Wested jacket shrinkage/stretch

[wembley]

Well....I had a bit of a search round here for some answers but found more questions!

Read a lot about Wested ROLA's shrinking when they get wet naturally or deliberately.

Also I know that leather can stretch with wearing.

So.....Whilst debating whether to go custom or OTR I am still facing the dilema of sizing.

I measure in at 38 inch chest (i.e the tape just about reaches 38 around me)...5.5 shoulder...23 back (t shirt neck to mid belt) and 24.5 sleeve (shoulder to thumb knuckle)
I was thinking go for a 40 chest to allow for shrinkage...layering and the possibility of me getting tubby!

But I hear Wested run a little lagre? Will 40 drown me?

I tend to buy medium sized shirts. tees, jackets etc in the uk....they usually are a little loose on me with long sleeves (small shouldrs and skinny arms) but small sizes are just too small. Medium is better as I hate skinny fit clothes on my small frame.

Should I just contact Wested and ask them? They are the experts after all? I could even risk a 6 hour drive down there as a last resort?

I really would prefer custom for the afore mentioned sizing issues but am terrified of messing it up or that I measured wrong.

Then this also applies to the Wested shirt....small...medium...?

I would really appreciate your expert opinions and voice of experiences
Cheers

[Michaelson]

Personally, considering your location and the fact you can actually 'darken' their door, I'd suggest you eliminate the middle man (us) and go directly to Wested with these questions. They're much more qualified to answer them to your satisfaction, and you're right there within reach of the shop itself.

Regards! Michaelson

[wembley]

Obviously the best thing would be go right there but I may not be able to...loooong story.

Advice on shrinkage etc would still be appreciated as maybe the folks at Wested won't want to b the first to say how much their jackets will shrink/stretch etc?

The experience of those who own the jackets, wear them, customise and weather them etc is as valuable as those who just make them is it not?

Just really wanted some opinions of how big these jackets run and if I should go a size up or not to allow for said shrinkage which members here have experienced.

Sorry for the noobish questions...but I haven't claped eyes on a Wested jackets in the flesh/hide.

[Kt Templar]

Their 'Raiders' model seems to run slightly bigger and the 'Rola' more true to size.

Maybe you could buy the one that is what you think your size is, tell them that you are not exactly sure if it will fit and you intend that this is a 'try on' exercise. If it fits well then perfect, if not then send it back and go from there. Ok, you may be a few pounds out but it'll probably be cheaper than driving.

Also have a look in their clearance section. Some bargains to be had there as those are usually customs that people have sent back after mis-measures.

[wembley]

Thanks...

It's been over a year since I joined here and started asking stupid questions.
After a lengthy period of preoccupation of a little thing called life..I have come back but feel like I am starting over.

I had previously decided custom rola...still prefer this option...just now need to know more about shrinkage etc before I order.

[FLATHEAD]

When you refer to "shrinkage" what exactly do you mean?

Leather doesn't really "shrink" like cotton or other fabrics when they
get wet and are then dried.

The questions you need to ask yourself are the following:

1. How do I like my jackets to fit? (snug, regular, loose, baggy)
2. What type of weather will I be wearing my jacket in? (Dry, wet, cool, cold, warm)
3. How far down past my waist do I like my jackets to be? (right at my waist,
two inches below, 4 inches below, down past the pockets of my jeans)
4. How soft of a jacket do I like? (Lamb is really soft, goat is medium, cow and
horse hides can be stiffer)
5. What color leather do I like? (Authentic brown, dark brown, light brown, distressed)
6. How will I be wearing the jacket most of the time? (Outdoors as a work jacket, just
for general wear, just for nice occations)
7. Do I need a custom made jacket, or can I get away with an off the rack jacket?
8. How much do I want, or can afford to spend?

These are some questions you need to answer for yourself so you can make an informed
decision on how you like the jacket to fit, what type and color of leather you want, the kind
of physical abuse and weather conditions the jacket will be subjected too, and the biggest of
all, what you can afford to pay for a jacket.

I don't think you need to worry about shrinkage of leather, as much as you need to worry
about how old you are, and how much you are going to change as you age. Why? Because
if your young, you should get a jacket that has enough room in it so you can have it fit you for
more years, versus it being just right, right now, and having it only fit you for a year or so, and then
its going to be too tight on you because you gained weight.

Its the weight you gain that is going to cause more shrinkage than anything else!!

Flathead

[Forrest For the Trees]

Wembley- It sounds like you and I are about the same size. I own both a 38 and a 40 in goat and lamb respectively. Both jackets have gotten very wet and neither have shrunk at all. That said, if they get wet, let them dry at room temperature, not exposed to much heat.

As far as sizing goes, I waffle back and forth between which I like better, but overall, I prefer my 40 (My chest actually measures 37 inches). Funny enough, the chest measurement is the same for both jackets (22 inches across), but the shoulders are a touch more narrow on the the 38.

Both are standard fit, though, so if you are leaning towards a slimmer fit, then ROLA (80's fit) may be the way to go.

You can see my jackets here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44550

[Bruce Wayne]

Personally, in my experiences with several types of leather jackets, not just Wested or Indy jackets, mind you. it is best to error on the side of too big/too loose. you can always have the sleeves shortened or pull the side straps a little tighter. But you CAN'T have ti let out.

[wembley]

Thanks for the advice guys....think I got my mind made up at last.

Gonna be getting in touch with Wested soonish.

I am going with custom rola in washed goat...at a 40 chest....nickel zip as I prefer it, silders/xbox.and gussets. No fancy adjustments.

Just got to decide if I go custom on all the meaurements or go with the OTR sizings which would be proportinate for the jacket rather than mess up with measring.

Worse case scenario I get a great jacket to put on Ebay!

Hopefully it will turn out fine and I can adjust any personal niggles with possible future jacket orders.