Indy's leather jacket

Fedora jr. · Post by **Fedora jr.** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:02 pm

I have been thinking alot lately about the leather jacket. I know how we all around here love Wested. But I have the feeling that Indy would have just picked up a normal leather jacket to take on his adventures, and it became more of a companion to him (as all of his gear probably did) more than an article of clothing, so I think I'm going to go ahead and just get a normal leather jacket instead of getting a Wested.

P.S. Mods, didn't know where to put this. Should it be in Lao Che's table?

Geoff

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:05 pm

hmmm. Well, considering the site is about what Indy actually wore, I guess it's kinda weird reading something like this in the Leather Jacket section. But all power to ya. Be yourself, brother.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:13 pm

You should remember that when Indy would have bought his jacket,
he would have made sure it did not have a knit bottom like the A-2 that
came out then. It would have interfered with his whip and bag, so make
sure you pick up a leather jacket that will match what you are going to
be doing while wearing it.

In doing this, you going to be your own man, and not a true Indy fan
in the sense of the word. But you will be embodying the Indy spirit, which
is all good!!

Good luck in your purchase.

Flathead

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:16 pm

Well, first question I'd ask would be, what do you define as a 'normal leather jacket'? Are you talking 'period' to Indy, or period to us right now? If 'right now', then I'm reading you loud and clear, and like many others around here, I started out with an A-2 flight jacket that served me for many many years. It's all in how you want to enjoy the hobby. NOTHING says you have to follow the crowd. Enjoy it at any place you want. You're right in any way YOU choose to go. Let us know what you get. I'll be interested! Regards. Michaelson

p.s. I see Flathead hit 'submit' before I did, so you can see he and I are of the same frame of mind!

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:51 pm

But I have the feeling that Indy would have just picked up a normal leather jacket to take on his adventures,

In the make-believe world of Indiana Jones, maybe a Wested was simply an off-the-rack jacket that anybody could get at Sears and Roebuck or a similar store. I am in the middle of a transaction for a genuine steerhide jacket from the 1930's and it has a barrell waist and side straps. This jacket existed long before Indiana Jones was a twinkle in Lucas' eye. The Wested is special to us because Indy wore it, but had he not, who would even know Wested existed - at least in the US? (No offense, Peter!)

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:42 pm

I'm not sure if he would use a normal leather jacket, spending that much time in the field, he knew what did and didn't work. Perhaps after several mistakes in selecting gear he decided on the gear that we know as IndyGear. Maybe his "normal" gear was decided on how it would "normally" be used. I for one would be hesitant to use a normal leather jacket but only because I am not normal. No comments, Michaelson!

So maybe decide what your jacket's normal wearing conditions and elements it will be exposed to and go on from there.

Continent · Post by **Continent** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:44 pm

Geoff,
Good for you! Though not a strictly gear-inspired course of action, it is nonetheless in keeping with the spirit. And if I may make two suggestions to help you with your search, first try ebay and search the term "horsehide". You'll get about two pages of vintage jackets that are typically as good as new. Next, try http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com. Be prepared to spend a bit, but you will have a large selection of authentic vintage designs and styles coupled with absolute top of the line workmanship. Good luck, just don't stray too far from the fold.

Mattdeckard · Post by **Mattdeckard** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:48 pm

Having seen catalog from the era, the selection of leather jacket possibilities is huge, I see no problem with the idea of Indy finding the jacket off the rack at any department store, or even ordering one made to measure like some of the catalogs offered back then. If you ever get a chance to, check out a 30's Sear Roebuck catalog.

Then again money talks, and it was alot easier to have things tailor made in the 30's than it is today.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:52 pm

Uh, Jess, we'll just let that one hang out there to twist slowly in the wind.

Regards. Michaelson

Fedora jr. · Post by **Fedora jr.** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:34 pm

Thanks for the input guys. I meant if Indy were real, in his day he probably would have picked on up off the rack, considering his shirt and pants were probably that way too. But thanks for the input

Geoff

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:36 pm

Considering most of his garb appears to have been military surplus, I'd suggest you start there on your quest. That's where I purchased MY first Indy jacket...a surplus A-2. Michaelson

Fedora jr. · Post by **Fedora jr.** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:38 am

Thanks Michaelson. I'll definately check on the suplus store around here

Geoff

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:16 am

I know how we all around here love Wested. But I have the feeling that Indy would have just picked up a normal leather jacket to take on his adventures

In the make-believe world of Indiana Jones, maybe a Wested was simply an off-the-rack jacket that anybody could get at Sears and Roebuck or a similar store.

I meant if Indy were real, in his day he probably would have picked on up off the rack, considering his shirt and pants were probably that way too.

With all due respect, I find the discussion a bit strange... Indiana Jones, a fictitious character dressed in garments of various - fictitional - brands. In order to present these garments for the public, various costuming companies were hired to make them (Bermans & Nathans, or whatever MBA was called, and Leather Concessionaires/present-day Wested).
The character "Indy" never, ever wore a "Wested", nor did he get any paper-thin prop shirts from Noel Howard. Heck, his bag isn't even a real-world British Army issue Mk VII...
So, in conclusion, should Indiana Jones be a real, contemporary person, and should he wish to don a vintage-looking, aviator-kind of leather jacket, who's to say he won't surf over to wested.com and order one... for all we know, he might even be a member of this board....?

/SJ

Fedora jr. · Post by **Fedora jr.** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:30 am

When I am older, have a job, and actually have some money I will definately get a Wested. But for now I am going to just get an off the rack jacket. Once again, thanks for the input (I know this is a strage topic!)

Geoff

(Wow! Archaeology Student Ranking already!!!! Still feels as if I'm a Grail Recovery Volunteer.........)

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:37 am

Hey, it's never too late to have your head loped off around here, regardless how long you've been at C.O.W. You see, this is an EOD environment: Equal Opportunity Decapitation.

bink

Fedora jr. · Post by **Fedora jr.** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:44 am

Yes but as we have learned from our hero bink, we must kneel, and roll. Though I never figured out where he figured out to roll, the diary just said to kneel. Who knows, maybe Indy had Jedi reflexes.

Geoff

Kentucky Mason · Post by **Kentucky Mason** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:31 am

For my first post I felt this seemed appropriate. (No longer lurking and reading...now a participant!!!)

I too faced the dilema of wanting a wested, but looking at my finances realized it was (currently) out of reach. So I went down to Wilson Leather during their 70% off sale and found an all leather aviator style jacket that I felt blended Indy with a little more modern flair and picked it up for $69. Yes there are differences...no it is not screen accurate, but I love the jacket (and most importantly my wife loves the price).

I think happiness is the best bet. Don't be self conscious if it is not screen accurate. Unless someone is a serious gearhead they probably won't know the difference.

Buy a Jacket that your comfortable sith. Grab some khaki and a Fedora and see how long it takes for you to get noticed. (If you don't get noticed carry a whip for a couple of days...you'll definitely get noticed then)

All the Best!
Ky

Lindiana · Post by **Lindiana** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:11 am

I did this long ago as well so I can't say too much. Of course at the time I had no idea that Wested made the jacket or that you could get one from them. Since it was back in the 80's when I was looking I was able to find something similar with the shorter cut to the jacket. It was close, very close to the jacket but just not it. When I opened the package the first time from England it was kinda like Indy finding the ark. Something you've searched for for so long, and now only cardboard and plastic between you and it. I don't blame you for getting a jacket you'll be happy adventuring in, after all it's your decision. If you are happy settling for something else by all means knock yourself out my friend. Just put a little cashola aside now and then and maybe next year you can take that first step to getting that awesome jacket of your own.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:23 am

Kentucky Mason wrote:I think happiness is the best bet. Don't be self conscious if it is not screen accurate. Unless someone is a serious gearhead they probably won't know the difference.

Ky

Kentucky, you really hit the nail on the head. This hobby is about having fun with the gear you have and enjoy, whether it's screen accurate, or a close enough representation to suit your individual needs. You may find that eventually you want something a little more "Indy" or you may be satisfied with what you have for years to come. Enjoy it, regardless.

Lindiana's suggestion of saving up a spare dollar or two and stashing it away is a good idea if you want something else but aren't in a hurry to get it. If you do decide you want, say, a good Indy jacket, and you are as price conscious as I am, then you really can't go wrong with a Wested. You can't find that nice of a custom tailored jacket in the U.S. for that price.

At any rate, there are plenty of folks around here (as I'm sure you've read in your lurkerdom) who are more than happy to offer advice and help you down this path we call gear addiction.

Welcome!

bink

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:07 am

Welcome, Ky. As a side note, you're a lot closer to the original than you even know. From past accounts, some of the first Raider prototype jackets were made BY Wilson, but were not approved and never used. They disappeared into the inventory of Western Costume. Wested was then approached, and the rest is cinema history. So, you've actually been wearing an example of the 'fountain head' of the Raiders jacket....just not what they decided to use for the movie. Regards. Michaelson

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:20 pm

Fedora jr. wrote:Thanks for the input guys. I meant if Indy were real, in his day he probably would have picked on up off the rack, considering his shirt and pants were probably that way too. But thanks for the input

Geoff

I would only add this: The Wested is a custom fit bargain jacket. What you get for your $$$ with Wested is in the spirit of the "bang for the buck" attitude that fueled a guy like Indy. I am fairly sure that if he could spend $300 for and off the rack jacket or $325 for a custom made to his needs jacket that he'd get the equipment to get the job done his way.

To that end, if you can wait and save, get a Wested. You will in the long run be happier for it, I think. Besides, Indy did some of his best work jacketless in Cairo !

But, bro, do your thang !

My .02
Ken

henryindianajonesjr44 · Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:30 pm

Geoff,
Do what you got to do. This forum (to me) is more about Indiana Jones rather than just the clothes that he wore. I started out with no Indy clothes but pretty soon I will have a Wested Jacket, Shirt and Pants (thanks to Indiana Mikey) But to me there is more to this forum than owning the exact same things that Ford wore. But it is still important to me to look the part :!:
Andy