Getting my First Jacket

[Yankee752]

The Jacket Bug has bitten! I've spent quite some time looking over info here and elsewhere on the web on the various Indy Jackets and honestly feel a little overwhelmed. I Have some basic things that I want/am looking for but could really use some more knowledgeable advice.
Because of my love of Raiders I'm looking to capture that look. Decided on a Wested mainly because of the history with the films. Goat for durability. I want a color that will capture the almost black seen throughout the film. Now I'm not looking for total screen accurate more screen resemblance, which means I would like it to be functional as I plan on wearing this all day every day.
With all that being said I'm also a little nervous about the ordering size, do I go custom OTR or HERO?

P.S. Looking at the Wested site I don't see as many options for goat listed anymore, is it upon request or untill further notice?

[Holt]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

You should ask Peter for the soft dark goatskin. It will scratch your itch!

[westy1970]

Having ordered several Scottish jackets from the U.K. I always wondered about Wested's sizing. Typically, when I order a kilt jacket I have to order a size up from the U.S. size I normally wear. Is this true with Wested, as well? (For U.S. buyers, of course)

[Yankee752]

Thanks for the welcome Holt! The pics I've seen of the soft dark goat are very nice.

Little curious about the sizing but I'll contact wested with my stats and see what they suggest.
What would be best though, I like snug fitting jackets but is the 80's cut Hero gonna be too snug for everyday use?

[Holt]

yes, allthough alittle loose in the front like the film jacket was. so if you want screen accuracy with a ll the quirks and what not and don't want to go the custom route, which won't make the jacket any more screen accurate for that matter ( less actually) I would choose the hero in soft dark goat. Look up Texan scott's dark goat hero. It would be the same you would revieve.

[micsteam]

I thought Wested's authentic brown looked more like Raiders... no ???

[Holt]

yes, in reality the authenitc brown is how it really was but on screen the jacket was caught under many different stage lights making the jacket appear darker then what it really was.

[Yankee752]

Have an email to wested waiting for reply, communications been really good, got some measurements taken but need some input from some other Wested Hero owners.
Getting the Hero in soft dark Goat
I measured out at 44 Chest / 25 Sleeve / 19 shoulder width / and a Back length of 24 (25 going off a current jacket)
I'm 5'10.5" 185lb.
Since I'm looking to wear this till I die I'll be wearing casual/nice clothes, some loose fitting shirts and at the most light/medium thick sweaters, will the 44 size be to constricting? Since the shoulders on the Hero hangover do I go with a 24 or 24.5 sleeve. And Last is the Back length too short or too long? Whats a good length vs hieght?
Sorry for the questions but looking to get a good fit and a great Raiders vibe.

[Forrest For the Trees]

Ask them if they can shorten the straps. Check out some of the photos posted in the Hero thread and judge for yourself. I'd go 23.5" on the back, but maybe 24" will work better for you. Remember, unlike the standard cut, the front length should equal the back length, so also check where the jacket will end in the front. Should come about two inches past your belt. Good choice with the dark brown. I much prefer it to the authentic.

[Texan Scott]

The best thing you can do is give your exact measurments to Peter. Beyond that, I think you are on with your specs. The only thing I would change is maybe 24 1/2" on the sleeves, conservative. I would not touch the back length. Adding a bit to the diameter of the armhole width is also a good idea, maybe 1/2". This way, the sleeves would not be too tight in the upper arm.

[Yankee752]

Thanks to everyone for all the help!
I have emailed both Peter and Gemma at Wested, Gemma has been quick to respond and very helpfull with erveything but sizing, no big commpliants though. I guess in hind site I should have called and tried to talk to Peter I had asked Wested for thier sizing recomendations and Gemma replied that for a 44 they suggest a larger size to allow some clothing unless all my other jackets are a 44. Having measured all my jackets the sizing is all across the board.

So I was feeling good about placing an order but not so much now. Reading through the posts here I've gotten more info here than from Wested, which really comes as no suprise considering where I am Its always hard to order clothing online, but its even harder to order custom clothing online I can't just walk in and start trying on Jackets and getting measured for a great fit and because of that I'm being careful, maybe a little too much, but hey its my money and I really dont want to order a Jacket and have to send it back.

Gemmas email has got me thinking twice about what size to get. Anyone with a 44 chest and 44 jacket have any problems wearing a sweater or other clothing other than a t-shirt? should i go to a 46? Should I just order and be done?

[Texan Scott]

I have a Hero in a size 44 that is lambtouch (cowhide). Because of the slim armholes and diameter of the sleeves, I probably could not comfortably wear a thick sweater underneath, but a long sleeved shirt is fine, so a tshirt would be ok, as well.

[Yankee752]

Texan really appreciate the help. By chance do you know what your pit to pit measurement is? I've seen some on ebay listed as 44's with 23 to 25 pit to pit does Wested add 3 to 4 inches of room? I wanna be able to wear my Indy shirts and other gear but also some everyday cloths too.

[Indiana Jeff]

For what it's worth I have a Wested (circa 2000), obviously not a hero. It is tagged 42 and measures 23" pit-to-pit.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Obi Sean Kenobi]

I am a 44L. I have to wear a suit to work every day, and wear a 44L in every suit coat I've ever tried on.

I bought a Wested Hero in seal brown lamb when they were first released (missed the initial shrunken lamb offering), and it fits fine. I can wear a sweater underneath with no issues. Now I've not tried some huge thick sweater, but a roll neck J Crew style fits fine.

I only wish I ordered longer sleeves. I got 26" and wish I went an inch or so more.

Hope that helps!
Sean

[Texan Scott]

I think what I could add to the discussion at this point is perspective. The very first time I ever ordered an Indy jacket, and it was from Wested, I did not really think in terms of an Indy jacket as a reproduction of a movie "prop" so to speak. As leather jackets go, these repros are generally thin and light, and should not be relied upon to proovide warmth, necessarily. However, over the years, the jacket has become a more faithful likeness of the actual screen prop than ever before. The overall quality of how these jackets are made have also improved. With some, like US Wings or possibly the G&B Exp., there is usually more roominess in the jacket to layer underneath.

[Yankee752]

Really appreciate all the help from everyone here. Still waiting to here back from Wested, email has been really good untill recently just waiting for their input on sizing.
I'm not looking for an Indy jacket to keep me warm in the mountains of Nepal, this is a replica after all, that being said though I am looking for something I can ware with some everyday cloths. I am looking for a Raiders style jacket that will at the end of the day fit me. My concerns and my hesitation come from wanting to encapture the feeling and vision of Raiders without going over the top screen accurate, that'll come with my second
Again thanks for all the help and input, never thought buying a jacket would be this hard!

[Yankee752]

So while my jacket search continues my fiancé surprised me with a clearance G&B expedition goat!
Yeah she's defiantly a keeper! Absolutely amazed by this jacket in every way!

Bad news is though its a 42r that was a custom for someone else (extra inner pocket, red lining, and collar snaps) chest fit ok a little snug but not bad. The real deal breaker, when zipped the 23" front sits 2" above my belt while the 25" back sits just a my back pants pockets (just where I want) unzipped the length looks ok, a little baggy in the arms around the shoulders though.

I've contacted G&B with my full body measurements and concerns and they say a 44r would be a good fit. Figured I'd reach out here ask opinions and knowledge form expo owners. Should I go with the 44r or a 44t? As much as I'm in love with this jacket I don't wanna shell out the cash for one that will have the same super short front, I do want to be able to wear it with an untucked shirt but don't want it too long.