Club Obi Wan

I'm shooting for one of these ( a TN Indy ), hopefully within the next week or two. Right outta the bag, I gotta say I'm not gonna drop a thousand bones on a jacket ( I just don't get enough opportunities to wear 'em ), so after combing the Nowak Owners thread for a few days now, I've narrowed it down to the Raiders in 747 and the CS.
"But kiltie, you said you've got a question for us..." and yes, I do. It would appear, outwardly, that the CS jacket is the more practical of the two. It looks like it avails itself to layering, should the need arise, better than the Raiders. However, the Raiders looks really cool - really, really darn cool. It looks more dynamic and low profile. At any rate, here's the question, particularly to those who own more than one style:
If you could have just one Tony Nowak Indiana Jones jacket ( hide notwithstanding ), which one would it be, and why?

Thanks in advance!

Raiders. Tony has the best looking copy of the Raiders and it's my favorite jacket of all the movies. Hey, it's the original! It wears great as an everyday jacket, no problem there.

You'll really enjoy the "747" if you go for that. It's very soft yet much beefier than I'd first thought. Fantastic color as well. But my goat (and his other goat offerings) are the bee's knees. But 747 is 110% unique and a real head turner.

Close-up of the 747 Raider's pocket flap:

"How big a guy are you?"

I normally wear a 50 in jackets, so the CS/LC style seems to suit me better. Now I love the Raiders look and love my TN I, but, if I could only have one jacket, I'd probably go for my LC (which is close to the CS) as the cut just suits me better.

crismans wrote:"How big a guy are you?"

I normally wear a 50 in jackets, so the CS/LC style seems to suit me better. Now I love the Raiders look and love my TN I, but, if I could only have one jacket, I'd probably go for my LC (which is close to the CS) as the cut just suits me better.

Funny, that's actually one of the primary things that has me vascillating; I'm pretty average ( 6' , 200ishlbs ). The Raiders kinda wants a more trim physique which, when I'm of the mind, I can pull off ( ahem...holiday meals, anyone? The "ish" in "200ish" gets more "ishy" staring in November ). It - the Raiders - has more fitted, timeless lines; more the way all clothes used to fit. Shoulder seams nearer the shoulders, etc...
However, the CS, as I said, seems to be practical in that you can dress under it more, more comfortably, and there's the plus that it's more forgiving for those, heh heh...heavy days. And a slightly more attractive price.
Finally, the CS just LOOKS heavier; beefier ( and as a product of that, warmer/hotter, depending on the season ). The Raiders looks to be more Three Season, even if there isn't a noticable difference in the actual weight, as I obviously have neither. I should have included that in my inquiry. Is there a noticable difference in weight?
Thanks for the contributions so far.

They are both great jackets, but quite different. The body of each is actually quite similar as far as size fit goes, but the sleeves are different. More tapered on the Raiders. The fit of the Raider body will likely be unlike any other jacket. It does move around on the shoulders, falling back etc. It does not want to stay in place.
The CS is an 'evolved' jacket in comparison. It's fit is 'real' and it is comfortable, and it stays put.
Which ever you choose I'm sure you'll love.

I only own the one TN (CS), but a few Raiders style by other makers as well.

I am over 6 feet 1+, and over 200 pound'ish too. The CS works best for me and my body build, followed closely by my G&B 44T (as a matter of fact, they're the exact same length!)

So, if you're wondering about what works for our body size and shape, so far the CS has my vote as being best.

JMO

Regards! Michaelson

I have both Nowaks, CS and Raiders. I prefer the Raiders, but that's just because I am so much fond of it's coolness. I lend my father the CS (he is the same age as HF), and it fits him much better than me: he looks great with it. Both are superbly built, although the CS is supposed to be better designed. But what I really like about the Raiders is precisely its 'imperfections'. So, in the end, it's just a question of tastes...

_ wrote:

Glad to see we're still a shadowy reflection of each other, _. You're still putting on weight in the chest and shoulders, and me....around the waist.

Ok, so I'm the 'upside down' reflection of you.




Regards! Michaelson

The CS fits like a great custom fit jacket should........the Raider fits like the 'cool jacket' you see on the screen.....the CS is warmer probably better for standard layering.........so you've got to ask yourself the "Ricardo' question : "Is it better to look good or feel good ? ".........seriously which movie do you love the most ???.........there's no wrong choice here........

True, it's the old 'function over form' question.

As to 'which movie', keep in mind, no one but you and this crew will know one way or the other, so don't think about what others outside the 'circle' might think. They don't know, or care. ANY jacket is an 'Indiana Jones' jacket to them!

"Falsies", _? If that's the case, tell me where I can order a set! And DON'T tell me 'Gold's Gym' either.

Regards! Michaelson

Crud. Well, I have 22 more years on the odometer than you, so I guess I'll just keep wresting with my tiller in the garden and call it a good workout then.

Anyway, I still vote for the CS TN!

Regards! Michaelson

kiltie, if you go over how you want the jacket to fit with Tony he will be able to make either jacket style to suite you. I think it's more a question of being honest with him and describing your body type.

I know there are differences but as has been shown here before, the sizes between the original Raider's and latest CS aren't too far apart. As RC mentioned, the sleeves on the CS will be roomier but again if you have a larger chest Tony could accomidate this when he makes the jacket. And to be very honest, neither one is the most flattering for bigger body types but if made right for you either one can fit you fine and look good, too.

For me the important thing is a jacket that fits and that I'll want to wear. If I want to look at Indy I'll watch the movie.

As far as one style being "warmer" than another I don't believe that. More depends on what leather you choose than the jacket. I found the 747 to be thicker and heavier than I'd imagined but trying to judge what's going to be warmer, cooler, lighter, heavier from photos won't work. Even with samples it's still hard to guess how the finished jacket will feel.

That's better.

Regards! Michaelson

"It's not the years, it's the mileage."

...it's the years too.

Regards! Michaelson

_ wrote:............
I believe the most important consideration is how YOU look and getting the right jacket for your build. .........

Yes very true. As you said the CS just 'fits'

_ wrote:For comparison - I'm "squeezing" lil' ole' me in the first pic into the CS in the second pic...

that camera or whatever it is seems to take a lot of attention.....time for a new one?

_, have you looked into any of his newer leathers ??

_ wrote:

Hatch wrote:_, have you looked into any of his newer leathers ??

The only materials I'm allowed to "look into" for the next 12 months are things like batiste, crepe, damask (apparently similar to brocade ), dupioni, moire, peau de soie, satin, silk gazar, silk organza, silk mikado, shantung, and taffeta...

Hey, I'll bet he could do a 'bang up' Shrunken Lamb with a silk organza lining......

Taffeta. Very dangerous. You go first.

_ wrote:

Hatch wrote:_, have you looked into any of his newer leathers ??

The only materials I'm allowed to "look into" for the next 12 months are things like batiste, crepe, damask (apparently similar to brocade ), dupioni, moire, peau de soie, satin, silk gazar, silk organza, silk mikado, shantung, and taffeta...

I'm impressed you can rattle those off from memory

It's actually a little frightening

I was kinda thinking the same thing, RC.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:I was kinda thinking the same thing, RC.

Regards! Michaelson

Oh, come on you guys .......you're not implying that _ might not need a 'Fraank' as a wedding planner ARE you ??

What is this thread about again?

Indiana Holt wrote:What is this thread about again?

_'s new frilly jacket

_ wrote:

RCSignals wrote:

Indiana Holt wrote:What is this thread about again?

_'s new frilly jacket

I need a Seinfeld "puffy-shirt"... I wonder if Tony can do something with tails? Hmmmm...

'Dirty Oil' 'Vintage Goat' 'Holy Goat' or '747' might work for that. ........

Holt -
Thanks for trying to get the thread back on track, but I'm happy to have this one be a little break from the recent tension in the "Jacket" forum. I'm getting some input and I really appreciate it. I've got to decide if it's gonna be this weekend or weekend after next, now.

Everyone else -
Thanks for the contributions.

Please keep me ( this thread ) open through Friday so I can really wring it out. After that, I'll meditade.
Thanks

I find it ironic that you mentioned the Raiders as being the more "low profile" of the two candidates, as I would personally think that if it's a low profile you want to go with, there's no beating an undistressed CS jacket (no pun intended)!

In fact, for a first jacket, or even a one and only Nowak jacket for that matter, my vote would be on the CS jacket! As others have pointed out, it's a better fitting/designed jacket, and I personally think it is the final stage in the evolution of the 'Indy jacket' chart! That, and there is no beating the screen accuracy, and also, unlike the Raiders jacket, Tony *did* make the CS jackets!

So unless you are a diehard Raiders fan, I would totally recommend the CS jacket! It is, in my opinion, arguably the jacket of choice not for a Raiders fan, but for an Indy fan.

Castor -
Your response is much appreciated. By "low profile", in this instance, I meant actually closer fitting; less "drag". But I hear everything else you're saying, too.

_ -
That's why the CS is in such high contention, and at this point the choice I'm heavily leaning toward. Everyone loves Raiders and therefore the Raiders look, but this is the real deal. Opportunities like it aren't around every corner.

Ultimately, I am a big boy and can make my own decision about this. I simply dispise shopping on the internet though, so I need some outside, uhhh...input. Especially when it comes to something that is, for me, a considerable investment.

Again, thanks for the sincere contributions to my thread.

Would you guys consider the LC offered by Tony and the CS to be the same jacket, as far as fit is concerned, with different pockets, collar and more distressing? If that is the case the LC could also be an option if he wants a more unique distressed look. I myself have considered a CS with LC distressing, although not SA would truly represent a little piece of all the films.

For what it’s worth, here’s my two cents.
A jacket, leather or otherwise, has to be practical. Summers here are in the 90’s with humidity hovering around the same for a three month period. Then there’s winter with temps from 30 to –20 F. The Raiders jacket I have, while nice, has a very short window of wearability between seasons due to its short length and light construction. Taken with it’s other quirks, in homage to screen accuracy, make it a jacket that I have to get used to wearing. It just feels like it’s sliding off my shoulders.
By comparison, Tony’s CS jacket fits solid right out of the box and is my go-to jacket nine months out of the year no matter the temperature. The fact that it is SA and has a pedigree, just add to its luster. For me, it was a big investment and I wanted to make sure I could maximize wear-time. That was the key.
Hope this ramble helps.

-P-

Prescott, what Raiders jacket do you have?

I agree about the CS from TN, as I said it's a 'real' and 'evolved' jacket.