Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural
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What’s up pale riders?
Maybe just in the nick of time comes this crazy ass post from me. Well, I’m fresh out of a lukewarm tub wearing this shirt. As I suspected, it absorbed all the water uniformly and has a nice rich caramel color. I know the shade will change as it dries… but no water spots as of now.
The shoulders and chest INSTANTLY opened up and all of the stress on the buttons are gone. Good for now, but as it dries, I am going to pay attention to moving my arms and chest to preclude it from drying “tight”. I am bunching the sleeves at my elbow to get the cuffs off of my hands. Hope it stays that way…. When It’s about 95% dry, I’m going to slather it with Pecard’s in an effort to retain the flexibility and comfort I’m feeling right now (wet).
The shirt, when wet is heavy!
Oddly, I’m warm. Imagine that. Horse skin actually retains heat. Probably why our cavemen ancestors survived the elements without Patagonia and Arcteryx.
Disclaimer: I tried this shirt on in it brand-new state, and I was completely unhappy with the chest tightness and rigidity of the body and the collar. If I were to size up, the dimensions for me wouldn’t have been right. I am a true IH large all day long, and in this shirt especially. Being honest here… I just don’t have the patience to wear an uncomfortable garment for however many dozens of times before it starts to break in. MEGA PROPS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DO!! If there is a sensible (crazy) shortcut to make something comfy, I’m all about it.
Anyway. Here’s a ridiculous picture of me in a towel and a soaking wet horse hide shirt. The wife and kid are on Spring Break and I’m home alone, so what better time for a weird experiment like this. I’ll post an update tomorrow (or next year) when it’s finally dry.
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@goosehd
DIRTY NASTY WOGS!!!!!
I think we signed no-disclosure agreements. For everyone’s protections. And yes… received and doled-out much worse.
Thanks Brother. -
@Autorotate dedication right here. Did you take before measurements? Curious to see if you get any opening up in actual numbers or if it just "feels" better. I'd take either tbh as I'm on the edge of it being too tight, but it's more of a comfort issue for me.
I'm in same boat as you. Going to try assuming there's no shrinkage. I literally cannot afford .1 inch anywhere or shirt will be destined to wear open only and I'll end up like one of those "after I lose 5-10 lbs, I'll be good" LOL.
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@Autorotate my man!! This is one hell of a fun experiment to watch. I’ve been eyeing this shirt hard. I’m going to have to live vicariously through the rest of y’all until next release. Also, nice to see I’m not the only one to be taking photos of my little “projects” once the loved ones have left the building haha
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@weegeebee1 measurements were per the former IH chart (this is a first run model). I will measure it again when completely dry.
i think something in the finish was released when it became wet. The water was dull brown when I got out. It almost feels like it’s a size bigger! Definitely not smaller. But that makes sense. There is absolutely no rigidity, and it has that oh-so sought after drape now. The pic below, I hope shows how flexible and soft it is just sitting here on the couch. But I know it’s not going to stay that way as it dries. The real results will be tomorrow after I sleep in it and it is coated with Pecard’s. I almost guarantee if it were to dry without being worn, I’d lose the benefits of the form fit and accelerating the break-in. TBD.
My best guess as to the results:
-the shoulders and chest will be form fitted and stretched to my dimensions. No more button pops.
-The sleeves will retain their creases and the cuffs will ride higher.
-Stitching will pucker. (Cool…)
Corners (pocket flaps, collar points) will have a worn-in shape.
The color will lighten, but not be pinkish, like when new.Oh yeah, if you like leather smell… wow big time. Smells great!
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@Mizmazzle totally man. My wife already thinks I’m nuts. She has no idea the lengths I go thru. She is 100% not allowed to do my laundry. Hahahahaha. I’m like a mad scientist in the laundry room!
Every once in a while I’ll get a “those jeans are hot”. Makes my year. -
@Autorotate haha. This is hilarious. My girl tried to be sweet and do my laundry when we first got together. That was oh so short lived. I’ve gotten her a few nice items and I now do her laundry haha.
I can only assume the little lady will still be out of town when your sleep in this leathery beauty post pecards!!
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@Autorotate said in Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural:
Anyway. Here’s a ridiculous picture of me in a towel and a soaking wet horse hide shirt. The wife and kid are on Spring Break and I’m home alone, so what better time for a weird experiment like this.
Guys will be guys when the wife is away
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@Autorotate man, that leather colour has turned so beautiful
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@Autorotate nail(ed) the pale! Truly a work of art! Experimental bastard haha! Enjoy it dude!
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This has quickly become one of my favorite product that I don’t even own* threads.
Much success with your experiment @Autorotate very curious to see how it turns out!
*yet I should add
This thing is tempting… -
This has been a great read - well done @Autorotate this looks insane and admire the dedication
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@weftyarn said in Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural:
This has quickly become one of my favorite product that I don’t even own* threads.
*yet I should add This thing is tempting…I know what you mean. I need to stop coming here too...
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So I made it only about an hour laying in the bed last night with a jacket on. I was concerned about permanent creasing in the body of the shirt as well as folding up the collar. I took the shirt off and hung it over a door knob by the collar so as to not warp the shoulders with a hanger. Six hours later woke up, and the shirt was only slightly drier than when I took it off. It was, however, much stiffer. Upon donning it, my body heat took away the stiffness. It still had well formed creases on the sleeves. The shoulders and chest were still fitted, as before, when wet, and the collar where I folded it at the stitching seam appears to be in place (not riding high on my neck). I can tell as all the moisture will leave the shirt it will become as stiff as before. So with regards to draping and accelerating the break-in, I don’t think there is any easy way, other than extended wear.
The placket has slightly warped, in a good way. it’s more wavy now, but the buttons are still aligned and no issues with popping. Looks natural and not “starched”.
I think my 2 favorite results are the collar and the sleeves. I haven’t measured sleeves yet, but they are definitely shorter than before this experiment… stacking. Also, on the cuffs, I now have really cool creases that look much better than when new. The collar isn’t stabbing me under the jaw. It’s folded neatly at the seam and the collar points are spread and laying closer to the yoke.
The color has lightened slightly, but the Pecard’s application (2 total, once brand new, once when damp) is bringing out a great caramel color.
Overall this is a win for me. While not completely relaxed, it is now “my” shirt. I think this is a much better jumping off point for wearing over time.
Bottom line: Wearing experience and comfort is VASTLY improved. Gone is the feeling “I can’t believe I spent this amount of money on a self-torture device”.
I think it will be dry by tonight. I will wear it ALL day. I will measure it then.
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Another observation and perhaps a controversial take.
Small elbow pockets have developed on the outside of the elbow. Very similar to the dreaded knee pocket when wearing and soaking your STF 501’s back in the day. It’s very minor here, but they are there nonetheless. Almost imperceptible.
Hot take:
I don’t think the snaps that are installed on this jacket are ideal. They work, but the stiffness of the leather (not necessarily the fit) it the culprit for snap popping. Even if this jacket were 2 whole sizes bigger, I think with certain arm articulation, you could still get the snaps to pop. Thus a recommendation. Either donut buttons… or… “Pull The Dot” snaps. We used these on our aviation survival vests on pockets that held our gear: knives, flares, emergency radios and beacons. They NEVER would come undone. The only way to get them to open is to pull at the location of the marked “dot”. On this shirt you could align the dot on the snap in the vertical axis, so the snap would never pop in the horizontal axis. 30 seconds of practice and snapping the shirt open and closed would be a… ahem… a snap.
I am mostly interested in this for riding a motorcycle. With the current snaps, it would be impossible to snap the shirt closed on a bike with a gloved hand.
Pics attached for clarity.
Just my .02
Peace brothers and sisters.
