Yep! Long shirt tails for us folks over 6 feet (and to just keep them tucked in with everybody else)!

quote:

Originally posted by Bob in TX:
Great input so far!

May I ad shirt tails that are LONG enough to stay tucked in.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob in TX:

May I ad shirt tails that are LONG enough to stay tucked in.

+2

quote:

Yep! Long shirt tails for us folks over 6 feet (and to just keep them tucked in with everybody else)!

quote:
Originally posted by Bob in TX:
Great input so far!

May I ad shirt tails that are LONG enough to stay tucked in.

YES YES YES!!

As a matter of fact, I have seen a few pairs of pants that have a little arch of fabric above the belt in the rear to cover as well. The diamond crotch that Mountain Khaki makes is awfully comfortable, not sure if thats a protected design.

At random:


A dedicated little pen pocket like the dark green shirt above. YEa yeah, I'd as soon go with out my...err arm than a pen and a notebook...anywhere!

For guys like me who are more torso than legs, we appreciate a short rise in the pants. I hate pants I have to hike up to my belly button to fit in the crotch such as Filson. I'm screwed either way, I either a) talk in falsetto, or b) look like a refugee from Angola prison.

YKK Zippers, no velcro anywhere.

Bear in mind some people are hot-blooded so different choices of fabric weight would be nice. I prefer poplin in the shirts and shorts.

Forgo the 'caped' shirt with the nylon net vents like Beretta and Columbia do, they are gauche and scratchy.

BUtton-up rear pockets on the pants/shorts, deep front pockets.

PLease consider a light-weight, down, quilted vest. with or without shooting leather on the shoulder. If you add the leather, make dedicated left and right handed vests.

MAke the shirt pockets big enough to fit Leica 10x25s or similar for those of us who do not 'sling' our binoculars. Small bellows work well.

BUtton down collars on the shirts.

As far as bags and whatnot, I dig Filson bags and do like their materials although some bags do not carry well. HIgh quality materials that last a long time and justify the cost are a must, full grain leather where appropriate and bar tack stitching, reinforcement etc.

I have a fly vest that has a moleskin lining in one of the pockets for your glasses which I thought was a neat idea.


Look forward to seeing the products!

Green (OD or a brighter shade, depending on the area and the time of year), Cotton (light weight). Comfortable (long tails, plenty of back and arm room as expressed). My shells are on my belt. Wouldn't like them in my shirt.

But what I'd really like is a nice tweed jacket with lots of room and lots of pockets (internal) for travel, mostly. On that jacket, I'd like some rather large inside breast pockets with velcro flaps and zippers to thwart pickpockets, inadvertent loss,etc., but still have the jacket look like an ordinary sports coat. Zippered pockets under the outside flap pockets as well.

Basically a "travel coat" similar to what Duluth sells (which I've worn, but the pockets are too small and they are not very dressy at all), but a bit more presentable; and I'd like the internal breast pockets to be a bit larger. So if you would ordinarily need a 48 inch jacket, it should be cut to a 50.

Just an idea. If you don't build it, I'm going to have one made.

All that I would have said has been said already. I am one of those traditionists, but I want to be comfortable also. One thing that you might think of. If you are really going to have a line of safari clothing, make it safari clothing and make it of high quality. It will cost more, but most will pay for quality. If you downgrade to the run of the mill "hunting shirt" you will have a helleva lot of competition and it's damn hard to compete with a T-Shirt.

Hoot

Hiya

I just got up and checked in to find all these great comments, so thanks to everyone that has provided some insight, and thought. It is good to see that we have incorporated many of the comments already made into the garments, so I am very happy with the validation. There are also a few ideas regards to pockets, sleeve style and left handed models that I will run past our tailors and get incorporated into the patterns.

I will post more about the individual items when I get into the office later today, but as a range we are looking to make garments that will bevfunctional & last. 90% of the range is hand made in England and it is 100% British fabrics with most of it being hand cut too.

I am finalising some trim details this week and production should start in the next 2-3weeks once fabrics are finalised. Safari shirts, jackets and shooting vestsbshould be ready in a month or so to road test. Bags will also be available for testing. That should gives time to do further development on he product for DSC.

Thanks again,
Kiri

I like the traditional safari clothing as well. Right down to the wide brimmed hat with Zebra hat band!

YAY! Something for us lefties.
I am a semi-traditionalist too. The epaulets sewn down and without a button are a great idea. Comfortable fabrics, comfortable cut, and darker in tone than the common British Tan are a necessitiy. The taking out the open backed mesh vent is also a good idea. Have never liked it.
If you are putting a recoil pad on them, either put it on both sides or make one for us lefties.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I like the traditional safari clothing as well. Right down to the wide brimmed hat with Zebra hat band!

It used to be a Leopard tail once upon a time then CITES came along and screwed it up

Kiri,

Just don't forget those of us who shoot off the left shoulder, when it comes to your shirt collection. I like the idea to remove the shirt pocket on the shooting side, less to get the gun's butt caught on.

Looking forward to the results.

Don

Hiya all

I will speak with the pattern cutter on Monday and see if we can get a left handed shirt made. I believe the patterns should allow as it should just be a mirror image to shift the padded shoulder across.

I am also going to look at the shirt with no pockets and just two padded shoulders.

The vest has leather/suede patches on both sides and I am trying to work out where we would have shell holders as the only option is loose in the pockets or to build into the pocket something more stable.

I will post some pictures on Monday.

K

Tall sizing is a must!

At 6'2", XL shirts fit, but the sleeves are always an inch or two too short. Esp after a few launderings of a 100% cotton shirt.

I really love BDUs. And I really like the button fly. No worries about a zipper busting and easy to repair anywhere by anyone. If they were a bit less floppy in the legs, they would be perfect.

I personally do like cargo pockets. I can understand how some do not, though.

A small button at the edge of the shoulder instead of an epaulet. Serves the same purpose of hindering a strap to slip off your shoulder, but is easily clipped off for those that don't want it.

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
I am also going to look at the shirt with no pockets and just two padded shoulders. K

I would never buy a shirt with no pockets - any shirt; let alone a hunting shirt.

For me its as much about the tradition - as much as it is about the hunt ... and the tradition in Africa (for the foreigner) is khaki, epaulets, button-flap pockets and so on.

I also prefer button straps for roll-up sleeves and an extra cigarette pocket on the bicep.

I won't wear anything with an advertisement or logo from the manufacturer on it ... (I'm not a walking billboard). I will, however make an exception for the IPHA or African Hunter magazine. They make some excellent shirts.

There have been so many good suggestions that it's hard to add anymore except this one: offer the sleeve lengths in 1" increments like the long sleeve shirts years ago. None of this 32/33 and 34/35 crap that you see on most shirts today.

quote:

I would never buy a shirt with no pockets - any shirt; let alone a hunting shirt.

+1

A shirt without a pocket is like a hat without a brim...

Kiri, I look forward to your new line and echo a few thoughts already shared.
1) long shirt tails

2) left-hand specific shirts and vests

3) no velcro

4) I also prefer tradition mixed with functionality

And in an attempt to one-up Chuck's posting:

Forget the ammo in the shirt pockets. I like to carry mine in a wallet on my belt. It doesn't flop around.

Also, how about a competent pair of gaiters? Check out the elastic ones Cabelas sells and don't make them anythinglike that. They cannot fit on low boots.

A link to a photo, an oldie but a goodie.

http://nitroexpress.info/ubbth...rwithDoubleRifle.jpg

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
A link to a photo, an oldie but a goodie.

http://nitroexpress.info/ubbth...rwithDoubleRifle.jpg

Off my screen saver. My kind of gal.

Like to underscore earlier comment that the fabric must be QUIET.

On construction of the shirt, do not/not use the tape to bond two pieces of fabric together. Cheaper shirts, including earlier TAG and many out of ColPro in Nairobi do, and you wind up with freckles all over that part of the shirt where the bonding tape is.

Regards

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
A link to a photo, an oldie but a goodie.

http://nitroexpress.info/ubbth...rwithDoubleRifle.jpg

Off my screen saver. My kind of gal.

Ok, ok you guys win lol ...

Good luck to you -- and if your products are designed right and of proper quality and price, many of us will be quite interested. Here are some of the specifications that you need:

The current "Olympic Gold Medalist" for safari shirts, IMO, is Orvis. I am wearing one as I type this. Some might not like the tightly woven cotton, but it resists thorns and tsetse flies and I much prefer it to the fishing shirts of thin cloth and mesh vents. I can stand the heat better than bugs. Orvis has several similar shirts and I prefer the long sleeve bush poplin cloth "Bush Shirt," which comes in five colors (sand, khaki, light olive, navy blue and black.) Light olive works best for hunting, but I have ordered others too. Not cheap but great quality and value. "Made to take on outdoor use, poplin has been standard issue in expedition and safari clothing for nearly a century, and was used widely in the field during WWII. Our safari shirts for men feature two big button-through pleated pockets, working epaulets for binocular or camera straps, and roll-up sleeve tabs. Washable. Imported." It comes in tall sizes, too.

I will mention several other choices from among my own wardrobe. First is the very fine Eddie Bauer "Legend" safari shirt. Two pleated button chest pockets and a LH sleeve cigarette pocket. I have two such shirts and they are now almost entirely worn out. Sadly, they seem to be no longer in stock anywhere.

Another choice that seems to has been discontinued is the Willis & Geiger line so popularized by Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark. Ebay has a few used or obsolete items from time to time at high prices.

I also have a green safari shirt made and bought in Zimbabwe that I cannot recommend since it seems truly third world in quality.

The ultimate in quality in my experience has been the products developed by the famous PH and fisherman Bob (Robert M.) Lee who established Hunting World. Bob showed that one could get perfect quality from products made in China and was instrumental in opening the China connection up in the 1970s as a source for fine products. Bob's buttons never came off. Everything about his products was first class. His bush jackets were marvelous and could be worn anywhere, since they are more fashionable than most. I met him several times in his NYC shop and he always impressed me as a brilliant marketer. Sadly, his product line seems to have dropped the safari clothes in favor of fashion items at very high prices. Nonetheless, if you want a measure for top quality in what people can use and what they will buy, look at his stuff.

I would not particularly favor having a sectioned pocket for big bore shells, unless it is below the normal chest pockets. Most of us prefer to have the shells at our belt level in a belt or shell case. Shell pockets on a shirt seem like an affection to me. Similarly we do not need the shoulder pad. I am left-handed and while I would need it on my left shoulder, I actually prefer to do without.

Think hard about whether you can compete in the shoulder bag category. There are so many choices already. I've used a Barrie canvas fishing bag for years.

Finally, while I love English apparel, including tweed shooting jackets, Barbour and all the rest, be sure that the designs are large enough to allow freedom in movement, as in bringing a gun up quickly. Many are way too tightly cut, especially in the sleeves. When I bought Barbour in London, the saleslady insisted that I get at least two sizes larger, and I am glad that she did.

I had to have my heavy tweed shooting jackets made to order in HK, based on a design on one of Robert Churchill's shotgun books, with wide diameter sleeves, shoulder padding, slick lining, no handkerchief pocket, four front buttons, button-up collar, heavily reinforced side pockets and internal belt to support many loose shells, etc. Worked fine for those cold night truck rides in Africa, too. If you can find the book, you have the specs.

If you need more, let me know, since I have others too. <g>

______

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
Hi guys,

I've spent the last few months developing a line of English made shooting clothes and accessories, and this week we got the first round of the safari shirts and jacket samples. our next step is to finalise the designs and launch the items at the Dallas show next January so you will get a chance to see any of your comments incorporated into the product.

Our aim is for a high quality garment that will last, but what I am really keen on is to find out which features the real users find to be really helpful, or a real hindrance.

For example our safari shirt has a sectioned pocket on the left hand side which will hold 6 big bore cartridges in 3 pairs. The original didn't have a flap to cover the shells so when jumping off a truck or bank they would jump out of the pocket. We have now amended the design to include a flap with a fastening that can be undone when actually tracking to allow easy access to the ammo.

I'd be interested to hear any feedback people have about what they look for in this kind of stuff. The range includes shirts, jackets, shooting waistcoats, and a range of bags varying in size from small to a weekend/camera bag

By the way there will also be a product give away on AR later in the year to see what people really think of the finished items in the hand.

Rgds,
Kiri

Regarding cargo pocket on the pants, I have some that works real good (ref the Fjellreven brand) and others where the pockets end up at knee level and is totally useless (on some Cabelas pants).

I would like one cargopocket on the right hand side with room for a pocket camera or rangefinder, or as a convienient place to stuff away a pair of light gloves.

Also as several have mentioned, I prefere very much that my pants ride comfortably on my hips (like a pair of Wranglers or Lee).
In other words, a rather low cut.

1) often I see "hunting" clothes with velcro instead of buttons.....really hope there isn't anything in those pockets you need to get QUIETLY, or that you need to repair the closure in the field.

2) simplify, simplify.....I am not a fan of a thousand pockets stuck everywhere to catch on everything.....

3) comfortable cotton

my 2 cents

I have two Willis and Geiger shirts that I purchased from Lands End in 1996. Sadly they dropped the line and I have been unable to find anyone who has picked up the line. These are very high quality shirts with the tight weave 100% long staple cotton. I have taken them on seven safaris and one trip to New Zealand and they have held up very well. A helleva lot of safari washings and ironing. My only complaint was that they were the light khaki so I died them olive green. If there was a supplier of the Willis and Geiger line, I would order me some and use all the other shirts for work. shirts.

Pockets; my favorite shirts with pockets are "fishing shirts". Unfortnately nylon is loud and the colors are wrong.

I have actually thought about trying to find a tailor to make me hunting/shooting shirts but copy the multiple pockets they have on fishing shirts.

JIm

For fans of Willis and Geiger shirts, try http://www.lostworldsinc.com
I bought a couple of their safari shirts years ago. Very like the old Willis and Geiger, and a nice choice of fabrics. A bit pricey.

After this one runs it's course, how about a thread "What Do YOU Look Like in Safari Clothes". Kinda of a fashion show of those that hunt here on AR. Just a thought if anyone wants to give it a go.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
After this one runs it's course, how about a thread "What Do YOU Look Like in Safari Clothes". Kinda of a fashion show of those that hunt here on AR. Just a thought if anyone wants to give it a go.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
After this one runs it's course, how about a thread "What Do YOU Look Like in Safari Clothes". Kinda of a fashion show of those that hunt here on AR. Just a thought if anyone wants to give it a go.

Larry Sellers

Why wait? Seize the moment and lead the way there Mr. Sellers. Start a new thread.

Tall ? My everyday shirts are made by Dickies , the ones with extra long tails.[#574, cotton/polyester]
Thorns ? What about rip stop fabric ? Much of our military clothing is 50 Nylon/50cotton and I think available in light or heavy weight .
I assume camo is still a no no ?

No polyester for me thanks.
A good way to increase the chance to get sweat rash or chaffing.
100% cotton or wool.

Hey guys

Quick question on epaulets. Is there a preference as to which side the button goes on? Traditionally I think it was at the neck end but by flipping it around you make less thickness on the shoulder section of the shirt so it sits nicer on the shoulder.

Any thoughts?

K

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
Hey guys

Quick question on epaulets. Is there a preference as to which side the button goes on? Traditionally I think it was at the neck end but by flipping it around you make less thickness on the shoulder section of the shirt so it sits nicer on the shoulder.

Any thoughts?

K

It weakens the design of the passant as any lateral load trying to roll off the shoulder is borne by the string sewing the button on not the stronger junction of the fabric to fabric.

Fundamentally though, what are the point of them? I don't think I've worn an actual epaulet since my cadet days, I've never hooked a rifle sling under them either; what do they do?

My only comments are the fabric be quiet and breathable, I like Arlid's comments about cut and location of pockets very much.

I kinda managed to answer my own question now as I tried on two shirts with opposing epaulettes and the button really needs to be at the neck end to look right.

This is getting interesting now as we have selected fabrics and should have he first run into the factory within a month.

Still a bit of work to do on the pattern for the shirt to make sure the arm cut is perfect but other than that the shirt is looking great.

I will post some pictures of prototypes soon.

K

Please make sure the pockets for both shorts and pants are as deep as you can make them and that the top of the pocket is the only part sewn to the body of the pant so they swing inside the leg freely. this will keep everything inside the pocket whether you are sitting or standing.....
please let us know when your line is up and running.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
A link to a photo, an oldie but a goodie.

http://nitroexpress.info/ubbth...rwithDoubleRifle.jpg

Obviously a fine English double, and probably a tight chamber as well.

Bobby B.

quote:

Originally posted by Zephyr:
Please make sure the pockets for both shorts and pants are as deep as you can make them and that the top of the pocket is the only part sewn to the body of the pant so they swing inside the leg freely. this will keep everything inside the pocket whether you are sitting or standing.....
please let us know when your line is up and running.

And make the pocket material heavy enough so it will stand the continual carry of pocket knife etc. Nothing worse than having a good pair of trousers ruined by pockets that wear through in the bottom corner after being worn a few times.

Von Gruff.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Von Gruff:

quote:

Originally posted by Zephyr:
Please make sure the pockets for both shorts and pants are as deep as you can make them and that the top of the pocket is the only part sewn to the body of the pant so they swing inside the leg freely. this will keep everything inside the pocket whether you are sitting or standing.....
please let us know when your line is up and running.

And make the pocket material heavy enough so it will stand the continual carry of pocket knife etc. Nothing worse than having a good pair of trousers ruined by pockets that wear through in the bottom corner after being worn a few times.

Von Gruff.