I recently received an unexpected windfall. And, while in spring a man's thoughts may turn to love, in autumn they turn to jackets. Specifically, to jackets which don't look dorky, so that next spring, he might score some of that good love junk. Mmm... love. Oops, sorry, got distracted.

Anyway, I ordered from Stillwater on Friday, about noon Arizona time, which I think made it about two o'clock Minesota time, and I suspect that Jerry made the Friday evening post, even though I didn't get the email notification saying it had shipped until Saturday morning. Why do I suspect that? Because the package showed up at the dorm today, Monday. The only alternative explanation involves pacts signed in blood.

It would be a good time, I suppose, to mention that I still don't have a digital camera, so there will be no pictures accompanying this review. Mea Culpa. Buying one is in my plans, really. Soon.

So, the package showed up, and I opened it in the parking lot. Jerry had tossed in some of his business cards, which immediately got stuck in my sporran, for the next time someone asks me about getting a kilt of their own. He'd also put in the jacket.

My first impression was that the jacket was lighter than I'd expected, but then, most of my experience is with cow and goat leather, not lambskin. It had the right smell, though, and as I looked closely, I saw that there were the tell-tale tiny imperfections in the grain of the leather which said that it was actually off a beast, rather than manufactured.

The color is truly lovely, a deep black. The lapels are notch-cut, like a suit jacket. There's a breast pocket on the outside of the left breast (which I can only presume is there for my iPod ); two hand pockets, one on either side of the rib / waist area; and two inside pockets, the right one of which is zippered.

The jacket is fully lined, with what the label tells me is a 100% polyester fabric. Feels kind of satin-y. There is one button, which is black plastic, properly attached with a smaller button on the back side to distribute the strain. The cuffs of the sleeves are straight "barrel" cuffs, with no decoration, turn-backs, or other stuff. The front of the sleeve is a single piece of leather, while the backs have a seam at about elbow level.

Despite my pre-order concerns, the jacket sleeves do cover my wrists, and the shoulders are wide enough. The opening of the jacket nicely frames my sporran, and the jacket is short enough that it doesn't interfere with the swing of pleats.

Wearing it over my wooly-pully looked great, and as I was somewhat over-warm in the combination, I anticipate that the jacket and a sweater will get me through the winter in warmth and style.

So, grades:

Customer Service: A
Quality of Construction: A
Value for Price: A
Overall: A

Chance I'll buy from this firm again: Definate!