What’s up pale riders?
Maybe just in the nick of time comes this crazy ass post from me. Well, I’m fresh out of a lukewarm tub wearing this shirt. As I suspected, it absorbed all the water uniformly and has a nice rich caramel color. I know the shade will change as it dries… but no water spots as of now.
The shoulders and chest INSTANTLY opened up and all of the stress on the buttons are gone. Good for now, but as it dries, I am going to pay attention to moving my arms and chest to preclude it from drying “tight”. I am bunching the sleeves at my elbow to get the cuffs off of my hands. Hope it stays that way…. When It’s about 95% dry, I’m going to slather it with Pecard’s in an effort to retain the flexibility and comfort I’m feeling right now (wet).
The shirt, when wet is heavy!
Oddly, I’m warm. Imagine that. Horse skin actually retains heat. Probably why our cavemen ancestors survived the elements without Patagonia and Arcteryx.
Disclaimer: I tried this shirt on in it brand-new state, and I was completely unhappy with the chest tightness and rigidity of the body and the collar. If I were to size up, the dimensions for me wouldn’t have been right. I am a true IH large all day long, and in this shirt especially. Being honest here… I just don’t have the patience to wear an uncomfortable garment for however many dozens of times before it starts to break in. MEGA PROPS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DO!! If there is a sensible (crazy) shortcut to make something comfy, I’m all about it.
Anyway. Here’s a ridiculous picture of me in a towel and a soaking wet horse hide shirt. The wife and kid are on Spring Break and I’m home alone, so what better time for a weird experiment like this. I’ll post an update tomorrow (or next year) when it’s finally dry.

My faithful Donkey Punchers. Fresh from a Lexol wipe down and new Pisgah Range laces.

So I made it only about an hour laying in the bed last night with a jacket on. I was concerned about permanent creasing in the body of the shirt as well as folding up the collar. I took the shirt off and hung it over a door knob by the collar so as to not warp the shoulders with a hanger. Six hours later woke up, and the shirt was only slightly drier than when I took it off. It was, however, much stiffer. Upon donning it, my body heat took away the stiffness. It still had well formed creases on the sleeves. The shoulders and chest were still fitted, as before, when wet, and the collar where I folded it at the stitching seam appears to be in place (not riding high on my neck). I can tell as all the moisture will leave the shirt it will become as stiff as before. So with regards to draping and accelerating the break-in, I don’t think there is any easy way, other than extended wear.

The placket has slightly warped, in a good way. it’s more wavy now, but the buttons are still aligned and no issues with popping. Looks natural and not “starched”.

I think my 2 favorite results are the collar and the sleeves. I haven’t measured sleeves yet, but they are definitely shorter than before this experiment… stacking. Also, on the cuffs, I now have really cool creases that look much better than when new. The collar isn’t stabbing me under the jaw. It’s folded neatly at the seam and the collar points are spread and laying closer to the yoke.

The color has lightened slightly, but the Pecard’s application (2 total, once brand new, once when damp) is bringing out a great caramel color.

Overall this is a win for me. While not completely relaxed, it is now “my” shirt. I think this is a much better jumping off point for wearing over time.

Bottom line: Wearing experience and comfort is VASTLY improved. Gone is the feeling “I can’t believe I spent this amount of money on a self-torture device”.

I think it will be dry by tonight. I will wear it ALL day. I will measure it then.

Suns out! Getting warm! Family is home and we’re slowly getting back into the groove. Young son was very reluctant to go to school. Don’t blame him!

Viansa Vineyards
IHSH-227 IND
Cheap Target t shirt
555-21
Mr Lou Maryam Toscano

Little shoutout to my Newman Tan Roughout’s from Anderson Bean. Resoled - when new - by the team at Unsung. I also had the shaft shortened and straightened.
I love these damn things and have been wearing them a ton. The tan goes well with every outfit.

Unedited Pale Rider porn. So happy with the results. Some early morning rays.

BACK TO THE LABORATORY, IGOR!!!

Unable to leave well enough alone, more experimenting today.
I was unhappy with the waviness that happened in the placket. And I’m still looking for an avenue to soften the leather.
-I wore it in a warm shower.
-slathered it with Bick’s neatsfoot oil. (This might be the secret sauce, TBD).
-Hung it on a hanger with a towel for padding. Hoping to avoid shoulder bumps
-weighed down the placket with crescent wrenches, using rags in between the metal and the leather. Just tight enough to keep the tools from falling off.
-also hung wrenches on the side. Why the sides? After wearing it the first time, the stomach area was flared from sitting down.
-now drying in the sun. It’s very cold here. 40 degrees F.
I swear this is my last effort to intervene on this jacket. Just hard wear going forward.
Full results with fit pics when it dries completely.
Again, no regrets with these experiments. I find it impossible to hurt this shirt/leather. Just hopefully getting closer to a functional, comfy moto shirt/jacket.

Home from España! Rainy day!
Cheap acrylic beanie
Pale Rider
555-21
Donkey Punchers

Swinging by this thread always provides the tightest fits and great inspiration. Thank you ALL!

Carhartt beanie
JMM Dealan Umit Benan
Y2 Leathers Roughout Chore The Shop Vancouver
555-21
Vans

@Tago-Mago yeah man, recently, someone on eBay had brand new 888 33 ducks. They didn’t last an hour. Damnit!

@Snafu I also wanted to mention the miracle of the higher rise. Much more comfortable getting the jeans off my hip bones and closer to my lower gut. No more plumber’s crack. It’s so subtle that you can’t really tell looking at fit checks from other models of IH. But to experience it in person is revelatory.
Re: bagginess. I actually find the 634 to be somewhat baggy with a mid rise. I think it’s owed to lack of taper below the knee. YMMV.

For me, 888 is the best cut around. Forgiving in the top block and thigh. Just the most classic and perfect taper below the knee to not look too skinny. It’s the perfect jeans for substantial boots. Engineers, Cowboy, wellingtons, etc.
First time I tried them on years ago at Self Edge in LA and what turned me off was some wide hip flaring. But what I, and others will report, is that flaring settles over time and with wear and begins to look natural. And it is precisely the extra fabric/room in the hip which makes these super mobile, comfortable and dare I say “airy”.
Embarrassingly, I have stacks of IH denim and the 888 has FINALLY answered my prayers.
In the 888 I have 25, 21 and 14oz. I can confidently get rid of everything else.
Just need some Ducks!
Good luck!

Wow. I thought the Strega was kinda rare. So cool, and of course, someone into IH, has this machine. I’ll hit you up in PM’s.

Anyone here have experience with a lever machine? Specifically the Bezzera Strega. My beloved 13 year old Quick Mill QM67 is down for the count (shorted wiring).
The Strega has great reviews and a comfortable price point. The Profitec 800 and Londinium R24 are candidates too. Thanks!

@shadow-denim
Yeah buddy. Hope they still have a pair for you. Grayson was very helpful. He took measurements for me before he chucked them in the mail. BlackBlue will get future business from me! IH UK/USA is always numero uno, but in lieu of out of stock inventory, BlackBlue came to the rescue.

@yannis Thank you for your reply.

I usually remove the patch for no other reason than to not have to care for it whilst sewn to my pants.

If you are correct, and the fabric is washed before sewn, then I would be best served to soak before wearing, so as to set the constructional stitching, with an eye on longevity and avoiding blow outs.

Normally I cold soak my brand new “one washed” 21oz because they benefit from rinsing remnant starch and finishing agents. Maybe that’s in my head, but I’ve never worn an IH jean right out of the box without a soak.

However…

These feel amazing and I won’t soak if someone can confirm they were washed AFTER construction.

Merry Christmas y’all!
Just got a fresh pair of 888s 21oz. I’m under the impression these were washed before they were released to retailers. Purchased from BlackBlue; they had a hard-to-find 33.
But the leather tag is perfect and does not seem to have been washed/wet at any point.
Is the tag stitched on after the factory wash?
I’ve been around this brand for a long time and I’m surprised I don’t know the answer. Ha!
Please educate me!

I am in CONUS.

Prefer actual measurements to be:
Waist 33.5-35.0
Thigh 12.5-13
Knee 8.5-9.2
Inseam 32

Ideally newer, and at least not needing repairs.

Thanks for looking!

Sincerely,
Will

I should add… I am keen to get another pair of 888 in 21oz, and when I do I will size them to be perfectly comfortable out of the box. I have no interest is going smaller/tighter and relying on the waist stretching. I want the waist perfect right away. If it stretches, great. I wear a belt. Also I’m looking forward to hiking them up to fully advantage the high rise - which directly equates to better mobility and all day comfort for me.

@bluemantra i think that looks ideal. How does it fit around the waist?
I just last night wore my brand new to me tagged 33 after a hot soak and cold rinse. The last button was very difficult to fasten. I had to lay down and suck my gut in. It was a struggle, but now 24 hours later, the waist and top block have relaxed and I can easily button everything - without any pressure or digging in to my hips.
The 888 is a revelation to me! I am a long time 555 and 666 owner, but never had the MOBILITY I’d prefer due to slimmer thigh/knee dimensions on those particular pants. Increasing tag sizes did not solve the MOBILITY issues I was having. These 888’s look just as modern as my other pants, but the higher rise and generous top block are a god send.
I have no real insight about sizing up or down. The jeans I’m wearing now were perfect everywhere pre-soak (towards the snug side) and I knew things would tighten up after the soak. I lost .5” in the inseam and they obviously snugged up in the waist. If I’m to be honest with myself, I should’ve sized up for a more comfortable pre-soak fit. But I’m glad I didn’t. I am definitely on the border of these being a size too small, but like I said they are definitely mellowing out and will be just fine.
I got a great deal from a forum member on these. They were brand new and hemmed to my ideal length, so I’m super pumped.