Help Me Shop: M65-Inspired Jackets That Aren’t M65s
13 Comments Published by Joel August 29th, 2007 in Clothes. Share This
I’ve been slowly picking my way through jackets in anticipation of the upcoming cold weather. In years past, I’ve always had one go-to jacket that I could throw over whatever shirt I had on with a pair of jeans. For a while it was a Navy-issue pea coat; later I had a leather biker jacket. (I still wear the leather from time to time, even though I don’t have a bike. It’s because it makes me look hard, despite my doughy face and translucent-rimmed glasses.)
What I’ve been spying this year are the m65 knock-offs. (The “m65″ is a European military jacket style, the likes of which you’ve seen on many hipsters for a couple of years, at least.) Since I am of strong Teutonic stock, high collars actually look good on me in a last-kid-picked-for-Hitler-Youth sort of way, so I’ve been trying to find something m65ish without completely going with the drab olive standard.
Susie found this little number which I’ve been giving the stink eye all morning. It’s black, which is fine (although I think I’d prefer something worsted or similar), and while it’s an m65-influenced design, it’s also a short trench, which I think gives it a slightly snazzier look. Problem is it’s upwards of $200 with shipping (from Hong Kong), which I am just not prepared to blow right now. Especially on a jacket that will look best if close-fitted that I can’t try on before I buy.
I was hoping you guys might have seem something similar—the eBay seller claims it’s a RAF design, although I don’t find it elsewhere online—or perhaps an even a different high-necked, military design that looks sharp, but can still be throw-on casual.
Man, I really do like that. I could flip up the collar, load up the Luger with some wooden bullets, and go out vampire hunting.
No need to try it on, the auction listing has “fitting photo on person… HERE!”
Heh, yeah, but then you click on it and not only is that dude totally not built like me, I don’t even see the jacket in the gallery.
I’m looking at this jacket for winter.
http://www.asos.com/David-Beckham/Superdry/Superdry-Leather-Jacket/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=159708&cid=3619
i like the real m65 better
I have the older version of this coat and have worn it for 3 or 4 years. Absolutely love it, perfect weight.
http://www.fcusbuymail.com/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-US&ProductID=55A5A&CategoryID=m_coatsjackets
Search around Ebay once you find one you like, I saved $210 and it was brand new in the bag.
I’d also check out Army surplus stores. I picked up an worsted M65 (with awesome detailing, including these great back pockets that break up the monotony of the back) for $10.
Didn’t you end up with the leather I gave Len? I got it for my 15th birthday… are you still wearing it? Because that would be kind of awesome.
Tec: That is exactly the jacket I am talking about. It still fits like a glove. It’s just that sometimes that glove makes me look really leather daddy.
Doh, I’m behind the fashion times. I was still aiming to try and get this before it gets really cold :-)
http://www.anchortex.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=S300812
Joking about the pics in the listing. I thought that was pretty lame myself. Do they get a different sized dude for every size they offer? Or do they just throw a 42 and a 52 on the same chump?
Pete, there’s nothing wrong with a pea coat. I still have mine, although the buttons are coming off, so I never wear it! Can’t beat it for warmth, though.
Looks pretty sweet, how much would it be if you had to get it tailored a bit? The best fit is going to be one custom to you, might be worth while having a tailor that you know you can take it to if it’s a bit big.
“Tec: That is exactly the jacket I am talking about. It still fits like a glove. It’s just that sometimes that glove makes me look really leather daddy.”
Ha-ha! I’m glad it fits somebody… when I was 15 I weighed about 115 lbs. – can you imagine how I must have swam in that thing? I don’t know what I was thinking. And there’s nothing wrong with looking leather daddy… unless you also wear chaps and a daddy cap, in which case you’d better be prepared for bj propositions from strange boys. Then again, that never bothered you before…
I dig the military jackets, but honestly this is my favorite: http://www.rei.com/product/746587?cm_sp=prod*desc_rel_item*element
The REI Neo Jacket looks a lot better on than it does in the picture. I wore that little jacket to the middle of the Yukon. Great jacket.