Tennessee Smith wrote:Unfortunately, yes. The back panel construction has that issue on my Legend as well.
It seems like my jacket has certain panels that are much softer than others. The sleeves are very tough, and the back panel as extremely soft. I think that because of this softness, those don't hold very well. I could be wrong.
I think I might have my collar reduced in size by someone, perhaps there is something that can be done about this at the same time?
Tennessee Smith wrote:Unfortunately, yes. The back panel construction has that issue on my Legend as well.
It seems like my jacket has certain panels that are much softer than others. The sleeves are very tough, and the back panel as extremely soft. I think that because of this softness, those don't hold very well. I could be wrong.
I think I might have my collar reduced in size by someone, perhaps there is something that can be done about this at the same time?
G&B jackets have elastic in them to hold the vents.
Tennessee Smith wrote:Yep, I wish Sarge and Co. would do the same.
Depends on which model you get. The Signature Series Indy jackets had elastic holding the pleats in place, but unless I'm wrong, cosensus around here was to leave the elastic out of the Legend jackets, and that's what we got. I'm not sure it helps all that much; the action pleats in my Sig. Series Goat let go, even with the elastic.
I should have said that I don't mind the pleats sticking up. As Kt points out, it's in the film. When the jacket is more worn in, it'll look less obvious.
Well my one arrived. Made a snap decision to buy a Large in the Goat AND the lamb. Both arrived day ago, collars all at 90 degrees again. Collar sorted and have been wearing the jacket in for it to take shape. The leather on the lamb is as on my Medium (which I'll be selling now) - very nice, dark chocolate brown. The goat is actually not too far from the lamb as you may think - it's soft and pretty light for goat, but as with goat it has that destinctive goat grain. I'm not the hugest fan of that, but it looks quite nice on an Indy jacket. Measurements are as follows:
Large:
Back length: 25.5" to 25" (the goat is slightly shorter oddly)
Sleeve length: 26.5" which works well for me, but as it's a large, you gain a fraction on the shoulder length which helps the cuff sit lower down. The proper way to measure this would be from the neck, which I think is what most shirt manufacturer's do. This one measures 33.5"
Pit-to-pit chest: 24"
I do love the Medium and as a jacket it fits well, but like people have said "does it fit like a Indy-jacket". I recently watched Raiders again in HD and noticed how loose the jacket is on Ford and he moves around all the time. I get that fit from the Large and not the medium (and there's not actually that much in the difference). I'm happy now that I've found a lamb (and goat) Indy jacket that I want to keep. It's taken a while (Wested, Todds, USW) but got there in the end.
Another note - if you want to deal with USW, deal with Rita. She is fantastic (down the phone) - the guys who run the web orders are extremely poor in the service to the customer. As if they don't care. Rita was right at the other end of the spectrum service wise - she actually got the jackets in hand and measured them for me as I was on the phone. You can't ask for better than that.
I'll post more pics of me wearing it later.
I have done some soft aging of this jacket with some 1200 grit, dye, and conditioner.
I think the results are pretty good so far. Doing it in layers to give the aging more depth, as if
it has happened over a long period.
Let me know what you think.
I also post my thoughts of the jacket overall.
Nice job, not easy to pull off. I like the layered effect you did, looks natural. It shows out the brown color underneath too, that goat is a great leather. Dig it.
I think that looks really good. I can't see the pockets - to me, wear over the pocket edges and over the snaps on the flap are really important to "carry" the look. I wouldn't go any further if it was me - it looks right. Now just wear it!
Here are a couple more pics.
Wellofsouls ... I tried to get a pocket for you.
I'm actually thinking hard of selling this jacket.
I really like it a lot ... especially the sleeves and collar.
The problem for me is the length. The front is only 22 inches, whereas my G&B is is 25. That's a big difference for me.
I always feel like I need to pull it down to cover my belt. But I am 6'1"
I'm looking forward to seeing pics of it on Canasta, because that looks like one of the best distressing jobs I've ever seen. If it fits, it'd be a shame to let it go.
If it were going to be used for a movie jacket, it looks great; but for everyday use, it does look a little short. Based on the specs you provided, the sleeve length appears to be sized correctly, its the back length, tightness in the chest and front that I would question. Really like the distressing job though.
Yeah, I think it looks not only too short, but a bit too small altogether. One size up might have answered the problem, but these goatskin Legends are done. Bummer! My recommendation; sell it, put the funds towards an antique lamb one size up, and work your magic on it.
I'm kind of puzzled by this, as I, too, normally wear a size 44, am almost 6 feet 2 inches tall, and have a Legend lambskin in XL. Mine is a hair loose on me, but otherwise a great fit.
How did this jacket fit right out of the box? Like this?
If not, I wonder if the re-dyeing and distressing 'black magic' could have caused it to shrink slightly.
That, or it's mis-marked. That's how a 'large' looked on me when I first tried one in a Legend, and to date ALL Wings size 'large' have fit me. Not the Legend!
Michaelson,
The jacket was pretty much this way right out of the box. I took some early measurements as I thought it seemed short compared to my GB.
As for the aging, I only wet the sleeves a bit with a spray bottle and they have only changed about 1/4 - 1/2 inch.
The distressing was done with a 1200 grit sandpaper and the dye was applied sparingly with a q-tip in only the needed places.
So very little overall.
I should have followed my first gut reaction (and my wife's"), although I got this one just under the wire.
I just didn't think it was that bad ... but it just continues to bother me, the more I wear it.
It shouldn't do that.
I've been wearing my legend for a few weeks now. I wear it every day for 6-12 hours. So far, I am getting a just a bit of wear on the cuffs. I feel this jacket gets damaged fairly easily. I've got a few nicks and scrapes in places and the dye seems to come off quite easily. I stuck a sticker on my jacket for a minute or so, and some dye came off with it. The lining is also already showing wear.
One thing I found odd about the jacket is the leather. It seems they used difference patches of leather for different parts of the jacket. My back panel is extremely light and flexible, it almost feels rubbery. My sleeves seem really tough, and the front seems (and looks) just right. The back panel almost scares me, I feel like it will tear easily, though this hasn't happened yet.
The collar is still whacky, and the shine is still here. Spraying it with water seems to have no effect. I have a feeling I will have to artificially age this one, as my wear seems to be mainly nicks on the sleeves.
All in all, I am happy. The jacket is serving it's purpose just fine.
edit: oh, better buckles/straps (whatever they are called) probably could have been sourced. I think I could bend these with my fingers. I'll be ordering new ones (just as soon as I can find where to do that). This is a minor issue at best.
cokewithvanilla wrote:One thing I found odd about the jacket is the leather. It seems they used difference patches of leather for different parts of the jacket. My back panel is extremely light and flexible, it almost feels rubbery. My sleeves seem really tough, and the front seems (and looks) just right. The back panel almost scares me, I feel like it will tear easily, though this hasn't happened yet.
You see this often as jackets are sourced from different batches of hide. But when it is really obvious it's ususally the product of cheap and cheerful assembly. In other words a poor match and an inexpensively made product.
CM wrote:
You see this often as jackets are sourced from different batches of hide. But when it is really obvious it's ususally the product of cheap and cheerful assembly. In other words a poor match and an inexpensively made product.
Hmm. has anyone else noticed this? Mine did have some scratches and nicks on it when I got it. Maybe I got one from the bottom of the barrel.... or maybe that's what you get for $195 .
In any event, I guess it doesn't really bother me. The only down side is that it feels different in different places, and sometimes that can get annoying. I am, however, beating the @#$% out of it as I had intended... so I guess it doesn't matter.
Front
Arm
that piece on the top of the back
back
some sorta mistake with the dye
Last edited by cokewithvanilla on Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
My opinion is that "that`s just what you get for $195!" I have the goat and the lambskin and they both have horrible stitching lines...very crooked and all over the place in some spots. I can see where some of the "stitch nazis' would be mortified by the quality aspects. I knew what I was getting into when I ordered (imported and discounted) so I am not complaining per say, but for those who are expecting high quality, I am telling you of my experience. The leather is way awesome but the quality is very questionable.
I think you're probably right Gorak, for 195 dollars you get a get a jacket that's worth that. I've had worse quality jackets in stores in the UK for more than this. I think USW are a very interesting company - the leather is excellent, the putting together isn't always perfect, the price (on sales/offers) is great, apart from Rita the customer service is rubbish, and the fact you cant order simple customs (notably sleeves) is exceptionally annoying. They're close to been a really great company but need to push the boat out that bit further.
In terms of Indy jacket I haven'ts seen one in person that is nicer than the Belstaff. Perhaps a Nowak, but I'd like to feel one before I'd make a decision on that. I'd love to see what the filmjacket's store offering is like too.
Gorak wrote:My opinion is that "that`s just what you get for $195!" I have the goat and the lambskin and they both have horrible stitching lines...very crooked and all over the place in some spots. I can see where some of the "stitch nazis' would be mortified by the quality aspects. I knew what I was getting into when I ordered (imported and discounted) so I am not complaining per say, but for those who are expecting high quality, I am telling you of my experience. The leather is way awesome but the quality is very questionable.
Actually, the stitch nazis would NOT be mortified by the quality aspects The movie jacket was far from perfect!! I'm just thinking of Indiana G asking for his Tony Nowak jacket to be made when Tony was drunk so the stitches meandered all over the place
I have no issue with un-matched hides, in fact I prefer it, and believe it to add character similar to the movie jackets. Nowak jackets are similar too.
Yeah, sort of 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, isn't it?
I've read posts by folks who have complained because their jackets were TOO perfect, and didn't have that appearance of being individually crafted by an individual craftsman, warts and all.
Then we have the ones who say the jackets aren't perfect and find all KINDS of 'imperfections' because they were individually made one at a time rather than on a machine.
Michaelson wrote:Yeah, sort of 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, isn't it?
I've read posts by folks who have complained because their jackets were TOO perfect, and didn't have that appearance of being individually crafted by an individual craftsman, warts and all.
Then we have the ones who say the jackets aren't perfect and find all KINDS of 'imperfections' because they were individually made one at a time rather than on a machine.
Can't win for lose'n.
Regards! Michaelson
Well said!
My imports have been very well put together. Maybe it comes down to luck of the draw in that regard.
Personally? In ANY leather jacket, I think "perfect" kinda defeats the purpose...now, don't get me wrong, I want straight stitch lines and no missed stitching....certainly no loose or hanging stitching...
But, the leather surface? Just wear it, beat it up, and enjoy it!
That's kind of the spirit of the Wings jacket, anyway....beat the #### out if it, and enjoy it!
Seeking advice...
Everyones Legend goatskins I`ve seen look awesome..especially on the collar. Mine doesn`t! It doesn`t lay nicely but sits tall and kinda in the way. Here is the situation though....I suspect that it may just need breaking in as the leather is still almost brand new but if that is not the case then I plan on selling it off. The leather is awesome so it is hard to let go but everytime I put it on, the collar annoys me. So what I am asking is, all you guys that have them, did you guys break in your collars or may there just be something off on mine in particular?
It seems as though the collar stand in the front sits right up and doesn`t allow the collar to relax on my shoulder fronts....hence I feel like I`m wearing a 1700`s Edwardian suit.
Advice and comments?
Gorak wrote:Seeking advice...
Everyones Legend goatskins I`ve seen look awesome..especially on the collar. Mine doesn`t! It doesn`t lay nicely but sits tall and kinda in the way. Here is the situation though....I suspect that it may just need breaking in as the leather is still almost brand new but if that is not the case then I plan on selling it off. The leather is awesome so it is hard to let go but everytime I put it on, the collar annoys me. So what I am asking is, all you guys that have them, did you guys break in your collars or may there just be something off on mine in particular?
It seems as though the collar stand in the front sits right up and doesn`t allow the collar to relax on my shoulder fronts....hence I feel like I`m wearing a 1700`s Edwardian suit.
Advice and comments?
I had the same problem with mine! I could have lived with it, I think. But I returned the jacket because there was a hole in it, and there were no replacements. I kinda digged that jacket.
Ugh, that`s a real stinker. My collar really digs into my cheek when I look sideways. And I really love this the look of this leather but....rrrrrr. Thanks for the comments..I didn`t want to attempt to distress it and then the results not come out and then have to sell it distressed! It`s a shame!Beautiful leather!
Based on the specs you provided, the sleeve length appears to be sized correctly, its the back length, tightness in the chest and front that I would question. Really like the distressing job though. 
The movie jacket was far from perfect!! I'm just thinking of Indiana G asking for his Tony Nowak jacket to be made when Tony was drunk so the stitches meandered all over the place 
