Club Obi Wan

Just updating an old thread of mine. My Wested Raiders novapelle jacket turned "1" last week and I thought I would add a few pics. The new pics can be seen at the post at the bottom of the page. I will have to add some pics soon of my son's US Wings jacket as it is coming up on its 1 year anniversarry as well.

Today I ordered the US Wings Kids Adventurer for my son, it will be his "big" gift for his fith bithday in Oct. He hasn't shut up about it since my Wested arrived and I found the US Wings website had a kids jacket.

I currently own an OTR 40 ROTLA Wested lamb, which arrived about five weeks ago, and after soaking it in cold water the sleeves and waist have shrunk to much for me. The waist isn't that bad but the right arm sleeve is way to short for me now. I am are currently planning on keeeping my first Wested for my wife to wear. It is really long in the sleeves on her but fits pretty good everywhere else and she LIKES it.

So now is the time for me to order another jacket for myself. I am planning on ordering another ROTLA jacket but this time in the Novapelle hide and I am going to go to "Mens Warehouse" and have them professionally measure me for the jacket. I am planning on taking the 40 with me and a printout of what Peter wants for measurements.

Since I am going custom this time what are some of the specifics I should ask for? Any help is appreciated.

That's sad to hear about how one jacket sleeve shrank so much. I've never actually ordered from wested, but if I were, and price weren't an obstacle, I'd go for the 80's cut, with nickel hardware, and It'd be a size 36 chest, but the length would be that of a size 38... but that's just me

-KB

EDIT: And yes, you must be crazy

At one point earlier this year, I had 8 Indy jackets! .....5 Westeds, a G&B, a USW, and a TN. I've sold, returned or gave away most of them so that now, I have only 3. Now, onto the shirts......

PSBIndy wrote:At one point earlier this year, I had 8 Indy jackets! .....5 Westeds, a G&B, a USW, and a TN. I've sold, returned or gave away most of them so that now, I have only 3. Now, onto the shirts......

So the question is, which 3 did you keep? I am guessing one is a TN.

Scot2525. Sounds like you are being reasonable in this since you don't have a jacket for yourself after all of this. It also sounds like you are ok that you shrunk the sleeves and that worked out fine with your wife. Having had the first jacket it makes sense that you know better what you want in the second jacket and will love it I am sure.
best
Canada

KB the right sleeve didn't shrink more than the left. I have always had this problem with long sleeve shirts and jackets. It wasn't a problem until the jacket shrunk on me. I played baseball from the age of 6 to 22 and being right handed my right arm is longer and slightly larger than the left arm.

scot2525 wrote:T
I currently own an OTR 40 ROTLA Wested lamb, which arrived about five weeks ago, and after soaking it in cold water the sleeves and waist have shrunk to much for me. The waist isn't that bad but the right arm sleeve is way to short for me now. I am are currently planning on keeeping my first Wested for my wife to wear. It is really long in the sleeves on her but fits pretty good everywhere else and she LIKES it.

Getting those sleeves shortened to fit correctly should be really easy and inexpensive. Easier than hemming jeans. All they need is heat tape.

I recommend the cotton body and the satin sleeves. got that with my goat off the rack and its nice to slide your arm in with out getting caught up on the cotton. the stitched box is a nice touch,but not completely nessary. I also have the buckles and not d-rings. hope this helps. good luck and enjoy.

Canada Jones wrote:

PSBIndy wrote:At one point earlier this year, I had 8 Indy jackets! .....5 Westeds, a G&B, a USW, and a TN. I've sold, returned or gave away most of them so that now, I have only 3. Now, onto the shirts......

So the question is, which 3 did you keep? I am guessing one is a TN.

Scot2525. Sounds like you are being reasonable in this since you don't have a jacket for yourself after all of this. It also sounds like you are ok that you shrunk the sleeves and that worked out fine with your wife. Having had the first jacket it makes sense that you know better what you want in the second jacket and will love it I am sure.
best
Canada

CJ I am actually quite angry with myself about not taking advice from my family members on ordering the 42 R and really P O'd that I shrunk it. :evil:

KT when I take the jacket with me to get measured I will ask them about shortening the sleeves to fit my wife a little better.

The "Indy Jacket Details", Wested order form, I am considering:

Leather = Novapelle hide

Lining = Cotton Body/ Satin sleeves

Side Fastener = Antique Brass D rings

X box stich = YES

Zip Type = Antique Brass 5 zip gauge

Gussets = YES

Inside pocket = Just one

Custom Label = YES

I've never owned it, but what I've heard in relation to the problem of all Satin, it causes the jacket to slip. And what you said about the sleeves makes alot more sense now, lol.

-KB

scot2525 wrote:Leather = Novapelle hide ( would probably request the darker hide)

Just so you'll know, the photo of Peter wearing his Novapelle jacket (http://www.indyjacket.co.uk/INDIANA-PETE.jpg) is much more accurate with regards to the coloring of the material than the other two photos on Wested's site, which make it appear to be a slightly lighter/warmer/richer shade of brown than it really is.

Going to Men's Wearhouse for measurements is a good idea. I took my own measurements, then went to our local M.W. for verification; aside from the sleeve length (their tailor's measurement was 1" longer than mine, so I split the difference) our measurements matched, and my Wested is a perfect fit IMO. It's the first custom leather jacket I've owned, and by far the nicest.

Well I got measured at M.W. tonight and still have a few questions for the resident experts here. I know that I am going to have my wife re-measure my sleeves and will probably add 1-1.5 inches to the measurement I recieved at M.W. as she stopped the measurement just beyond the wrist which is were my current jacket hits me already. I am choosing to get under arm gussets on this jacket so my first question is would that add any length to the sleeves?

My second question is regarding "Back Length", from the Wested order form, my mom and the seamstress at M.W. both measured me from shoulder to shoulder. Is this correct? It seems to me that Peter is asking how long you want the jacket from collar to waist/behind? Help here is appreciated.

Third question is regarding measuring your overall height. Should I measure myself barefoot, wearing my Indy boots, or a shoe I wear everyday?

Any help from fellow "gearheads" is appreciated.

I wouldn't say I'm an expert by anyone's definition, but...

scot2525 wrote:Well I got measured at M.W. tonight and still have a few questions for the resident experts here. I know that I am going to have my wife re-measure my sleeves and will probably add 1-1.5 inches to the measurement I recieved at M.W. as she stopped the measurement just beyond the wrist which is were my current jacket hits me already. I am choosing to get under arm gussets on this jacket so my first question is would that add any length to the sleeves?

I can't say for certain, but I can't imagine it would add length to the sleeves. The gussets go where the inner sleeve meets the jacket body (under your arm); Wested's measurement requirements are for the outer sleeve, from the cuff to the top of the seam where the sleeve attaches to the jacket body.

scot2525 wrote:My second question is regarding "Back Length", from the Wested order form, my mom and the seamstress at M.W. both measured me from shoulder to shoulder. Is this correct? It seems to me that Peter is asking how long you want the jacket from collar to waist/behind? Help here is appreciated.

Back length is the vertical measurement from the collar seam to the bottom edge of the jacket (i.e., shoulder-to-waist/behind, not shoulder-to-shoulder). As I understand it, this determines how long the body of the jacket will be.

This is the one area where the jacket I received didn't match the measurement I sent. It seemed a bit long when I tried it on the first time, so I checked all the measurements; I sent them a back length measurement of 26", and the jacket I received measured 27.5". I don't know if this was intentional or a simple error on Wested's part, but it wasn't enough of a difference for me to send it back to be corrected. It's a bit more Last Crusade than Raiders, but I'm okay with it.

scot2525 wrote:Third question is regarding measuring your overall height. Should I measure myself barefoot, wearing my Indy boots, or a shoe I wear everyday?

I don't know if it's correct, but I sent my "barefoot" measurement of 6'1", (which I consider to be my actual height) since the shoes I generally wear add only 1" at most to my overall height. I'm not sure why they request this information, as it doesn't really seem necessary. It may be so they can adjust the length so (in their opinion) the jacket would better suit your physique, but IMO it really does no good unless you also inform them that you have a longer torso and shorter legs, or shorter torso and longer legs, etc..

Realistically, the only way to get a perfect fit is to visit Wested and have Peter measure you personally. Other than that, the best you can do is provide them with the information they request as accurately as possible, and trust in their experience and expertise.

The order for my new Novapelle ROTLA jacket was placed tonight.

I am a little closer to a 42 R than a 40 R.

Height = 5' 9.5" without shoes

Chest = 41"

Sleeve Length = 25"
(If you are getting measured in the US be carefull with this measurement as the measurement is primarily taken from the base of the neck to your wrist. This is not the measurement that Peter wants. If I had used the measurement from MW the sleeves of the jacket would have been close to my knees.)

Back Length = 25.25"
(Again be carefull with this meaurement in the US, I had it taken by three tailors, two had the order form, and all three measured from shoulder to shoulder. This measurement should be taken from the collar to where you want the jacket to hit your waist or butt.)

Jacket size = 42 R (I am in between sizes so I decided to list the 42.)

The "Indy Jacket Details"

Leather = Novapelle hide

Lining = Cotton Body/ Satin sleeves

Side Fastener = Antique Brass D rings

X box stich = yes

Zip Type = Antique Brass 5 zip gauge

Gussets = YES

Inside pocket = one

Custom Label = YES

I am really excited about this jacket, it may be a little big but I can work with that.

Just a little question, why the D-rings? SA for LC/CS but a Raiders should have the rectangular loops/sliders.

The D-rings are a bit of a pain as they tend to slip.

Kt Templar wrote:Just a little question, why the D-rings? SA for LC/CS but a Raiders should have the rectangular loops/sliders.

The D-rings are a bit of a pain as they tend to slip.

Thanks for the info Kt. I called Gemma this morning and had her change it to the sliders.

Well my Novapelle Raiders arrived this morning. 19 days from date of order. One problem even though Gemma told me by phone and email that my request to change the d-rings to the slider fastener was changed it still arrived with the d-rings.

Jacket does look great, I will post some pics when I get home.

Contact Wested and ask them to send you your set of requested sliders. They're easy to change out yourself.

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks for the info Michaelson but another member here has been gracious enough to offer sending me some as well. You know who you are and once again thank you.

I must say the Novapelle is a much heavier jacket than the lambskin and the grain on it is beautiful. The body of the jacket fits perfectly, the arms are a little roomy and long but I expected this and am hoping once it developes the wrinkles it will fit a little better in this area. Better long than short like my lambskin. On to the photos. The first two are without a flash, the next two with a flash, and the last comparing the lamb and Novapelle with flash. It may be several days before I can some outdoor pics in sunlight with the jacket on as it hit 90 degrees here in Indiana today.

congrats on that very fine jacket

holt

Looks like Peter accurately nailed the collar/storm flap connection....

This little detail is my one major pet peave of Many Westeds and (especially) US wings jackets.

Every screen shot I have seen close up (from EVERY film) has the collar meeting the storm flap at the 1/2 way point.

Great looking jacket! Love the novapelle hide.

C3

That Novapelle's a fine looking jacket Scott! Come to think of it...it looks just like mine!

coronado3 wrote:Looks like Peter accurately nailed the collar/storm flap connection....

This little detail is my one major pet peave of Many Westeds and (especially) US wings jackets.

Every screen shot I have seen close up (from EVERY film) has the collar meeting the storm flap at the 1/2 way point.

Great looking jacket! Love the novapelle hide.

C3

The LC/CS collar and the Raiders really differ in many ways. One big one is... on the Raiders the collar stand continues to the storm flap (half way).

On the CS it does not. On the LC it does both, well one jacket, at least, has the storm flat extending upwards to the height of the collar stand with half of the top of the storm flap notched in and rounded off, another of the LC jackets is made like the CS, the collar stand does not continue to the storm flap.

EG:

Looks like you got a really good fit there. I think those sleeves are just right, once you have worn it a while and they wrinkle up you will be glad for a little extra length.

Weston

Weston wrote:Looks like you got a really good fit there. I think those sleeves are just right, once you have worn it a while and they wrinkle up you will be glad for a little extra length.

Weston

Some of you guys keep saying that, but I have never in 25 years had a jacket's sleeves "ride up" with wrinkle or wear, and that for probably 20 odd jackets. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, it just has never happened to me.

The sleeves on my Novapelle felt too long at first, and I even called a tailor to have them shortened. When the day came to bring it in, I found hours of constant wear had seemingly wrinkled the sleeves enough that I was happy with the length after all. Glad I waited.

Remember, when you bend your elbows or raise your arms the sleeves will shorten a bit. That's why from the photos I'd say the sleeves are perfect. I like mine to come to my first set of knuckles and I'm happy.

The LC/CS collar and the Raiders really differ in many ways. One big one is... on the Raiders the collar stand continues to the storm flap (half way).

On the CS it does not. On the LC it does both, well one jacket, at least, has the storm flat extending upwards to the height of the collar stand with half of the top of the storm flap notched in and rounded off, another of the LC jackets is made like the CS, the collar stand does not continue to the storm flap.

Right you are KT! I personally like the look of the raiders connection best (stand becoming part of the storm flap) I am not sure how it connects in TOD.... Got any pix ?

The jacket, when new with an open barrel cuff, should come to the first knuckle of the thumb.

-P-

Prescott wrote:The jacket, when new with an open barrel cuff, should come to the first knuckle of the thumb.

-P-

Which apparently mine does.

Any thoughts on if I should get some Pecards on it right away?

I would think that Pecards would loosen up the fibers causing the jacket to lengthen a bit. Probably not what you want.

-P-

That is a great looking jacket

Novapelle looks great in a Raiders style. I was hoping to get one much like yours. Thanks for the pics of a beautiful jacket.

thanks for the nice comments everyone. I took a couple photo's outside yesterday evening.

That is a nice looking Novapelle. During this round of ordering, I was surprised at how wide the collars were, due to being accustomed to US collared jackets, etc.

that really is a fine looking jacket. Sounds like you made a smart choice in not having the sleeves shortened. I like my sleeves to be a little long on jackets. Wear the dickens out of it.

novapelle is regular cowhide right?

Right, pre-distressed cowhide.

Regards! Michaelson

I ordered th LC in novapelle. I can't wait

weaponx24 wrote:novapelle is regular cowhide right?

Yes, technically both are predistressed cowhides, but specifically ask for Novapelle. The "predistressed" that Wested offers is another type of treatment, more worn than the NP and lighter in colour.

Well I had my first oppurtunity to where my Wested out on Monday as temps. were in the high 30's F here in Indiana. It kept me very comfortable with only a reg. button up long sleeve shirt underneath. In fact after 20 minutes inside a store I had to take it off as I started sweating. I think I may get more use out of this jacket over the late fall and winter months than I originally thought.

GREAT looking jacket!! Congratulations!!!

NIBS

My god, it's hideous!

j/k Looks very good in outside lighting- wear it 24/7 for a month and roll around outside ten minutes a day and show it to us! lol ok maybe not that crazy but it's always interesting to see how differently people's jackets get distressed. I think the way a jacket is distressed speaks a lot about the wearer's life style (lots of creases here means they've been active in that motion a lot, lots of wear here means they've probably been doing something quite physical, etc, etc).

I have now owned my Wested Raiders novapelle jacket for a full year and thought I would provide an update with pictures of it's current condition. I am very pleased with this jacket and it has held up very well and seems to be very durable. I did apply two coats of Pecard's standard dressing to it last year within the first 2 months of arrival but I have not done anything other than wear it since. My only sore spot about the jacket is the little cigarette burn on the right chest.

very nice. I love the griny parts on the backpanel!

What ever you're doing, you're doing right! It looks GREAT for being a year old and 'in the trenches' all that time.

Keep on doing the same, and just treat it once a year with dressing, and it should last you for many years to come.

VERY nice!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

scot2525 wrote:My only sore spot about the jacket is the little cigarette burn on the right chest.

... I always put cigarette but's out on my chest. Seems like the thing to do at the time. My jacket doesn't like it much, though.

Looks like your jacket is aging nicely there, Scot!