What to wear/pack... Part 7
Nov 11th, 2008, 01:46 PM
#202
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Nov 11th, 2008, 02:22 PM
#203
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YK and Amsdon, Yes! Someone on Fodor's recommended it, sorry, can't remember even which forum it was on.
$119.50 for the jacket with zip off sleeves, free shipping from Magellan. You can order it directly from Scottevest, but I saw it in a Magellan's catalog and with free shipping I did it that way.
$119.50 for the jacket with zip off sleeves, free shipping from Magellan. You can order it directly from Scottevest, but I saw it in a Magellan's catalog and with free shipping I did it that way.
Nov 11th, 2008, 02:44 PM
#204
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Challiman - it looks nice but I refuse to buy clothes online without trying it on first. I'm short like you with short-ish arms, so nothing fits me well unless they are in petite size, as the regular sleeves tend to be 2 inches too long.
Nov 11th, 2008, 03:47 PM
#205
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YK, I very rarely order any clothes online, being petite and having the same sleeve-length worries you do. I actually bought a vest in a photography shop, but honestly, it is too long and it looks like I'm on safari or going fishing, a tan/greenish color that goes with very little. They also had a black vest but it was really bulky and heavy. So, I am willing to try this, at least.
I will say that I contacted Scottevest originally, and they apparently have good customer service. The rep offered to measure some of the pockets to make sure my extra camera lens would fit. I think it does give some of the actual measurements online.
Oh boy, I just went back on THIS thread, Oct. 4, and it was THIS thread that I got the info. Guess my mind isn't working very well. But to clarify, the vest I had worked very well, it just didn't look so great. I love the idea, so ordered the Scottevest, which should arrive this week. I'll actually measure the sleeves if you're interested.
I will say that I contacted Scottevest originally, and they apparently have good customer service. The rep offered to measure some of the pockets to make sure my extra camera lens would fit. I think it does give some of the actual measurements online.
Oh boy, I just went back on THIS thread, Oct. 4, and it was THIS thread that I got the info. Guess my mind isn't working very well. But to clarify, the vest I had worked very well, it just didn't look so great. I love the idea, so ordered the Scottevest, which should arrive this week. I'll actually measure the sleeves if you're interested.
Nov 11th, 2008, 04:39 PM
#207
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Trust me, this is WAY more feminine than the one I originally bought! LOL, I looked like the Crocodile Hunter. I need all those pockets, for photo stuff, and also to free up my hands for my DSLR camera. I fell on my first DSLR, destroyed the lens, have been trying ever since to free up my hands as much as possible. Not easy for a thief to grab the vest, either, unless he had a weapon and demanded it be handed over. Great for metro tickets and maps and water bottle and snacks,too. But, I don't know how feminine it will actually look. Hopefully it will solve some of my travel issues, though.
Nov 11th, 2008, 05:55 PM
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Challiman - I'm confused. You bought a travel vest for you recent trip, but you didn't like how it looked? So you just ordered a new one (with removable zipper) from Scottevest, for a future trip I suppose?
Nov 11th, 2008, 06:24 PM
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Yes, I'm sorry, I went back and read my post and realized it was confusing.
First I heard about the Scottevest on here, did some research, but the time was too short to get it here in time for our trip. So, I went to a photo store and they had the two kinds of vests, and I got the one that was tan/greenish and loved the concept, freed-up hands, room for camera stuff, etc. But, it was too long and now that I can see all the pictures, I realize I did look like the Crocodile Hunter! It worked great, just the looks weren't so great.
So, I have now ordered the Scottevest Women's Jacket with sleeves that zip off. I got a catalog from Magellan's and it offered free shipping so I ordered it through them instead of directly through Scottevest. As far as I can tell, those are the only two places to order it, but that might not be correct.
In any case, it should be here in the next couple of days and I'd be glad to give you an honest appraisal of how it looks, feels, holds the stuff I need to carry, etc.
I may indeed look like the Michelin Man, it is a telephoto lens, but my previous efforts have made me look like a pack mule!
The best part of this is that I have a friend who is much taller than I am and really wants a vest. We have a trip to Rome in March and I'm going to give her the original vest if this one fits. She's also into photography and likes to carry extra lenses and filters, so it would work out well.
I have also fallen twice this year on trips, no major injuries, but I'd feel better if my hands were free to brace myself if it happens again.
Sorry the posts were so confusing. Sometimes in my effort to be brief (rarely succeed at that) I leave out details or summarize when I shouldn't.
First I heard about the Scottevest on here, did some research, but the time was too short to get it here in time for our trip. So, I went to a photo store and they had the two kinds of vests, and I got the one that was tan/greenish and loved the concept, freed-up hands, room for camera stuff, etc. But, it was too long and now that I can see all the pictures, I realize I did look like the Crocodile Hunter! It worked great, just the looks weren't so great.
So, I have now ordered the Scottevest Women's Jacket with sleeves that zip off. I got a catalog from Magellan's and it offered free shipping so I ordered it through them instead of directly through Scottevest. As far as I can tell, those are the only two places to order it, but that might not be correct.
In any case, it should be here in the next couple of days and I'd be glad to give you an honest appraisal of how it looks, feels, holds the stuff I need to carry, etc.
I may indeed look like the Michelin Man, it is a telephoto lens, but my previous efforts have made me look like a pack mule!
The best part of this is that I have a friend who is much taller than I am and really wants a vest. We have a trip to Rome in March and I'm going to give her the original vest if this one fits. She's also into photography and likes to carry extra lenses and filters, so it would work out well.
I have also fallen twice this year on trips, no major injuries, but I'd feel better if my hands were free to brace myself if it happens again.
Sorry the posts were so confusing. Sometimes in my effort to be brief (rarely succeed at that) I leave out details or summarize when I shouldn't.
Nov 12th, 2008, 09:47 AM
#211
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Wow, this thread woke back up with a vengeance, and all over the travel vest.
The keys to the scottevest's more feminine styling are the vertical princess seams, the vertical alignment of the zippers (many of them superposed on the princess seams, and the fact the business end of the pockets is all on the inside of the vest. Even those pockets that you access from the outside of the vest are actually inside the garment, so that will minimize bulges on the outside.
This sort of styling is always slimming. The jacket with the zip-off sleeves doesn't have as much princess-seaming, and also has a conventional flat collar that looks too much like a man's jacket for my taste. The vest has a stand-up, mandarin style collar that is less reminescent of a man's jacket.
And of course the lack of sleeves means that there's one less fit issue to deal with. For warmth I'd layer it over something, or if it's raining I can fit it under a lightweight raincoat.
The keys to the scottevest's more feminine styling are the vertical princess seams, the vertical alignment of the zippers (many of them superposed on the princess seams, and the fact the business end of the pockets is all on the inside of the vest. Even those pockets that you access from the outside of the vest are actually inside the garment, so that will minimize bulges on the outside.
This sort of styling is always slimming. The jacket with the zip-off sleeves doesn't have as much princess-seaming, and also has a conventional flat collar that looks too much like a man's jacket for my taste. The vest has a stand-up, mandarin style collar that is less reminescent of a man's jacket.
And of course the lack of sleeves means that there's one less fit issue to deal with. For warmth I'd layer it over something, or if it's raining I can fit it under a lightweight raincoat.
Nov 12th, 2008, 09:52 AM
#212
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Challiman - thanks for the further explanation. I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Scottevest when it arrives.
However, I think no matter how many people rave about it, I still won't buy any clothing without seeing it and trying it on. I suppose I can order it and return it if I don't like it, but that's just too much trouble for me.
And personally, I don't like vests, though this one is technically a jacket. My shoulders and upper arms are always the first to get chills and get cold, so vests don't do anything for me.
BTW, the women's jacket on Scottevest website is $200. But you got yours for only $120?
However, I think no matter how many people rave about it, I still won't buy any clothing without seeing it and trying it on. I suppose I can order it and return it if I don't like it, but that's just too much trouble for me.
And personally, I don't like vests, though this one is technically a jacket. My shoulders and upper arms are always the first to get chills and get cold, so vests don't do anything for me.
BTW, the women's jacket on Scottevest website is $200. But you got yours for only $120?
Nov 12th, 2008, 10:09 AM
#213
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YK, I have the Magellan's catalog in front of me now, and it shows the Women's Essential Jacket, W0814 for $119.50. I see it says the jackets have 20 pockets, vests have 22. You can find this at www.magellans.com
I'm not sure how that shows up once I post.
The Magellan's ad says specifically that the sleeves zip off, and that they also offer the Women's Classic Travel Vest for $99.50.
I wore the other vest under my coat in Europe, failed to notice that it hung down below my coat, not a pretty sight. Unless the weather is mild, a vest wouldn't be warm enough for me, either.
It is worth a try to me. If it doesn't work, I will send it back. If Magellan's is as easy to return as Travel Smith I will be pleased. I have a few pieces of their travel clothes, had to return only one, very easy.
I'm not sure how that shows up once I post.
The Magellan's ad says specifically that the sleeves zip off, and that they also offer the Women's Classic Travel Vest for $99.50.
I wore the other vest under my coat in Europe, failed to notice that it hung down below my coat, not a pretty sight. Unless the weather is mild, a vest wouldn't be warm enough for me, either.
It is worth a try to me. If it doesn't work, I will send it back. If Magellan's is as easy to return as Travel Smith I will be pleased. I have a few pieces of their travel clothes, had to return only one, very easy.
Nov 12th, 2008, 10:17 AM
#214
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Thanks. The Magellan website shows the jacket better than Scottevest's website. It looks pretty good on the model, though she looks like she's a foot taller than me and there's nothing inside the pockets. 
Nov 12th, 2008, 06:44 PM
#215
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The prices at the Scottevest web site are essentially the same as the prices at Magellan's: $120 for the jacket, $100 for the vest (as of five minutes ago this evening, in any case).
There are some more expensive jackets at Scottevest (with more features), but they are specifically marketed for women.
There are some more expensive jackets at Scottevest (with more features), but they are specifically marketed for women.
Nov 13th, 2008, 10:34 AM
#217
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Hmm, somewhere upthread I must have mentioned something about having trouble finding boots that fit my (wide---women with narrow calves have trouble as well) calves.
Anyway, no, I've not found that going up in size makes enough difference in the circumference of the boot shaft. The boots have to fit in the feet, and if the shaft is too narrow then you're pretty much out of luck (though it's theoretically possible to have some boots altered to increased the shaft circumference). Some boots are made in wide calf versions, of course, and in that case switching to the wide calf option will generally do the trick.
Anyway, no, I've not found that going up in size makes enough difference in the circumference of the boot shaft. The boots have to fit in the feet, and if the shaft is too narrow then you're pretty much out of luck (though it's theoretically possible to have some boots altered to increased the shaft circumference). Some boots are made in wide calf versions, of course, and in that case switching to the wide calf option will generally do the trick.
Nov 13th, 2008, 03:00 PM
#219
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Hey, again. I checked the tracking number and the vest is due to arrive Monday. I can't wait to see how it works out. And how I'll look. Of course, if my camera isn't repaired and returned I won't need the vest anytime soon.
I really like this thread, everyone has been so nice and helpful. A pleasure to read and oh such useful information. Thanks all.
I really like this thread, everyone has been so nice and helpful. A pleasure to read and oh such useful information. Thanks all.
Nov 13th, 2008, 04:46 PM
#220
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Looking forward to hearing how it works out, Challiman, as I'm considering getting one for my 'round the world trip in January. As per the web site you could actually put a laptop computer in the back section, which would be a cool way to deal with the Ryanair weight restriction. I'm not sure I'd want to walk around for a long time with that much weight in the vest. Then again, I did board a plane wearing three shirts, a dress, a cardigan, and trousers under a coat full of toiletries and electronics.
