Club Obi Wan

Hello!

I was looking at purchasing a Raiders of the Lost Ark Wested jacket, but I've heard a lot of conflicting accounts of their quality. Since Wested were the Original makers, I really wanted to purchase from them (Also doesn't hurt that they're one of the cheaper jackets out there...) but I'm not sure if the product I'll receive will be worth it. As I said before, I've heard a lot of conflicting accounts. Is this jacket going to be worth my money?

I was looking at the Raiders Legacy Hero Jacket, because of the screen accuracy. Only other thing I'm worried about is the fit. I'm 6' and rather skinny, so I'm not sure if I'll just be absolutely drowning in the Hero cut. I'd go with a standard jacket, but I'm interested in screen accuracy and I'm not sure how I could achieve that with the standard jackets.

Fortune and Glory,
WNY Indy

Well my tw9 cents.
Yes Wested is the original and having one in your collection is always worth it.
But, you do take a chance. I have a Wested hero from, well along time ago.
Fits me fine.
But if you’re on the fence, well you go for it and keep your fingers crossed.
Or
Save your coin and get a S&J.
I have 1 Wested.
I have 3 S&J, enough said.

It’s a journey my friend, you’ll own one and sell one.

Croft

Indiana Croft wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:20 pm Well my tw9 cents.
Yes Wested is the original and having one in your collection is always worth it.
But, you do take a chance. I have a Wested hero from, well along time ago.
Fits me fine.
But if you’re on the fence, well you go for it and keep your fingers crossed.
Or
Save your coin and get a S&J.
I have 1 Wested.
I have 3 S&J, enough said.

It’s a journey my friend, you’ll own one and sell one.

Croft

Thanks for the input!
Yeah, I definitely want to get a Wested in my Indy collection if for nothing but the name. I might just go for it and see what happens.
I have heard a lot of great things about Steele and Jones, the only issue for me is the price. I have a feeling that I'm not going to only ever buy one jacket though. That seems to be a trend in this hobby haha!
Can I ask what leather your Wested jacket is?

I have a Wested circa 2000 that I still wear regularly (cow hide) and whereas it was made at a time when their patterns weren't SA, mine fits like an off the rack jacket, I can speak to it's durability over the years.

I'll echo what Croft said, especially with the Legacy Hero line. It's not necessarily Wested's fault, but the jacket pattern is wonky so can be hard to get a good fit, especially when Wested is inconsistent with customization. I understand cost being a factor, but you may be better off getting a different Wested that has a more regular cut/fit to have a Wested label in your closet and then get a second jacket that is more SA, but from a maker who can really work with you on size/fit like S&J or Magnoli.

Also be mindful that unless you are built exactly like HF was when he made ROLA, SA is somewhat of a fool's errand.

Full disclosure, SA has never been my thing. There are the broad elements of what makes an Indy jacket an Indy jacket, but that's good enough for me. As mentioned, there's all sorts of technical things "wrong" with my Wested, but anyone not a member of COW would swear I took my jacket right off the movie set.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks for the reply!
Maybe it would make more sense to get another Wested and then go for screen accuracy with another maker. I'll have to see which of the other Wested options I like.
I'll be in England this summer, I don't know if they still have a storefront, but if they do, I wonder if it would be possible to get a better fitting there, rather than just sending in measurements and keeping my fingers crossed.

I definitely have come to realize that sometimes it's better to have something that fits you really well, rather than looking like something made for Harrison that is on your body. Although I find it fun to try and find super accurate gear, as you said with your jacket, most people don't know the difference. For a few years, I wore a safari shirt that fit great and was super comfortable, but it was lacking the pleats down the pockets. No one ever cared that it wasn't perfectly screen accurate, and I liked it just fine. Now, it's my Dial of Destiny shirt, so I guess I can thank Disney for that one haha!

I got my 1st Wested a week ago, and I'm over the moon with it. It's 100% the best jacket I've owned, so I can't help but recommend wested

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Western New York Indy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:42 pm I'll be in England this summer, I don't know if they still have a storefront, but if they do, I wonder if it would be possible to get a better fitting there, rather than just sending in measurements and keeping my fingers crossed.

My understanding is they have closed the public facing side of the business and no longer have an option to meet in person.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Barry Gibb wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 8:40 am I got my 1st Wested a week ago, and I'm over the moon with it. It's 100% the best jacket I've owned, so I can't help but recommend wested

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Awesome! Glad you got a jacket you love! Can I ask which model you got?

My understanding is they have closed the public facing side of the business and no longer have an option to meet in person.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Ah, well that's too bad. I knew they closed during Covid-19, but didn't know whether they'd reopened since. I'm still hoping to make it to the HJ store, so at least I can visit that.

I went for the standard Raiders in novapelle

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Hey, I was in the exact same boat as you, wanting accuracy and a one-and-done jacket, I got the Raiders Hero Legacy.
While it is a fine jacket, I found two things-

The hero cut is not to my liking, even though it technically fits me perfectly, it sits weird. And the Lambskin, while beautifully soft and comfortable is not tough enough for my lifestyle.

I think Diego from Steele and Jones said that people order from the movie they like best, not for what suits them best, and I think that might be true. For me anyway. I got a Raiders in Lambskin, but now that I have it what I think I actually wanted is a Temple in cowhide, for the fit and durability.

If you’re looking for a daily wear jacket I would consider the thing that best suits you over screen accuracy. That said, if you think you’ll get more than one jacket, get it and try it out! Which is really the only way you’ll know, anyway ha ha. Having the SA jacket gives you a talking point if people ask you about it
Good luck, and let us know what you pick!

NorthernRaider

I should add that the quality of the product, especially considering the cost is worth it for sure. Also very reasonable turnaround time for a custom piece!

I would, and may buy another one

NR

NorthernRaider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 10:43 am Hey, I was in the exact same boat as you, wanting accuracy and a one-and-done jacket, I got the Raiders Hero Legacy.
While it is a fine jacket, I found two things-

The hero cut is not to my liking, even though it technically fits me perfectly, it sits weird. And the Lambskin, while beautifully soft and comfortable is not tough enough for my lifestyle.

Thanks for the reply!!
Yeah I guess that’s one of the things that’s got me on the fence about the hero cut, just the way it sits, even though it’s screen accurate, idk how it’ll fit on me. When you say the lamb skin isn’t very tough, do you think it’d be fine for a jacket being used mainly for costume purposes and occasional wear?

NorthernRaider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 7:59 pm I should add that the quality of the product, especially considering the cost is worth it for sure. Also very reasonable turnaround time for a custom piece!

I would, and may buy another one

NR

Great to know! Since I have limited funds, Wested’s prices are certainly one of the big draws for me, besides them being the original makers.

Thanks for the reply!!
Yeah I guess that’s one of the things that’s got me on the fence about the hero cut, just the way it sits, even though it’s screen accurate, idk how it’ll fit on me. When you say the lamb skin isn’t very tough, do you think it’d be fine for a jacket being used mainly for costume purposes and occasional wear?

Yeah, definitely. I’ve heard the washed lamb is very thin, and fragile, but the legacy lamb is really nice. I’m probably a lot harder on my jackets than most.

Well WNYI

Can I ask what leather your Wested jacket is?

It good ol Lamb, mines a Hero when they first introduced it, not a legacy, so I had grey undertones which I dyed brown to give the look.
Owning a Wested is a must and for your first, not a bad choice. But it won't be your last, in the pursuit of "the" jacket, you'll own a few, sell a few.
My last S&J DoD is my go to, love he leather.
But I had to have a Wested in my collection and will never part ways with it.


So don't hesitate to pull the trigger on it, just check your measurement's, I got luck as so many other have.
If it's off size, sell it and try again. All part of the hobby.

Good luck sir, and I mean that sincerely.

Croft

Something else I forgot to mention earlier, be sure to check out the secondary markets, either the Cairo Bazaar here or other online options. I have a whole closet full of jackets, Indy and otherwise, and over 75% of them I bought used.

As Croft mentioned, buying and selling Indy jackets for many is just part of the hobby. Of the three Indy jackets I own, two are second-hand. One has gone through at least four owners at COW before getting to me. One of them was a "got this jacket, tried it on a few times, just don't like the fit" so was as next to new as you can get for half the price. You'll have to be patient if you are particular about exactly what you want, but doing so can really stretch the gear budget.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Indiana Croft wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:36 am Well WNYI

Can I ask what leather your Wested jacket is?

It good ol Lamb, mines a Hero when they first introduced it, not a legacy, so I had grey undertones which I dyed brown to give the look.
Owning a Wested is a must and for your first, not a bad choice. But it won't be your last, in the pursuit of "the" jacket, you'll own a few, sell a few.
My last S&J DoD is my go to, love he leather.
But I had to have a Wested in my collection and will never part ways with it.


So don't hesitate to pull the trigger on it, just check your measurement's, I got luck as so many other have.
If it's off size, sell it and try again. All part of the hobby.

Good luck sir, and I mean that sincerely.

Croft

That jacket looks awesome!!! This is a bit off topic, but who made that whip? I really love the look and color of it.
Hopefully measurements won't be too tricky. I'm a historical reenactor, so I'm used to taking measurements for making kit for that...as well as sending measurements off to other reenactors who know how to make things I don't know how to make, or have materials I don't possess. However it might be trickier since I'm sending the measurements off to someone else who won't be doing in person fittings haha!

It’s a Joe Strain 8’ in whiskey.
And if you’re good at taking your measurements, thats half the battle.
Take them a get the one that’s closet. They won’t be exact, but you’ll be happy.
Then when you do get around to the S&J, you’ll do great.

Croft

Indiana Jeff wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:59 pm Something else I forgot to mention earlier, be sure to check out the secondary markets, either the Cairo Bazaar here or other online options. I have a whole closet full of jackets, Indy and otherwise, and over 75% of them I bought used.

As Croft mentioned, buying and selling Indy jackets for many is just part of the hobby. Of the three Indy jackets I own, two are second-hand. One has gone through at least four owners at COW before getting to me. One of them was a "got this jacket, tried it on a few times, just don't like the fit" so was as next to new as you can get for half the price. You'll have to be patient if you are particular about exactly what you want, but doing so can really stretch the gear budget.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks for the tip!
I didn't even know the Cairo Bazaar existed until just now, so thanks for enlightening me haha! I've kept my eye out on Ebay, as well as on some of the Indiana Jones fan facebook pages. I was able to find a few Bill Kelso jackets on Ebay, but they were all upwards of $600. I'm keeping my eyes peeled though, just in case a deal pops up that I just can't say no to.

For sure the cost savings is relative in terms of jackets that retail for $800 being sold used for $600. But for more modestly priced jackets like Wested or US Wings, some real bargains are out there.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

NorthernRaider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 10:53 pm

Thanks for the reply!!
Yeah I guess that’s one of the things that’s got me on the fence about the hero cut, just the way it sits, even though it’s screen accurate, idk how it’ll fit on me. When you say the lamb skin isn’t very tough, do you think it’d be fine for a jacket being used mainly for costume purposes and occasional wear?

Yeah, definitely. I’ve heard the washed lamb is very thin, and fragile, but the legacy lamb is really nice. I’m probably a lot harder on my jackets than most.

I've got a washed lamb and it's about as thick as my goats. It's been really rugged, too. I honestly wear it daily to work and have had it for about 5 years, maybe. It's got brown undertones. The downfall are the creases that are all over it and in a lot of places, they are crisscrossed. If the creases weren't there, and if it had more of a Raiders Hawaii jacket texture/look, then I'd be jumping to buy another.

Indiana Jeff wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:43 am For sure the cost savings is relative in terms of jackets that retail for $800 being sold used for $600. But for more modestly priced jackets like Wested or US Wings, some real bargains are out there.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Yeah, that's understandable. Forget about money, if only Indy gear grew on trees!