Hi gixer,
Smart you are, an arse you are not
.
I am a very practical person, so not dictated to by fad or fashion and signature\designer labels hold little sway with me. So I fully agree, if it does the job you intend it too then I too could not give a tillietoodlum as to how it looks or how others regard it or me.
The technical\weight\price aspects of the jacket I certainly do not contest.
Where I am coming from is the form (call it cut or design) and the relationship to function.
It's a bit like having a jacket that fits you well (the same size and same design will not meet everyone's specific requirements - God only knows what bespoke jackets would cost nowadays) and one that doesn't, you just feel that it fits in better with your needs, no unnecessary loose material, adjustable to a variety of use and options etc.
Good design makes our comfort and expectations so much easier to achieve, I'm not knocking your choices mate, just saying that in terms of design, said jacket is lacking, it will serve a purpose for everyone, I doubt that everyone will get great pleasure from it.
P.S.
I spent a few years in retail bespoke design when it was, and before it became unaffordable\unprofitable; e.g. ready made standard sizes and associated low costs effectively killed the bespoke tailoring business, a well made bespoke anything ( shotgun, bicycle, shoes, house, garden etc.) can be better than something off the shelf\off plan. Later I moved into the construction industry and design involvement was part of my remit.
Ready made off the shelf\off plan products are the affordable norm, as such, manufacturers owe a committed and positive approach to design aspects as much as to the physical attributes of the item being offered if we the consumer hope to fulfill our expectations within the cost constraints we choose to observe or are constrained by.
You sorry you asked then are you?
Whatever you choose mate, enjoy it, if it works for you then that is all that matters.
Finger tip sore, I retire, unless I get to receive some comments; good god - I was condemned to burn in hell for having a 138g alcohol stove, what shall I endure for the above witterings.
rorymax