It's new jacket time all over...

[Plynck]

Well, it finally came! My Wested authentic lamb TOD, with a few modifications. Okay, it didn’t really take that long, it just felt that way.

My comments:

Customer care and service: No complaints whatsoever. Received an email from Peter that the order had been received and was being processed. Peter later answered a question about a jacket modification. And I was notified with a tracking number when the jacket was shipped. Can’t ask for more than that.

General quality: The quality is first-rate. No doubt about it. I’ve looked at all the seams, and there isn’t a stitch out of place. This is quality craftsmanship from a quality craftsman.

General jacket style: I went with the TOD in authentic lamb, with cotton/satin lining. I like a longer jacket, so I decided to go with the TOD. I think it was the right choice for me. However, I was surprised; I knew that the LC collar is bigger than the ROTLA collar, but I didn’t know that the TOD collar was larger as well. My mistake; I like the smaller collar, and will go for that next jacket.

Size: I ordered the TOD based upon my jacket size (size 46R) adding to that my shirt size, waist measurements, height, weight, and general build. The jacket came in fitting perfectly, as far as I am concerned. The sleeves seem a bit too long, but having followed the posts here, I know that many (Michaelson especially) advocate getting the sleeves a bit too long, as they will creep up with repeated wearing. The back of the jacket comes down about to my tailbone, which seems to be about right. I may think about adding an inch or two next time around, just because I like a longer jacket.

Storm flap and pockets: The size and placement looks great to my eyes. I’ve seen jackets where the pockets look too small, but the proportions now seem to be ideal, thanks to you folks.

Modifications received: I asked for gussets, an additional inside zippered pocket, and a name tag. All received. Peter charged an additional 10 pounds for this, which seems entirely reasonable to my mind. Note about gussets: I can understand Peter’s wish for additional compensation for this. If you look at all the seams in this area, you have the seams for the action pleat, for the back panel seam and for the seams up the sleeves. Add to that the additional seams for the gusset and it starts to look like Grand Central Station there (or should I say Charing Cross Station, Peter?). I can assure you that the quality of the stitching in this area is first rate.)

Modifications not received: I had requested a dual action zipper (when zipped up to the top, can also be unzipped from the bottom). I wanted to be able to sit wearing the jacket when zipped, and asked for this to take the tension off the waistband. I received a traditional zipper, although the cut of the jacket makes me slightly less concerned about this than I had been. I had requested pronged buckles instead of sliders or D-rings (I’m not a purist and like the look of the buckles). I got the sliders. I knew that these changes might not be available, and left alternates in my instructions. Evidently these changes aren’t possible at this time. Also, I inquired about cuffs for the jacket (as I said, I’m not a purist), and Peter replied that it was sacrilege. He probably shuddered at the mere thought. Okay, it was more in the order of a design change rather than a modification, but I still think that cuffs give a nice finished look to sleeves. Something for the wish list… I don't mean to sound like sour grapes here; these are things I truly wanted, but then again, I don't know anywhere where one could order a jacket like this at this price and have it made to order. I was willing to pay for these however, so I don't feel that I was looking for a free ride.

Fabric: My only misgivings; I have mixed feelings about the lamb.

First, the good stuff: I can’t believe how soft and supple this fabric is. The lambskin follows your body’s contours, with no stiffness at all. Here’s an example: I usually carry a pen in my shirt pocket, and I can see the outline of it when I have the jacket on. I don't think that I'm going to get away with putting very much in the pockets, but that doesn't bother me. When I put the jacket on, it is clear that this is dressy enough to be worn with business casual (say khakis and dress shirt) without being out of place at all.

Now my misgivings, and they have little to do with Wested: I think that Peter is trying to give the purists a hide that duplicates the look in the films, and if that isn’t my goal, then I run the risk of being disappointed. Although I think that the jacket I received may be a little darker and monochromatic, and the texture a bit more “pebbly” than the photoon the Wested site, but photos can be deceiving under different lighting conditions. I’d say that the color of the jacket I received is very uniform, somewhere between a bar of milk chocolate and a bar of dark chocolate.

The small disappointment I had came because I had seen this photo and hoped that the hide would look like the one shown in theseoutdoor photos .

If you look at those photos, you can see almost maroon or reddish highlights in the fabric. I was hoping that my jacket would have this tint, but there is no hint of that color at all in the lamb that I have.

Again, I know that that wasn’t the intent when Peter chose the hide, but I had hoped that it would look like these photos anyway. Yurik my friend, if your jacket truly looks like the pictures, then you have one nice looking jacket.

Well, mine is a nice jacket too. Just not exactly the color I anticipated. I certainly like the style, and I am actively considering ordering another in distressed leather. Unfortunately, the weather has just been too hot and muggy to wear my new jacket, but that will change soon. Can’t wait.

Best to all,

plynck

p.s. Late breaking news: I just got a US Customs bill from PBB Global Logistics for US$21.18. No surprise here, you folks prepared me for that. I had had the jacket delivered to my office in my name so that someone could sign for it. Consequently, the bill was also delivered to my office, but without any trace of my name on it. There are 300 people in my office, and Accounts Payable took a week to track me down. They had tried calling PBB, who were unable to help them (they suggested that my company call Wested in England to determine who the jacket was delivered to). But, they did tell my company that the bill would be sent to the collectors if it wasn’t paid promptly. I wonder how these knuckleheads call themselves Global; they couldn’t find their way out of town if all the streets were one way out.

[Mr. Das]

How long ago did you order your jacket? I'm just curious about the turnaround time, since his wait time depends on how busy Peter is.

I placed my order the first week of August, in case you're curious.

[Indycraze71]

Mr. Das I placed my order fora Wested on August 1st and received it yesterday August 27th...hope that helps. Brett

[Mr. Das]

Ya, I saw your other post. I guess I'm just getting a little anxious. so I was looking for other people's turnaround date to get a general idea. According to your schedule, I should be getting the jacket next week(fingers crossed).

[rick5150]

The small disappointment I had came because I had seen this photo and hoped that the hide would look like the one shown in these outdoor photos .

If you look at those photos, you can see almost maroon or reddish highlights in the fabric. I was hoping that my jacket would have this tint, but there is no hint of that color at all in the lamb that I have.

If I am not mistaken, the highlights are a result of the distressing done and are more prominent on one side. That is what I love about a distressed jacket and why brand new ones look liky vinyl in a lot of cases - way too uniform for my liking. Once distressed, the natural beauty of the leather is released. I have even used the brown Pecard's on one of my jackets to alter the highlights more to my liking on one jacket and have used Meltonian's shoe creme on another... That is what is great about this hobby. Personal taste... (or lack of, in my case )

[Plynck]

That is what I love about a distressed jacket and why brand new ones look liky vinyl in a lot of cases - way too uniform for my liking.

Thanks for your reply, rick.

I know that I covered this before, but it does bear repeating; this is absolutely no reflection on Wested. I think that Peter is giving folks what they want, something that closely duplicates the jacket in the films. And I suspect that most folks are thrilled with the color of the lamb out of the box. That said, yes I agree, the look is somewhat like vinyl. One has only to touch the fabric to see that it is anything but. The feel is exquisite.

And so now, it looks like I may be forced to do a little distressing. I had hoped to avoid that, and I'm not sure how successful this will be. When I first saw the color, and decided that I wanted something else, I gently tried a bit of acetone on the inside of the waistband (near the vent flap, where it wouldn't be seen). The acetone removed a bit of the color, but the underlying color wasn't the maroon that I had hoped for, just a lighter brown. But, I hadn't considered the brown Pecard's, so thank you for that. The only trouble with this is that I had hoped to stay with the water soluble product (Leather Lotion) to keep the weight down, but if the Pecard's gives me the look I want, that will be a small price to pay.

Does Yurik still post here? I'd love to know if he had any special tricks up his sleeve.

Best to all,

plynck