Club Obi Wan

Have had my USW goat for a few weeks now and think it's looking superb. Out of the box (the two bottom photos) it was shiney and too new. I've since worn it several times in the rain, worn it in the shower a little, put some hot water on the sleeves, and ran it in a no-heat dryer for about eight hours. And I've worn it as much as possible as well. One night I gave it a couple glasses of wine and then we cuddled on the couch...

I think the photos show how nice the leather's looking. I gave it a coat of Pecards a few days ago and now will simply wear it. It's gotten very soft and is really great to wear. The color has also mellowed and a nice brown is coming through. I did manage (during a trip through the dryer and my stupidity) to pull the lining where it meets the leather at the bottom - about an inch long pull - but have patched it with a bit of duct tape. Sweet!

I take it these are the 'before' pictures?

I'm not sure about the whole dryer procedure. I think tearing the lining would be enough to put me off that idea for life! I mean, duct tape?
I think the jacket looks great in all those pictures, and wouldn't risk damaging it further. Sounds like you've got the right idea though; just wear it and let it age naturally!

Whatever Mechanic.

i wish more people would post pics of uswings jackets while wearing them......i think they look awesome by themselves (such as yours for sure) but i am need of gauging their size/cuts. i know they fit large but i've always wanted one for my collection.

you can see the nice pebbling on the goat for sure. how bout throwing it on your shoulders?

Relax Raider S, I'm pretty sure Mechanic was making a joke about how durable goats are. No need to be dismissive. :junior: -M

USW forbids you from posting photos of the jackets being worn - some crazy contract you need to sign when you buy one.

Actually I was going to get a shot of me in it and was going to use a mirror but wanted to avoid flash. I feel a bit weird about the whole thing!

I can't say if they fit large because mine is maybe the best fitting non-tailored jacket I've owned. But if you normally wear a large and are on the smaller side of that size you might want a medium. I can say my cowhide fits snugger than the goat and the arms are slimmer. Honestly, it probably fits better than the goat, but the goat feels better because of the satin lining.

Maybe it didn't come through in the photos, but the color has gotten very nice with a little bit of wear and handling.

I like to roll up duck tape and use it like a whip, while being drug by a truck. It's also a good substitute for Band-aids afterwards....really it is a high-velocity, multi-purpose tool, and can easily be stored in your Mark VII bag! What did they do in the 1930's without it?

All jesting aside, I've heard that the US Wings jacket varies concerning the fit. Someone once said, though, that if you find one that fits properly you should hang on to it. Do they do alterations on the sleeves, etc? Any advice on the VIP cow? Thanks for the info!

Mulceber wrote:Relax Raider S, I'm pretty sure Mechanic was making a joke about how durable goats are. No need to be dismissive. :junior: -M

I don't know... It looks like a pretty new jacket to me. Goat is durable, but when you add pecards to it... it takes a year or two for real abuse to show through. So, I wondered the same thing Mechanic did, because even the close ups show nothing but what I know to be a jacket that hasn't see a lot of wear.

If the vip is like the vintage in terms of quality, I'd say you should try one out considering cost. I think my cow is probably the better jacket and I doubt I'll abuse it as much as the goat.

As mentioned before, my cowhide had Schott tags on it so maybe they are making some of the other USW's as well.

Kaplan wrote:I don't know... It looks like a pretty new jacket to me. Goat is durable, but when you add pecards to it... it takes a year or two for real abuse to show through. So, I wondered the same thing Mechanic did, because even the close ups show nothing but what I know to be a jacket that hasn't see a lot of wear.

If you see the first post I didn't say the jacket shows more wear. I said the color has softened, the leather has softened, the shine has gone away, and the grain has come out. I believe you can see those differences in the photos. It also fits my body much better from being wet and drying on me. I don't want it distressed but the jacket is much different now from when it arrived.

I get ya, RS. Nice looking leather and I agree it looks softer and has a better patina - the leather has developed some character. I actually think distressed jackets look bad, even the better ones. Always look like someone made it happen which is just plain embarrassing. The jacket in Raiders looks soft and wrinkly and gently scuffed but not "distressed". The other jackets... forget about it!

Cheers

hey I know you think I have it out for the wings jacket,but yours looks nice and seems like it has lighten a bit. I too would like to see it on you just to have a look at the sleeves,but it does look great and I hope you enjoy.

Looks like a sweet jacket, enjoy!

actually when I look at that jacket and especially the first picture..I see a temple jacket......US wings are not that far of from the Temple jacket cut.

it needs a wider backpannel.narrow and rotated counter clockwise sleeves.smaller pockets.open side vents.and 80's cut...

all of those specs there could David hack make with out a jacket to copy,I think?......they still are the ''Coopers'' but with a newer and different pattern and name...but still kinda the same jacket...


very nice jacket by the way!

bests
Holt

Just so people know, after I got my vintage cowhide I quickly ordered the second USW jacket - that's how impressed I was by what I got for my money.

One thing I really like about the USW, and something many are bothered by, is the width of the action pleat. That little bit of distance really keeps the jackets from looking boxy and keeps the pleats closed. The jackets also feel good when being worn - something that may not matter for a movie jacket, however.

As far as pocket size, collar width, etc., those things may stand out to others but I honestly can't tell and if I did I wouldn't be bothered as I don't in any way want it to look like a costume piece. If I wanted SA I'd get a Todd's. What's more important to me is the weight of the leather and the way it's built. I can afford to be picky about my clothes, so I certainly buy what I want!

That is a great looking jacket, RaiderS. Knocking the "shiny" of these jackets really does help the look.


And (as per a sort-of request) here's some pictures of me wearing my Wings CE (in direct violation of above mentioned contract):

actually when I look at that jacket and especially the first picture..I see a temple jacket......US wings are not that far of from the Temple jacket cut.

it needs a wider backpannel.narrow and rotated counter clockwise sleeves.smaller pockets.open side vents.and 80's cut...

all of those specs there could David hack make with out a jacket to copy,I think?......they still are the ''Coopers'' but with a newer and different pattern and name...but still kinda the same jacket...

Working on it.

Oh man, the jacket looks so nice and new I didn't realize those were the 'after' pictures. It hardly looks worn at all and there's not really any wrinkles on the sleeves yet.

I honestly thought those were the new jacket pics. That is one durable jacket. I'm impressed.

I was looking at Crisman's jacket and noticed that the back panel, on both sides, meets the sleeve seams, while the jacket that was posted earlier does not, about an inch needed either way. Which one of these is the later offering, and does anyone know how the new jackets are configured? The pockets seem larger on these jackets? The leather appears to be exceptional quality. How is the fit? Are the torsos cut for a relaxed or larger fit? Maybe a better question would be, if you wear a certain size suit jacket, how do these fit accordingly? With a Wested, I tend to have to order one size up from a suit coat.

Raider S wrote:

Kaplan wrote:I don't know... It looks like a pretty new jacket to me. Goat is durable, but when you add pecards to it... it takes a year or two for real abuse to show through. So, I wondered the same thing Mechanic did, because even the close ups show nothing but what I know to be a jacket that hasn't see a lot of wear.

If you see the first post I didn't say the jacket shows more wear. I said the color has softened, the leather has softened, the shine has gone away, and the grain has come out. I believe you can see those differences in the photos. It also fits my body much better from being wet and drying on me. I don't want it distressed but the jacket is much different now from when it arrived.

I see what you mean about the shine reduction, but otherwise it looks like my own jacket, which has seen zero abuse except being left sitting in a heap from time to time. I think the shine fools the eye when it comes to seeing the grain. Obviously, I can't tell from my desk how much it has softened up, but this thread is a testament to the sturdiness of goatskin and to USW.

From another post I read it sounds like you're a guy who needs a little more room in the chest. Use the USW sizing chart and then do not go up a size. They do not go by suit sizes - 44, 46, 48 - but rather medium, large, xlarge. Get what you normally would in a shirt size then when the jacket arrives you can return if you need to adjust.

I like the USW fit because the upper body seems fuller and the waist slimmer. I have a large chest and a smaller mid-section and stomach.

The CE jacket in the photos is the newest one. My personal taste is toward goatskin or even lamb. Even though my cowhide is nice I find I prefer the texture and stiffness of the goat more.

Actually, that picture is a little misleading as my jacket has the 1" or so space from shoulder seam to storm flap.

Wings jackets tend to run a little large so keep that in mind when you order. I personally love mine (even though I'm thinking of selling it , but that's another story ) and it's built like a tank. I'm not sure about Wings other leather offerings but the CE leather is awesome. Great color and feel to it.