IHM-27-BLK - Sateen M-65 Field Jacket - Black
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I’ve read lots of explanations for this in the past. They tend to focus on the idea of having servants to dress you which would have been normal in the UK and the British Empire, but not in the USA.
The argument goes that the servants would do the buttoning and zipping with their right hand while facing the person they were clothing. It would therefore be on the left from the perspective of the wearer. This would have spread throughout the world as a standard because of the dominance of the British textile industry, and British colonial and post-colonial influence. The USA didn’t have the same societal structure as the U.K., was resistant to British colonial norms after 1776, and made its own clothing, so went the other way.
Interestingly a lot of American made women’s coats and jackets zip to the left still. The same explanation is used, it being more likely for a woman to have “help” from servants or their husbands.
I have no idea how accurate an explanation any of that is. It seems plausible while still having a lot of logical holes in it. The fact remains most coats and jackets designed for men and the US market zip on the right, but the left is normal everywhere else.
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I have heard that as well, @neph93. I can confirm your unconfirmed explanation.
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Owners of IH M-65's correct me if I'm wrong: Seasonally it seems like the weight of this guy would bridge the gap between jean jacket weather and IHM-15 (aka best jacket in the world) weather?
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Owners of IH M-65's correct me if I'm wrong: Seasonally it seems like the weight of this guy would bridge the gap between jean jacket weather and IHM-15 (aka best jacket in the world) weather?
It's about 15C where I'm at now- still denim jacket weather. I'd probably wear mine when it get's closer to 10C. I could probably get away with wearing the M65 now with a t-shirt underneath.
There are others that still like to wear shorts btw 10C-15C ::)
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Owners of IH M-65's correct me if I'm wrong: Seasonally it seems like the weight of this guy would bridge the gap between jean jacket weather and IHM-15 (aka best jacket in the world) weather?
I wish the IHM-15 was still around.
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Love that. Even if it is not accurate, it will forever be part of my version of the truth….
It does strike all the right notes as a bit of social history. The whole subtext to the narrative about upper class brits, colonialism, blue collar Americans dressing themselves and gender. Very human, very believable…
A potential hole in the logic is that zips didn't become standard on clothing until well into the 20th century, but I guess that if the norms for buttoning and other older methods of front fastening clothing were just transferred to zips then it would still bare out.
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I do… I’ll snap pictures.
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Ok, well I guess mine doesn’t look that worn in, especially in artificial light.. the color holds so well. However, the abrasion areas do fade, the pockets and edges scuff..
This is an OG 02 I believe. It’s my “winter coat”
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@Appfaff That is a nicely worn jacket. For how long did you have them? I just got the same jacket in Olive. Having seen your M65 in Black, I'm wondering if I should have indeed gone for the Black. IH stuff is always tempting!
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Thanks @Giles - It's my wife's favorite piece of clothing I own.
@jothishan - I can't take all the credit for the wear, as I bought it used about 2-3 years ago, but I indeed wear it a lot during the cooler months, and even rainy days here in Northwest Florida. I have washed it once, and I'm sure it was washed at least once prior to me having it. I love the black, it looks even better with the fading that mine has endured around the lanyards, pockets, and obviously, the cuffs as the black sateen gives way to a very sheen-free grey coloring.
I honestly would love a Green one to compliment as well, because I believe the green fades equally, if not more, beautifully. Check out MadMonday's photos of his from 2014-2015 time frame on the IHM-02 thread I believe and you will get an idea of how the green gives way to a nice military feeling color.
Cheers,
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@Giles The dims on this are similar/marginally larger than on the IHW-13-GR (which i have). If the Melton wool version is slightly snug on me, then staying at the same size with this is wise, yes? I'm basing this theory on the IHW-13 being generously quilted, while I assume a ventile lining is quite thin?
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Thanks gents. I can use the IHW-13 only over lighter layers. It is a very warm coat so this is not a big problem.
These are brilliant, but I’d want to put a UHF or hoodie under them. I fear the arms and body would be way too long on the XL. I’m fairly sure the lighter material and thinner lining will give me the room I need in an L.
A slightly wider body (shoulders and chest) would be ideal, if that is possible.
Thanks for the replies, gents.
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Did I read you correct @neph93 that you now own an M-65?
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@jothishan:
Did I read you correct @neph93 that you now own an M-65?
I have had an M-65 by IH for about two to three years, the IHW-13-GRY. It is a version made of Melton wool with a quilted lining: https://www.ironheart.co.uk/extinct/ihw-13-gry.html
I am considering picking one of the up however as a lighter weight option.
