Good Day,
I picked up this used Wested Cowhide a few months back and was interested in a few suggestions or comments on how it appears to fit me as I plan on placing an order soon for a Wested HH. I can take the measurements from this jacket and add to it based on any feedback I can receive.
If it matters to anyone, the distressing was done by the previous owner.
Jacket LOOKS great, But I'd add an inch to body AND sleeves. Sleeves are better slightly long, than too short. Try raising your arms straight out in front of you, zombie style,....if the sleeves end up mid forearm,..you'll know what I mean.
'Blues
I believe the original owner was Rick5150 and it was he that did the distressing.
My main concern was over the body length since I have read quite a few different opinions here. I agree the sleeves are a bit short and I always thought the body was a little short, not so much so, that I won't wear the jacket. But I definitely appreciate the feedback as I believe it will help me get a perfect fit when I order a new one.
I just tried "zombie style" with my arms and the sleeves move back to about an inch behind my wrist.
From the feedback so far and looking at wested sizing specs and comparing it to this one, it looks like a 42R would be perfect. Giving me close to 1 1/2 - 2 more inches in length about an 1 1/4 on the sleeves.
the distressing does look great and the fit seems almost perfect. I'd say the body length is a matter of what feels right to you. I'd prefer a slightly shorter jacket than my 42R, which otherwise fits me perfectly. The sleeves do look a bit short though. The length the sleeves ride up in zombie pose varies mainly I think due to back muscles. _ probably knows way more about it than I do, but I have a friend that wears the same jacket size as me but he's ripped and when he does it the thing goes up to his elbows.
Hey, that was my jacket! I am glad to see it getting some use. As you can see by the photos, I actually had to let the sleeves down as far as they go to get them that long. If the jacket was an inch longer in the sleeves and about an inch and a half in the body, I would never have let it go. But it looks like that is exactly what you need too.
The problem is that that jacket was at least one size too big for me, initially. Since I had so many Westeds, I started to expirement a bit. Then it was too small :evil:
But I always loved the look of the jacket. Almost as much as the lambskin I sold about the same time.
Rick5150,
I'm glad you confirmed that it was yours originally. I thought so when I found your original "for sale" post and the description matched what I was given.
The person I bought it from, was a couple of inches taller than myself and I was told it just barely fit him so I thought it was worth the gamble since I was shorter. But with the feedback I have received so far I should now be able to put together some measurements to place an order for a Wested HH.
Never the less I still like and will wear the jacket. Your distressing looks great especially in how the leather became so soft.
And besides if I want to give the appearance of it looking longer, I can always opt for an optical illusion by wearing a pair of Bill's khakis with the higher waist. Rest assured though that this jacket will be getting worn and used. I'll give it a good home. Just like my hats, it will go into rotation.
rick5150 wrote:The problem is that that jacket was at least one size too big for me, initially. Since I had so many Westeds, I started to expirement a bit. Then it was too small :evil:
What did you do that made it shrink? And did that process add weathering on its own?
I ask because my second Wested (goat, I think) is a little big for me but it's in near-mint condition and I'd like to keep it in pretty good shape for more dressy occasions. (I save the weathering, natural and otherwise, for my lamb.)
Treadwell wrote:What did you do that made it shrink? And did that process add weathering on its own?
Okay, here we go.
To start with, it was a predistressed cowhide. That was the first one I ever ordered from Wested, although I received two that I won on eBay before I actually received it. It hung on a hanger since it was too big for me.
I finally got sick of it just hanging there as it is a great jacket. I threw it in the washing machine (complete with soap) for a full cycle and that did add weathering in itself. Then I put the jacket in the dryer (with heat) for a while. I was checking it frequently at first, but the majority of the shrinkage seemed to happen all at once.
I was aiming for what I got in softness and shrinkage, but I missed the mark size-wise by a bit. But I have been convinced that you can break in certain jacket so that they are like cloth and this proved that theory. It also cost me a jacket. Kobol will tell you that jacket is soft like a fashion suede jacket.
I used what I have learned and my Aero Highwayman which is 4.0 ounce FQHH that could literally stand up by itself (I think FLATHEAD posted a few pictures of his FQHH standing on a bed once). It is now very, very soft and comfortable to wear. Still my absolute favorite in both looks and comfort and I have had a LOT of jackets. Still have too many.
rick5150 wrote:
...I missed the mark size-wise by a bit.
I understand what You mean here, but dont You get into troubles since the zipper does not shrink? I'm thinking of wrinkled leather...
kobol, I've been there myself a few times where it's really hard to decide the size of a jacket. I think Your jacket looks too small for You. Not only the sleeves, but also the general appearance of the jacket. If You look at the new CS photo with Harrison standing with gun in hand, You get a good impression of what I personally like size-wise. I know it's a matter of taste, and also film. For a Raiders look Your jacket is about one size smaller than I would suggest, for a CS-look I would say almost two - roughly. If You look at the seems where the sleeves are attached to the shoulder they seem to "hang" a lot more on Harrison, and thats the look I prefer myself.
But again - the important thing is what You feel about wearing it. I learned that when I realized that none of my jackets made me look like a spitting image of Harrison..
Photos show me in my Raiders-jacket. I would like my next jacket a little longer, more CS-style.
