Second order of a Wested jacket: Custom ROLA

[Swindiana]

Hi friends, hey guys!

After 7 years or so, i finally ordered my second Indy jacket.

It's a lamb one.

I'll let you know when it arrives!

Kind regards,
Swindiana... It's been a while since I wrote that.

[Michaelson]

Cool beans, Cuz!!!

[Holt]

I cant believe my eyes! Swindy! Good to see you back old friend! Looking forward seeing your new jacket! How bout posting some pics of your old goat?

[Swindiana]

Cookin' beans, Cuz.

Holt: Good to see ya too! Sure, I'll see what I can dig up, though I'd have to ask her first....

Oh, you mean the jacket!? That will not mind.

I'll get back to you friends.

Regards,
Swindiana

[Swindiana]

Status: DISPATCHED

Can't wait. The usual stuff.

Regards,
Swindiana

[VP]

Dark or authentic?

[Swindiana]

Oh, authentic as usual.

Haven't been around enough to be up to date on what's the best bang for the buck colorwise, but I really like the "auth" with my goat jacket. The auth lamb in comparison with goat back in the day was a notch different in "presentation" though the same shade of that "auth brown" I think, hard to put a finger on it. It will be interesting to compare it to the old goat.

And Michaelson, don't prod me for my perspective on "back in the day", Cuz. As I've said before, I'm trying to catch up age wise.

Was your latest authentic brown, VP?

Regards,
Swindiana

[Holt]

cool stuff bud. I'm curious. why did you go the lamb route? and still, one day if you get the time. would be cool to see your old goat after 7 years of use.

[Swindiana]

I'll be sure to post pics of the goat combined with the new lamb. Got a Nikon D60 for my birthday, so what better way of testing it out?

I figured the goat was harder to distress, and I figured I might let this one distress more naturally. Why not try something new when deciding for a new jacket? A also imagine I might be able to wear it longer during the season of warm weather. Along those lines...

Main reason though was that the goat never fit all that well when zipped up. If i'd be happy with it fit wise I'd probably wouldn't have placed a new order.

I'll let you know pal, hopefully it's here come monday.

Regards,
Swindiana

[Holt]

can't wait to see it bud

I have a order for a new jacket as well. a temple jacket from the screen used pattern in dark goat from 2002/03.

[Swindiana]

Eyes peeled.

Regards,
Swindiana

[VP]

Was your latest authentic brown, VP?

Nej, mörkbrun. I like it better than the authentic.

[Holt]

how is your holding up vp?

[VP]

Haven't worn it much because I cycle a lot and those two don't go hand in hand but no issues yet.

[Michaelson]

And Michaelson, don't prod me for my perspective on "back in the day", Cuz. As I've said before, I'm trying to catch up age wise.

Regards,
Swindiana

[Swindiana]

Just throwing a few quick ones up there, more here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindiana/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Poor shots, hopefully a few better ones coming up me less tired from work with better lighting.
(I'll get better ones of the goat too, Holt).





Some specs weren't met on the order though...

I'll get back to you with my order list in case you're curious.

Regards,
Swindiana

[tomek9210]

Some specs weren't met on the order though...

Which ones? I had the same problem with my jacket.

[Swindiana]

Here's the list of the missed ones:

Authentic Brown Lambskin, size "43 long" (not 44 as in the form) - The jacket is tagged with a "44".
Sleeve: 70 cm, measured from edge of shoulder to first knuckle of thumb (other than order form) - Sleeves are 68 cm
Collar stand: 2 cm wide/high, ie. "slightly higher". - Collar stand is 3 cm
Hidden snap/press stud at the bbottom of the storm flap to keep jacket closed if needed when zipped. - No snap put there.
One slit inside pocket, one piped (see http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... CN0601.jpg) 2 pockets in total - Two pockets, though they are both the same
Backpanel extending all the way to the arm seam - Missing a full cm.
Extra reinforced handwarmer/side entry pocket entry stitchings - Doesn't seem to be any different from "standard".
Action pleat depth 3.2cm (~1.25") - Is 4 cm.

Original "final order":

CUSTOM Raiders ROLA jacket. http://www.wested.com/customrola--jacket-161-p.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Authentic Brown Lambskin, size "43 long" (not 44 as in the form)
Cotton lining, satin sleeves
sliders with X-box stitching

Height: 192.5 cm
Chest full of air: 43 inches
Waist: 38 inch waist between belt and belly button.
Sleeve: 70 cm, measured from edge of shoulder to first knuckle of thumb (other than order form)
Back: 71 cm from base of collar stand. (Other than order form)
Shoulder to shoulder: 53 cm measured over the back (across scapulas, width of yoke)
Collar stand: 2 cm wide/high, ie. "slightly higher".
Gussets: Yes.
Hidden snap/press stud at the bbottom of the storm flap to keep jacket closed if needed when zipped.

80's cut
No inside leather facings
5 gauge silver color zipper with small zipper pull extending as low as possible without the zipper pull showing
One slit inside pocket, one piped (see http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... CN0601.jpg) 2 pockets in total
Backpanel extending all the way to the arm seam
Extra reinforced handwarmer/side entry pocket entry stitchings
Action pleat depth 3.2cm (~1.25")
Collar ending in the middle of the storm flap, rounded top corner on the storm flap
Arm seam located one inch below the yoke seam
Silver colored snaps on pockets, scalloped pocket flaps

Regards,
Swindiana

[Holt]

I feel for you my friend. I really do and I really do not understand what is happening with them. at times they knock the jackets out of the park and now it seems the jackets without the QC has been sent out again. IMO pack it up and send it back ASAP. get the jacket YOU want and have payed for or send it back and trade it for a temple jacket of the new pattern. they seem to knock those out of the park everytime since 2008 so your safe there.

and man what a cool goatskin jacket. awesome my friend!! thanks

[Scandinavia Jones]

Swindiana... now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time. A long time.
Kidding... of course I have. Nice to see an additional leather jacket arriving at the Lars homestead! Bummer re: the specs though. Seems custom ordering at Wested is far from problem-free, judging from this and other threads.
Obvious QC issues, as Herr Holt mentioned above. I'd say return it too - IMO, there were too many misses on that list.

[Holt]

wow, swindy and scandinavia jones are shown up again...

grymt å ha dere med oss igjen

[Scandinavia Jones]

What can I say - we're like two bad pennies... get stuffed into prep school students' loafers. No, that's not it...

[Kevin Anderson]

I think it looks good, at least as good as the old jacket pictured.
Wested are getting very generous with their pocket flaps here though. Why do the pockets look different on every jacket?
Surely they have a template or something that they use to mark and cut them?

[tomek9210]

What are you going to do with it Swindy? Sending back or keeping it?

[Swindiana]

I contacted them and got a reply, and now I have contacted them again, waiting for a reply.

The basic answer was "some specs are not possible without altering the pattern" though I can't see why most part of the missed ones would affect that in any way, plus why wouldn't they contact me prehand if the jacket wasn't possible to make before actually making it so that I'd had a chance knowing what would show up?

The jacket is good enough that I'd keep it, just don't feel like going through the same thing again that I did back in 2004 with returns and then still not getting details according to list on the final jacket. Fit is fine, big enough to look good closed with a warm sweater under it like I've been wishing for. Quality is top notch, just missing the details/specifics and the odd centimeters I asked for. I'll let you know how it turns out in the end.

As long as I don't get any "ugly jacket fit's" here, I might keep it, to save my energy.

Holt: Thanks bud! Gotta chip in with some Scandinavian craziness every odd year or so...
SJ: Good pennies get to go inside ballerina slippers... Was that what you meant?
Kevin: Thanks! I do too think it looks good, the one it hangs on... not sure. I did notice the pocket flaps are way bigger than on my goat of 2004. Tad big, yeah. Not too off compared to this one though: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/286 ... 5247_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good collection of pics and jacket variations on this one:
http://www.filmjackets.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,
Swindiana

[Scandinavia Jones]

We won't fit into a ballerina's slipper, at least not at the same time. As for the poor girls dancing away with shoes filled with small change, I find it most cruel and uncalled for. But I bet they're all "no pain, no gain", the poor competitive lasses.
Well - judging from the pics, jacket does fit, and as you pointed out, a re-hash of the 2004 events may not be all too desirable. Still, most of the mods are indeed of the non-pattern-altering type - makes one wonder why they weren't made. Huh.
Your call, bro. If the jacket fits, and you can live without the goodies, then go for it. Otherwise, ship it back, or even better, to me, and we'll sit down and have a little talk, jacket and I. I won't be actually using the acetone or sandpaper - I will just lay them on the table next to us, as an unspoken threat of sorts.

[tomek9210]

The basic answer was "some specs are not possible without altering the pattern" though I can't see why most part of the missed ones would affect that in any way, plus why wouldn't they contact me prehand if the jacket wasn't possible to make before actually making it so that I'd had a chance knowing what would show up?

Same problem here. I just sent the jacket back and I'm waiting to make it smaller.
Keep us updated.

[Swindiana]

Tomek: I will. Dito! I surely can understand if the jacket is just too big. At least the torso fit is fine with mine.

SJ: Now that gives me a third option... Sounds like the best and quickest way to distress it, let SJ talk the jacket into it.
-Now, you go ahead and grab that rear bumper while I drive... Go on, go on, or there's no Pecard's for supper.

We'll see, leaning towards keeping it.

Regards,
Swindiana

[St. Dumas]

As for the size 43, Wested doesn't offer a standard 43, only a 42 and a 44, which means that if that if they made a custom that was essentially a 43 they probably don't even have a "43" tag. So yours might be a 43 if the measurements are a 43, but they tagged it with the closest thing they had.

[Swindiana]

My guess too, though it seemed kind of curious among the other measurements that were "off" making me wonder if it was an OTR jacket or not. Why not just leave the tag out since it was a custom order anyway?

No reply yet, I figure they might be closed for Easter.

Regards,
Swindiana

[Swindiana]

Got a reply, none the wiser. Basically the reply refers to making custom sized jackets and not pages of custom specs saying they can't alter patterns for each and every customer "as I well know". I wished they would have told me what wasn't doable as per "special requests" before they actually made it and then shipped it. I specifically asked for an email with any questions regarding my requests after having sent the list via email, all the specs coming from other COW members who seemed to get what they asked for no problem.

I was offered the jacket to be remade to a standard custom sized jacket or a refund...

I'm keeping it anyway, just feeling I was a bit ignored. That's all.

Regards,
Swindiana

[whiskyman]

I know you specified a few things that didn't get made quite that way - but, on the other hand, just looking at the pics - you seem to have a very nice looking new indy jacket that looks like it fits you perfectly. I would focus on what you have and not what you haven't - just my opinion.

[Swindiana]

Opinion taken and adapted.

After a few emails back and forth I'm leaving it ro rest now knowing "it's what it is". No meaning

It's still a great quality jacket no matter. Now... Time to start breaking it in... I think those clouds outside may be rainy ones...

Advise taken. Your jacket looks like a heckuva nice one, btw.

Regards,
Swindiana

[VP]

Jacket seems to fit well, too bad some of the specs are off. I sent a similar list and got everything I asked for.

[Swindiana]

Yes, I copied and tweaked most of your list, to be honest VP.

Too bad, but hey.

Thanks for the comment!

Regards,
Swindiana

[tekors]

Nice jacket and good fit Swindiana,
Too bad that some specs were missed... even though it's still a greta looking jacket
congrats

[Swindiana]

Thanks pal!
Breaking it in as I go along now.

Regards,
Swindiana

[Swindiana]

Update: Breaking it in as I go along. A couple of rains and it's conforming quite well. On the plus side, it's SO much lighter and will stuff a lot easier inside a pack than my goat one, meaning it comes along with me a lot more during the summer "in case" of colder weather.

Now... Thinking of doing some basic distressing, lamb custom is a lot tougher than I thought it would be, considering.

An update, for what it's worth.

Regards,
Swindiana