For you 1930s Menlo owners...

I purchased a medium a while back and found the back to be a little short, I have now purchased a large and find everything fits perfect.... but the sleeves are way too long. For you guys who actually wear your clothes, how do you deal with the sleeves? Do I just have short arms? I intend to keep the jacket, unless I trade for a medium again so I am on the fence about having the sleeve length tailored. If that’s even possible, I don’t know.

Comments

  • UNCLE27UNCLE27 EnglandPosts: 1,144MI6 Agent
    You’re not alone. The sleeves are too long. And annoying. Might be style or OK if you’re riding a motorbike...
  • ZChauvinZChauvin Posts: 247MI6 Agent
    Thanks. Was really hoping I wasn’t crazy. Which way would you lean, taking into consideration that you would want the jacket to be enjoyable and not just a collectible. Try and trade out for a medium or alter the sleeves and lose some value/resale.
  • UNCLE27UNCLE27 EnglandPosts: 1,144MI6 Agent
    I wouldn’t go Medium if you already found the back to be too short.
    If you intend to keep it and wear it, either have it tailored to yourself (if possible) or embrace the style and learn to live with the annoying long sleeves.
    I think it’s designed to look like you found it in a charity shop and it wasn’t made for you.
  • ichaiceichaice LondonPosts: 603MI6 Agent
    I picked up an unworn one in Small from the 2015 production run. Luckily for me the sleeves are fine.
    Yes. Considerably!
  • ZChauvinZChauvin Posts: 247MI6 Agent
    ichaice wrote:
    I picked up an unworn one in Small from the 2015 production run. Luckily for me the sleeves are fine.

    Yeah, I was looking at the small on eBay right now and the sleeves are listed as 25.5 which would be perfect. These are 27” I believe, but the small is far too short and narrow in shoulders for my build. I’m debating whether or not I should try to swap for a medium or tailor the sleeves. I’d hate to alter the jacket.
  • operas phantomoperas phantom GermanyPosts: 113MI6 Agent
    For how much are these going atm? I am looking to buy one, but couldn´t figure out the price i will need to invest ! Thanks ahead
    Did you bring any chocolates?
  • ZChauvinZChauvin Posts: 247MI6 Agent
    For how much are these going atm? I am looking to buy one, but couldn´t figure out the price i will need to invest ! Thanks ahead

    All depends. The more common sizes are more. I paid $1,200. The small is going for $1,200, and the XXL on eBay is at $675.

    But, I did buy an XL from someone who only knew it was a jacket and not the connection to 007 and I paid $400. Also paid $750 for the medium I had bought.
  • HalfMonk HalfHitmanHalfMonk HalfHitman USAPosts: 2,353MI6 Agent
    It's a short jacket, which gets into personal preference. But I got a small and had the sleeves altered. I wouldn't worry TOO much about the value, as it seems these things peak and then plummet. I've noticed the JV and the Barbour are a lot more reasonable now than they were in 2013/2014.
  • Alec 006Alec 006 Sydney, AustraliaPosts: 211MI6 Agent
    When I got mine the back did at first feel uncomfortably short, but when you look at fashions of the era for the original 1930s Menlo it starts to make sense. Back then men's leather jackets were cut very very short, and it is something I got used to fairly quickly.
    From my personal and admittedly quite subjective view I would much rather get the arms right, and then just become accustomed to the rest of the cut.
    The bellows at the shoulder blades help out with shoulder width, and my now respect for its original design period soon got me to not worry about the length, and I now find the whole thing outrageously comfortable and I really do wear mine to death.
    My advice is, arms before back length.


    Menlo-1.jpg
    Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
    Oscar Wilde
  • ichaiceichaice LondonPosts: 603MI6 Agent
    Only had mine a week but love it :)

    IMG-0774.jpg
    Yes. Considerably!
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Alec 006 wrote:
    My advice is, arms before back length.
    I’m with Alec006. The short back improves the look imo, it’s more rugged looking. The sleeve length is fine for me (maybe I have chimp arms though :(|) ) and if the tailor doesn’t get the sleeves right you may rue the day you decided to have it tailored...
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • ZChauvinZChauvin Posts: 247MI6 Agent
    Thanks for all replies. It’ll be posted for trade for the medium.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,948MI6 Agent
    UNCLE27 wrote:
    You’re not alone. The sleeves are too long. And annoying. Might be style or OK if you’re riding a motorbike...

    Yeah, I would say that's the reason- it makes sense to have longer sleeves for motorbike jackets because you sit with your arms outstretched which makes the sleeves ride up.
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