Club Obi Wan

If the previous post was "Sacrilege" because it enquired about a black jacket, then this post is surely Heresy.

What are your specifications for the "Perfect" Jacket? Not a particularly disturbing question, but here is the heresy - Let's leave screen authenticity totally out of the mix.

No, the name of this Forum has not escaped me. And I honestly think that the endurance of this jacket and this fascination with the jacket stems in a large part not just from the excitement of the movies, but also from the fact that the jacket looks terrific, and the complete ensemble looks darn good together. (I'm showing Deborah Nadoolman as the Costume Designer; I would be happy to have created something as enduring and aesthetic in my lifetime.)

But, is there something about the jacket you have thought about changing when you ordered, but didn't because it wasn't authentic?

Best to all,

plynck

p.s. I've been lurking for awhile, and chose to post here because the tone and character of this forum is helpful and supportive. If the concept or tone of this post offends, I apologize; that certainly was not my intent.

Plynck wrote:But, is there something about the jacket you have thought about changing when you ordered, but didn't because it wasn't authentic?

Plynck, if I am understanding your question, then I would think that there are several Gearheads that prefer a darker colored jacket than what was originally supplied to the actors and stuntmen.

Myself, I like the seal color just as much as a darker brown but for me, I'd have to say it's the lambskin versus goatskin. I love the drape of lamb but I like the durability and water-repellancy of goat. So, for as anal retentive as I can be at wanting a "screen-accurate" jacket (what is the operational definition of that anyway? ) I am still willing to go goat so as not to tear my "perfect" jacket.

Indiana Joe

I would have to agree with Indiana Joe,

Everyone tends to see something different when they see the jacket on screen, and each person has their own opinion about what they feel is accurate and so on.....but "my persoanl opinion" would definitely to go with Goatskin. It isn't a heavy leather, so it makes for a good year round' jacket. In addition, it has the ability to withstand a true Indiana Jones adventure. And as Joe said, if its durabilty your after, Goatskin is one of the best leathers to choose from to help "protect that perfect jacket."

Regards!
Captain D

My question was mostly to stir up questions, to generate a wish list of what makes the perfect jacket. So I don't think that it is possible to give a wrong answer. Just looking for opinions on a slow evening at home.

For example, I've always thought that gold colored (brass) hardware goes best with brown hides, and silver colored (nickel) hardware goes best with black hides, irrespective of what may be authentic. But then again, I'm not terribly adventurous or imaginative in that regard...

Would you rather see the pocket flaps squared off? Would you like snaps on the cuffs? Or would you like to see the snaps visible instead of hidden? These sorts of details.

To repeat, I think the jacket has a classic look, and I'm not trying to gild the lily here, but I'm wondering if others have seen features on other jackets that they thought would look good here.

Best to all,

plynck

Funny you should mention the brass versus nickel thing. I've gone 'round and 'round about that since the original makers of Raiders had originally painted the nickel-colored zipper to appear brass but the paint kept rubbing off. My point? What is screen-accurate? The jacket the way it was intended to look--brass zipper? Or, with the paint coming off, nickel? I think the brass zipper looks best but after getting my post-mod FS Expedition with the nickel zipper, the nickel zip grew on me and it watched the buckels of my bag strap and gun belt better than the brass. However, I decided to order my authentic goat with a brass zipper since that was the original intention of the movie makers.

One thing I like about the classic styling of the Raiders jacket is the barrell cuff. It seems almost every jacket manufacturer in the 80's decided to include snaps or elastic which, IMHO, only added to original Indy jacket's classic style with barrell cuffs. So, I like to be a bit different!

As for pockets? I like them rounded and with scalloped flaps. In fact, when I had gotten my first Expedition (pre-mod) that didn't have the scalloped pocket flaps, I felt like it was missing something. Although it was, for me it was a sense that I prefer the scalloped look.

Regards,

I.J.