What Would You Do...

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:09 pm

I mentioned in another thread that I may have an oppertunity to get another [Wested] Indy Jacket. I currently have the authentic lamb w/ all cotton lining that is about 3-4 years old now. Basically I ordered "the Indy Jacket" as it was on Peter's website because at the time that I had ordered my Wested, I had no idea what the screen-accurate specs were, then again if I recall correctly, some of the finer details arose after I had received it. I also recall Peter saying something about having to rush production of the Raiders jacket, thus some of the features of the jacket were off (like pocket sizes). My problem is that I don't want to order the same jacket I have and I don't really know what the screen accuracy vs. every-day wear-&-tear advantages are. I am thinking I would go for a goatskin w/ either the all satin or satin & cotton lining. What are the advantages (if any) for the other "cosmetic" specs, ie: facing, rectangular buckles on the sides, side-strap length, etc? What would you guys do differently for your second jacket?

PS: What are the screen-accurate specs and how do they hold-up in the "real world"?

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:18 pm

geez neri,

this sounds like a final exam question...

for my second wested, i wanted something dark (DB) with a silver zipper. i wanted goatskin so that it was tougher. i wanted the sliders on the straps as i wanted a raiders jacket. i wanted the straps facing the other direction but unfortunately this was one of the few requests i could not get, along with dimensionally cut sleeves to wrap my arms in tighter and get the accordian effect on the leather. i also did not get the action pleat elastics but i heard that peter said he wasn't doing that anyways. i wanted a full satin lining so it was easier to throw on and off. x-box stitching for reinforcement and finally, a nice tag with my name on it.

all in all, she was a very nice coat. now the question is, what do you order for your 3rd wested?

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:33 pm

It definitely gives you the chance to try another leather. If you want something that will last, I agree, goat is a great option. I've owned a goat Wested, and I loved it. After my first Wested, which I didn't get x-box stitching on, I got x-box stitching. The only thing I really think you need to have a jacket hold up to every day use is a durable leather and a few options to keep it in good shape.

The sliders keep the sidestraps from slipping, and the x-box stitching keeps the fasteners...well, fastened. The cosmetic mods are what you said, cosmetic. They don't really do much for you in the durability department.

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:18 am

Thanks for the input guys, (Strider, my girlfriend LOVES your avitar BTW). I swear I didn't mean to make it sound like a final exam question,

. Like I said, things like X-box stitching weren't even thought of yet at the time I ordered my 1st. A couple of other questions just popped in my head now:

-Are the side-straps longer now in order to fold them back or is that a special request?

-Does the inside facing matter, ie would the lining catch in the zipper?

-Goat vs. Cow? As I skim the "Jacket Section" I see Wested will be out of goat for a while?

-I don't think my 1st has the under arm gussets (sp), should I get them on #2?

-I still swear that I have seen screen grabs of the jacket in the movies that show a satin lining....

Thanks again, guys. I'll let you know if I do go through with this.

Indiana G wrote: ...Now the question is, what do you order for your 3rd wested?

Don't even get me started

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:35 am

Indiana Neri wrote:Strider, my girlfriend LOVES your avitar BTW.

Everyone loves Gir. "I'm gonna sing the doom song now! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM..."

Indiana Neri wrote:-Are the side-straps longer now in order to fold them back or is that a special request?

That'd be a special request, I'm sure of it.

Indiana Neri wrote:-Does the inside facing matter, ie would the lining catch in the zipper?

Might catch, but not sure. The "no leather facing" option really isn't all that big of a deal.

Indiana Neri wrote:-Goat vs. Cow? As I skim the "Jacket Section" I see Wested will be out of goat for a while?

Goat. Personally, I'd wait until they have more.

Indiana Neri wrote:-I don't think my 1st has the under arm gussets (sp), should I get them on #2?

I have 'em, they're pretty cool, but not a HUGE deal in the grand scheme of things. Won't hurt to get 'em.

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:55 pm

Thanks again, Strider and BTW, "Why was there BACON IN THE SOAP?!?!?"

I think I will wait for the goat afterall. Feel free to keep the thread going, as I am curious what the others might think if they had a second/third/fourth/fifth chance.

Happy Holidays to all....

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:11 am

Seeing how Wested is out of goat for a while, what do you guys think about Flightsuits or US Wings Indy-goat or cowhide? Anybody know the differences b/w the VIP cow and vintage? Next to Wested, what would be the next best thing? What's better: cow or goat?

Indiana Johnson · Post by **Indiana Johnson** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:15 am

I can't vouch for the quality of Flightsuits vs US Wings vs Wested, but I can say that goat is far superior to cowhide, and will outlast it several times over.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:11 am

Just a brief description, based on my jackets and experience with same:

Flightsuits goatskin is sourced from New Zealand, is chrome tanned, and a LOT stiffer than other vendors. They seem to be tough right out of the box, and actually take a brief break in period. Once softened, they wear like iron.

Wings goatskin is sourced from France, and is MUCH softer. Pretty compariable to the Wested goatskin in feel, though it appears a lot grainer, and they don't take the time to match skins from panel to panel, so if you're all about consistancy in appearance, Wings isn't the coat for you. If you don't CARE, then it's a great choice. It's my personal favorite in the goatskin hide of the 3. JMO, though.

The VIP cowhide from Wings is also from France, and is the belly hide from the cow. It's not usually used for jackets, and is EXTREMELY soft. The VIP cowhide IS my personal favorite when it comes to cowhide jackets.

Cowhide is much heavier in weight that goatskin, and won't shed water like goatskin, so it requires leather treatment. Still, a good choice, and wears well. All the Wested cowhides are great, as are all of the Wings jackets, though the Wings jackets pre-distressed tend to be more 'pinkish' in color. This goes away once you give it a Pecards leather treatment, then it has a VERY nice mabled, mahogany brown coloring. This is also created when done to the Wested pre-distressed cowhide, but in it's case it's color is acceptable in non-treated condition.

Hope this helps.

Regards! Michaelson

randystokes · Post by **randystokes** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:33 am

Michaelson wrote:Just a brief description, based on my jackets and experience with same:

Flightsuits goatskin is sourced from New Zealand, is chrome tanned, and a LOT stiffer than other vendors. They seem to be tough right out of the box, and actually take a brief break in period. Once softened, they wear like iron.

Wings goatskin is sourced from France, and is MUCH softer. Pretty compariable to the Wested goatskin in feel, though it appears a lot grainer, and they don't take the time to match skins from panel to panel, so if you're all about consistancy in appearance, Wings isn't the coat for you. If you don't CARE, then it's a great choice. It's my personal favorite in the goatskin hide of the 3. JMO, though.

The VIP cowhide from Wings is also from France, and is the belly hide from the cow. It's not usually used for jackets, and is EXTREMELY soft. The VIP cowhide IS my personal favorite when it comes to cowhide jackets.

Cowhide is much heavier in weight that goatskin, and won't shed water like goatskin, so it requires leather treatment. Still, a good choice, and wears well. All the Wested cowhides are great, as are all of the Wings jackets, though the Wings jackets pre-distressed tend to be more 'pinkish' in color. This goes away once you give it a Pecards leather treatment, then it has a VERY nice mabled, mahogany brown coloring. This is also created when done to the Wested pre-distressed cowhide, but in it's case it's color is acceptable in non-treated condition.

Hope this helps.

Regards! Michaelson

Gee, Michaelson, I wish you had some useful information to share once in a while . . .

Regards,

Randy

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:35 am

Yeah, this flying by the seat of my pants gets old sometimes.

Some of us 'old cruds' have been actually tinkering with this stuff for a few decades now........

Regards! Michaelson

randystokes · Post by **randystokes** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:16 am

Michaelson, I wouldn't call you an old crud -- old, sure, but crud? Nah.

'Course, that's like the line I remember from an old Friends episode: "Hello, Kettle? This is Pot. You're black."

Higher regards,

Randy