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#1 2006-10-04 06:37:53
- Lewis
- Member
- Posts: 10
Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
New to the forum. I love traditional American clothing, although I'm just beginning to build my wardrobe. I'm looking to pick up a new tweed sportcoat for the colder months --a 3/2 sack, fairly light weight (I live in the South) in some shade of tan or brown. I have looked at the offerings by Press and Silver. My wife likes Silver's glen plaid Harris Tweed. I like it also, but I'm also drawn to the 2 tweeds that Brownshoe recently bought -- the tan patch and flap Pressidential and the brown herringbone. I have also looked at a few of the tweeds shown on O'Connell's website.
Any thoughts on any of these jackets? If you were building your wardrobe from scratch (which I am), what would you look for?
Thanks, Lewis
#2 2006-10-04 07:42:55
- Miles Away
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- From: Miles away
- Posts: 1180
Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#3 2006-10-04 09:48:04
- Lewis
- Member
- Posts: 10
Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Thanks for responding Miles Away. I think weight is going to be the key issue here. I am told that the Press jackets are medium weight, which means they may be too heavy for me (I want something I can wear 6 months or so).
I talked to Silver about their Harris Tweed jackets and was told that they are all featherweight tweed and can be worn in Charleston 6 to 8 months out of the year. Each of their tweeds is available in the 3 button tip over style I like (they're made to order so delivery takes about 4 to 6 weeks). Have you seen these? Are there any of the brown or earthtones that you like?
Thanks Lewis.
#4 2006-10-04 09:48:45
- longwing
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- Posts: 198
Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Hey Lewis,
I haven't been at this too long myself. I think the most important thing is to find a model that gives you the best fit. For me this is important because I need to have many things made to order, so I have to be careful. If you easily find your size OTR, plan to spend some money on UPS returning things until you get a model that fits right. I would like to try the Silver's tweed myself, but they don't stock my size so I would have to have something made up and I'm reluctant to do that without knowing the fit in advance. Tricky. The Silver seems to be a good value. I have found that the Southwick Douglas - available at O'Connells and any Southwick dealer MTO, is a very good fit for me so it is hard to try something else even though I might be able to get a better jacket at Silver (right now anyway) for the same money.
Press is inconsistent in fit. Most models are really boxy while some of the higher ends are less so. O'Connell's offers some non-Southwicks that at least look kind of boxy to me.
I have a Harris tweed and a sheltland. The shetland is much softer.
#5 2006-10-04 10:00:37
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Just another thought -
Why Tweed? Why not go with a pure new wool sportscoat? It will be lighter & give you more choice. Many are in Tweed-effect fabrics and will give you the look without the weight & price.
Tweed is iconic for the Trad tho' so I do understand the attraction... If global warming really kicks in I'm considering the move to Greenland just to be able to wear Cords & Tweeds.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#6 2006-10-04 10:16:15
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Another thought - This one's a real stinker -
A kinda boxy cut IS the Trad cut.
*Ducks to avoid flying bottles*
;-)
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#9 2006-10-04 10:29:11
- longwing
- Member
- Posts: 198
Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
I also like Brownshoe's tan patch tweed from Press. I'd want to make sure it was a Southwick though.
#10 2006-10-04 10:33:42
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#11 2006-10-04 11:23:59
- Brownshoe
- Member
- Posts: 490
Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Hi Lewis...
Those Press tweeds are pretty substantial and warm, but not overbearingly so. Comfortable walking around in 50s-60s temps.
I am an ignoramus when it comes to makers and stuff like that--I just try the wares on and judge what looks good. The tan coat is a marvel--a beautiful, vintage look.
I like the brown a lot, but the shape's not as nice--a bit more shoulder than is ideal. Still, wonderful fabric in the standard Press boxy shape. Works for me.
#13 2006-10-05 09:23:16
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
One for Mr. Lewis -
As a son of the South can you talk me through your feelings about Silver & their goods?
I think they are iconic 'Southern Trad', despite being relatively new to us all.
How 'bout you?
Miles.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#14 2006-10-05 09:47:31
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Actually I'd love to talk to anybody about Silver...
They're new & affordable so they have a following with the MB bods...
I think they're Trad-ISH -
Why so much interest tho'? They aint all THAT... Surely?
Curious (II) - Miles.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#17 2006-10-05 10:27:49
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
Thanks Lew.
I think Silver prices quite well, all things considered. Andover & Cable Car have a pricing 'problem' maybe (?), then again they are a different kettle of fish..
Thanks for your thoughts. if I was Ben Silver I would pay you! ;-)
M.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.
#19 2006-10-05 22:32:59
- Horace
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
""This is probably the last Deb season...because of the stock market, the economy, Everything..." - W. Stillman.
#21 2006-10-06 10:11:06
- Miles Away
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Re: Tweed Sportcoat -- O'Connell's, Press or Silver
I've always wondered about shortening sleeves on RTW (& this is a real rookie question) - Does it make the jacket then look too long? I'm just thinking of the proportions of the thing. How does it balance out?
M.
" ... Ubi bene, ibi patria, which being roughly translated means, 'Wherever there's a handout, that's for me, man.' "
Alistair Cooke. 1968.