And it starts with a Wested

[HabuSake]

Greetings, everybody. I am new 'round these parts but I have been reading a lot of excellent posts and trying to soak it all in... I'm super impressed by the caliber of the members and the professional, friendly atmosphere.

I joined COW seeking info on Indy jackets in particular, but have been addicted to the seemingly infinite collection of knowledge on everything Indy. I decided to start my quest for all the essential gear, and it starts with a Wested...

After digging around for a while I finally decided to go with a dark brown lambskin Raiders from Wested. Well, after deciding on the details, getting my measurements, and anxiously awaiting its arrival, it is here -- and I love it I am excited and wanted to share a few pics of me with my new jacket. Pardon the street clothes, but I'm just starting out and wanted to showcase the jacket itself anyway.


Here is a link to some more shots: http://s796.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... %20Wested/

The jacket's details are beautiful, it feels great, and I dig the color. I also think it drapes just right. Basically I am completely satisfied

I'm looking forward to my adventure of gear acquisition and being active at COW. Thanks to everyone for their help (perhaps unknowingly!), and of course: thank you, Peter!

[fifthchamber]

I take it then that's a custom? I love the larger collar...Looks great...And the colour is very cool too...Hmm...I'm on two Wested's now....Sadly you just started me thinking about a third...I need a new, and cheaper hobby...
Great Jacket!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Looks great. Dark brown is the way to go!

[afterthedog]

Looks great! As for the street clothes - who would have ever thought that a brown leather jacket would go with jeans?

[fifthchamber]

Afterthedog,
It's strange, the Jacket of course goes with the jeans, but for a long time I've never felt comfortable in "streetwear" with a "proper" hat... But then I tried it, and with the Jacket that combo looks pretty good in my opinion! (It was after seeing John Penman's photos actually.. He carries that look off superbly, so I wanted to try it myself)..
I still prefer the suit, hat and long coat, but for the "Half-Indy" look it works REALLY well I think..

[Noah]

Very nice jacket!

[Indyzane]

Welcome to the club!

Nice jacket! Looks perfect; I think I might have to get a new jacket from
Wested now.

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your new jacket wear it well!

Zane

Nice avatar name!

[AnubisScales]

Welcome, sir!
That jacket fits you well and looks great.

Welcome to our little corner of the universe. Wear that jacket in good health!

[CM]

That's a very fine Wested.


I think the jacket looks best matched with jeans or "street wear" myself.

[Ian]

Dude....I love that jacket and congrats on your first (and probably not your last) !!! Looks like a perfect fit as well!!

It's always interesting to know where it started with different people....I started with the fedora (probably still my favorite piece of gear cos I love lids)...and then graduated onto jackets.....Needless to say, I have numerous hats and jackets now..

Ian

[Holt]

Great great jacket! Same skin i have in my latest wested jacket. Oh and welcome.

[Michaelson]

Thing is, if you did it right (and you're smart), it should STOP with a Wested!

It being made to order, complete with a little extra room for layering (and good food ), that jacket should last for years and years!

VERY nice!!

Now, wear it regularily and let it get some real world use.

Regards! Michaelson

[Holt]

Yeah, i noticed it looks alittle on the bigger side. VERY nice and very screen accurate. and very good for layering as well like M says.

[HabuSake]

Thanks everyone for your comments and warm welcomes

fifthchamber: it is a custom made Raiders but I only selected the dark brown lambskin, x box stitch and sliders on the straps, and chest/sleeve/back dimensions -- I wanted Peter to do his thing with the details and I am thrilled with the result.

I will certainly wear this jacket regularly and with pride, and allow it to gain some character naturally. I'm just not sure if I want to coax it along with a "shower"...

Thanks again! See everyone around.

[Indiana Croft]

Now that is one nice jacket, you'll love it as it breaks in.

Now I did notice something though and I hope Holt will back me up. But doesn't it look to have a lot of your spec's. I mean the seam on the arm aligning w/the yoke seam, and the mention of the larger collar. Is the the correct direction for the side strap?.

But to repeat my self, thats one nice jacket.

Croft

[Michaelson]

Is the the correct direction for the side strap?.

Croft

Yep, it is. All Wested jackets had the forward pull configuration.

[[/url]


Here's one taken from WAY back when MK was exploring the strap pull. The one on the left is his G&B (which I now own), and the one on the right a still from Raiders.

Regards! Michaelson

[Holt]

Now that is one nice jacket, you'll love it as it breaks in.

Now I did notice something though and I hope Holt will back me up. But doesn't it look to have a lot of your spec's. I mean the seam on the arm aligning w/the yoke seam, and the mention of the larger collar. Is the the correct direction for the side strap?.

But to repeat my self, thats one nice jacket.

Croft

if you read above he wanted peter do his thing with the jacket details. My guess for why the seams line up is becuz it probably was'nt asked for. M is right about the straps. Btw, my spes is not their standard specs. But that u new already

[Gorak]

Congrats..this jacket is beautiful! I especially love the way it really seem sto fit your frame and body. Very well done Wested.
And I really love and appreciate all the different poses..the jacket really shines in its natural element! Well done!

[Gringo]

Cheers to you Mate! You never forget your first...and mine was a Wested! Looks great on ya! enjoy it and as M as always said, DO NOT LET IT GO!(I just got weak in the knees seeing a Cairo ad from M, never happens). Wear it and wear it!!
Gringo

[Weston]

Yep, that's where it started for me as well; a dark brown lamb Wested. Enjoy it, it looks great!

Weston

[Gringo]

Weston I sold my first and I regret it to this day!!! Because I lost weight and the little baby would fit me now

[Mitch LaRue]

Welcome aboard the (occasionally crazy) train, HabuSake!

And sincere congratulations on a GREAT purchase!
That Wested is going to get better and better (and have more great character and charm) the more and more you wear it... Seems like you're off to a really solid start as far as this hobby goes.

[St. Dumas]

The seams line up on my 10 year-old Wested Raiders and on my 3 year-old Wested CS prototype. Quite common with Westeds.

[Weston]

Weston I sold my first and I regret it to this day!!! Because I lost weight and the little baby would fit me now

[wilbyc82]

I started with the jacket as a first purchase too.

It has taken me 2 years to together my costume so far......

All thats missing are a proper pair of boots (instead of the best I could find)...

I love my Wested Jacket. I went for size smaller to get that tighter retro look.

The problem for me now is that all my gear looks new. Whilst it all looks and feels great, I know that I need to age my gear

[Holt]

The seams line up on my 10 year-old Wested Raiders and on my 3 year-old Wested CS prototype. Quite common with Westeds.

yeah but the LC/CS is suppose to have them lined up. Not raiders. Its a detail they should get right. Its not that hard detail to get right. Although i like them lined up. Its cleaner looking but its cooler looking with the gap.

[Ravenswood]

That is a FABULOUS looking jacket! I am really digging the darker color now too.
I agree about the seams. Wested is SOOO close to putting together that SA look that I can really go for. I have the same thing going on with my Custom Raiders. I wonder if it's just easier for the maker to line up the seams, or that it is just so routine that they don't even consider it. I know it makes a stronger junction at the intersection, so that could be another reason...
Again, FINE looking jacket.
PS~ I gave my first Wested Jacket to my girlfriend back in '99. I got one made that was more screen accurate (and several more thereafter ) BUT I am starting to miss that jacket more and more every day. Despite the fact that it's pretty far off from the silhouette that we see on screen, it was an incredible jacket, and certainly one of the best put together because back then, they were using heavy duty zips, and the lambskin leather was denser, thicker and more heavy duty. The thinner/softer leather used today certainly lends to the drape that is so sought after in the Screen Accurate Raiders jacket.
Also the side-straps on the older models were placed lower; parallel to the bottom of the pocket entries, and practically fed into the pockets, thus reducing the associated tugging of the leather that goes with 'properly placed' side-straps.
That said, Peter was kind to go to lengths to incorporate many of the features that lend screen accuracy to the current custom model. I certainly enjoy and I'm glad you do too!!
It looks fantastic on you. Wear it in good health!

[Holt]

You guys keep missing the fact that if you dont ask for the seam/yoke gap you get them lined up since that is the standard. And Steve the skin shown above is the dark heavier lambskin. I have the same.

[Ravenswood]

Steve the skin shown above is the dark heavier lambskin. I have the same.

It's heavier!?
Good to know!

And forgive me if this has been gone over previously, but is there an up-charge to the misalignment of the sleeve/yoke seams as per request to your knowledge?

(I know, I should probably ask Pete )

[AnubisScales]

I'm just not sure if I want to coax it along with a "shower"...

Don't do it!
Natural distressing, ftw!

[HabuSake]

You guys keep missing the fact that if you dont ask for the seam/yoke gap you get them lined up since that is the standard. And Steve the skin shown above is the dark heavier lambskin. I have the same.

Holt's right, I didn't make any special requests for the sleeve/yoke seam alignment -- that's just how Peter makes 'em. I don't mind at all.

Holt, as far as the heavier lambskin, can you tell just by looking at the jacket? I don't have any experience with Westeds or lambskin jackets of any kind for that matter, so I don't know what "regular" thickness feels like.... My jacket certainly doesn't feel flimsy or thin, but it isn't beefy or rigid either. Whatever I have feels just right.

I'm just not sure if I want to coax it along with a "shower"...

Don't do it!
Natural distressing, ftw!

Haha, yeah I'm leaning towards the natural way. Besides, I'm sure one of my adventures will lead me through a tropical rain forest

Thanks again, everyone, for all the great comments.

[Ravenswood]

I don't mind the aligned seams either. I just hope that somewhere down the line it becomes standard practice for the Raiders jacket to misalign the seams, just so that there would be one less thing to nit-pick about

[Michaelson]

Oh, if it weren't that, it'd be something else.

[Ravenswood]

Don't I know it!

[Michaelson]

[Dragonlady Jones]

Sorry I'm late (standard operating procedure for me), but nice work on the jacket, it fits you perfect. Welcome!!!

[tekors]

Great jacket...