IHJ-72 - 18oz Indigo/Indigo Selvedge Denim Type II

[chubacca]

Why are the front chest pockets so low?

[Giles]

Because that is the way they were…..As to originally why, I don't know.  Anyone?

[neph93]

@chubacca:

Why are the front chest pockets so low?

Practical design. You’d carry a lot in them and that gear needed to be accessible.

The jackets were  workwear and designed to be short and had only front pockets, no side pockets. The pockets are large and deep and used to carry tobacco, lighters, wallets, a knife and Christ knows what else.

If you’ve ever had a type III where the pockets are small, tapered and higher up you’ll know how hard it is to get much in and out. The angle you have to work with your shoulder high and elbow higher is cramped and uncomfortable and you don’t have room to get your whole hand in. This wasn’t an issue with the type I and II.

[scooter]

^^^ I'd add…those larger(wider) pockets would wind up in the sleeve seams, if placed much higher.^^^

[chubacca]

Thanks for the honest answers from an honest question.  Then, I wonder why who/why/when other brands started to move them higher up on the chest.  I guess another question for another time because I'm just used to seeing them higher up

[neph93]

@chubacca:

Thanks for the honest answers from an honest question.  Then, I wonder why who/why/when other brands started to move them higher up on the chest.  I guess another question for another time because I'm just used to seeing them higher up

Unless you’re a repro brand (which IH aren’t)  then modern designers will make small variations to OG designs. The original Levi’s Type II is what it is. Make enough variations to your updated version and at some point it stops being a Type II. Generally speaking Haraki-san doesn’t do this, but he will do different iterations of Type II jackets.

If you compare the last round of IH Type II’s (IHJ-32 is a good example) made about three years ago with these, they look longer in the body and had a back cinch. The longer body makes it seem like the patch pockets are higher up, but I don’t think they are. There’s a limit to how high they can go and have the jacket remain a Type II.

The same goes for other brands. You can make the jacket longer or shorter, slimmer than the boxy original, add or remove the cinch and alter the pockets height and size a little, but it still needs to stay true to its design dna if it’s going to be a type II. That means two relatively large patch pockets placed lower down the chest, pleats along the placket and straight shoulder yokes.

[Giles]

I think @neph93 's point about them being more accessible at the height they are is a valid one.  Much higher and they become less usable.

But whatever, it is what it is…..

[Mustafa911]

Is this jacket on track for October release?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hematoma]

will the thread fade much on this?

[neph93]

@Hematoma:

will the thread fade much on this?

If you mean the contrasting constructional stitching, almost certainly not. IH use polycotton thread, which generally retains its colour quite well.

[Steve]

To continue the conversation

CLICK HERE