Best posts made by MarkNo

My IH vest arrived today - but I inadvertently ordered an XL instead of a XXL (which is my usual IH Work Shirt size). I took a photo of the XL vest superimposed on an XXL IH Chambray shirt, and they both measure close to 23" P2P. I tired some fit pictures over that same IH XXL Chambray Work Shirt - and though it seems ok, it will be too snug if it shrinks a little - which makes me wonder if I should consider sizing up to an XXL (which would measure 24" P2P and probably shrink a little to say 23 1/2" - which would be perfect). What do you think?
I put on my lightweight N1 Deck Jacket (an XL) over it making an Iron Heart Tuxedo!

Toronto, Canada

I was sad to learn that my favourite denim store in Toronto - Dutil Denim - which is beloved in the Canadian denim community and a long time IH dealer, is being dropped by IH. Where are we going to see and try on the latest IH releases and get enthusiastic and expert advice from the outstanding team of Scott and Brad at Dutil? Thanks to them I - and countless others - have spent many thousands on IH products.

Apparently the only IH dealers in Canada will be in Calgary and Vancouver. Now you fellows in Portsmouth need to look at a map of Canada and rethink your Canadian strategy both geographically and economically.

Toronto is by far the largest and most prosperous city in Canada, and it is the financial and economic centre of the country. It is the 4th largest city in North America. It makes no sense to drop your Toronto dealer and have dealers 3,000 and 4,000 km away from Toronto in Calgary and Vancouver. Canada is a vast land...

To put this into a UK context it would like dropping your London dealer while maintaining one dealer in Edinburgh and another one in Belfast - but none in London. You would never think to do that - would you?

We Canadians are very fond of IH - but we are also fond of Studio D'Artisan, Samurai Jeans, Pure Blue Japan, Oni Denim, UES, Momotaro, TCB, OrSlow, and so on...

So please, don't leave Toronto out in the cold.

Many thanks for your replies @Anesthetist & @ARNC.
This will be my first vest so I have nothing to compare to.
I think that your reasoning @ARNC is very sound about the P2P measurement being a little higher on the body than other vests due to a smaller arm opening. I will therefore go with my work shirt size XXL instead of sizing down to XL. And this will leave room for a Chambray shirt and t-shirt underneath.
In my experience all IH products shrink a little after washing even in cold water, so best not to go too small.

I spent this past cold Toronto winter wearing the wool/alpaca lined version of the Iron Heart N1 Deck Jacket - and it is a fantastic cold weather garment down to even -15C.

After seeing the excellent video by Urban Lad

I looked for the unlined version and was happy to find one remaining end-of-season item in Calgary at Brooklyn Clothing. It is perfect weight for late winter early spring weather such as the 8C day we had yesterday, and will be good for fall.

I sized down from XXL to XL (the only size left and too far away to try on), and it fits well over a denim shirt with a T underneath or with room for a light sweater or vest. The lined version is much more substantial, warmer, and thicker and has a smaller internal volume for its size due to the much thicker lining. For the unlined version I would suggest sizing down as it is much thinner and so the internal volume is greater relative to its size compared to the lined version.

If you live in a colder climate where the lined version of the IH N1 Deck Jacket serves you well, adding the unlined version to your wardrobe will become a favourite for less cold weather in the spring and fall. They are both essential interpretations of the N1 Deck Jacket.

And if you live in a climate that is too warm for the lined deck jacket, this could be perfect for you.

@goosehd Yes, Blue Button Shop is outside of the Queen West retail strip where denim aficionados shop, and they are less well known in the denim community. They carry many Japanese clothing brands for women and men, but are more of an online than retail presence for Iron Heart products - and denim is not their core business. Visit them - or send a secret shopper- and see how easy it is to find IH products or get expert or even knowledgeable advice from their staff. I have, and it is not where I would choose to shop for IH.
Dutil is a denim powerhouse where denim is their core business, and where IH is displayed prominently, and where the staff have an unmatched depth of knowledge about IH and the denim market in general. They are a specialist denim shop, BBS is not.
As far as the Toronto denim scene is concerned you went with the pony and not the workhorse.

I will provide you with some praise - your remaining Canadian dealers - Brooklyn Clothing in Calgary, and The Shop in Vancouver are both very solid choices. They are very professional, knowledgeable, and well connected to their local denim community as well as nationally in Canada.

Any plans to bring back the 21oz Selvedge Denim Apron?

@ARNC Thank you - and for you too!

Thx - I'm in Canada - it is not a good time to be buying from the US...

Many thanks @goosehd - much appreciated!

Even though I wash IH products in cold water and hang to dry, they do shrink a small amount the first time even though they have been one-washed.

@ARNC Looks wonderful - even without the purple tie! Good fit. Enjoy!

Many thanks for the explanations - I managed to snag a pair of 1955s earlier today in my usual size, all my other IH jeans being 888s in 14, 18 and 21oz.

Decided to cancel my order before it shipped. The events of the last few days make this a bad time for Canadians to be purchasing goods from the US.

Many thanks @jordanscollected - much appreciated. This is my first ever vest, so it is good to hear from experienced forum members.

Thanks @VegaS10 - without trying them on I would be hesitant to size up and purchase them sight unseen. Maybe next time...

Thank you @neph93 and @will6er - much appreciated! I will give this whole vest thing a try...

I never wear new clothing without washing it first - working in front-line healthcare through a pandemic will cure you of not washing your clothes...

I washed the Olive Duck Canvas vest in cold water and hung it to try. Before and after measurements of a size XL showed slight shrinkage with washing of 1/4" P2P, 1/4" waist, and 1/4" in length. That's a shrinkage of only 1.1% P2P. It still fits, but does feel a touch snugger. I imagine it will relax with time and use.

@neph93 Looks good on you - great fit - enjoy!