Getting a Wested, need some advise

[nihil]

Got my jacket some days ago. What a beauty. Excellent craftsmanship and quality.
I'll see if I can get some photos taken for you to see.
I'm also really glad I decided to go with the darker brown.

I wonder what configuration I choose for my next one

[Castor Dioscuri]

Good to hear it worked out for you, now get to work on those photos!

[enigmata_wood]

In defence of Wested's email response reputation; for me they were very good answering specific questions about their products, but I did not get a reply to emails of a more, "wouldn't it be great if you could..?" nature. Quite rightly I felt, as I myself have had to put reminders on my posts for clients not to ask for constant updates on projects, so I could actually get on with the work. Wested is running a business not a fan forum.
They were very helpful with those business specifics however; they sent me samples of all the leathers they make the jacket with and promptly replaced my jacket when it turned out I had misunderstood which size to order.

[generalFROSTY]

A Wested jacket is on my list of things to buy this coming year. I currently have one of Coyle's jackets - and love it, but want to upgrade to something nicer.
It is my understanding that one of Wested's custom offerings is the way to go since there is a general list of specifications that need to be added in order to get it as SA as possible. It's a shame that these specs are not part of thier standard off-the-rack models - it would save gearheads a lot of time and money...

[Indy_1971]

Got my jacket some days ago. What a beauty. Excellent craftsmanship and quality.
I'll see if I can get some photos taken for you to see.
I'm also really glad I decided to go with the darker brown.

I wonder what configuration I choose for my next one

What happened to the pics?

[ThatManFromRio]

I have what I consider a perfect Wested version of the Raiders in authentic lamb. With the recent weight loss I can wear it again and I'm really quite pleased.

TMFR

[Solo4114]

A few suggestions, based on having owned a Wested since about 2001:

1.) Lambskin looks lovely, but doesn't age all that well. At least the 2001 vintage jackets tend to scrape easily, and the nice surface finish gets peeled away pretty easily, leaving a VERY different color below. Much lighter. I got the jacket when I first went to law school. Had it during my first year (2001). I lugged around a backpack back then, and I think within the first year of ownership, a spot on the back had been rubbed almost raw from carrying that backpack around. The leather below the surface is a much much lighter brown, as I mentioned. This may not bother you, but this jacket is not a "tough as nails" kind of jacket. Like I said, it looks great, but it's more of a "showy" jacket. That's possibly due to lambskin itself, though, not just Wested. Just figured I'd give you my take on it.

2.) Get a cotton silesia lining. MAYBE get satin arms, but definitely get cotton for the body. My lining is all satin and almost all gone.

3.) Don't cinch the straps up too tightly. You can tear the leather itself (at least with lamb) at the base of the hand warmers.

[Michaelson]

Especially pay attention to number 3.

The side straps were installed to help keep the action pleats/side gap closed, and were NEVER intended or DESIGNED to cinch up the sides to make the jacket 'tighter' fitting.

That's one of the most common mistakes folks make with the Indy jacket, and a LOT of straps have been ripped out of their seams due to over tightening.

Regards! Michaelson

[Solo4114]

Yep. I cinched mine up tight years ago to create a more form-fitting look, and it ended up tearing the leather itself (not the seams, but the leather) at the base of the hand warmers. It's not really noticeable unless you look closely, but it's there.

If you want a more tailored look....order a more tailored jacket. There's a limit to what the materials themselves will bear. This point isn't unique to Wested, I suspect, but it definitely happened with my Wested.

[generalFROSTY]

I just recieved a Wested Raiders "washed goat" acquired second hand. It is a great jacket and I still plan on wearing my Coyle's jacket for warmer weather.
Can anyone tell me if I can distress the washed goat to have that lighter, reddish brown color? I really want that color contrast on the seams.

[Holt]

you can't. to get the redish brown color you need to have a skin with red undertones. the washed goat has a brown/grey undertone.

only ting you can do is to distress it at the seams and go over with some redish shoepolish. but then again I would never do that since the skin is dry and dull. the shoepolish will polish the seams and everywhere else you get the polish and you will get a splotshy effect.

just wear it and let it age naturally. I guarnatee it'll get worn in fast. would be nice to see some pics of it.

[generalFROSTY]

The jacket has some nice subtle disteressing to it already and I will do very little artificial distressing. I will likely highlight the buttons on the pockets a little. It defenately fits a little bigger than my Coyle's but they both have qualities that I really love. Coyle's fits slimmer and a little shorter, the wested is heavier and actually quite warm - this will certainly be my 'winter' Indy jacket.
I will have a friend take some photos tonight and post them here or in a new thread.
Unfortunately, I just sent my Henry to John for a reblock so I can't dress up in full gear with my new jacket!
What kind of jacket should I look into for the future for a reddish undertone?
Any way you do it, the design of Indy's jacket is just plain cool and I am very proud to own both Coyle's AND a Wested.

[Holt]

this has always been a difficult nut to crack. the red/brown undertones on the raiders jacket or any Indy jacket.

mostly we see greyish/brown undertones on the modern westeds. but to give you the truth, I think the undertones was exactly the same on the originals. it was the stage lights etc that brougth out the red tones. JMO.

[nihil]

Hi all

Sorry for not posting any pictures of the jacket. But there is a small issue I'm trying to get in contact with wested about, but they are very difficult to get hold of. I'll send some photos when it's sorted

[nihil]

Any tips on how to get in contact with wested, other than by telephone?

[Zoltar]

I've been sending emails back and forth with Gemma all week no probs.
Keep trying.