Blue Label Wings

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:18 pm

I got my Blue Label Wings in today and just got a chance to examine it. I know there are some that aren't a big fan of Wings but I really do love how these jackets feel when I put them on. Really sturdy like you could do some heavy adventuring without worry, and maybe I'm lucky, but I seem to have good luck with their OTR fit.

This jacket is no exception. Like has been mentioned elsewhere, the leather is a little lighter than the impression you get from the pictures. For my personal taste, I think a nice slathering of Pecards would do wonders for this jacket and really let it shine (no pun intended). I have to agree with Michaelson that the D rings are quite flimsy. I would switch them out for some more heavy duty hardware.

But you could not beat this jacket for the quality and value. $195 for this jacket is a ridiculous deal.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 110032.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 110033.jpg

And with the wife and child asleep upstairs, I had to go for the ultimate basement mirror shot:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 110039.jpg

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:33 pm

I've got one on order, myself, to join the Wested in my wardrobe.

I think it will be a great jacket to wear the heck out of. I could care less about some of the details being less than screen accurate.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:54 pm

Dangit, it looks amazing

Great jacket, crismans!

-KB

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:50 am

That's interesting about the D-rings, as the zip is a heavy duty one, topping out at a 10B, and the leather is really soft. The look of the leather is similiar to a CS type appearance.

Arca Perdida · Post by **Arca Perdida** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:55 am

so with this pattern being different from the other US Wings Indy jackets, how do the sleeve sizes compare (not length-wise, but diameter-wise). Are they really baggy like the others, or more fitted?

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:27 am

The sleeves are just right, for me, and somewhat taperd to the cuff. Overall, the jacket is not a slim cut, 80's fit, but comparable to a standard. The fit is true to a usual OTR size.

The site says:

"Our Blue Label™ Vintage Indy-style Adventurer Jacket is made from a slightly different pattern than our standard Signature Series™ Adventurer pattern....Among its various differences are smaller pockets, slightly deeper action pleats, and longer side straps....our reproduction is constructed from a more durable vintage cowhide leather and features two front cargo pockets with side-entry handwarmers, bi-swing action back, adjustable side straps, nylon-acetate lining, one interior leather-trimmed zippered pocket, and, a heavy duty front zipper. Full cut for a roomy, comfortable fit."

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:34 am

Yeah, which is precisely why I plumped for it, over the US-made goat Indy jacket which wasn't much more at $297 (my blue tag cost $245).

Basically because the US-made goat jacket was a Normal fit and the Hong Kong-made blue tag is a Full Cut fit... and I've put on some padding in recent years!

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:06 am

Rob, it's my understanding that COW members should receive a discount at $195, before shipping.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:29 pm

Texan Scott wrote:Rob, it's my understanding that COW members should receive a discount at $195, before shipping.

Yes, heh, that was my bad... I did what a few other COW members have done! See the thread at viewtopic.php?t=33711 which has details for anyone else in my shoes. Laurie is rectifying for me on Monday

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:01 pm

I got mine yesterday and love the jacket. Its lighter in color than the pic on the site though. Fits me fine at 6'3", 215 lbs. Will post pics later.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:31 pm

If it were in lamb id consider it but since I have a USW vintage cowhide I don't "need" one of these. Looks like you can't beat if for the price though.

Arca Perdida · Post by **Arca Perdida** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:56 pm

did anyone get a medium and if so, would you mind posting the following sizes:

back length (from base of collar to bottom of jacket)
chest (armpit to armpit on the front side with it zipped up)
sleeve (shoulder seam to cuff)
shoulder (base of neck to shoulder seam)

I ask because I have a medium USW antique lambskin import and was wondering how this one compares in terms of fit.

Thanks!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:19 pm

Just out of curiosity, can you recall when you bought it whether US Wings described your jacket as a Normal or a Full Cut? They are generally the two ways it sizes the Indy jackets, ie: I've never seen it do a Military or an Oversize Indy.

Arca Perdida · Post by **Arca Perdida** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:25 pm

My antique lamb was one of the clearance imports from a year and a half ago. I don't recall any description of the cuts. Always thought they only had the one standard pattern regardless of jacket. Until now, I guess. Which is why I'm curious.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:28 pm

Is vintage cowhide just a way of saying pre-distressed cowhide? I'm almost in the market for a cowhide jacket, and considering one of these (if they have any left by that time), but I tend to shy away from pre-distressed leather....

-KB

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:34 pm

I like the jacket looks like it could take a beating and not wear at all.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:45 pm

Hee hee, if the 'Wings' I've had were any fuller cut, you'd be able to fit the entire Nazi truck crew in em, and that's just the sleeve cuffs!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:53 pm

Kt Templar wrote:Hee hee, if the 'Wings' I've had were any fuller cut, you'd be able to fit the entire Nazi truck crew in em, and that's just the sleeve cuffs!

Well, it's horses for courses really, isn't it?

Over my years at COW I've lost track of the pictures of big fat blokes bursting out of their Wested's - which barely look like they can zip up - and often someone will still comment that the jacket could do with being an 80s cut, instead. I mean...

It's all about personal comfort, at the end of the day. I'd much rather see people fitting into their jackets, rather than following the concept that unless the body of the jacket's breaking two ribs and you can barely bend your arms, the fit's not close enough.

Bruce Wayne · Post by **Bruce Wayne** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:47 pm

Rob wrote:It's all about personal comfort, at the end of the day. I'd much rather see people fitting into their jackets, rather than following the concept that unless the body of the jacket's breaking two ribs and you can barely bend your arms, the fit's not close enough.

my wested is at least one size smaller than my tony towak. i would like to to wear my wested at work this winter, but since it is "fitted" in my opinion, i would not be able to wear any extra insulation underneath it

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:04 pm

Over my years at COW I've lost track of the pictures of big fat blokes bursting out of their Wested's - which barely look like they can zip up - and often someone will still comment that the jacket could do with being an 80s cut, instead. I mean...

I always refer to this very thing as looking like a "stuffed sausage".

What gets me is when other people will say, wow, that jacket looks great
on you, or it fits just right.

I know most people mean well, but to me its an injustice to lie to someone
just because you don't want to hurt their feelings.

Its always true that when a person, any person, asks if an item of
clothing "looks ok on me", it means that the person asking the question
already knows the answer.

My advice has always been, if the jacket is even just a hint too tight, it
will end up haning in the closet, never to be worn until the person thinks
they will "loose some weight", or the jacket will magically grow in size.

A jacket that is just a hint too big on the other hand, always fits better,
looks better, and can be worn with layers under it, which means its
the jacket that will get worn the most, and be enjoyed the most.

Flathead

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:20 pm

SA verses comfort...that debate will probably continue. After dropping the amounts that we do on one or more jackets, I have to error on the side of personal preference and practicality. Personally, I like the fact that there is product diversity among jacket vendors, presently, and I perceive it to be a strength rather than a weakness. I'm glad these jackets are not all produced like sheet metal rolling down an assembly line, such that a jacket offering from one vendor has certain characteristics that set it apart from another.

The other issue that should be addressed is sizing. I normally wear a Large, ordered one, and it fits like one. Yep, this one is a keeper.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:07 pm

Texan Scott wrote:SA verses comfort...that debate will probably continue.

It probably will... yet it's such a silly debate. I mean, to take it to its logical conclusion, one would need to be wearing exactly the same size jacket as Ford for true screen accuracy... yet no one seems to go that far, generally speaking, unless they were simply lucky enough to be born with the same size body *chuckle* I'm with Flathead all the way on this... jackets that actually fit, in order they get worn and well-used. And, interestingly, the debate isn't just confined here... over at the Fedora Lounge, there's a real cult surrounding being able to wear your A2 "well", and it's championed by little skinny blokes who, naturally, can fit easily into military cut jackets. Anyone with a hint of stomach who elects to wear a fuller cut A2 will usually get told that it's not the real deal because it's not the military cut. It would seem that some people would rather see a big fat bloke stuffed into a tiny military cut jacket for historical accuracy (Flathead's "stuffed sausage"), than actually wear a jacket that fits. I find it kind of weird, myself. But, horses for courses as they say.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:26 pm

In the 1940's, most aircrews were under the age of 21, so with the advantage of youth on their side, active metabolism, products of the Great Depression, their A-2's usually did fit well. Fast forward a decade or so, and life happens. You work overtime, carve out time for family, etc., generally put other's needs first before your own, and before you know it, you revisit the battle of the bulge.

In my opinion, the essence of the character is that Indy embodies the spirit of adventure, and not that we should attempt to rewrite his story again and again, as though we were clones and stunt doubles, because we have gifted movie makers already doing that, but we can take these ideals and write unique chapters of adventures in our own lives, while pursuing an interesting hobby as a fan and collector.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:38 pm

Well said, Texan Scott.

TruckWhatTruck · Post by **TruckWhatTruck** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:24 am

Rob wrote:
Texan Scott wrote:SA verses comfort...that debate will probably continue.
It probably will... yet it's such a silly debate. I mean, to take it to its logical conclusion, one would need to be wearing exactly the same size jacket as Ford for true screen accuracy... yet no one seems to go that far, generally speaking, unless they were simply lucky enough to be born with the same size body *chuckle* I'm with Flathead all the way on this... jackets that actually fit, in order they get worn and well-used. And, interestingly, the debate isn't just confined here... over at the Fedora Lounge, there's a real cult surrounding being able to wear your A2 "well", and it's championed by little skinny blokes who, naturally, can fit easily into military cut jackets. Anyone with a hint of stomach who elects to wear a fuller cut A2 will usually get told that it's not the real deal because it's not the military cut. It would seem that some people would rather see a big fat bloke stuffed into a tiny military cut jacket for historical accuracy (Flathead's "stuffed sausage"), than actually wear a jacket that fits. I find it kind of weird, myself. But, horses for courses as they say.

you might be one of the most level-headed people on the boards, Rob.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:39 pm

On the off topic of this topic I have to stick up for the SA side of the debate. I personally prefer fit over screen accuracy, but that's because indygear isn't about costuming to me. On the other hand, to other's, Indygear is NOTHING but costuming. There are those of us out there who get the gear to keep it on a mannequin, or to keep it on one most of the time and then wear it to a comic convention or something. To them, the jacket's just going to hang in the closet (or the mannequin, as the case may be) most of the time anyway, regardless of fit.

But to get back ON topic... besides the fact that I'm not "in the money" at the time, and the fact that this is full cut and I'm such a skinny guy, I probably won't be purchasing one of these...

-KB

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:27 pm

I thought we were talking about the new USW jacket?

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:39 pm

Raider S wrote:I thought we were talking about the new USW jacket?

Finally! Someone gets back to the topic.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:43 pm

Meh, threads are more interesting when they run like a real life conversation. You certainly don't mention the weather to someone in real life and, when that person starts telling an amusing anecdote about buying an umbrella (related to, but not entirely about the weather), shout at them to get it back on topic, do you?

Personally, I like the way our threads take some interesting side streets from time to time.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:41 am

..agreed, as long as those side streets intersect BACK to the original road, rather than going so far afield no one remembers where they were going in the first place.

I haven't heard any updated count on jackets sold in this series, so if you're interested, you best get on the stick. There were only 45 made, and that's it. Last I heard (which was Friday), there were only 25 left.

Regards! Michaelson

ANZAC_1915 · Post by **ANZAC_1915** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:53 am

Unfortunately for me, the sleeves on the XXL were too short for me (based on the measurements they sent and comparing to my Wested). Must be those gorilla arms.

Anyway, still a great deal!

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:34 am

Just got off the phone with USW and ordered a Blue Label. I prdered a small and was told that they had one more size small in stock. I was also told that they had about five in every other size, so don't fret yet, if you are planning on picking one of these up, just get it done soon.

Dave

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:54 am

True, don't fret, but don't let the grass grow under your feet either. Anyone searching the www can now see this jacket on their website and order one, so we're not the only ones looking at these items.

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:48 pm

Sorry medium guys, I just picked up one of those as well, for a friend. Get a move on it if you want one guys.

Dave

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:14 pm

Aye, that's right... don't delay if you want to be in one of the most exclusive jacket clubs in our hobby yet

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:16 pm

It is exclusive. As Michaelson said, only 45 were made. The best part is that we can pick these up for under $200. Living in perpetual summer, I couldn't justify spending more than about $250 on a jacket, which is why I considering the Wested Authentic Lamb. But you really can't beat this deal.

Dave