My Turn at Bat with My WESTED

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:15 am

Hey everybody,
Shame on me...
I've had my Wested Off-The-Rack Size 42 (I was young & inexperienced back then... didn't even REALIZE I could've had it Custom Made) for about 8 months now and never once have I posted a few shots of it in this Forum... something always seemed to come up (including most recently the need to actually buy a new camera!)
Anyway, I LOVE this jacket (and it's probably the ONLY one I'll own UNLESS I can get one matching Holt's specs) but I'm still curious to hear what you may think...

Does the overall fit look okay to you?
Sleeve length look okay?
Hang well?
Look okay zipped / unzipped?
I realize it still looks pretty "shiny and new" (I'm normally from the Michaelson School of Natural Distressing... but even then, it's only been in the last couple of months or so that I stopped handling it with "kid gloves"...)
I'm sure you understand as I realize I'm not the first to say it: I'd waited so long for it, it just didn't feel right to start slapping it into the dirt right away...
I guess once the Spring rolls around again I might feel a little differently though! Plus... I've gotta admit, when I see how good some of those jackets look after a quick run through the wash... I feel pretty tempted...

First I'll post 4 shots with it zipped up and then, in a bit, I'll post four or five more with it unzipped and a back shot (I'm assuming to do it that way will meet MOD requirements... apologies if I've misunderstood them.)
Anyway... feedback, hints, compliments, criticisms ALL welcome.
All the Best,
Mitch

Here's 2 Links:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00025.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00043.jpg

Here's 2 Photos:

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:18 am

Looks great! What hide is that?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:24 am

Nice fit, Mitch! Looks like a custom fit on you, even if it is an OTR. ;-)

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:25 am

Dr._J wrote:Looks great! What hide is that?

Just the "Regular Old Lambskin"...
Cheers,
Mitch

So, bink... am I okay to put up the extra few shots of the jacket unzipped/showing sleeve length/from the back shots (as long as they aren't more than 6)?

Once they're up, I'm done... they're all I've got.
Mitch

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:27 am

I'm not a true gearhed about the subtle differences between one jacket and another, but I think this Wested fit you almost perfectly!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:33 am

Much obliged, Bazz... thank you!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:37 am

Mitch LaRue wrote: So, bink... am I okay to put up the extra few shots of the jacket unzipped/showing sleeve length/from the back shots (as long as they aren't more than 6)?

You can put up as many clickable links as you want showing as many angles of your jacket as you desire. There's no limit to that. If you wish to show a new pic or two, you can always make some of the other pics just links to even it out. (See viewtopic.php?t=21315 for more details.) ;-)

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:50 am

Gotcha... Thanks!
I'm clear on it now, won't ask again.
(And I'm "adjusting" things even as you read this).

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:55 am

;-) Hey, it never hurts to ask. The answers might hurt, but not the asking itself.

;-)

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:02 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote: ;-) Hey, it never hurts to ask. The answers might hurt, but not the asking itself. ;-)

Agreed.
And thanks for the guidance (I'm feeling more and more like a savvy C.O.W. Member every day!)

So, for the folks who were wondering... here's those few more shots of the Wested that I mentioned earlier...

Here's 1 Link:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00030.jpg

And here's 4 Photos:

There you are... that's it from me.
(And thanks for the kind words, folks!)

IndianaSVT · Post by **IndianaSVT** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:04 pm

I think that is a great looking jacket & looks good on you.

Russian Raider · Post by **Russian Raider** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:07 pm

I thing this jacket and you found each other. One adds to another, great fit, and looks very natural on you.

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:18 pm

looks good, you've got some nice stuff latley looks good on ya.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:18 pm

Great lookin' jacket, perfect fit, Mitch! Man, that lambskin is looking thicker than it used to!

TR

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:33 pm

Looks good to me, I think the fit is pretty much ideal.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:56 pm

Looks good to me. Is that Authentic brown Lamb? Has a nice matte look to it.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:45 pm

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

RCSignals, it IS the Authentic Brown Lamb (or, at least, that's what I ordered...)
If it helps to know, I have worn it in a couple of light rains for the walk to and from work (about 15 minutes each way) and would just put it over the back of a chair to air dry...
I think that might have taken a little of the lustre off of it. Of course, she still kinda' looks "shiny and new" to me... but I guess we'll grow older (read: get more scuffed up and build up more character) together.

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:48 pm

Awesome jacket. It looks great on you. I must say though, the hat and jacket both look great. Neither rub off as "costumey" but feel like they were designed specifically for you and as real world attire and not Indiana Jones gear.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:58 pm

COOL, WhipDude! Thanks for saying that.

I've always felt really "at home" and "natural" in a hat and leather jacket, but I'd always figured it was just me being an Indy fan (and feeling like I was tapping into the "Indy within") that had me telling myself that it was a good look for me.
Of course, when I first managed to put together a few pieces of Gear (even the "Close Enough" Stuff) my wife kept telling me it looked good on me "you were meant to dress that way" and so on... but I also figured "Well, she's gotta live with me and she knows what to say to get my ears to blush, so..."
;-)
But to all of you who've had kind words to say, I truly appreciate appreciate hearing it from someone who's not just saying it because you're my life/lunch/carpool buddy.

Cheers.

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:54 pm

Dude! that's gotta be the best looking OTR fit I've seen yet! -It's just NOT FAIR! The rest of us have to come up with all kinds of convoluted specs and measurements and then go through the worry/anxiety of whether or not we measured/spec'd right.
I hate you.

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:58 pm

I agree for an OTR that's a GREAT fit. Congrats!

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:01 pm

Oh, hey, ML- that's the 'standard' off the rack, right, not the 'special offer?'
Are my eyes deceiving me, or do the side straps pull to the rear, and you then have them 'tucked' back forward? The straps look nice and long, too!-how long are they?

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:14 pm

mitch, i don't think you could get a better fit even with a custom. that looks great on you. there's always something special about your first wested no?

those don't look like the standard sliders hardware......watcha got goin on with the straps?

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:39 pm

Love the last pic with hands on hips.......got the whole George Reeves "Look up in the sky,it's a bird,it's a plane....." Great looking jacket.......

Post by **Holt** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:24 pm

that looks BEAUTIFULL.I really dig it.looks great on you.

congrats on it.

did you order your regualr size?

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:33 pm

Kokopelli:
As strange as it may sound, your hatred means a lot... I'm very flattered by your twisted sentiment. I just re-checked the Order Confirmation Wested E-Mailed me back when I ordered it. According to it, I ordered this jacket as a Regular Size 42 Raiders Jacket in Authentic Brown Lambskin.

Indy G:
Those side straps are just the regular old "pointing towards the back straps" with the "D" rings - which, if I knew back when I ordered what I've learned since, I'd probably have passed on in preference of the "sliders" for the sake of Raiders Accuracy - (I'm an overall Indy Fan... but a "Raiders Man" through and through). Anyway G, all I did was kinda loop the excess strap back through the little opening left in the gaps - if that makes any sense - and that just kinda' "tucks 'em away" and looks a little nicer - more 'squared away' - in my opinion.

Hatch:
Man! Having your hands-on-hips stance compared to George Reeves is about as HIGH a compliment as a fella couls ask for... THANKS! Uh... but I STILL can't pull off that Superman T-Shirt look that Adey is managing in his "My Wested Goat After a Weekend of Work" Thread... Sorry! In my opinion, it's only when you deal with the kind of stuff Adey's had to deal with that a guy can really justify wearing the Supes Crest!

Holt:
Thanks for chiming in! I was hoping to hear from you. Your opinion means a lot (especially seeing as how the only other jacket I'd consider adding to my closet is one to YOUR specs - if the day comes). To answer your question, yep... I'm usually a pretty reliable Size 42 Regular.

Thanks fellas!

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:35 pm

Very nice jacket and looks like it was custom made for you.

I'm putting the vendors on notice right now that you and Holt should be their official models for all gear pictures.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:06 pm

Mitch the jacket looks great and again you wife should be taking all your photo's. really, a great job on showing of the product. I hope everyone taking notes.

conceited_ape · Post by **conceited_ape** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:39 am

WOW! Great Raiders fit there!

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:46 am

That is one nice looking jacket, Mitch! It's awesome!

mark seven · Post by **mark seven** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:20 am

Mitch,In the words of the song..you wear it well!

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:54 am

Great jacket.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:09 am

crismans wrote:you and Holt should be their official models for all gear pictures.

Now THAT'S quite a compliment!

Thanks (again) everybody for the kind words everyone!

I don't all the other Gear (well, specifically the shirt & pants) but I DO have a few other things (whip, satchel, boots)... so now, thanks to your encouragement, my son is saying he wants to take a few shots of me "all decked out like Indy" outside once Spring comes around and things start to green-up.
Lookin' forward to posting those when the time comes...

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:20 am

Hatch wrote:Love the last pic with hands on hips.......got the whole George Reeves "Look up in the sky,it's a bird,it's a plane....." Great looking jacket.......

I was thinking more like the opening sequence in Raiders

Nibs

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:58 am

(Between you and me, knibs7... that IS what I was going for) But hey... I'll take a compliment however I can get it.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:31 pm

Thought I'd share this:

As a few of you know, I put an old Cooper Indiana Jones Jacket up for sale in the Cairo Bazaar (it sold almost immediately and is on it's way to a good home as I write this - although you can still see some shots of it in the ad, which is still posted in the Bazaar as "Naturally Aged Cooper Ready for New Adventurer *SOLD*)

Anyway, someone here at C.O.W. sent me a Private Message asking me a question (I won't write their name, seeing as how they took the time to write it as a pm) but in the interest of sharing, I thought I'd share the answer with everyone here (even though I doubt that it's a very original answer.)

They asked how I felt my newer Wested compared to the older Cooper.

My response:
The Wested Lamb is, as you might expect, lighter and thinner feeling than my Cooper was... but I just really, really like the "cut" and style of this (Wested) jacket.
Sure, the old Cooper was heavier and "tougher" feeling but I've already given that jacket some of the best years of my life... and it showed - nicely I think - in the hide.
So now, it's the Wested's turn. For NOW, anyway...
As I said before, the ideal jacket for me would probably be Holt's Spec's on a tough, Goatskin jacket.
Maybe one day...

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:44 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote:(Between you and me, knibs7... that IS what I was going for) But hey... I'll take a compliment however I can get it.

Haha you are welcome, my friend. And might I add, you got it down perfect

Nibs

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:15 pm

Are all the Wested OTR jackets made in India, or some in house as well ?

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:17 pm

This is a great photo. Interesting that you can wear an Indy hat and an Indy jacket, yet not look like you are trying to emulate Indy, AND it looks really good on you . I am envious.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:06 pm

agreed. i think its the mustache. mitch, i think that picture is missing a black 2 draw gun rig with silver studs and twin nickel plated colt SAA revolvers.....with pearl grips of course ;-) now that would be bad###!!!

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:26 pm

Geesh... I wish I could get a fit like that right off the rack. You're a lucky guy. That jacket looks really good on you.

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:30 pm

That looks great. I have had a good experience with Wested off the rack as well. My 44 fits great!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:52 pm

Indiana G wrote:agreed. i think its the mustache. mitch, i think that picture is missing a black 2 draw gun rig with silver studs and twin nickel plated colt SAA revolvers.....with pearl grips of course ;-) now that would be bad###!!!

Yeah, I guess I WAS lookin a bit Extra Scruffy north of the lip that day...

Sorry to say, G... I think the best I can do for you is when I strap my gunbelt with the Noel Howard Raiders holster to my hip...
But maybe I'll bandage up my knuckles - ala T.O.D. - for the shot... THAT be MOD EDIT enough for ya, hombre?
;-)

MOD note: please mitch,dont go around the filter.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:53 pm

Very nice jacket, Mitch!

I thought it might be a bit short, but I think you are wearing your pant's at "normal height" (on the hip) rather than higher as was done in many of the Raider's shots.

So, I'd say for an off the rack, you are a very nice fit!

A few more soakings in the rain and she'll be looking perfect for you!

191145 · Post by **191145** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:07 pm

Mitch; it's perfect. I also have an 'authentic lambskin' Raiders in 42. Like you, I decided to not artificially distress it but let it age naturally. I almost sold it because I lost weight and it was feeling big, but finally decided to keep it. I wear it as much as I can now and have gotten used to the looser fit. I play music on the pro level and wear it to many gigs (even wore it ON a couple of cool-weather outdoor gigs). After about ten years it's finally starting to lose some gloss and I'm seeing some edge wear. I got the all-satin lining which will have to be replaced some day. The question is whether to send it 'home' to Wested for the work. I probably will do that, and get the cotton body and satin sleeves.
Yes, you wear it well, my man!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:50 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote:MOD note: please mitch,dont go around the filter.

Sorry MODS.

That was a little bit of "Nasty Dan' comin' outta me!
;-)

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:14 am

Mitch! I'm surprised that you haven't been 'drug by a truck' yet! You've got to get some character marks goin' on that strip o' hide!

Whatcha' waitin' for?

Rom Hunter · Post by **Rom Hunter** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:24 am

The jacket is really one with the person this time.

Not often seen IMO.

Looks great on you, Mitch.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:32 pm

Well, in all fairness Tex, keep this in mind:
I've still got a little Christmas Shopping left to do (and you just know that ANYTHING can happen in a parking lot during Christmas Shopping Madness!)... So who knows, maybe this jacket WILL see a little "drug by a truck" action BEFORE it gets warm again!

And thanks, Rom Hunter.
It's a jacket that's EASY to feel at one with... and it get's more comfortable every day.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:41 pm

Well, we can only hope for the best! Here's to ya!