New, confused and curious: Flightsuit, Wested, USWings

[guitone]

Let me ask some questions and hopefully get some answers...which of these seem to fit best in the body (not tight, but a good line)?

Which leather is best and rugged? (Is the lamb rugged enough for an adult that is not rolling down hills, just wearing it with chinos?)

I like the fact that the lamb will age and I like a nice feeling light weight leather, I would think the cow hide would be heavier (and more durable).

I ordered the USWings today in lamb because the deal cannot be beat, hope it fits.....I have read that the fit on the Westeds does seem to vary, probably as these are custom not everyone measures themselved properly...is the quality equal in these, better in some????

I shoud add that I am probably not concerned with it being a 100% accurate reissue of what was in the film, just a nice jacket with the indy look.....I think these are just nicer than a bomber style with the elastic waist.

Thanks and I am sure this has been covered but my search just did not turn up anyting.

[Mola Ram]

Im one of thoes people who does roll down hills

My Wested cow is 1 1/2 years old and alot of the stitches are breaking. I guess thats because i treat it like i treat my gym shoes, just without the smell. Heres a list of what ive done with it.

lets see,
crawled on floors, fell down hills, rolled in mud, scraped aginst cinderblocks on a daily basis (the walls in my school) Crawled on forest floors, ive also, worn it during snowstorms, hurricanes, rainstorms, and hail. And dont forget crawling on pavement. I also recently needed to get down a hill very quickly so i took my jacket off, sat on it and slid down a snow covered like it was a sled.

The sewing keeps breaking and i just keep re-sewing it. and it will always be that way. as long as the leather dosent tear im happy.
Adam

[Indydawg]

You won't get answers on most of these questions-only opinions. Which, all taken together objectively, are beneficial; but, are only opinions and, as such, should be taken with a grain of salt.

Wested has the potential of fitting the best, but as there are quite often measurement inaccuracies (and Wested can only work with what they are given), there are just as many ill fitting jackets from them as there are from FS or Wings.

Both Wings and FS use generic sizing-"off the rack", if you will. If you like a little extra room for layering, order up from your "suit coat" size. If you want it fitted close to the body, order what you normally wear in a suit coat (a properly fitting suit coat, I should add-go to a men's store and have them fit you and don't go in trying to tell them what you wear, they make their living fitting men properly and can tell YOU what you wear.....one word of caution, you will often be surprised at what size you really are. I know I was).

As for durability and "ruggedness"-FS and Wings are both contract military jacket makers and are comparable to each other. Wested makes jackets that are built to endure regular wear and tear through normal daily life and unless you intend on your jacket being put through some serious abuse (like if you are in the military or some other line of active duty work), the Westeds should stand up just fine to whatever your suburban daily life could throw at them.

As for leather-really, again, unless you intend to really put them to the test, one is just as "durable" as the other. Each offers a different look, different texture, different "active duty life", so to speak. And each maker has done very well with competing with one another regarding quality of their leather.

All these jackets have come a long way since I came on board here and began researching and wearing these things. Really, it's hard to go "wrong" with any of them. You just have to decide what YOU like best in a jacket and go with it.

Either that, or have enough dough to get one of each.

Wouldn't THAT be nice!

Later!
Indydawg

[J_Weaver]

The lamb is fine for average daily wear. Just don't get dragged behind a truck. I have an authentic brown goat Wested. I've had it since November and its holding up just fine. The expected wear is starting to show in a few spots. I don't baby my jacket, but I don't abuse it on purpose either. I wear it hiking quite often, and I don't mean on trails. I spend a lot of time in places where there are no trails.I wore it through a locust patch last week and it didn't get a scratch. The goat is a great leather. Its as tough as cow but not as heavy. And mine was as soft as butter the day I got it. But the lamb is a great choice for daily wear.

[Shawnkara]

'Dawg is right. There are no answers, only opinions based on experience and preference. As for fit there are two things to consider. Do you want a jacket that fits like Ford's, or do you want a jacket that fits to what you personally consider comfortable? I love my fitted Wested, but honestly I can't stand to wear it all the time. I looks cool, looks accuarte but I just find that fit a bit restrictive. If you want a "screen" fit take 'Dawg's advice and get measured. If you want a different fit and you're going with Wings or FS go to any store, try on leather jackets until you find a fit you like and go from there. And, yes, there are sizing issues with Wested, too. I've often looked at my Weted Raiders and wondered how a "custom" tailored can have a generic off-the-peg size tag in it. When I got my custom made fedora from Peters Bros. years ago it had my name written in it so they could tell among the other Indy fedoras in the shop that this one was MINE. It had no size tag in it. You would think anything "custom" made would arrive with a tag bearing that particular customers' name. No offense at all to Wested, but I think more often than not that your measurements are simply held up to a size chart and your jacket is made standard. Just my opinion, though!! If not insane about accuarcy then any of the three are a good choice. Technically speaking NONE of them are 100% accurate. As for leather, well, I would have to say there IS an answer to that one. Cowhide is the toughest. But it's thicker and heavier. That's why motorcycle jackets, leather pants and chaps are cowhide. They're desinged to fly off a bike and skid a quarter mile down a highway and protect you. Have you ever seen a pair of work boots made from lamb? I doubt it. I think the only reason Ford wore lamb is that filming took place on location in many hot climates and lamb is very light and cool. He could have the look of a rugged leather jacket without boiling to death, And, they had plenty to destroy. That's my two cents. Keep the change

[ij1936]

I've had several Wested jackets, most of which were a bit too tight. When I've ordered them, I've always ordered them in the size I would normally wear (makes sense, right?). However I find their sizing a tad on the small size. How the other makers of the Indy jackets compare I do not know. My most recent purchase has been a size larger and I find that fits me the way I think it should fit: comfortably. I like to wear sweaters underneath in the fall and winter months here in the windy city, so I need to have room to move. As far as the type of leather: I have had cowhide and lambskin. To me, cowhide is too heavy (like a cow...not the board, the animal!) I don't go easy on the jacket, but I'm not too rough on it either.