Shirt Feedback:

[History36]

Hello,

I was thinking about going with this shirt from South Union Mills:

U.S. Federal Issue Contract Wool Flannel Shirt

Excellence in Authentic textile recreations and straw hats

www.southunionmills.com

It seems like their shop takes a bit for a response. In the meantime, any feedback on it being a good shirt for a late-war Federal officer's hard campaigning infantry impression, by chance? Just didn't know if this was more early war pattern and color, etc....

Thank you,

 

[jepridgen]

I'll also point out Sekela has his goods on ebay. 100% positive feedback. I ordered a pair of Smith's Patent shoulder rank Monday and I received them today. That's Pa to Tx. Ebay may be the way to buy from him?

Yeah, almost all the issues I've ever heard were from ordering something that wasn't already in stock. I wouldn't personally recommend that, but anything he already has ready to ship is fine especially via the Depot.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I've also never had a problem with the Depot, and I have a few things from him. As a matter of fact I ordered pants from him for Bentonville this year, and they arrived maybe a week later. The odds and ends from SUM I ordered for the same event didn't ship until after the event was over. Thankfully those were all "nice to have" items and nothing absolutely necessary.

 

[History36]

I've reached out to SUM to ask two questions and it's now been 6 weeks. I can certainly appreciate 19th century history, obviously, but didn't imagine that communication would take that long here in the 21rst century still....

 

[Dan Kohli]

I've reached out to SUM to ask two questions and it's now been 6 weeks. I can certainly appreciate 19th century history, obviously, but didn't imagine that communication would take that long here in the 21rst century still....

Is not SUM a part time operation? I could mixing it up with some other establishment, though.

 

[jepridgen]

Interesting, I've never had a communication issue/delay with SUM unless he had events scheduled or had some family obligations. I've certainly never had anything that was in stock be delayed.

 

[Dan Kohli]

I haven't had an issue with them ether.

 

[History36]

Thanks for the replies. While I'm (still) waiting for SUM to respond, perhaps I could pose my question here if I could ask please:

Regarding the shirt below:

Cotton Knit Undershirt

Excellence in Authentic textile recreations and straw hats

www.southunionmills.com

I typically take a size medium in contemporary shirt clothing (I'm about 140lbs., 6' tall, and thin). While I realize that I can purchase a size small and it'll probably fit ideal since these shirts were made to fit snug / tight, I just didn't know if these ran on the smaller side since I wouldn't want it to fit 'too tight.'

I also measured my armpit to armpit and the small size states 20," which is good because my measurements came in under 20" so I'm leaning towards the size small. But, the only question I had for SUM is if these shirts run on the looser or snugger side since I'm on the border between small and medium shirt fits. That's it. Any experience for those who may have one, by chance?

Thank you,

 

[Mississippian1861]

Thanks for the replies. While I'm (still) waiting for SUM to respond, perhaps I could pose my question here if I could ask please:

Regarding the shirt below:

Cotton Knit Undershirt

Excellence in Authentic textile recreations and straw hats

www.southunionmills.com

I typically take a size medium in contemporary shirt clothing (I'm about 140lbs., 6' tall, and thin). While I realize that I can purchase a size small and it'll probably fit ideal since these shirts were made to fit snug / tight, I just didn't know if these ran on the smaller side since I wouldn't want it to fit 'too tight.'

I also measured my armpit to armpit and the small size states 20," which is good because my measurements came in under 20" so I'm leaning towards the size small. But, the only question I had for SUM is if these shirts run on the looser or snugger side since I'm on the border between small and medium shirt fits. That's it. Any experience for those who may have one, by chance?

Thank you,

I own one of these, they run about to size.

 

[History36]

I own one of these, they run about to size.

Thank you for your response,
& feedback

 

[CantonGa61]

I realize that this is an older thread but I wanted to share a couple of personal experiences regarding both Nick Sekela and the Depot. First my experiences with Nick:

I've ordered shirts, a couple of cravats, and footwear from him over the past several years. Delivery was slow in nearly every instance and delivery of one shirt took close to a year. Attempts at communication to determine its status proved frustrating, but everything ultimately arrived, was of excellent quality, and in every instance exceeded my expectations. Delivery times and lack of communication were definitely an issue, however.

As for The Depot, they had a Sekela shirt I wanted a few months ago and I figured I'd give them a try. They showed just one of that particular garment in stock the day the order was placed and it showed as out of stock the following morning so I presumed they had accepted the order, although I never received any sort of confirmation notification stating that. Then, some 2 and 1/2 weeks later, I received a shipping notification followed by the arrival of my shirt, an NJ Sekela and exactly as advertised, some four days later.

My situation may well be different from that of some others because I've been involved in the hobby long enough that it's a rare instance when I actually need anything these days; it's generally more a matter of wanting something more accurate than what I already have or maybe just something new. Perhaps I've just been fortunate but I've never experienced an outright failure to ship from any supplier, and my expectations have become tempered by the fact that very few of them are instant response organizations, while more than a few offer bespoke and frequently made to order items that can take a while to ship.

Lack of communication regarding something I've spent money on is both annoying and unconscionable to me but at this point in the game lengthy delivery cycles are just part of the hobby and I expect them. Even the truly responsive suppliers can run a bit late every now and then. Life happens.

With all that said, at this juncture in my life I'm pretty much a launch and leave sort of guy when I order anything for my hobby. I have a pretty good idea of who's probably going to run late and who isn't, and I plan my orders accordingly; that works for me. I offer these thoughts for whatever they may be worth and with the hope that they're some use to others.

Your mileage may vary…

Best,

phil