Club Obi Wan

I have received an email that a new prototytpe Cotton Indy jacket is once again winging it's way in my direction, this time with the correct address and pertinent information for correct delivery on the bag. Stay tuned, as the second installment is currently in the making. Regards. Michaelson

For those who missed it, the link to see the new jacket is: http://www.wested.com/raiderscotton/

Peter also tells me that the incoming prototype has the updated lining using nylon instead of the pictured standard Wested lining, making it lighter in weight, and easier to wash and wear. I forgot to ask him if the collar had been changed to cotton or not. Guess I'll know when the package arrives.

Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson,

You may want to check with Wested to see if it's departed yet. I spoke with Jerry yesterday, and apparently there's a freeze on exporting freight out of the UK. He expected to have the jackets picked up yesterday, but as of today, there's still no record of my tracking number on the airborne site. He told me that if there wasn't any change by Thursday, to give another call for an update. They felt really bad since they have a backlog of jackets to go out, but there's nothing they can do until the embargo is lifted.

Mike

Just did that. I'm experiencing the same thing. Peter told me yesterday that he had 17 jackets being picked up to go out the door, and to check today, but like you, am getting a 'no known number' response. This is getting really weird. I just dropped Peter a line to alert him. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Regards. Michaelson

Mike, why is there an embargo? Some sort of economic or political reason? I'm afraid International Economics is not my specialty.

Peace,
Cliff

I'd appreciate it.

I can't help but think of the dangling carrot... knowing my (hopefully) perfect Wested, with the numerous customizations I requested, is done and just taunting me.

Mike

Well, just heard from Peter, and the number he originally gave me wasn't right. He gave me the correct one, and the cotton Indy WAS picked up by Airborne, and is on it's way. Doesn't show leaving London yet, but it's no longer sitting on the Wested shipping dock, so maybe the embargo situation has been cleared up. Regards. Michaelson

The problem was that Amtrak who pick up from us were on a work to rule and never picked up. We switched to another company and they left yesterday. I have checked the track no's and they are on line now!
Cheers
Peter

cliffhanger wrote:Mike, why is there an embargo?

I'm not quite sure. Jerry made it sound as if it were all over the news, but it must just be over there as I've heard nothing about it. It seemed more like it was an airline issue, maybe overcrowding or overbooking? But that's just speculation on my part.

Mike

Excellent news!! Well, now we sit back and watch... Regards. Michaelson

Mike wrote: ...Jerry made it sound as if it were all over the news, but it must just be over there as I've heard nothing about it.
Mike

That is what I wondering. Thanks Mike and Peter, as things seemed to be straightned out now. Here's hoping...

Peace,
Cliffhanger

Yep, mine now shows it's on it's way. Thanks Peter!

Mike

What's "cotton drill"?

Reminds me of Levi jacket material, just a bit heavier. Regards. Michaelson

Good idea, my only thought was that maybe the jacket would be flimsy becuase of the cotton.

Well, the Wings version isn't flimsy at all, so using that benchmark, I'd say the Wested version will hold up just as well.Guess I'll know in a couple of days... Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson, maybe it would be a good idea to contact Airborne ahead of time and let them know you're awaiting shipment? "I'm watching you" sort of thing.
BTW, the holdup might have also been connected with the strike at Heathrow.

Mike wrote:

cliffhanger wrote:Mike, why is there an embargo?

I'm not quite sure. Jerry made it sound as if it were all over the news, but it must just be over there as I've heard nothing about it. It seemed more like it was an airline issue, maybe overcrowding or overbooking? But that's just speculation on my part.

Mike

If the jackets were leaving from London Heathrow the British Airways staff had a walk-out strike about a new clocking-in system which caused a backlog of flights about 3 days long, it's just about cleared up for now although further planned strikes may be possible in the future...

I just ordered my cotton jacket. Peter is shipping it to my aunts in N. Ireland so my mom can pick it up in August. I won't get it till September though
At least the order is in! Now, if only my Aldens would arrive.............

Janice

I have it in front of me as I type this. VERY light weight and of the usual Wested quality construction. The cotton drill is a lot like a very strong denim, but not the ribbed type I thought it would be, like the Levi's jacket. It has all the bells and whistles of the standard jacket (scalloped pocket flaps, 2' deep action pleat, brass hardware and zip, D-rings with 5 1/2" side straps, left open top inside pocket, nylon lining, hanger loop on collar lining, Cordouroy ribbed collar). One thing that surprised me is the small tag inside that states 'dry clean only'. I don't know if it's because of the lining, but this one is not a 'wash and wear' situation. Not sure if that's a down side or not. All dark brown in color. Definite Raiders collar and styling. No snaps on storm flap. Hidden snaps on pockets. Like I said in line two, it's EXTREMELY light weight....probably half the physical weight of the Wings version, which I really like. With no bulk, it rolls up to a pretty small size, and can be easily tucked in a bag. I've tried it, and it works quite well, and unrolls and shakes out without showing wrinkles. Will work VERY well in warm WARM weather. Guess I'll find out tonight...we're having a odd cool spell, night time temps in the mid 60's. Good testing weather. I'll report more Monday after a weekend with the jacket. Regards. Michaelson

Whew! Yes, a full report will be great!

Thanks Peter!

Peace,
Cliffhanger

P.S. I have one of the Pepsi Cotton Indy jackets from back in the day, and although it is lightweight, it say to dry clean only. Hmmm....

AAAHHHHH! :evil:
Darn you Michaelson!
Now it is going to be the longest summer of my LIFE, waiting for my cotton jacket.

Thanks for the review. I'm glad I got my order in before everyone else decides to get one

Now we need to see pics! Well, where are they? C'mon Pleeeeease!

Janice

The link to see the first prototype is in one of my posts above. It's exactly the same as the one pictured. Regards. Michaelson

Glad it finally arrived safely. Now... where it up to that other University, find the lady who signed for the first one and tell her "If you see another jacket walking around here like this one.... IT"S MINE!"

Wear it in good health.

Mike

Wow!

This is exciting! A whole new piece of gear to save up for!

I'm surprised that it's "dry clean only", being cotton and all. Maybe it IS because of the lining. In that case, maybe the lining could be made the same cotton lining as on the leather jackets. That way, it can be put through the washer, and maybe be distressed a little quicker.

We ARE going to distress them, aren't we?

Not only do you "owe" us the pics of you and your new wheels... now we're waiting for pics of you in the new jacket.

How about pics of you wearing the new jacket standing next to the car?

Michaelson wrote:The link to see the first prototype is in one of my posts above. It's exactly the same as the one pictured. Regards. Michaelson

I mean pics of YOU in the jacket.

Janice

Yeah! Stop being so modest big fella! Let's see some beefcake! BEEFCAKE!!! Glad you finally got your jacket buddy! Can't wait to see some pics!

Regards,

Dr. J

Hey, way to go Michaelson. I hope you're enjoying that jacket.
It's 95 degrees here, I'm doing the desert safari look lately.
Dry clean only huh? Well, I guess I can live with that. I've got
lots of dry clean jackets that have never been cleaned...they just get
more distressed. I can't wait to here your post-weekend
comments.

I wouldn't fret too much about the dry clean only thing...You can get those home dry cleaning kits (Dryell) and clean it at home relatively cheap.

RE DRY CLEAN LABEL.
Although we have tested the cotton for shrikage in a washing machine, we always tend to put in a dry clean label to protect ourselves against someon who might cook it.
Most UK manufacturers tend to do this as a precaution against abuse.
Cheers
Peter

So that means we can machine wash it and it should be fine, but to proceed at our own risk?

Good idea Peter. Actually, ITG, that's exactly what my wife said regarding the dryclean tag...just use the dryer dryclean kit and it will work fine! Well, I guess I really DO need to get off my lazy posterior and get some digital pics made. It's not like I don't OWN a camera now! Let's see what I can do, and I'll try and do this right the first time. I'm still blown away by the absolute perfect fit of the jacket, and how physically light weight it is. Stows away in a small space, yet pops right back out for wear. VERY well made TOO!!! I inspected every seam and section. Everything dead on perfect to the leather pattern, and I had my lambskin Wested next to it for comparison. No short cuts were taken. Even the side entry pockets were big enough to easily put my hands in...another feather corrected recently. WELL done, Peter! Well, guess I need to pull out the camera book again and read it! Regards. Michaelson

What's the wrinkle factor when you do fold it up for stowing away?

ZERO, or there abouts ! Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote: I'm still blown away by the absolute perfect fit of the jacket, and how physically light weight it is. .... VERY well made TOO!!! .... WELL done, Peter! Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson, and Peter, too,

I am SO glad to hear about this jacket.

As much as I love my Goatskin Indy from USWings, I really want a jacket that is lighter for our Texas heat. I had come very close to ordering the Cotton Indy from 'Wings, but frankly, I am glad I hesitated. This new Cotton Wested sounds like the perfect jacket for me.

Can you answer a couple of questions?

First, what size jacket is the prototype? You said it fits you perfectly; I think I would wear the same size as yourself. According to your, and IndyDawg's advice, I ordered the medium Goatskin from 'Wings even though I should wear Large according to their chart. Since the Cotton Wested only comes in S, M, L, etc. I would want to get the correct size when I order one.

Second, how does the jacket look with the hat and pants? In other words, how does the Cotton Wested fit in with the whole Indy outfit? I can't wait to see the photos of you wearing it. Maybe a side-by-side photo(s) of the cotton Indy and the lambskin?

Many, many thanks to Peter for offering this special item to us IndyFans. Again, this is a great hobby to be involved in.

Larry

I have a few questions regarding the ordering of the cotton Raiders jacket.

Can we select the lining, as with the other jackets, and if so, what is the best warm weather lining?

also, how long does it take to build and ship?

Thanks very much, I hope to be ordering one soon, Peter!

Good morning. To answer a few of the questions in the posts above, the Wings jacket, though a very nice jacket, is a lot warmer than this new Wested jacket. I know, I own one. It's a better early Spring, late Fall weight, where this Wested is a late Spring, early Summer, early Fall type with no addition insulation required. In a side by side color comparison, it looks just like a lambskin, without the shine. From a distance, you could not tell it from any other jacket with the shirt and pants, except there would be no highlights from distressing or wear, just a flat brown. All the features are there regarding the hardware, though. Order your regular jacket size. Mine is a size 42R, and is marked as such. Peter will have to reply regarding what changes and/or additions he's willing to do to this jacket. Regards. Michaelson

It’s always been my wish that this cotton jacket be the lighter weight, dark brown jacket that it appears to be, BUT, with the option of a zip in/out thinsulate vest (much like some of the Filson or Barbour jackets, etc.) for colder, rainy, late fall, or wintery weather since leather jackets ‘are not’ particularly well suited for such conditions. That, for me, would make this jacket a superb choice for foul weather and warm weather alike - a definite asset. The jacket as it is now seems ideal for being rolled up into a brief case or MKVII bag and pulled out whenever the days weather takes a turn for the worse, thus saving your more expensive Wested leather jacket which you could leave in the car, office, or wherever.

So this is all good news since it is 'still' possible to make the jacket much more functional for many contingencies - no lining, and light weight, for warmer weather, and the ‘possible’ option of a CONVENIENT removable zip in/out thinsulate vest for those days that you dare not wear an expensive leather jacket with the additional flexibility of even adding a sweater should the weather get really bad as it often does in many parts of the country.

I figure this will not likely be an option offered by Peter, but this is my rather selfish request that I wish Peter would give serious consideration and hopefully implement. Doing so would only increase the various seasonal usage of such a unique jacket. After all, these are the main considerations for not wearing an Indy leather jacket in the first place since Peter has already nailed all the other features with his cotton offering.

Will that jacket be available in any other colors?

The Cotton jacket is at the moment being produced in the Seal Brown
but other colours like dark khaki,etc could be available depending on the demand.
The jacket comes in stock sizes only and with a 5 gauge antique brass zip instaed of the heavier 8 gauge on the leather.
The only options at this time are type of collar and sleeve length.
The turnround time should be quite quick once we get full production as they will aready be cut ready for assembly.
Those already ordered are leaving today.
Cheers
peter

PETER wrote: Those already ordered are leaving today.
Cheers
peter

Whoo Hoo!
I won't get it until September, but nice to know it's ready!:D

Janice

P.S You rock Peter!

Hey Michaelson,

How are you coming on those pics?

Yes, Michaelson. PICS, please, soon.

Give me time to find the camera! I'll try and do something this weekend. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson,

How about those pesky action pleats?

I'm getting ready to order one...

How about khaki and olive drab? Or even black? Please chime in.

Khaki would be nice, I could go for Khaki with maybe a leather collar.

Ohhh, khaki
I would go for that. I already ordered one though. Maybe i'll need another one
Janice

geordie jones wrote:Khaki would be nice, I could go for Khaki with maybe a leather collar.

hmm... sounds like you want the US Wings Cotton Indy.

Mike