So, I'm in the middle of a "I'm tired of Iron Heart shirts I can't wash and dry" and my old Kersey was one of the most aggressive shrinkers on me. I'm also sizing up a little bit more these days on everything, no more fitted looks. So I picked up a practically brand new (worn 1x) size XXX-Large because of my measurements on shrinkage on my previous size Large. Thought I'd post my wash/dry experience here because I had a lot of success with this one.

Pre-wash: 24.5" chest, 20" shoulders, 27.5" sleeves.
Very hot water soak, hot air tumble dry: 23.5" chest, 19" shoulders, 26.25" sleeves.

It now fits absolutely perfectly for my taste, and I have no worries about future shrinkage on it. For the record, I'm a true 41" chest, I wear shirts in a 16-35, usually a size Medium or Large in most US sizing, usually a 42 or 44 in most Japanese brands. I got this one because the kersey was so aggressive and because I got it cheap enough to experiment on. I'm still thinking XX-Large UHF's are the way for me to go, going forward.

And yes, I know most people like the "just don't put your shirt in the dryer" lifestyle, but I have 3 kids and I like the way that flannels wear in over time when wash/dried, so that's just not going to be my taste.

So, went an a hunt the last few weeks compare the RMC N-1, the Buzz Rickson's N-1, and this bad boy in XL and XXL (from Fountainhead NY). And definitely came away with the (as expected) realization that the IH oiled N-1 is indeed the best for me. Just more substantial, and the oversized collar just looks great.

Definitely was the right choice swapping up to an XXL for this (from my old L in the old olive drab). The XL also might have worked, but I could tell it was still going to just be a bit too snug when layering. Just got tired of not being able to wear over a sweater comfortably, and wanted a bit longer of a body length. Maybe not the way everyone wants it, but I wanted more of the Paul Newman N-1 fit, which this is a little closer to now. I just like the fuller fit on this. I'm definitely happy this new model shortened the sleeves a bit, makes this work for me.

It's wild how much demand there was this time around. I grabbed my pair a few years ago, at least a year after the most recent restock, they were mostly sold out but still had no trouble locating a pair from a stockist. If I recall the sentiment around then was "no one wants the 1955" and "no, we definitely won't be offering this in 25oz, it's hard enough to find buyers at 21oz."

Just shows how much tastes have changed, wider legs and higher rises are back. Maybe the 25oz version has a chance now...

@Chibs I've considered on my past CPO's just doing a little wabi-sabi hand stitching on the bottom of the pockets to close out the bottoms. Not fully closed to hold coins, but a 4 or 5 points to hold my phone or wallet. I'll probably go ahead and actually do that when my OD comes in.

I just got the new oiled N-1 deck jacket and came across this IHM-11 post. First thought was "oh man I wish they'd remake this, it looks sooo good and would be a great addition to the N-1." Second one was "oh man, I forgot I have one of these from my grandfather, who served in the US Navy with the Icelandic Defense Force, that's been sitting around needing repairs."

Thought I'd take some pics. Needs some real TLC which I'm gonna do (button repairs, holes, and zipper fixing). But tried it on and it fits me great. Long story short, this plus the new N-1 I just got make me convinced that this should definitely be run again.

Adding to the "same size or different" I'll add a little data. I just got my 1955S OD yesterday, and as usual, first thing I did was a hot wash and hot dry cycle inside out. I like to get it a little softer this way and it kicks off the roping effect on the new hem.

I didn't measure ahead, but after the waist on the 32 measured all the way down to just above a 30" waist. After a day of wearing it, it's all the way back to a 33" waist, and all the measurements are exactly the same as my 1955S non-OD from a few years ago. Or at least within margin. Now, of course, denim stretches with use, and depending on fit, lots of different sizes work. I have other pairs of high-rise Oni denim that fit comfortably at 34" cause of how much that stuff stretches. So people sizing up a size, I think you'll be happy too, both options will work imo.

Wearing mine today. This is easily my favorite IH shirt, in the rapidly expanding collection I have. Like a buttoned corduroy sweatshirt. Can't wait until it's fully faded.

@JohnM Yup, the olive from 2022 actually but same pattern. I’m switching to XXL in flannels too for a much roomier fit that can be wash/dried for 20 years without ever worrying about shrinkage.

Will these have a restock anytime soon? I'm in the market for an XL or an XXL. I know I can buy from other stockists, but I want to swap to white snaps and the logistics of doing a buy/ship/pimp is a bit more than I want.

Part of my whole "oh I was wearing shirts too slim, and need bigger shirts" campaign to swap out my wardrobe. FML.

@John-Galt I took my Kersey all the way up in XXXL vs my current UHF of XXL because of how much it shrinks. (I’m a 41” chest, TTS 42, usually medium or large in US sizing). Now, I’m in the “I don’t want a flannel/denim shirt that I can’t put in the dryer” so my sizing is for that and for a vintage fit which is less modern/slim than a lot of people like.

Point being, I agree with that they shrink a lot. And I always suggest erring on the side of “get these even bigger than you think” and if the shirt “fits” before you throw it in the dryer, size up if you think you might ever throw it in the dryer.

@Freeman Yeah, I only wanted to confirm because other OD products earlier this year (like the 1955S OD) made the switch to the non-sulphur process. The 14oz restock seems to have been right around the switch, and I could see a world where a change was made without anyone remembering the product pages needed to be updated. Especially if it's the guys in Japan doing the OD (not sure where it happens) because they've definitely been known to switch things up without telling the UK guys.

Just want to confirm before I buy one of these, is the recentish restock still sulphur dyed? Or was it switched to the new eco-friendly dye? Since it was a restock, I figure there’s a chance the switch could have been made without product pages being updated. I’m keen on getting the sulphur patina one last time if it is the old method.

(I have a couple of the new method OD now and they are great, but I had one of the old OD that I had to give up and I’d love to have an example of that too.)

@Chibs I've considered on my past CPO's just doing a little wabi-sabi hand stitching on the bottom of the pockets to close out the bottoms. Not fully closed to hold coins, but a 4 or 5 points to hold my phone or wallet. I'll probably go ahead and actually do that when my OD comes in.

Decided to go for this instead of waiting on the 293 OD. I love the OD tops as easier to wear with indigo denim, and I'm assuming the fades on this will still be good.

@CosmoSix5 If you want the copper buttons, the 18oz CPO restocks soon allegedly. Get that! (And then get the 14oz also, which I think works better with the smaller snaps)

Adding to the "same size or different" I'll add a little data. I just got my 1955S OD yesterday, and as usual, first thing I did was a hot wash and hot dry cycle inside out. I like to get it a little softer this way and it kicks off the roping effect on the new hem.

I didn't measure ahead, but after the waist on the 32 measured all the way down to just above a 30" waist. After a day of wearing it, it's all the way back to a 33" waist, and all the measurements are exactly the same as my 1955S non-OD from a few years ago. Or at least within margin. Now, of course, denim stretches with use, and depending on fit, lots of different sizes work. I have other pairs of high-rise Oni denim that fit comfortably at 34" cause of how much that stuff stretches. So people sizing up a size, I think you'll be happy too, both options will work imo.

I sized the same as my (old pair) 1955S and I'd say chosing the same size was definitely the way to go for me. Definitely snug in the waist to start, but the right amount for me.

@Mister_Brue My taste for my 1955S pair (wearing right now) was plain hem with a little break. Looks good with loafers and boots, and in the spring/summer they're still long enough that I can cuff them into high waters.

@indigostiff I haven't noticed any, but also there's no tightness on it for me to stretch. The chest is comfy, the shoulders aren't tight, and I'm not pulling on the sleeves. My guess is that yes, it'd stretch out somewhat if needed, but I doubt it would stretch all the way back to the pre-dried measurements.

@FlavourFade IMO, the knees won't tell you anything about how denim fits overall, just by being too large (if they're too tight, of course, they're too tight). If the waist and the rise are correct, and you like the fit, they fit. If you don't like the fit, you don't!

What the knees are telling you, imo, is that you need to adjust your effective inseam if you don't like what's happening. Either double cuff or have them hemmed shorter. In my experience, with wider legs, cuffs that also have stacking create bunching but not enough space to pull the denim down from the knee. And single cuffs, on thicker denim, can create more uneven bunching (which I can see forming on yours).

That said, the knees also look like they'll be fine. It's more of a straight fit denim. Unless you go for no breaks at all, just letting the denim hang above your foot, you're going to get some bunching at the knee no matter what.