Ship John
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finally managed to snag a second hand wills!.....went for a size large and it fits perfectly, with enough room to get a hoodie/UHF underneath, so very pleased with it.......I am really liking the quality and fit of the ship John stuff, (and the gold hardware they use too) - definitely worth trying to get your mitts on one

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@Darth-fader did you get it at the sale over this past weekend? those spun button snaps are really nice.
i couldn't wait for the next batch order nor do i want to pay over a G on used market so i ended up ordering a Tin Duck.
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@dugafola I got it second hand online, but it’s in great condition and was a good price - I haven’t had much luck trying to buy things new from ship John directly as the demand is always too high and I am too slow…..but really happy I finally managed to pick one up
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@Darth-fader Very nice! How’s the sizing on those? true to size?
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@Darth-fader nice! i'm on their mailing list. missed out on the Townes sashiko though...that was a bummmer.
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@Denimhead-0 yeah, I would say so, I am usually a large and it pretty much fits like a glove
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@Darth-fader curious to hear how you like it after some wear. If it’s a “all the time jacket” or because of it’s weight just for special occasion

Feels like a lot of Wills owners just have it as a collective piece in the closet, because of its hype and rareness. But would be cool to see and hear about people’s opinions that actually wears it hard and often🫶

It’s a cool jacket, definitely one I have on the wish list for sure!
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@mecken88 I have one of the dry wax Wills and I have worn it quite a bit. I have also been to Ship John and tried on the real deal Wills and they are almost completely different jackets. I am not saying it wasn't comfortable, but definitely way different. I cannot speak to how well a traditional Wills breaks in and becomes more wearable, but the dry waxed version I have was wearable from day 1. I'm with you for sure though, the traditional Wills is definitely on my list if I'm lucky enough to get one.
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@mecken88 will keep you updated.....but to be honest it doesn't feel that heavy to me, just the same sort of weight as a good leather jacket really, but then again maybe I am just used to heavier jackets these days.
the only thing I do find strange about it though is the zip feels like it is on the wrong side to me - as in the zip pull is on the right hand side of the zip instead of the left (when wearing the jacket) - just feels wrong!
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@Darth-fader nice! i'm on their mailing list. missed out on the Townes sashiko though...that was a bummmer.
That makes two of us. womp womp
@Darth-fader curious to hear how you like it after some wear. If it’s a “all the time jacket” or because of it’s weight just for special occasion

Feels like a lot of Wills owners just have it as a collective piece in the closet, because of its hype and rareness. But would be cool to see and hear about people’s opinions that actually wears it hard and often🫶

It’s a cool jacket, definitely one I have on the wish list for sure!
I have an OG, unlined Wills I picked up a few years and it only sees hard wear.
It's a stiff jacket, and it will and has held up. The newer versions have a liner, which is about the only improvement I'd make on it. As mine sits, it is not a warm jacket. It seemingly has the ability to make you cold almost all the time, which is why I really only wear it when I'm sawing trees, working trails on a wet day, or need some protection. It's sturdy and nearly waterproof. Nearly...
For casual or wear other than my current use, I have other jackets. But it sure is a cool piece!
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@mecken88 just saw that as well, hoping we both have better luck this time haha
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Hopefully I don’t offend anybody with this, but I’m really struggling with the new Denim Townes. This is my first real SJ shirt — everything else I’ve owned from them has been tees and I’m trying to figure out if this fit is just me or if others have noticed the same thing.
Does anybody else find the sleeve width a bit too oversized? For reference, I’ve got 17” biceps but the sleeves still feel like they’re swimming. Most of my 3XL/4XL Iron Heart shirts fit way more dialed-in through the biceps.
I’ve already done some strategic hot soaking on the arms/shoulders, and the arm length + shoulder width are spot-on now. I just wish I could tighten up that bicep area.
I’m debating whether to risk a full hot wash in the machine and toss it in the dryer… worst-case scenario, it’s a 3XL so I figure someone who normally wears a 2XL might grab it off me if I nuke it too far?
Anyone have experience shrinking the biceps specifically on these? Or should I just chalk it up to the cut?
Edit: I believe also did a “eco warm wash” without spin cycle so maybe I start there first and get her spinning maybe that will tighten them up?
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The other thing I may do is just have them tailored. It’s always fun to buy pricey stuff and spend more money.

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I have the decade wills, its never been "too heavy" but its def hefty, and thats why I like it so much. I never worn it with a just t shirt so maybe thats why, or the simple addition of the liner but its been a tank for me in keeping in warmth and blocking wind! For me a very versatile piece.
I keep asking when the wagoneer briefcase will make a comeback, and aside from a live months ago saying "soon" i have yet to see or hear anything supporting that. Oh well they probably sick of me lol.
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@northsouthdenimguy said in Ship John:
Hopefully I don’t offend anybody with this, but I’m really struggling with the new Denim Townes. This is my first real SJ shirt — everything else I’ve owned from them has been tees and I’m trying to figure out if this fit is just me or if others have noticed the same thing.
Does anybody else find the sleeve width a bit too oversized? For reference, I’ve got 17” biceps but the sleeves still feel like they’re swimming. Most of my 3XL/4XL Iron Heart shirts fit way more dialed-in through the biceps.
I’ve already done some strategic hot soaking on the arms/shoulders, and the arm length + shoulder width are spot-on now. I just wish I could tighten up that bicep area.
I’m debating whether to risk a full hot wash in the machine and toss it in the dryer… worst-case scenario, it’s a 3XL so I figure someone who normally wears a 2XL might grab it off me if I nuke it too far?
Anyone have experience shrinking the biceps specifically on these? Or should I just chalk it up to the cut?
Edit: I believe also did a “eco warm wash” without spin cycle so maybe I start there first and get her spinning maybe that will tighten them up?
I don't have anything specific, unfortunately. Mike has either used patterns from old shirts he likes or tends to cut them how he like them to fit. Some of his early garments were sized weird; tight arm hole openings, long sleeves, etc. They've come around since.
I can't speak on the larger sizes, unfortunately. Your idea to wash and tumble dry might be a bad one. Mike does like his stuff to take a beating... or hold up, if you will. To me, that means washing and drying it.
It might be worth an email to the Ship John shop for their guidance.
@Gianny-Boy said in Ship John:
I have the decade wills, its never been "too heavy" but its def hefty, and thats why I like it so much. I never worn it with a just t shirt so maybe thats why, or the simple addition of the liner but its been a tank for me in keeping in warmth and blocking wind! For me a very versatile piece.
I keep asking when the wagoneer briefcase will make a comeback, and aside from a live months ago saying "soon" i have yet to see or hear anything supporting that. Oh well they probably sick of me lol.
Man... I knew the lining would be the killer update that the Wills needed. Maybe I'll replace it one day.
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Dang, for me the shirt fits great!
But I’m 174cm = 5’9” and have a chest of 102cm = 40.1” circumference, my shirt is a Large.
For reference I’m a large in IH too, and my ship John shirts is always long on me, but I think that’s Mikes preferred fit.
But after I hot washed it on 40 degrees Celsius and used a low spincycles program and just hung dried, it turned out perfect.
Still ever so slightly “long” but it doesn’t look weird anymore. And chest, arms just turned out great. So the cut, and after the wash works for my body type I guess. One of my favorite shirts by far, if it would have been slightly shorter it would have been perfect.
I can wear it with a tshirt and it looks great. And I can even wear it over a thinner, regular hoodie and it doesn’t feel or look weird. So for me it’s the ultimate fit. It’s just the length that is my only complaint. But I know I’m also on the medium/shorter side. I know a couple of longer fellas that love the longer length. So that’s just down to preference I guess
But for me the hot wash made it much better!
🫶
And after this I also washed my SJ flannel plaid shirt and it turned out even more perfect. Similar is size but it shorten up even more. So I’m glad I washed that too
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@northsouthdenimguy i did a hot soak, hot wash and a partial machine dry on mine and it shrunk considerably. the sleeves are still a little wide, but still completely wearable without looking off, at least on me.
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@northsouthdenimguy. Just out of curiosity how tall are you and how much you weight?
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Sorry All, I actually have to work sometimes…
although my wife says I never workI’m 6 feet tall, 220 pounds
It’s not that the arms are gigantic like I said I have 17 inch biceps. I just like the arms to be just a little more fitted. I don’t wear T-shirts under my denim shirts, just a wife pleaser.
I will probably just try to hot soak the arms and throw it in the dryer for an hour.
*** I’m just very particular on fit. iH, RRL and Indigofera seem to just fit me the way I like the best.
Other than the biceps, the shirt is spot on arm length, chest, shoulders, length and even the opening being slightly tapered fits just right.
It may just be one of those shirts that I need to wear more to get used to the slightly larger upper arm area. I think it measured like 9.5, IH are around nine for the largest ones.
I love the shirt. I just would like the arms to be a little skinnier.


