A1 and C3 vest

[John Lever]

I bought this ELC Capeskin A1 and Few C3 vest recently. The A1 is very familiar to all of but we don't see the C3 vest very often. This one is a used size 46 in mint condition and is a real beauty. Great sheepskin with nice russet trim with the B3 pocket. The two go very well together I think.View media item 70
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[Silver Surfer]

me likee. when its really cold, i will some times wear a b-3 over an a-2.

 

[John Lever]

Thanks Vic, great stuff. I sometimes wear my A1 under my Irvin.

 

[asiamiles]

I have the exact same C-3 vest as you John - I also have the same A1! - but I've never found an opportunity to wear it, so even though I do like it I'd happily let it go if anyone was interested...it's a 38.

Personally, I don't think I'd ever consider wearing it over another jacket. I used to have an Eastman C-3 (which didn't have the pocket The Few one has) and would wear it over a sweater, the few times I wore it before selling it...as much because it was a size too big as anything. I think they're too thick to wear under another jacket, which I believe was the original concept; I don't think I've ever seen one being worn in old photos and films, so I guess they must've been produced in very small numbers and not been popular.

 

[zhz44]

I am after C3 vest for a long time, but never really find one I want. I really like the Toys Mccoy one, but the price is just too high.

The ELC C3 vest is made with quarter inch shearling, I think it is about the same thick as a thick wool sweater? Maybe it is possible to wear it under an A2 or B3?

 

[asiamiles]

I am after C3 vest for a long time, but never really find one I want. I really like the Toys Mccoy one, but the price is just too high.

I guess not a size 38?

The ELC C3 vest is made with quarter inch shearling, I think it is about the same thick as a thick wool sweater? Maybe it is possible to wear it under an A2 or B3?

I think A-2's are too fitted to wear a C-3 under it, while you'd definitely never want to wear one under a B-3! You could wear under something like a parka, but I don't think that was the original intention.

 

[zhz44]

I guess not a size 38?

I dont know TBH, I am wearing size 36 A2. Do I need to size up the C3 if I want to wear it over my A2?

I believe the intention of the C3 is to wear under the B3 for god knows why...is it really that cold back in those days?

 

[daw]

Isn't it something like -40C at 30,000 feet? They needed tremendous insulation. I guess that's why some of the Irvins were wired for heat. The C3 might have boosted the insulation just enough to mean the difference between relative comfort and discomfort.

 

[asiamiles]

I dont know TBH, I am wearing size 36 A2. Do I need to size up the C3 if I want to wear it over my A2?

Yeah, that's the other quandry, as you'd probably need a different size depending on how you're planning to utilise it. Here's my C-3...

 

[zhz44]

Yeah, that's the other quandry, as you'd probably need a different size depending on how you're planning to utilise it. Here's my C-3...

Yes, I think the best way to decide the size to try it on when I wear my A2.
And this is the C3 I am thinking about:

 

[asiamiles]

I'm not keen on the A-2 pockets on the C-3, but I like the shape...in fact I really like this Real McCoy's one!