Comments on: Review: SCOTTeVEST Travel Vest – high tech, stylish alternative to conventional travel vests

By: Luke

Luke — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:41:27 +0000

That vest looks like a Fina vest and jacket combination that I picked up a few years ago. I agree that golf clothes would make good travel gear. The pants are designed to wick moisture, they dry quickly, and dont show wrinkles. Shirts are generally the same, and I usually wear one one the plane, regardless of the outside temperature (I’m comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt down to about 55-60F) The Fina vest and jacket is wHat I usually take on travel if I think I’m going to need a jacket.

By: Till

Till — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:06:25 +0000

Berg, totally agree on the comments about pockets smack dab across the chest. Not gonna work, unless it’s Twiggy. I think if he made something with a little more “flair” and with a cut arranged for the female figure he could make a killing.

I also think that upside-down zips are much better. In my mind it is more important to get to something quickly than to stow it quickly. A zip that unzips downward is easier to unzip because the natural fall of the garment will give the necessary resistance.

Also agreed on the number of pockets. 20+ pockets just get confusing. I sometimes have trouble finding keys, wallet, phone, business cards if I am wearing an ordinary suit coat or a suit coat plus an anorak. The main reason is, of course, that I am not as strict about my method as I should be. For example, when I am expecting a phone call, the phone might be in an interior chest pocket or shirt pocket. But normally it would be in a coat side pocket. The thing is also so darn flat that sometimes I don’t feel it even if it’s in my front trouser pocket. Same for my wallet, very flat. :)

I really love a good travel anorak and can’t stop promoting the idea but too much is too much. OTOH my Cole Haan is really doing a great job. And my Barbour jacket would be wonderful in terms of pocket layout but it is simply too heavy. Mine is the Northumbria model but there are much lighter models that one might look into as a travel coat, also for women. Quality is irreproachable.

By: Berg

Berg — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:35:55 +0000

Oh, that makes sense. It’s like trying to find some sports memoribilia for women — there just aren’t enough of us who want that stuff!

And yes, I agree. I’d have less in my daybag than I would in that jacket!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:17:08 +0000

Absolutely. I imagine the male orientation at SeV comes from Scott Jordan himself… or the demo of their audience must skew male. In any event, I will clarify one thing: I hardly ever wear the thing. I described it to Michael as “metrosexual”, and I’ll leave it at that. And I totally agree with you that all his stuff is way overblown with all the pockets and what-not. It’s too much. …and that’s my point about the cheap er, inexpensive, golf vest: it works just fine, and besides, just how much crap do you want to stuff in your 14 pockets???

By: Berg

Berg — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:07:06 +0000

That’s a nice-looking vest! Just proves the point that just because something is designed for travel, doesn’t mean it’s always ideal. I have the same thought whenever I see many of the latest travel shoulder bags and travel clothes, because they look *so* incredibly touristy, which I’m sure defeats the purpose. I love looking at tour photos where everyone is wearing the same stuff, heh.

Anyway… the Scottevests are a great idea, but are probably a tad over-designed for me. Less is more, in my case, at least. Maybe it’s okay for men, who can usually hide bulk a little better than women (you obviously like your Scottevest, which is great), but I’ve never needed to carry a magazine in my jacket, or even a water bottle (I mean, seriously? How can that look normal on a form-fitting jacket?). I also think the jacket should be longer, to cover some part of the hips, which is a look flattering to most women, in general. This would also allow for some of the breast pockets to be a little lower, improving the shape and the fit, and would also help if the weather turned bad.

Anyhoo. Just some thoughts I had. It’s just so odd they make all sorts of sweatshirts and things for men, but only 2 basic items for women (the jacket and the vest).