That's it at last. I promise that's it. Seriously, I swear. No more mods. Set in stone.
So: introducing "Allied forces of rock'n'roll" battle-jacket in its final state. I won't recap all the stages of development, but as for the major features:
- Base: ASOS long-sleeve jean jacket (2012 I think), in a chemically-faded black. The sleeves have been removed as well as the collar, which has been cut to +/- 2/3 of its original size, and reset above a riveted mail collar base. The jacket has been shortened in length: I've removed the bottom band, sewn a custom one and added the strap for the bottom button. The jacket has been adjusted a bit to my build on the side seams too.
- BP is custom-made from a contemporary bootleg shirt which has been stiffened with a hot-melt base.
- Blue Öyster Cult logo (after the one of "On Your Feet On Your Knees", 1975) painted on the shoulders, above the backpatch, by one of my best friends as a birthday present back in 2014.
- Riveted mail is a replica of XVth century mail / maille, in soft steel. It's been made by a gifted craftsmen from the USA years ago, who's not active anymore, and partly reassembled by me. It's a wink to my medievalist background & career, and former Living History activities. The collar piece is a direct reference to the "hausse-col" which was frequent in XVth century armour, and I thought that the front mail patch looked good - it also symbolically protects the heart. Plus mail is steel, and steel is metal, right?
- The Kiss patches are made from a bootleg tote bag made of very heavy fabric.
- Blue denim pieces sewn on here and there.
- Most pins are secured with translucent fishing line.