New Wested Novapelle (w/ Pics)...
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- Louisiana Jones
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New Wested Novapelle (w/ Pics)...
Just got my Wested in novapelle this afternoon. My first Wested was an off the rack horsehide LC that was too short for me, so after selling that to a fellow COW member I placed an order for this one (this time with custom measurements).
The jacket came to $362 USD and took about 30 days from placing my order to arrival at my door. I got the x-box stitching and two inside pockets. I gotta say I was quite suprised at the heft of the jacket. I think this one is heavier than my horsehide version was. I remember getting the horsehide jacket in the mail and being shocked at how thin and fragile it felt.. this one feels a bit tougher. I'll try to only put a few pictures in the thread so as not to upset the moderators.
I ordered the LC style (because I really like the large collar) but unless I'm mistaken this collar looks to be more along the lines of a Raiders. Heck this might just be the CS pattern because even the pockets are taller and narrower than they were on my first LC. With the pockets being narrower, the handwarmer pockets are not as deep, so my hand doesn't fit all the way into them. The pocket flaps are even slightly scalloped and they weren't on the first LC. So even though the packing slip says LC, unfortunately it isn't.
Here's the back of the jacket. Notice how nice the pre-distressed leather looks. It's got a little fading here and there in the sunlight which gives it some character right outta the box. The novapelle is very supple and soft to the touch, but feels a bit thicker and tougher than the previous two Westeds I've handled (one was my HH LC, the other is my brother's very thin pre-distressed cowhide).
A close-up detail of the pocket and novapelle leather. Has some nice grain to it. (added: after my first rainstorm, a lot more grain has surfaced.. really looks nice).
Here's a shot of my old LC in HH. Notice the differences between the two... the smoothness of the leather, the large collar and wider pockets. Just a completely different look.
All in all I'm pleased with the jacket. I wish it was more of an LC than it appears, but it'll do. The leather is much nicer than I thought it would be and the fit is decent (although they put a little too much satin lining in one of the sleeves and some actually pops out of the wrist opening when I put my arm in). Would I compare the quality to a Langlitz or Lost Worlds... not a chance, but it is still very nicely put together and better than most any "mall jacket" I've seen (referring to inexpensive leather jackets made in 3rd world countries and sold at your local leather store in the....wait for it.... mall). This will be a great all-around jacket and I'm looking forward to getting some heavy use out of it.
I apologize for the pics being so large (at least that's how they're showing on my computer). I resized them on photobucket but they seem to be showing much larger here than the 100% it shows on photobucket.
LJ
The jacket came to $362 USD and took about 30 days from placing my order to arrival at my door. I got the x-box stitching and two inside pockets. I gotta say I was quite suprised at the heft of the jacket. I think this one is heavier than my horsehide version was. I remember getting the horsehide jacket in the mail and being shocked at how thin and fragile it felt.. this one feels a bit tougher. I'll try to only put a few pictures in the thread so as not to upset the moderators.
I ordered the LC style (because I really like the large collar) but unless I'm mistaken this collar looks to be more along the lines of a Raiders. Heck this might just be the CS pattern because even the pockets are taller and narrower than they were on my first LC. With the pockets being narrower, the handwarmer pockets are not as deep, so my hand doesn't fit all the way into them. The pocket flaps are even slightly scalloped and they weren't on the first LC. So even though the packing slip says LC, unfortunately it isn't.
Here's the back of the jacket. Notice how nice the pre-distressed leather looks. It's got a little fading here and there in the sunlight which gives it some character right outta the box. The novapelle is very supple and soft to the touch, but feels a bit thicker and tougher than the previous two Westeds I've handled (one was my HH LC, the other is my brother's very thin pre-distressed cowhide).
A close-up detail of the pocket and novapelle leather. Has some nice grain to it. (added: after my first rainstorm, a lot more grain has surfaced.. really looks nice).
Here's a shot of my old LC in HH. Notice the differences between the two... the smoothness of the leather, the large collar and wider pockets. Just a completely different look.
All in all I'm pleased with the jacket. I wish it was more of an LC than it appears, but it'll do. The leather is much nicer than I thought it would be and the fit is decent (although they put a little too much satin lining in one of the sleeves and some actually pops out of the wrist opening when I put my arm in). Would I compare the quality to a Langlitz or Lost Worlds... not a chance, but it is still very nicely put together and better than most any "mall jacket" I've seen (referring to inexpensive leather jackets made in 3rd world countries and sold at your local leather store in the....wait for it.... mall). This will be a great all-around jacket and I'm looking forward to getting some heavy use out of it.
I apologize for the pics being so large (at least that's how they're showing on my computer). I resized them on photobucket but they seem to be showing much larger here than the 100% it shows on photobucket.
LJ
Last edited by Louisiana Jones on Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
It's a handsome jacket, alright, but not an LC. Actually I like it better (I have a supposed LC from Wested which doesn't look close). It certaintly looks like a CS jacket - it even has the double stictching on the shoulders. I would leave the leather even if it gets wet. You can let it wear for a year then consider a treatement. Won't hurt it unless it gets wet every day for a month.
Cheers
Cheers
- Indiana G
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gotta love these novapelle westeds....i wish i had one....so....can i have it?
i voted that it looked like the CS jacket.....minus just some small things:
- x-box stitching on the straps
- stitching at the bottom hem of the jacket
- force the collar/collar stand down/lay flat
...oh and one more thing:
- it should go in my closet
i voted that it looked like the CS jacket.....minus just some small things:
- x-box stitching on the straps
- stitching at the bottom hem of the jacket
- force the collar/collar stand down/lay flat
...oh and one more thing:
- it should go in my closet
- Louisiana Jones
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- Louisiana Jones
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A few more pics... to avoid slow download times and making everyone crazy, I'll just post the links..
Here's a closer shot of the collar, which is Screen Accurate for "Kingdom of the Raiders of Doom".
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2004.jpg
More of the back.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2007.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2010.jpg
Smoothly functioning YKK zip.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2006.jpg
LJ
Here's a closer shot of the collar, which is Screen Accurate for "Kingdom of the Raiders of Doom".
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2004.jpg
More of the back.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2007.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2010.jpg
Smoothly functioning YKK zip.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t210 ... et2006.jpg
LJ
- Louisiana Jones
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Not trying to revive my own thread.. but thought I'd give my thoughts on the jacket now that I've had some time to wear it...
So the jacket has gotten lots of wear over the last week or so (in the house of course) and some new observations have come about which bring to mind a comment I read in another thread about how Wested may be sacrificing some quality because of their large workload of new orders recently. Now I really have no idea if that comment is true.. but here are my complaints about this jacket...
The fit is much worse than my old OTR 46R. The custom measurements I gave for my new jacket dealt with the length only.. I told them my HH 46R fit my chest perfectly and that I just needed a few more inches on the bottom. The new 46 fits me completely different.. the action pleats in the back start at my lower armpit, so they are pretty useless and the jacket really tightens up with a little forward arm movement (also, I don't think any elastic was used inside the jacket to hold in the pleats because they both pop out and stay out). I also ordered the underarm gussets, and even with them my range of arm-motion is limited and the jacket tightens up with the slightest reach forward or upward.
The sidestraps are also very short and with them loosened up to the maximum the jacket still fits pretty tight around the waist. My old Wested had a few extra inches of strap to spare.. this one came with much shorter straps. Luckily I don't have a gut.. if I did the jacket would be extremely tight and I'd probably have to send it back for that reason alone.
My last gripe would have to be the handwarmer pockets (which I mentioned in the first post of this thread). They are just so small that my whole hand can't fit in and my fingers all have to be squished closed. Forget about fitting my hands in there when I'm wearing gloves.
All in all... I still like the jacket. Nothing I mention above is major, and the jacket is still perfectly wearable as an everyday jacket. The novapelle hide looks better every day, just getting grainier and grainier.. I love it. I just wish this jacket fit as nicely as my first Wested. I'm reminded of a comment I was told when first thinking about ordering an Indy jacket... they told me Wested makes jackets that are more "film props" than actual, wearable jackets. With this jacket it appears true. My first Wested was of excellent quality (just too darn short).. this new Wested suffers a little and I don't think deserves the price tag that I paid. If there is ever a time when I feel the need to get another Indy jacket I don't think it will be Wested.
(I know this is going to make a lot of Wested lovers mad... its not intended to. I'm just stating my thoughts on my jacket. I am not sending the jacket back.. I am not completely displeased with it.. it's just not as well put together as I think it could be.)
LJ
So the jacket has gotten lots of wear over the last week or so (in the house of course) and some new observations have come about which bring to mind a comment I read in another thread about how Wested may be sacrificing some quality because of their large workload of new orders recently. Now I really have no idea if that comment is true.. but here are my complaints about this jacket...
The fit is much worse than my old OTR 46R. The custom measurements I gave for my new jacket dealt with the length only.. I told them my HH 46R fit my chest perfectly and that I just needed a few more inches on the bottom. The new 46 fits me completely different.. the action pleats in the back start at my lower armpit, so they are pretty useless and the jacket really tightens up with a little forward arm movement (also, I don't think any elastic was used inside the jacket to hold in the pleats because they both pop out and stay out). I also ordered the underarm gussets, and even with them my range of arm-motion is limited and the jacket tightens up with the slightest reach forward or upward.
The sidestraps are also very short and with them loosened up to the maximum the jacket still fits pretty tight around the waist. My old Wested had a few extra inches of strap to spare.. this one came with much shorter straps. Luckily I don't have a gut.. if I did the jacket would be extremely tight and I'd probably have to send it back for that reason alone.
My last gripe would have to be the handwarmer pockets (which I mentioned in the first post of this thread). They are just so small that my whole hand can't fit in and my fingers all have to be squished closed. Forget about fitting my hands in there when I'm wearing gloves.
All in all... I still like the jacket. Nothing I mention above is major, and the jacket is still perfectly wearable as an everyday jacket. The novapelle hide looks better every day, just getting grainier and grainier.. I love it. I just wish this jacket fit as nicely as my first Wested. I'm reminded of a comment I was told when first thinking about ordering an Indy jacket... they told me Wested makes jackets that are more "film props" than actual, wearable jackets. With this jacket it appears true. My first Wested was of excellent quality (just too darn short).. this new Wested suffers a little and I don't think deserves the price tag that I paid. If there is ever a time when I feel the need to get another Indy jacket I don't think it will be Wested.
(I know this is going to make a lot of Wested lovers mad... its not intended to. I'm just stating my thoughts on my jacket. I am not sending the jacket back.. I am not completely displeased with it.. it's just not as well put together as I think it could be.)
LJ
LJ, I appreciate your honesty in your post. My question is this; you pay about $370 for a custom jacket and have some serious concerns about wearability, so why not try to see if you can have it altered to get the jacket you feel you paid your hard earned pesos for?
Will this jacket still fit a year from now and will it hold together?
For me fit is all important. If it doesn't feel good I won't think I've gotten what I should've for the money. This would be true for a jacket from any maker.
Guess spending that much on something I'm not satisfied with would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Will this jacket still fit a year from now and will it hold together?
For me fit is all important. If it doesn't feel good I won't think I've gotten what I should've for the money. This would be true for a jacket from any maker.
Guess spending that much on something I'm not satisfied with would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
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Interesting how no two jackets look quite the same!
I've seen so many pictures of Novapelle Indy jackets recently, and they all look very different. I have one on order from Wested, and can't wait to see it for myself. I had heard the Nova was actually quite light. Not lambskin light, but lighter than expected, perhaps. I will just have to wait and see. It's the middle of Winter here in Australia; perfect time for a heavy-ish jacket. Not going to be the same story in a few months though, when Summer looms.
Personally, I think that certainly looks like a beautiful jacket, though fit is as important as looks, I guess.
I hope to post pics of my jacket when it arrives.
I've seen so many pictures of Novapelle Indy jackets recently, and they all look very different. I have one on order from Wested, and can't wait to see it for myself. I had heard the Nova was actually quite light. Not lambskin light, but lighter than expected, perhaps. I will just have to wait and see. It's the middle of Winter here in Australia; perfect time for a heavy-ish jacket. Not going to be the same story in a few months though, when Summer looms.
Personally, I think that certainly looks like a beautiful jacket, though fit is as important as looks, I guess.
I hope to post pics of my jacket when it arrives.
LJ's new Jacket
Seems to me that you made a mistake by not having ALL your measurements taken and then given to Wested. The more info they have, the better. And if you had any problem after that, then I think you could kick & holler. Jacket looks real purdy, though!
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- Kt Templar
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Looks like you got the new CS pattern. I'm pretty sure it has replaced the old LC pattern.
The old LC pattern had become more and more distorted with time with a huge collar that looked very strange especially in the smaller jackets.
This CS pattern is a complete remake based on the prototype work Peter did at Western Costume. The yoke is waisted at the shoulders and on mine at least helps the pleats pull closed. Wested do not put in elastic on this jacket unless requested.
This pattern has a tighter waist with more of a V shaped than usual.
The short side straps were also from the proto. I've actually added a stitch top and bottom to hold them in place as they do still slip, a result of the D rings. I suspect they need to give up SA (or in this case PA - Prototype accurate) on this account and allow an extra inch or inch and a half.
Pockets, yes they are smaller. I personally would not push them to make them bigger again, this will just arrive in the huge pocket syndrome that has plagued the Raiders jacket. We just need to live with the face that they have to be that small to be correct. Looks like he is trying to make them look like the screen CS pockets from the straighter flaps.
Anyway, I think it looks pretty fab.
The old LC pattern had become more and more distorted with time with a huge collar that looked very strange especially in the smaller jackets.
This CS pattern is a complete remake based on the prototype work Peter did at Western Costume. The yoke is waisted at the shoulders and on mine at least helps the pleats pull closed. Wested do not put in elastic on this jacket unless requested.
This pattern has a tighter waist with more of a V shaped than usual.
The short side straps were also from the proto. I've actually added a stitch top and bottom to hold them in place as they do still slip, a result of the D rings. I suspect they need to give up SA (or in this case PA - Prototype accurate) on this account and allow an extra inch or inch and a half.
Pockets, yes they are smaller. I personally would not push them to make them bigger again, this will just arrive in the huge pocket syndrome that has plagued the Raiders jacket. We just need to live with the face that they have to be that small to be correct. Looks like he is trying to make them look like the screen CS pockets from the straighter flaps.
Anyway, I think it looks pretty fab.
- davyjones007
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- jacksdad
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I like your jacket wear in good health. In time I'm sure all the things you listed you will forget once you get to wear it more.I'm the same way when I first get a new jacket,I look at everything and can find the simplest thing wrong,but once I start wearing it and it starts to conform to my body, I forget all those thing and and just wear it. well good luck and enjoy.
My Novapelle is just slightly lighter than my TN but feels just as durable. The workmanship is the best I've seen yet from a Wested. There is so much "character" to this jacket. It has that perfect Raiders color right out-of-the-box. Even though it's a custom-made size 44, it feels more roomier than my TN. Hands down the Novapelle is the best leather produced by Wested....and to me, it ranks right up there with my TN.
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I was thinking the same thing!
I've often bought whole or half cow rawhides from my local tannery to
re-skin Congas. I'd thought that's the sort of thing the leather places would work with too? Only, lots and lots of them to make one jacket, I hear! Therein would lie the difference I suppose; one hide could be very different in grain and color from the next.
I've often bought whole or half cow rawhides from my local tannery to
re-skin Congas. I'd thought that's the sort of thing the leather places would work with too? Only, lots and lots of them to make one jacket, I hear! Therein would lie the difference I suppose; one hide could be very different in grain and color from the next.
- Louisiana Jones
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Hey Guys... been busy with work and the holiday weekend, so sorry I haven't been able to respond sooner.
Like I said in my previous post, I was just making nit-picking complaints.. none of the problems were severe enough to the point I'd want to call up Wested and demand a new jacket.
YARVTON- Yes I definitely should have given Wested all of my measurements. I just figured that since my first 46 fit so perfectly in the body, I'd just have them keep the body of the new jacket to their 46 specs...but like someone else said earlier I guess no two Westeds are alike!
Indiana Holt is right.. there are just differences in pre-D hides. The back panel and an underarm portion of one sleeve seem to be from a different batch than the rest of my jacket. I kind of like it though.
DavyJones- the Wested in pre-D cow I mentioned is my brother's. Both jackets feel solidly constructed, but his cow just feels paper thin to me. If I had to decide between the two I'd definitely go with the novapelle again.
Like I said.. all-in-all I love this jacket. Yeah I have a few gripes about it but nothing major enough to make me call up Wested and have them replace it. I put it through its paces this weekend with a 70 foot tumble down a pretty steep hillside (twice, and yes it was on purpose) and while the jacket has some pretty neat looking scrapes and distressing, it held together just fine.. I thought for sure I was gonna bust some seams. Once I get the video up on my computer I'll see if I can take some stills of the fall and post 'em here. See every summer for the last 5 years I've made a fictional documentary about an explorer who's look is based on who else but Indy, and I make them hilarious and stunt-filled and family and friends look forward to them each fall after all the editing is done. So this weekend I shot a few scenes and I couldn't pass up the fall down the hillside once I saw the spot.
Anyway.. jacket is great.. complaints aside I love it.
LJ
Like I said in my previous post, I was just making nit-picking complaints.. none of the problems were severe enough to the point I'd want to call up Wested and demand a new jacket.
YARVTON- Yes I definitely should have given Wested all of my measurements. I just figured that since my first 46 fit so perfectly in the body, I'd just have them keep the body of the new jacket to their 46 specs...but like someone else said earlier I guess no two Westeds are alike!
Indiana Holt is right.. there are just differences in pre-D hides. The back panel and an underarm portion of one sleeve seem to be from a different batch than the rest of my jacket. I kind of like it though.
DavyJones- the Wested in pre-D cow I mentioned is my brother's. Both jackets feel solidly constructed, but his cow just feels paper thin to me. If I had to decide between the two I'd definitely go with the novapelle again.
Like I said.. all-in-all I love this jacket. Yeah I have a few gripes about it but nothing major enough to make me call up Wested and have them replace it. I put it through its paces this weekend with a 70 foot tumble down a pretty steep hillside (twice, and yes it was on purpose) and while the jacket has some pretty neat looking scrapes and distressing, it held together just fine.. I thought for sure I was gonna bust some seams. Once I get the video up on my computer I'll see if I can take some stills of the fall and post 'em here. See every summer for the last 5 years I've made a fictional documentary about an explorer who's look is based on who else but Indy, and I make them hilarious and stunt-filled and family and friends look forward to them each fall after all the editing is done. So this weekend I shot a few scenes and I couldn't pass up the fall down the hillside once I saw the spot.
Anyway.. jacket is great.. complaints aside I love it.
LJ
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