Wested Visit

matei · Post by **matei** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:04 pm

Today my wife and I took the train from Victoria to Swanley, to place an order for a custom Wested.

It was an extremely enjoyable experience. Peter and Gerry were very patient and hospitable, answering every... single... question... of ours (there were quite a few), and explaining the production of the jacket and features in detail, among other things. They showed us around the shop and some of the costumes made for other films, like King Arthur. Fascinating!

Not only that, but Peter was kind enough to give us a ride back to the station! Wested's customer service is top-notch, first class. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

It is one thing to see pictures of the jacket, but it is different to see it in real life. The quality and craftmanship is evident as soon as you lay eyes on the jackets. I was torn between goatskin and horsehide. They were both nice, but in the end I went with the horsehide. It was much heavier than the goat, but that suits me. It has been years since I've felt leather of that thickness and quality.

I ended up ordering a 46" Raiders-type jacket (27" back length) and a Raiders collar. The TOD collar is a wee bit large for my taste. I also opted for box-stitching on the straps, d-rings, and stock facing on the zipper and inside pocket. There will also be slight padding in the shoulders, as I've got broad but somewhat rounded shoulders - as a result it looks like shirts/jackets are either too big or too small! Gerry spotted this and suggested the padding, and he was right. Wested's experience shows!

My wife ended up getting a cool sheepskin rug - bright orange. It is pretty wild! They come in all sorts of colours and are made out of the remnants - they're all stitched together and that provides for a cool effect.

My jacket should be ready in about 10 days. I am looking very much forward to going back and picking it up when it is ready.

I did take a picture, which I'll post later when I unload my digital camera. If any of you ever have the chance to visit the shop, I highly recommend it.

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:41 pm

Hey there!

Thank you for posting the info!

I would "LOVE" to visit Peter and everyone at his shop someday

! That's awesome that Wested made some of the costumes for King Arthur, starring Clive Owen. That's one of my most favorite movies!

Take care & thank you for posting your visit with Wested!
Kind Regards,
Captain D

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:10 pm

Thanks for the Wested trip report, Matei.
Very good information.
I'd love to visit Wested someday.

Best Regards,

Urban Raider · Post by **Urban Raider** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 3:00 pm

Wow! This was great info! I was going to post about anybody actual visiting wested since becoming clear that a purchase is in my future....

And since England is a cheap jump away from Bergen anyway and long time since been drinking the good ales... could combine.... sure not to take the piece with me, but to get a safe order face 2 face, wow, man, imagine....

Question pours down as rain...

* How long is the trip from swinging London?
* Must you make an appointment, hope so

) how?
* Is there a terrible nice pub close by, I feel there is!

matei · Post by **matei** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 3:43 pm

Hello!

I don't know about the swinging part, but from Victoria Station in London it was about a 30 minute train ride to Swanley (an additional 20 - 30 from our neighbourhood to Victoria with no. 38 bus).

Once you are in Swanley, it is only a 20 minute walk to Wested Lane. You could probably take a cab and be there quicker if you want, but we like walking and we wanted to see the town.

The shop is outside town though! I couldn't tell you if there is a nice pub nearby, on our way in we passed through a largely residential area, an industrial park and then a long country lane. Next time - when we go to pick the jacket up - we'll get there a bit earlier so that we can actually see the town itself. What we did see we liked - it was nice and quiet!

We didn't make an appointment, but rather I dropped Peter an e-mail asking if he would be open on Saturday.

While we were there Gerry and Peter both told us about the visitors they've had from abroad, including some very dedicated fans from abroad that went straight to the shop upon arriving in the UK - they didn't even check into their hotel first! If you find yourself in the UK, do make the effort to visit the shop and pick up a jacket or two! It isn't far from London at all.

Urban Raider · Post by **Urban Raider** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 4:11 pm

Wow, thx, for reply! If a get a wested, thats how I get it, love britain, and sure to be back sometime... THIS is how I am going to get my jacket! Cool... I feel like singing: wowawodaw... (aint u glad this is not radio just!)

Floribama Steve · Post by **Floribama Steve** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 5:55 pm

*Adds Swanley to "to visit" list*

Calico Jack · Post by **Calico Jack** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:15 pm

How much does a wested raiders coat run in horshide? I think that I'll go by in person the next time I'm in London, it sounds like the way to go about it...

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 3:46 am

I dropped in at Wested in the summer. It is worth telephoning before hand just to make sure Peter is in - he sometimes has things to do in London. As mentioned above, Peter and his crew are very friendly and helpful. It's also great to be able to compare finished jackets in different hides - really helps you to know what you want. I tried on a whole selection and bought an off the rack dark brown goat. It fit me perfectly and I walked out wearing it!! I had been considering dark brown as a colour and goat as a hide - and seeing all the variations of jacket in person made it possible for me to decide. I couldn't be happier with dark brown goat- to me it's the jacket I always hoped for. (no more authentic lamb for me!!)

Yes, drop in if you can - very interesting place - I even saw some costumes from the upcoming Harry Potter movie!

Lao Feng · Post by **Lao Feng** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:14 am

I have been to visit Wested, and it is always great to see the operation in person...and Peter et al are the most gracious (and infinately patient) folks you will ever meet. Given the large volume he does for movies, I cannot imagine that catering to the Indy Gear crew (a customer service's nightmare crowd for our fastidioudness, knowlege of the product, and many demands) is profitable for him...I suspect it it a matter of pride. "Bless em all at Wested!

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:10 pm

matei wrote:While we were there Gerry and Peter both told us about the visitors they've had from abroad, including some very dedicated fans from abroad that went straight to the shop upon arriving in the UK - they didn't even check into their hotel first! If you find yourself in the UK, do make the effort to visit the shop and pick up a jacket or two! It isn't far from London at all.

Did he mention anything about the "youngest fan" he's ever met? That would me me! :p

viewtopic.php?t=12820

Thats my account of my trip to Wested while I was in England on vacation back in June.

Urban Raider wrote:* How long is the trip from swinging London?
* Must you make an appointment, hope so how?
* Is there a terrible nice pub close by, I feel there is!

Its about a 20-30 minute ride on the train. I took a cab to the shop, cost £7, I believe. They knew exactly where the shop was, even without an address.
I had emailed them in advance to make sure he was going to be open and in that day.
Sorry, I didnt see any pubs!

Vannevar · Post by **Vannevar** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 7:56 pm

Indiana wrote:
matei wrote:While we were there Gerry and Peter both told us about the visitors they've had from abroad, including some very dedicated fans from abroad that went straight to the shop upon arriving in the UK - they didn't even check into their hotel first! If you find yourself in the UK, do make the effort to visit the shop and pick up a jacket or two! It isn't far from London at all.
Did he mention anything about the "youngest fan" he's ever met? That would me me! :p

viewtopic.php?t=12820

Thats my account of my trip to Wested while I was in England on vacation back in June.

Urban Raider wrote:* How long is the trip from swinging London?
* Must you make an appointment, hope so how?
* Is there a terrible nice pub close by, I feel there is!
Its about a 20-30 minute ride on the train. I took a cab to the shop, cost £7, I believe. They knew exactly where the shop was, even without an address.
I had emailed them in advance to make sure he was going to be open and in that day.
Sorry, I didnt see any pubs!

You miss out when you dont go to the pub!

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:35 am

What's the deal with trains? Doesn't anyone drive over there?

have a nice day.

matei · Post by **matei** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:02 am

Driving in London in a pain in the ar*e. For me, it is much more relaxing to just take the public transport and let someone else deal with the hassle.

Plus petrol (gas) is quite dear. I could be wrong, but even with the high prices in the US, petrol is still cheaper over there than it is here.

I used to have horrible commutes when we lived in Ireland and in NY. I for one am happy to not have a car!

Regarding tourists... many visitors from the continent or the US don't feel confident enough to drive on the "wrong side" of the road. It can be a bit daunting.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:28 am

I live on the outskirts of London and have to drive to get to work, 15min by car or 1 hour by public transport.

The government trys to push us onto the trains and buses with the double cosh of high fuel taxes and conjestion taxes. At the same time the ‘Public‘ transport system are hiking fares at double inflation each year.

The petrol/gas is ludicrusly expensive, currently at about £0.92 a litre, about US$1.61. Per US gallon that is: US$6.10 including sales tax. It went up to over £1 just after Katrina.

And you wonder why we have small cars here!

matei · Post by **matei** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:20 am

I used to drive a lot... Having a car does have its advantages, but I just got a little tired of having one. My wife and I are a bit eccentric like that... Sometimes we'll do things the hard way, but it is our way!

Plus, not having the additional expenses of a car means that I have more dosh for cool things like Wested jackets!

I agree - the gov't here seems to try to push everyone towards the public transport, but they don't seem to be investing a whole bunch in it. It seems a bit creaky.

That being said - it is much better than what we have in Ireland. Iarnród Éireann (the Irish rail service) is a joke, and Dublin Bus isn't much better... Ah, but I won't get into the details of the horribly inefficient Irish public transport system - that isn't the purpose of this thread!

IndyFlyer · Post by **IndyFlyer** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:49 pm

You mentioned that your jacket would be ready in about 10 days, was sooner an option? I am intending on stopping by the shop in November during a 5-ish day stay and was wondering if I could both get measured and pick up the jacket during that time. I could also send in the measurements so that I could at least pick it up in person and try it on while there, if that is a better course. I emailed those possibilities to Peter and his response was like, 'sure, either way, whatever you want..' I emailed back asking how long the specific build time was and if it could actually be completed during my stay but have not yet received a reply. Thanks, and congratulations!

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:34 pm

IndyFlyer wrote:You mentioned that your jacket would be ready in about 10 days, was sooner an option? I am intending on stopping by the shop in November during a 5-ish day stay and was wondering if I could both get measured and pick up the jacket during that time. I could also send in the measurements so that I could at least pick it up in person and try it on while there, if that is a better course. I emailed those possibilities to Peter and his response was like, 'sure, either way, whatever you want..' I emailed back asking how long the specific build time was and if it could actually be completed during my stay but have not yet received a reply. Thanks, and congratulations!

If you go and get one of the off the pegs you can have one there and then. If you make small mods to it 5 days can sometimes be done. Like Peter said they are keeping a stock of standard sized authentic brown goatskins nowadays.

I found a lamb that fitted, but didn't like the big LC collar. They replaced the collar with a Raiders and put in an extra pocket in a week.

I suspect if it's something like sleeve length they can mod that too. If you are a fairly standard size and don't want any unusual mods you could be lucky.

But it always depends on how busy they are! Let them know your situation I'm sure they will try to accomodate within reason. No 24hr tailoring though it's East London not the Far East!

Even if that doesn't work at least you can be measured in person.

Make sure you are going not there during the QM cos peter will be there not in the UK! Well Jerry will be there I'm sure and he will do just as well!

Best of luck!

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:36 pm

matei wrote:Driving in London in a pain in the ar*e. For me, it is much more relaxing to just take the public transport and let someone else deal with the hassle.

Plus petrol (gas) is quite dear. I could be wrong, but even with the high prices in the US, petrol is still cheaper over there than it is here.

I used to have horrible commutes when we lived in Ireland and in NY. I for one am happy to not have a car!

Regarding tourists... many visitors from the continent or the US don't feel confident enough to drive on the "wrong side" of the road. It can be a bit daunting.

England has a great public transportation system. if you convert gas prices (these are from back in june, when I was there) it was about 2 USD per LITER of gas.

We actually rented a car and drove all through Ireland! Wasnt too hard (although my parents did most of the driving!

)

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:04 am

If they have to make the jacket for you & not just supply off the peg, then it also depends on how busy they are. My first jacket was ready in a week after I visited & Peter measured me

matei · Post by **matei** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:46 pm

An update - it seems that they ran out of horsehide and aren't sure when they'll be getting more in.

No bother - I changed my order to goatskin and the colour to "authentic brown". I didn't like the dark brown too much - it had a purple-ish cast to it.

I don't regret not waiting it out for the horsehide - after I placed the order I wished that I had ordered a goat!

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 12:40 am

A few of us had to wait two or three months after placing orders for horsehide jackets (mine was ordered in March and I didn't see it until May). The Indy HH is a beautiful thing, but I can't see Wested continuing to offer it when sourcing quality hides is so problematic.