Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The Watanabe Inspired Jacket. Japanese style meets Nantucket Red

There's still plenty of snow on the ground here in Maine, but today I'm dreaming of summer on Nantucket; an island famous for whaling, cobblestone streets and its own color -- namely, Nantucket red.

 

 

I'm sure some of you are scratching your heads. What's he talking about? This is one of those New Englandy prep classics. A faded weathered red (better not call it pink!) that only gets better the more beat up and worn out it is. It's a color I associate with the yacht club set. A year round tan, boats, tennis, martinis and most importantly -- old money; none of which I have!!! Apparently the real deal comes from Murray's Tog Shop on Nantucket, but just about everyone's jumped on the bandwagon -- J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, LL Bean (who calls it Breton red). Oh, and a caution if you're considering wearing it, like white shoes it's only worn in the summer here in New England. Although I'm assuming that the "snowbirds" take it south with them for the winter.

 

So for a few minutes this afternoon I slipped on my new Junya Watanabe inspired spring jacket and joined the ranks of the idle rich -- minus the tan!

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say that I'm really pleased with the fit of this jacket, especially through the shoulders. The combination of a sloped shoulder adjustment and removing all the sleeve ease produced a really natural fit. It still has a slightly structured shape without any actual structure. No shoulder pads, no pad stitching, no unfortunate Miami Vice look.

 

 

The back is actually better than I anticipated. This is really a "sack jacket" -- there's no waist suppression whatsoever. The side seams and the center back are a straight shot. Considering that I was really grasping at straws trying to fit the back, it didn't come out all that badly.

 

It's not exactly the most attractive shape, but then again it's supposed to be a casual jacket not a business suit. Plus, there's so much more that I love about the way this project turned out. I refuse to get hung up on all the "what if's" and "coulda / shoulda's". We're all guilty of way too much of that as sewist. Agreed?

 

 

They say that God is in the details, and God knows I had WAY too much fun adding all the bells and whistles to this jacket. At times it was hard to resist the temptation to add just one more thing -- a rivet here, a patch there. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm totally digging it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just to recap before I grab my paddle and head to the yacht club...

 

Cotton oxford cloth suiting from Denver Fabrics. I had my doubts, but ended up loving it. Ridiculously cheap.

Cotton madras plaid and khaki cotton from Peron Fabrics. (Not so cheap, but I have tons left for a shirt, shorts, pants and a fishing vest!).

Rivet instructions from Enriquesews Academy.

 

As always, I wish you all happy spring sewing. This is a great time of year to break out of the rut and make your sartorial dreams come true!

 

27 comments:

  1. Fantastic jacket. Lovely fit and the tiny details make it look very high end. Beautiful.

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  2. You do fantastic work! All your projects are first class and all done on a Singer 301 sewing machine.

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  3. "EnriqueSews Academy": :)
    "I refuse to get hung up on all the what ifs" : Guilty as charged. I obsess over eighths of an inch. Need to let it gooooo.

    Your jacket is a truly a work of art.

    I do think you should make a scarf or something completely covered in rivets.

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  4. This is such a great jacket! I love all the details, gives it such character. Beautiful work!

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  5. I love it! The tiny rivets, the plaid, subtle color blocking...

    Beautiful!

    I never knew men's clothes could be so interesting. Thank you!

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  6. Wow! All the details make this jacket so interesting. It looks fantastic. I am interested to see what your next project . By the way...boat update?

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  7. I was so looking forward to seeing how this would turn out and I love it.

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  8. This jacket is spectacular! I love the little touches, it's seriously amazing.

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  9. You have done an amazing job, it's come together so well! Just brilliant

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  10. I've loved following your progress on this! It's AMAZING. Not over the top - just right. Love love loving all your creative details!

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  11. Terrific combo of symmetric and asymmetric details. Cool jacket!

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  12. Fabulous jacket and a great showcase for your skills!

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  13. Jacket looks wonderful. Just beautiful. You look so handsome as usual. Love the oar as a prop. Have jacket will row!!! A stunner on all fronts

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  14. Amazing jacket and you got the fit looking pretty good for a boxy jacket!

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  15. I love it! Inspiring as always, Duane!

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  16. Your jacket it came out AMAZING! Im in love with this jacket. Those rivets though!!! "Enriquesews Academy" my goodness your the best!!!!! I am brewing up some more tutorials that i am working on for everyone to hopefully enjoy!!!

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  17. Am completely amazed. Best jacket I've seen!

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  18. I love all the details you've put in this jacket, makes it really stand out.

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  19. Wow. This is so cool! It looks like you had a lot of fun making this too!

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  20. Wow. This is so cool! It looks like you had a lot of fun making this too!

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  21. Holy mother of moly! Following this make, post by post, I have been...cringing at the color (out here on the left hand side of the country we have other names for that red....) and shaking my head at the rivets but by all things unholy moly, that is one dang FINE jacket.

    I bow in your general direction, master!

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  22. This is fabulous. You should do a Craftsy class on this.

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  23. You are HOT! Who doesn't love a man who sews and loves fashion. I'm blown away…..

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