Clouseau
Inspector
- Joined
- May 18, 2013
- Messages
- 6,301
- Reaction score
- 11,157
Yes the old Baracuta's fit was more blousy (they are still doing this fit, now called "original fit"), but the contemporary version is more fitted (like the one i wore on my Challenge entry). The best fit to my liking though (i know others like @Botolph think the same) was the so called "slimfit" version they did before the firm was bought by Lavori.I'd say "Thank you" for your comments, gentlemen, but unfortunately I can't take any credit for the jacket designs.
I really like both jackets, but wear them in different contexts. I think the G9 style (the one I'm wearing in my feeble attempt to imitate McQueen is actually an old Nordstrom jacket; more on that below) looks better when combined with other "classic" menswear pieces: wider chinos, ocbds with lighter weight sweaters, etc. That blue one is definitely a more modern interpretation and (for me) comes across as almost tailored athletic wear. For some reason I can't put my finger on, I just don't like the way it works with collared shirts or trousers with a fuller cut. Not saying someone else couldn't pull off the look, but I can't seem to do it.
As for that iconic G9 style: I also own an original Baracuta G9 and a G4. As much as I like the idea of owning the original MiE jacket, I just find the cut of the G9 to be too full for me. Given that it was originally designed as a golf jacket, I totally understand the reasoning behind the fuller cut. But I just feel like I have a bunch of fabric flapping around my arms and waist when I wear it and that "ballooning" is just amplified by the knit cuffs and hem. I can totally see how the style works better on someone taller like @Clouseau (you do wear it well, sir!). But I come dangerously close to looking like I'm about to head to a park bench to feed the pigeons. So I reach for the Nordstrom version instead, which has a slightly trimmer cut and higher armholes.
Long story short, I guess I'm at the point where I'm less worried about trying to desperately fit my body into a particular piece just because it's "the ORIGINAL BRAND!!!" and more focused on finding the jacket that works best for me. I know enough about clothing to identify when something is well made, and that Nordstrom comes from an era when companies still invested in quality materials and construction. So it gets the job done.
When I do feel the need to go with "the original" and flash the tartan, I reach for my Baracuta G4. Trimmer cut and I like being able to play around with the fit using the side adjusters.
Cheers!
Edit: @Swampster that's a hell of a deal you got on the G9! Congratulations! I know that Baracuta has modified the cut over the years, gradually becoming slimmer and slimmer. So, after saying everything I said above about the G9 fit not really working for me, I should probably give their latest version a shot.
That's the one i wear on this picture :
As it happens the last Challenge turned into a G9 fight as the guys on the podium all tried to reenact the Baracuta drawing.
I have to say that my favourite entries were the ones by @Inkss, @An Acute Style, @smittycl, and @JohnAAG though.
The poll just ended, i won this one, thanks for the votes guys, i will come with a new proposition for a Challenge sooner or later...