Ermenegildo Zegna's iPod-ready iJacket

If you're not exactly feeling the bevy of snowboard-related iPod jackets, and wouldn't be caught dead in Levi's RedWire DLX jeans (us either), Ermenegildo Zegna is rolling out a fashionable alternative to those slightly bulkier offerings. While we've already got the means to control Apple's media-playing gem in nearly every manner imaginable, Zegna's iJacket rocks a stylish, red shell with a subtle control pad on the left sleeve. There's nothing atypical aside the usual volume, track, and play / pause controls, but this "luxury sport jacket" requires no special handling when all dirtied up and ready for the washing machine. The oh-so-versatile coat presumably plays nice with any 'Pod sporting a dock connector, and while the $750 pricetag might be asking a bit much, we must admit Apple's newly-released (PRODUCT) RED nano would fit the part quite well here.

[Via BookOfJoe]

[Igor @ Oct 13th 2006 5:38PM]

still waiting for ipod compatible condoms and AK-47

[kei @ Oct 13th 2006 5:46PM]

pass

the big plastic bag thing doesn't look too comfy to wear; and they should have made it more snug-fit to call it "made-for-ipod".

just my 2 cents

[Peanut @ Oct 13th 2006 6:25PM]

This calls for a DIY project... Engadget, we're counting on you to beat the hefty Jacket price with a nice mod. Please do it and we shall follow =)

[radd @ Oct 13th 2006 6:46PM]

too bad its such an ugly jacket

[solar @ Oct 13th 2006 6:47PM]

I'd love if engadget puts this one on the winning list for celebrating their new site...

especially if i was the winner!!

cheers
solar

[Jeff @ Oct 13th 2006 6:54PM]

I was about to make the old "for $750 it better give me happy endings too" joke, but seriously, $750 for an ugly jacket with $20 worth of built-in electronics is ridiculous. For $750 I would expect nothing less than an actual LCD built into the sleeve, and some other gimmicks to boot, like maybe an auxiliary battery, or the ability to use your body heat to charge the iPod. Something, anything, to justify the price tag. Hell, buy the $600 jacket of your choice and put the Belkin remote on it - same usability, more flexibility.

[Brad @ Oct 13th 2006 7:08PM]

If you like the idea of a high quality ski jacket with iPod controls on the sleeve, then check out this auction on eBay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Spyder-1000-Limited-Edition-iPod-jacket-60-GB-NEW_W0QQitemZ250037375840QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1302QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Dan @ Oct 14th 2006 12:01AM]

They need to stop making clothing and backpacks with controls. It's dumb. They just need to have a nice bluetooth watch that can control a bluetooth mp3 player.

[dbell @ Oct 14th 2006 12:34AM]

Ridiculous. One of my favorite things about my iPod is that it can easily be operated under one or two layers of clothing. Maybe I look a little wierd tracing circles on my thigh to turn the volume up or down, but the capacitative click wheel is effing awesome. The only way I could EVER see myself buying a piece of 'iPod-ready' clothing is if it incorporates a display so I can scroll to different artists/playlists etc. And that's not happening any time soon.

[doug @ Oct 14th 2006 3:49AM]

Sheeesh! you guys are certainly proving your geek-ness. This is a Ermenegildo Zegna jacket! It doesn't cost $750 because it accomodates an iPod; it costs $750 because its designed by Zegna - one of the best high-fashion clothing companies out there. Apple is fortunate - and deserves - to keep such company. You may not like the jacket...but that says more about you than it does about Zegna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zegna).

[Jeff @ Oct 14th 2006 3:23PM]

Just because it's Zegna doesn't mean it's not ugly.

Give me North Face any day.

[r1ck92 @ Oct 14th 2006 8:31PM]

Its a Ermenegildo Zegna you wont expect this to be cheap???, it actually is compared to other jackets from Zegna... good another gadget for the ipod ^^