Time for a New Jacket

[ednemo]

Well, it's been a while everybody...but, I'm back. I sold my Black Cowhide Wested a few years back and now...I need a new jacket.

So, I was hoping some of you guys might be willing to help me out with what my new purchase.

I am getting a black goatskin. TOD length, Silk Lining, Nickle Hardware, Slightly smaller collar, underarm gussets, extra inside pocket, grail sized pockets, and press studs.

I was planning to go with another Wested.

My experiences last time were, the collar was WAY too big, and I got Peter to downsize it a bit, but I'd still like it smaller this time around. Also the neck going up to the collar was too big. Anyone that can help me determine the best size would get several Thank Yous...I am hoping not to have to send it back to England this time. Also, I need to know if I am missing or forgetting anything. I want this one to be my final jacket.

All help will be greatly appreciated.

[Bufflehead Jones]

Ummm...The collar was too big? You didn't say which jacket your last one was, could it have been a Last Crusade jacket? They come with a bigger collar.

[ednemo]

The last one was a TOD one as well, cotton inside with satin sleeves...I didn't like the cotton though.

[Mola Ram]

?huh?
to big?
I realize now after so long that this is a very picky group. (yea took me long enough ) Well, when i got my wested cow, i put it on, and wore it. I've worn the heck out of it and dident think twice. I dident look at the action pleat bulge or the pull straps. I just wore it. Wore the heck out of it for the past 2 years. Ive worn it every day since ive got it, aside from 1 day when it got up to 92. Its been in rain, mud, snow, and ice. Rubbed on rocks, and dunked in water and its time to have it drycleaned. Well, what im getting at is, i love my jacket the way it is and it has no mods at all. I got a standard 42 off the rack size cotton body satin sleeves ToD in new finish cowhide. It looks like a film jacket allredy, and its all totaly natural distressing. So, what dont you like about the cotton? and whats wrong with the collar size? cant you just let it be? maybe you dont really want a indy jacket, but a diffrent style leather jacket.
Kindest Regards
Molorom

[ednemo]

Thanks for the help guys...but seriously, it comes down to what fits on me. The last time the collar stood up and out way too far. It did not fit me like the jacket should have. I love Peter's work and have never had a jacket I liked as well. And I just want to make sure I get the exact jacket I want that will fit me. Don't worry about it, I'll figure it out myself.

[Rob]

Hey Ed, there's no need to be like that. Let's try and work this out.

Also, I need to know if I am missing or forgetting anything. I want this one to be my final jacket.

OK, so let's look at what you've got.

* Black goatskin - interesting choice. Have you considered black horsehide? Horsehide is a far more interesting and rarer hide... and the pittance you pay extra at Wested for it is well worth it. Tough as nails, too.

* TOD length - the long debated extra inch doesn't make a heck of a lot of difference; what is more important, to my mind, is whether this will be an R or an L fitting?

* Silk Lining - I'm not sure Wested do silk, as a rule? I know they do satin regularly on Raiders jackets.

* Nickle Hardware - nice.

* Slightly smaller collar - horses for courses... you could well be ordering something that has the rest of us wondering, "Where's the collar?" but if you were unhappy with the previous collar, that's your thing. The reactions you got earlier were because many people go for the LC jacket which has an even bigger collar than normal!

* Underarm gussets - some people, myself included, think these look a little ugly, but if you're going to wear the jacket a lot while driving, or whatever, you might get a slight benefit from them.

* Extra inside pocket - where abouts?

* Grail sized pockets - that would be a grail sized pocket, singular? Or are you going for bigger pockets elsewhere?

* Press studs - the storm flap w/press studs is recommended.

One thing you might not have considered is the XBOX stitching on the side straps. A much stronger way to anchor them to the jacket... looks cool, too. Goodluck.

[ednemo]

Rob,

Thanks for the help. You are right on the silk/satin thing. That was me typing without thinking. Part of the problem I have buying a jacket, is that I am a weightlifter. So, I sometimes have issues with sleeves fitting around my arms, or the size of the jacket across my shoulders fitting, but not down at the waist. As for the collar, the collar stand was the real problem. And this may have just been a problem with me, since I don't have much neck to speak of.

As for the horsehide, I'll have to do some research on it, since I have never tried it before, sound interesting though.

TOD length is to help conceal my duty gun in my shoulder holster. It comes down to connect to my belt.

The X-Box stictching sounds like a good idea. I'll have to check on that as well.

[IndyBlues]

I don't know if this is the case for ALL cowhide Wested jackets, but my cowhide LC jacket had the collar problem.
It had the usual larger flaps that an LC should, but he back of the collar stood very high on my neck, whcih was strange.
Gave it a very "Elvis-like 70's sequined jumpsuit" kinda look.
I hated it, and I imagine this is exactly what you are referring to in your first post. I tried everything to get that sucker to lay lower, but nothing worked. I believe it's the thicker cowhide that causes this 'problem'.
The goat and lambs jackets i've owned didn't have this collar situation, so I figure if you don't choose cow, you'll be OK with the collar.
Good luck with the order, and let us know how you make out.
'Blues

BTW, Molorom,..you may have very well lucked out with your Wested order the first time around. AND it's awesome that it did.
Sometimes it happens,..sometimes it doesn't. No reason to tell a guy to wear a jacket that fit's him weird,
just because.

[ednemo]

Indyblues,

I think you hit the nail on the head. Considering how thick cowhide is, it most likely was the problem.

Thanks for the help everybody. I'll be purchasing soon.