cut to be short and boxy. The length is meant to hit at the belt line. At 5'10" myself they're pretty much perfect length for me, it ends at my belt. I've also found these jackets to be inconsistently sized on top of being quite large in the body by today's standards. I've had I think 3 size 48's now, and knowing they're usually big on me took a gamble with this purchase, but it just so happened to work this time (thankfully). The two previous ones both measured 22"+ pit to pit with 19" shoulders. By todays standards that's a size 52/54, not 48. The one sent to me from this thread is the smallest 48 I've encountered. Honestly I'd probably fare better from a size 46, but I've only seen one of those in the years of searching and the color wasn't at all what I wanted. Plus the sellers measurements of it were about a half inch smaller overall than my current 48.

    Pardon the book. I guess to be brief, if length is your discrepancy this jacket may not be for you. It works amazing on shorter athletic frames, particularly if you have broad shoulders. If you're around average height and like to pick up weights from time to time, seek this jacket out. It'll look amazing on you.
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,113MI6 Agent
    Thank you Grant and Jeff. That helps a lot. {[]

    Sounds like I should not even bother with this jacket. At 6'5" there is no way short and boxy would work. Like DC's Nikes they are not for me.
  • TheExit148TheExit148 Posts: 563MI6 Agent
    Just wanted to add in my two cents here since its still being discussed.
    I've had a 1997 jacket size 48 (same style), and it fit bigger then I would want in the waist and chest, and the arms were a little short for me. Sold it when I needed funds due to unforseen circumstances. Then I bought this one being sold here, a 1998 in size 48. It fit me great in the shoulders, body length and arm length and shoulder width. It was just too big chest and waist; especially waist. It was bigger than the 1997! I couldn't deal with it and decided to sell.

    This is what it looks like on me (taken with iphone), while it seems ok in the pic, the waist and chest were bigger than it seemed and bowed out in the back. I'm 6ft right on. You can see my arms aren't as big as DC's, hence the folds in the fabric around the bicep haha!

    Colour wise I had thought it was a little lighter than the posted pics in the sales thread, and after more wearing and washing it'll fade to DC's. These jackets all started out as raw so they'll all continue to fade with wear and wash. The jeans I'm wearing in the pic are Gustin Heavy American after two months of wear, no washes yet, so they are still very dark indigo to give you an idea of contrast.
    You can see the comparison in different lighting to DC's, and I was in overcast skies at the time. Colour perception is the worst to try to get through online. When I originally bought it, the sellers pics made it look like it was almost raw indigo dark.

    (DC pic on the left looks lighter, but the pic on the right looks very close!)
    woAJm80h.jpg

    I ended up purchasing the 46 on ebay (not pictured here), while darker than DC's, it'll fade nicely. It fits much better in the waist and chest, length seems about the same, but the arms are a little wider at the bicep then the jacket that was sold here. Sizing is crazy on this thing.

    At this point, I think we can close this down, and move the discussion to the DC personal clothing/items thread, or open a new one to discuss the HL jean jacket.
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