Hi Indy Brothers and Sisters,
I recently received my new custom Steele & Jones thin chocolate horsehide Raiders Jacket. I would like to share with you my ordering experience and end result.
ORDERING:
I am always nervous ordering anything custom made online for obvious reasons. As experienced participants in this hobby can attest, there are no guarantees that the written word will succeed in achieving one's desired result. Nonetheless, upon reading about S&J's jackets, I decided to take the plunge. I figured if these guys are willing to travel from South America to Washington D.C. to personally examine the LC jacket specs, then they mean business as to accuracy.
Diego guided me as to the proper measurements for my fit and personal preferences. I sent them photos of myself in and out of jacket from another vendor. After a few initial exchanges, Diego went to work. Diego was very kind and patient with me when I needed to make a few belated changes - even after the jacket was near complete. He stressed that he wanted me to be happy and that my desire for a slightly longer arm length was an easy fix.
I was never made to feel foolish or annoying when I made inquiries and last minute changes. The ordering process was first rate.
FINAL PRODUCT:
What can I say. I hope to be buried in this jacket. When I returned home from work one day I saw the box waiting for me in a secure location. I opened the box, slipped the jacket out of its protective bag, and tried it on. It fit like a glove! I was amazed at how light the jacket felt. It is horsehide, but it is lighter on my torso than any horsehide or kangaroo jacket I own.
Like the Raiders jacket appears in the Idol cave and in Marion's bar, the jacket almost looked black with the indoors lighting. A few days later a colleague would examine the jacket to see that I was not lying to him about the jacket being a dark brown - not black. The jacket was screen accurate from the collar all the way down to the pockets, the action flaps, the hardware, the back bottom slits, and its drape. I know that coupling one's preferences with SA is the grail for us - and I must say, I chose wisely in SJ.
CAVEATS:
I want to point out that I had asked for a few personal adjustments to the jacket, given that I will be wearing the jacket, and not Mr. Ford. Although he is certainly welcome to wear it should he decide to swing by my homestead.
LENGTH: I asked that the jacket be slightly longer in the back. I have a longer torso and in the cooler New England weather, I did not want the jacket to leave my lower back too exposed should I have to climb a Nazi Flying Wing plane in the cooler months.
ARMS: My arm length is such that I could have easily swung from tree to tree with Mutt in the jungle. Thus, I asked for a slightly longer arm length. In making this request I considered that the arms will eventually develop the rolls and folds overtime.
SHOULDERS/V-TAPER: Occasionally I put down the remote control and pick up some weights at the local gym. I have yet to see my abs but my shoulders and waist seem to respond accordingly. Therefore, so as to avoid a loose drumlike body (realizing that the Raiders jacket is a box cut) I asked Diego if he could please provide me with a few extra inches in the shoulders and to slightly taper the sides. While the straps provide a nice tapering effect, I did not want them to have to do all the work. Thus Diego blended a nice taper for me - thus not requiring me to rely solely on the side straps for a more fitted look and feel.
NON-DISTRESSED SHEEN: I specifically asked Diego to please refrain from any distressing. I asked for a nice new sheen. It is my desire to let life and hopefully future adventures do the work. Plus it will be great to have before and after pictures to look at throughout the years to come, God willing.
In conclusion, this jacket is one of the first items I would grab were I ever made to flee my house under threat of fire, flood, search warrant, or former spouse. I have no dogs or children or family jewelry so I am afforded this luxury.
Everything that is screen accurate is purely and solely the work of Diego at Steele & Jones. Any variations from SA was done exclusively and with great precision at my request. I hope this review is of assistance to you, my friends. I have included some photo links for your kind inspection.
https://i.imgur.com/3LM5QHO.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://i.imgur.com/Yf2QAeQ.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://i.imgur.com/HCfMub9.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://i.imgur.com/wzCYv9E.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://i.imgur.com/kVpxLlZ.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I am a novice as to posting. If there is an issue - I will endeavor to fix it.
Kind Regards,
AttyOzzy
P.S. If anyone wishes to see some different pics of the jacket please PM me with your cell phone number or email and I will text or email them to you.
Can't wait.
this is my first custom jacket so I'm sure it will be 
