Club Obi Wan

Sometimes, Gemma from Wested worries me. Last week, I wrote her an email asking if she knew how my jacket was coming along - it had been about 2-3 weeks since I ordered it. "It will be ready in 10-14 working days", she replied.

Today - five days later - the jacket arrives! It must have been practically half way out the door at the time of her reply. Quite a surprise, but a positive one, of course!

Here are a couple of observations, and comparisons with my old TOD goat:

1. Despite both jackets being 42's, the new jacket is bigger than my old goat was (even before I accidentally shrunk it). I asked for an extra inch in body length for the new jacket (to emulate the length of the TOD model, which I liked) but the new jacket is longer than my old TOD jacket ever was (of course, the new jacket is a 42L). It is also wider, both in the body and in the sleeves. I don't know if this is a property of the CS model - looking at CS screenshots, Harrison's sleeves look a bit baggy compared with the jackets from the older movies (alternatively, could my old TOD jacket have been an 80's fit model?).

As it is, my new jacket is generously large and will probably be perfect as a winter jacket. The question of course is whether it is too large - in hindsight I probably shouldn't have asked for the extra inch in length... (And of course, I haven't checked yet whether the jacket actually conforms to the sizing specs I gave, but everything else I specified - zipper, gussets, X-box stitch, and buckles - is fine).

2. The novapelle hide looks beautiful and is quite soft. It definitely doesn't feel as water- (and bullet-) proof as my old goat jacket. At first glance, I think I prefer the look of the novapelle but the feel of the goat of my old jacket.


Update: I have taken a couple of pictures, so without further ado, I bring you the Wested CS jacket, size 42 XLong:

Jens_Hoppe wrote:2. The novapelle hide looks beautiful and is quite soft. It definitely doesn't feel as water- (and bullet-) proof as my old goat jacket.

It's definitely not as waterproof. Being predistressed, it soaks up water as if it were made out of bounty paper towels! I was out in the rain yesterday with mine (also novapelle) and water barely has time to bead up on the surface.. it just soaks right in (I gotta say it looks a lot better after its first soaking, though).

LJ

That's why I gave it a coat of Pecard's pretty soon after getting it. It's faded right out now so is probably due for a reapplication.

Photos added to initial post.

Beauty of a jacket! Best of luck with it over the years.

I took some pics of my several months old NP, and realised it looks very similar age wise to yours. Of course in real life it has a lot more weathering, but I suggest you hold off the pecard till it's built up some weathering!





I think yours looks and fits great by the way!

I had the same thing happen to me with Gemma today. I emailed her yesterday asking when to expect my order. This morning she replied that it would be 10-15 days. An hour later, my jacket arrived! Also, I had ordered a shirt with the jacket, and I was billed for it, but the shirt never arrived, even though the statement said that the shirt was part of the order.

I hope she figures out what is going on over there. However, my Raiders lambskin is GORGEOUS! I'm wearing it right now. Feels like silk.

Can anyone suggest how and when I should treat it? Is the lambskin very durable, or should I give it a layer of Pecard immediately? I hear all sorts of things, like let it get rained on once or twice first, then treat it, to "dont' treat it at all", to treat it immediately and often. Any more advice for this rookie?

maboot38 wrote:Can anyone suggest how and when I should treat it? Is the lambskin very durable, or should I give it a layer of Pecard immediately? I hear all sorts of things, like let it get rained on once or twice first, then treat it, to "dont' treat it at all", to treat it immediately and often. Any more advice for this rookie?

Hey bud.. I offered my opinion on your question in the other thread you started. LJ

Jens, that jacket fits great.

And KT, your novapelle CS is looking better with every photo you post.

SD

Having had the jacket a couple of days now and loving almost everything about it, I hate to say this: I still think it's too long.

When I ordered the jacket, I asked for a size 42 Long *with an extra inch added to the length*. Now, according to the sizing guidelines on Wested's website, a 42 Long should have a back length of 26.25 inches, and with "my" extra inch added, I would have expected a total back length of 27.25 inches.

However, I measured the back length today, and it is 74 cm, or just about 29.1 inches - almost 2 inches longer than I expected! No wonder I feel the jacket is too long.

I have written Peter & Gemma, and hope to hear from them...

I hope you get this sorted out and get the jacket you asked for. It amazes me how some folks can't read a ruler and / or have so many problems following directions.

On a similar note, the custom Wested I just received was made from the measurements I provided and actually fits worse than my old off the rack Wested. I've ordered several custom jackets before so it's not like I'm a rookie at taking measurements... Go figure.

LJ

Who's making these jackets for Wested anyway? The custom ones are made in their shop right? I'd like to know what the deal is with some of these jackets being so far off.

It might be that Wested is so busy right now with orders that their QC is suffering a bit.

Sorry that you're unhappy with the length but that is a great looking jacket. The novapelle looks really great.

Jens_Hoppe wrote:Having had the jacket a couple of days now and loving almost everything about it, I hate to say this: I still think it's too long.

When I ordered the jacket, I asked for a size 42 Long *with an extra inch added to the length*. Now, according to the sizing guidelines on Wested's website, a 42 Long should have a back length of 26.25 inches, and with "my" extra inch added, I would have expected a total back length of 27.25 inches.

However, I measured the back length today, and it is 74 cm, or just about 29.1 inches - almost 2 inches longer than I expected! No wonder I feel the jacket is too long.

I have written Peter & Gemma, and hope to hear from them...

I'd be very interested in hearing what they have to say. I received my Wested custom Raiders jacket today, and it seemed a bit long so I measured it. I ordered a back length of 26", and the jacket I received is 27.5" from the collar seam to the bottom edge. Aside from that it fits and looks great IMO, and I'm just not sure I want to incur the added shipping costs and risks involved in sending it back for such a minor issue.

Jens I think it looks good. Maybe slightly long but not vastly, and has the vibe of that first publicity photo. But better sligtly long than too short.

For the people jumping up and down, he asked for a Long - PLUS an inch. He never supplied a specific measure.

The figure on the web site was for a RAIDERS jacket and is marked "for reference only".

All the jackets are being made slightly longer since that table was formulated because people have been complaining that the jackets are too short!

With all that in mind the 29" is probably about right for the instructions supplied.

Kt Templar wrote:For the people jumping up and down, he asked for a Long - PLUS an inch. He never supplied a specific measure.

The figure on the web site was for a RAIDERS jacket and is marked "for reference only".

KT,

In my case I did write the following when ordering: 'I'd also like the body 1" longer than usual - in the style of your old Temple of Doom model. Would that mean a back length of about 27.25"?'

Not quite specifying a length I wanted, but surely indicating an expectation, right?

Zombie Jones wrote:

Jens_Hoppe wrote: When I ordered the jacket, I asked for a size 42 Long *with an extra inch added to the length*. Now, according to the sizing guidelines on Wested's website, a 42 Long should have a back length of 26.25 inches, and with "my" extra inch added, I would have expected a total back length of 27.25 inches.

However, I measured the back length today, and it is 74 cm, or just about 29.1 inches - almost 2 inches longer than I expected! No wonder I feel the jacket is too long.

I have written Peter & Gemma, and hope to hear from them...

I'd be very interested in hearing what they have to say. I received my Wested custom Raiders jacket today, and it seemed a bit long so I measured it. I ordered a back length of 26", and the jacket I received is 27.5" from the collar seam to the bottom edge. Aside from that it fits and looks great IMO, and I'm just not sure I want to incur the added shipping costs and risks involved in sending it back for such a minor issue.

Sorry for the question but, what is the use of sending detailed measurements if then you receive a wrong jacket?

Jens_Hoppe wrote:

Kt Templar wrote:For the people jumping up and down, he asked for a Long - PLUS an inch. He never supplied a specific measure.

The figure on the web site was for a RAIDERS jacket and is marked "for reference only".

KT,

In my case I did write the following when ordering: 'I'd also like the body 1" longer than usual - in the style of your old Temple of Doom model. Would that mean a back length of about 27.25"?'

Not quite specifying a length I wanted, but surely indicating an expectation, right?

Lots of guessing and no firm figures agreed on.

You arm length seems perfect as does your chest.

Kt Templar wrote:You arm length seems perfect as does your chest.

I agree.

Kt Templar wrote:I took some pics of my several months old NP, and realised it looks very similar age wise to yours. Of course in real life it has a lot more weathering, but I suggest you hold off the pecard till it's built up some weathering!





I think yours looks and fits great by the way!

Hey Kt, those pocket flaps are cut like the screen used LC jacket. Just a bit smaller. What I mean is, the scalloping has a particular LC look here.

Hey jens.

Nice jacket..

how are the armholes on you CS?

are they gigger then your old wested?

mine older CS jacket ha much bigger armholes on it then my other jackets

bests
Holt

Indiana Holt wrote:Hey jens.

Nice jacket..

how are the armholes on you CS?

are they gigger then your old wested?

mine older CS jacket ha much bigger armholes on it then my other jackets

bests
Holt

Holt... are you having trouble typing?

I spoke to Peter yesterday and my Raiders Novapelle is supposed to be done next week

Marc Kitter specs. of course

Can't wait to get it!!!

Regards,

Marc

CM wrote:

Indiana Holt wrote:Hey jens.

Nice jacket..

how are the armholes on you CS?

are they gigger then your old wested?

mine older CS jacket ha much bigger armholes on it then my other jackets

bests
Holt

Holt... are you having trouble typing?

HA!

in that post?....yes!

hehe

Holt

Indiana Holt wrote:how are the armholes on you CS?

are they gigger then your old wested?

mine older CS jacket ha much bigger armholes on it then my other jackets

Yes, the sleeves are quite a bit wider than on my old jacket, including at the armhole. The old was always a bit tight, so these are fine, I think.

I wouldn’t worry over the length, as this style of jacket tends to ride up over time. One of the problems people have is getting a jacket that fits perfect right out of the box, then discovering a few months or years later that it’s loosing length. With creases, wrinkles and some shrinkage you could well loose those inches. Hope this gives you some peace of mind.

-P-

I'm a fan of the ToD look as well, and I think you've got it there, Jens. The length looks good to me.

There's something about the look when Indy's riding the elephant, and the jacket hangs down low so the hems brush the elephant's back, it's very jungle.

Regards,
LC

Indiana Strones wrote:

Zombie Jones wrote:

Jens_Hoppe wrote: When I ordered the jacket, I asked for a size 42 Long *with an extra inch added to the length*. Now, according to the sizing guidelines on Wested's website, a 42 Long should have a back length of 26.25 inches, and with "my" extra inch added, I would have expected a total back length of 27.25 inches.

However, I measured the back length today, and it is 74 cm, or just about 29.1 inches - almost 2 inches longer than I expected! No wonder I feel the jacket is too long.

I have written Peter & Gemma, and hope to hear from them...

I'd be very interested in hearing what they have to say. I received my Wested custom Raiders jacket today, and it seemed a bit long so I measured it. I ordered a back length of 26", and the jacket I received is 27.5" from the collar seam to the bottom edge. Aside from that it fits and looks great IMO, and I'm just not sure I want to incur the added shipping costs and risks involved in sending it back for such a minor issue.

Sorry for the question but, what is the use of sending detailed measurements if then you receive a wrong jacket?

I was wondering that myself; I can only assume Wested is taking the "shrinkage" factor (as Prescott mentioned in his post above) into account. Regardless, I've decided not to return the jacket. I like it, it fits the way I wanted it to, it's comfortable, and (I think) it looks good on me. Life's too short to sweat the little stuff.

Here's an update:

I wrote to Wested at the time I posted this thread, and Gemma replied and asked me to return the CS jacket to them. I did, and now (less than three weeks later!) I have a new jacket, with a back length of about 27.5" rather than the old one's 29.1".

It's PERFECT.

Still a bit longer than my old goat TOD, but I like the new length better. Everything else about it - width, sleeve length, the hide used - EVERYTHING - is just as I want it.

Curiously, my old goat TOD jacket had a right-side zipper (unusual in Denmark), so one of the things I stressed when first ordering a CS was that I would like a left-side zipper. As it turned out, because of the jacket's storm flap, I discovered that I actually prefer a right-side zipper for this type of jacket. And guess what, this latest CS jacket has the zipper on the right side.

So, a big public thanks to Wested for going to the trouble of making me a new jacket. I couldn't be happier.

Congrats for your new jacket!

You see, even under pressure Wested delivered after all...

One comment about the previous conversations. Technically speaking, a real Indy style leather jacket should be off the rack since I don't think that Indy's jacket should have been made in that period stylish or to measure due to its heavy and sometimes abusive use.

In any case, having said that, I choose to contradict my statement above because I too preffer a custom leather jacket rather a OTR.

Indygr

congratulations!

show uss some pictures

bests
Holt

Indiana Holt wrote:congratulations!

show uss some pictures

bests
Holt

It's just like the one in the first post, only 1.5" shorter.

Jens_Hoppe wrote:Curiously, my old goat TOD jacket had a right-side zipper (unusual in Denmark), so one of the things I stressed when first ordering a CS was that I would like a left-side zipper. As it turned out, because of the jacket's storm flap, I discovered that I actually prefer a right-side zipper for this type of jacket. And guess what, this latest CS jacket has the zipper on the right side.

Are "left-side" zippers standard for European jackets? I ask because in the U.S. most jackets have right-side zippers (i.e., the zipper pull is on the right side) and the custom Raiders jacket I received from Wested has the zipper pull on the left. Not a big deal, just something I have to get used to for those rare occasions when I might want to zip it up.

Zombie Jones wrote:Are "left-side" zippers standard for European jackets? I ask because in the U.S. most jackets have right-side zippers (i.e., the zipper pull is on the right side) and the custom Raiders jacket I received from Wested has the zipper pull on the left. Not a big deal, just something I have to get used to for those rare occasions when I might want to zip it up.

Left-hand zippers are standard in Denmark, at least. I don't know about the rest of Europe, but until buying my first Wested I had only ever seen 2-3 jackets with right-hand zippers.

Hmmm...that novapelle is quite attractive. Does anyone know offhand if Wested provides swatches of their different hides?

I'd say this photo of Peter wearing his Novapelle jacket (http://www.indyjacket.co.uk/INDIANA-PETE.jpg) and the first photo posted by Jens_Hoppe are the most accurate I've seen with regards to the color/hue/look of the Novapelle jackets...that's what mine looks like, anyway. Swatches are nice, but it's often difficult to imagine how an entire jacket will look when you're looking at a piece of leather smaller than the palm of your hand.

Of course, if want to feel the Novapelle, that's a different matter.

About the swatches.......don't put too much into it.........my Novapelle ended up being quite different from the swatch I received earlier. (Unless you request the swatch to come directly from the jacket they are making for you, it won't be of much use.....at least it was for me).

Zombie Jones wrote:I'd say this photo of Peter wearing his Novapelle jacket (http://www.indyjacket.co.uk/INDIANA-PETE.jpg) and the first photo posted by Jens_Hoppe are the most accurate I've seen with regards to the color/hue/look of the Novapelle jackets...that's what mine looks like, anyway. Swatches are nice, but it's often difficult to imagine how an entire jacket will look when you're looking at a piece of leather smaller than the palm of your hand.

Of course, if want to feel the Novapelle, that's a different matter.

....My Novapelle looks quite different from what Peter's wearing in that photo. His looks much more brown than mine. My jacket has more black in it than brown.

...My Novapelle looks quite different from what Peter's wearing in that photo. His looks much more brown than mine. My jacket has more black in it than brown.

Would you say that is typical of Wested, because the swatches I got from G&B PRECISELY matched in color and texture the reference-for-size jacket they sent me.

bobjones wrote:

...My Novapelle looks quite different from what Peter's wearing in that photo. His looks much more brown than mine. My jacket has more black in it than brown.

Would you say that is typical of Wested, because the swatches I got from G&B PRECISELY matched in color and texture the reference-for-size jacket they sent me.

I don't know.....I only have 1 swatch from Wested.....not sure if it's typical....... G&B's are great jackets and the quality of their leather is fantastic.....only knock against them are that their jackets tend to run a little big and you can't customize it to the extent of a Magnoli or a custom Wested.