Club Obi Wan

I have to admit to you, that I have been coming around in my thinking on the Indy jacket. When I joined the forum, I began to study these jackets in all their essentricities, and wanted to find the closest pattern and features I could find to the original. The belief was that if you want an accurate reproduction of an A-2, or even an Indy jacket, then you want that very kind of jacket, not any other! Details do matter to a certain extent, but as I get older, I have realized that it is more important to buy a jacket that fits and feels good than to find one that is bullseye, dead on to the actual film prop that was used for a couple of months on set, then never again. Of couse, whatever stage you are in life, has merit as well.

I am sort of getting away from the "quirky fitting" patterns of these newer repro jackets for better fitting jackets, and so that is why the fit and price makes other vendor offerings not a bad option at all, but actually quite valuable. They are not as accurate, but people can easily see that it still is an Indy type jacket. My only reservation is that I like the way the newer Hero and Kelso jackets fit "off the neck" and frequently miss that feature. I was impressed with new Legend in cowhide that I bought from USW. It was a fine fitting jacket, very comfortable. I've had to reevaluate things some. As we get older, you don't necessarily need a jacket that looks exactly like the one in film, but I think you begin to prefer function over form, as time goes on? If it looks right and feels right, it probably is a good jacket, and paying $200 sure beats paying $850 for a film prop that was used for basically 2 months on set, then never worn again.

There is considerable value in contentment, I've noticed.

Then again, you may have your own take on the matter?

I agree with you completely.

Gailen

Maybe its just me but my G&B is probably the best fitting jacket I own. Imo alot of people wear Indy jackets that are too tight and when you look at Ford the jacket was never tight. I think the G&B is cut the right way to capture that look and hence is actually a very comfortable jacket to wear.

HDRnR wrote:Maybe its just me but my G&B is probably the best fitting jacket I own. Imo alot of people wear Indy jackets that are too tight and when you look at Ford the jacket was never tight. I think the G&B is cut the right way to capture that look and hence is actually a very comfortable jacket to wear.

Couldn't agree more. I've owned 4 Westeds (2 Raiders, 2 LC, all customs, none fit me right), 2 Tony Nowaks (CS & LC...to heavy for my taste), 3 US Wings, 1 LC Magnoli, 1 G&B Expo and the BK Relic Hunter. I've sold them all, except the Relic Hunter (size 48, going to sell it as well). Very recently though, I've come to the "function-over-form" realization as well and have decided to re-buy another Expo, which I've decided is by far the best Indy jacket I've yet owned (for fit, feel and function), as well as a US Wings CE Vintage Cowhide for the winter months. I know that those two jacket will hold up to years of abuse and have the comfort and durability (as well as the look) I want. I love the look of the Relic Hunter but frankly I'm not getting any younger and I want a jacket just just feels good and that I can beat the %#&$ out of.

Ordered my Wings jacket on Friday, just have to sell my Relic Hunter and I'll order my Expo...can't wait to have that jacket once again, I really miss it!

I just did a quick search of all the COW forums, and found I've been publically saying this about our gear since 2003. I'm pleased to see others are finally coming to the same conclusion.

Regards! Michaelson

HDRnR wrote:Maybe its just me but my G&B is probably the best fitting jacket I own. Imo alot of people wear Indy jackets that are too tight and when you look at Ford the jacket was never tight. I think the G&B is cut the right way to capture that look and hence is actually a very comfortable jacket to wear.

The jacket in Raiders often looked loose because he spends most of the movie with it unzipped and the straps pulled in to keep it out of the way. In the Raven Bar, when it's zipped up, it's good fit, but certainly not loose. A little extra room is never a bad thing, though.

100%, Indy's jacket fits Indy, the rest of us. not necessarily! I know I'm to "Ford spec". I've also had Wested (will be for sale soon), G&B, lamb and goat, sold 'em, USW signature, sold... I recently found a used 30th anniversary goat on eBay, and I'm done, finally have one that fits me. The search is over!!!