Minnis Airborne - Anyone Ever Have Anything Made?

[dopey]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

Playing with fire perhaps, but I just got 3.5 meters of the 6.5 oz. Airborne cloth below. 2-button, notch lapel, double vents with 2 patch pockets:

Remind me. Where you the one going with Raphael and Poole?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

Playing with fire perhaps, but I just got 3.5 meters of the 6.5 oz. Airborne cloth below. 2-button, notch lapel, double vents with 2 patch pockets:

Given the Minnis site's lousy pics, I take it the color is much lighter and less "tan" than that.

Intersted to see how this turns out.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by Manton

Given the Minnis site's lousy pics, I take it the color is much lighter and less "tan" than that.

Intersted to see how this turns out.

Yes, you're right. I made sure to check the cloth in real life before ordering. Its really just a standard light grey for the summer (similar to the color found in Lesser's Super Tropicals book).

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

Playing with fire perhaps, but I just got 3.5 meters of the 6.5 oz. Airborne cloth below. 2-button, notch lapel, double vents with 2 patch pockets:

I would not put patch pockets on there for two reasons. First, i hate patch pockets on suits. I admit that i have one but it's a mid grey flannel w/3 patch pockets that i got for casual purposes. It was a mistake because it severely limits the wearability of the suit. I also think the patch pockets are at odds with a thin, light fabric like this. My suggestion would be to make it mainstream and get more mileage out of it.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by dopey

Remind me. Where you the one going with Raphael and Poole?

Yes, I am. But I have already placed orders with both. This is a cloth that I'll commission over the next month or so.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by Film Noir Buff

I would not put patch pockets on there for two reasons. First, i hate patch pockets on suits. I admit that i have one but it's a mid grey flannel w/3 patch pockets that i got for casual purposes. It was a mistake because it severely limits the wearability of the suit. I also think the patch pockets are at odds with a thin, light fabric like this.

My suggestion would be to make it mainstream and get more mileage out of it.

I see your point, and I'm a bit hesitant on that as well. I do have a few lightweight odd jackets with 2 patch pockets (and a welted breast pocket), and I've found them to work quite well (especially on a lightweight coat). Thus, my intention to try it out on a lightweight suit. I always stay away from 3 patch pockets though.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

I see your point, and I'm a bit hesitant on that as well. I do have a few lightweight odd jackets with 2 patch pockets (and a welted breast pocket), and I've found them to work quite well (especially on a lightweight coat). Thus, my intention to try it out on a lightweight suit. I always stay away from 3 patch pockets though.
Three patch pockets is the least of my worries, any patch pockets on a suit are what vex me. On a side note, my tailor actually designed and attached my patch pockets so deftly that no one notices them. But I notice. What im saying, you will have the airborne suit for a long time. That Minnis company makes very hard wearing fabrics irrespective of the actual cloth weight. in a few years, you might be bored with the idiosyncratic look of the patch pockets. You could wear a suit like this for so many situations and look fantastic in it with regular flap pockets. If you are determined to get patch pockets, then do so but i wouldnt feel right without giving you my own experiences with what i too once thought was a natty touch. I havent gotten an airborne made up but I will soon. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Thanks for your opinion. I agree that perhaps it is best to play it safe and opt for regular pockets. But then again, I like the casual look of patch pockets (especially on a light grey summer suit).

I'll give it some more thought - I'm sure I'll change my mind at least a dozen times before I actually bring it to the tailor.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

I see your point, and I'm a bit hesitant on that as well. I do have a few lightweight odd jackets with 2 patch pockets (and a welted breast pocket), and I've found them to work quite well (especially on a lightweight coat). Thus, my intention to try it out on a lightweight suit. I always stay away from 3 patch pockets though.

I get patch on linen and cotton suits always. On wool, twice, a Lesser tan tropical and an airforce (or maybe avion) blue mohair. I have a nice piece of light gray mohair that will get the patch treatment. I was thinking about getting the lightest gray Lesser tropical (similar shade to your Airborne), but if I did that, it would be flaped.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by Manton

I was thinking about getting the lightest gray Lesser tropical (similar shade to your Airborne), but if I did that, it would be flaped.

Why would you get the light grey Lesser flaped? - just personal preference or, like FNB, do you believe longevity will be compromised with patch pockets?

 

[aportnoy]

I currently have the light gray Minnis Fresco #0511 in work with Raphael and we are doing it unlined with triple patch pockets on the coat.

Add the fact that a certain someone wouldn't be caught dead in it, and you have sartorial Nirvana!

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by aportnoy

I currently have the light gray Minnis Fresco #0511 in work with Raphael and we are doing it unlined with triple patch pockets on the coat.

Add the fact that a certain someone wouldn't be caught dead in it, and you have sartorial Nirvana!

That really is a beautiful cloth. Not even a quarter lining? - aggressive, but I like it!

 

[dopey]

My last order was a Minnis Fresco suit (midweight). I thought about patch pockets, but I really intended it to be a versatile multi-climate, multi-location, travel and work suit (3 pc + extra trousers). I decided patch pockets were just too casual, plus I couldn't see wearing it with a vest. If I had ordered the same lightweight fresco you did, I would likely have crossed over that same line with you.

 

[aportnoy]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

That really is a beautiful cloth. Not even a quarter lining? - aggressive, but I like it!

Just a bit of lining at the neck and in the sleeves, so unlined is a bit of a misnomer. But all the internal seams will be taped with blue hammered silk satin.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

Why would you get the light grey Lesser flaped?

Partly because I know I am going to do my gray mohair patched, and I don't want them to look too, too similar. But mostly, I looked at the cloth, and in my mind's eye, it looked like it need flaps. I can't really explain it.

Mohair for me is such a quintessential summer cloth that a casual detail like patch pockets seems to be called for, or at least to work well. Tropical wool, not so much. It's more of a straight business cloth made in light weights simply as a concession to the weather. I got my tan tropical with patch because of the color. I don't think I would ever do it with gray or blue tropical.