Wested Shirts and Trousers - REVIEW - UPDATED WITH PICS
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 11:30 am
I don't mean to jump the gun with this review, but I've been given permission by Wested to post it, so here goes.
I was sent a set of the shirt and trousers for presentation at the Gettysburg Summit (much thanks to Wested for expediting this so it could happen). I've been told that orders placed will be going out this week, so I'm posting this review to whet the appetite of those who placed already.
I'll start with the shirt. The material is lightweight like the MBA versions and well crafted. It really appears to me that Wested took ALL our coments to heart from our initial review thread. I'm impressed that they finished off the bottom of the shirt more like a dress shirt, not just the sewn edge as in previous versions. They shoulders are double stitched and the epulets have the point squared off as in some of the pics supplied. The buttons have been updated and now correctly match those that appear on Indy's shirt, not the Cabela version as seen in the sample. There was also an extra set of buttons... which I'm sure will be most appreciated as these buggers are hard to find... but the extra set included with this shirt appear to be the same color as those on the shirt. This is not a slight in my opinion, as I tend to go for the Raiders look anyway.
Now the bad news... You re-dyers out there may have to put away your boiling pots of water and RIT dye. These shirts are lighter than the MBA versions and IMO are more on track with what the dye jobs attempt to be. They do look more like the on-screen color of the shirt as opposed to the in person darker MBA. Not that I ever minded the darker color, mind you... these just seem more like the image that ended up on screen.
As for the pants. They too are lighter than the MBA's... for Raiders at least, as I don't have any LC pants to compare them with. I think this works well with the lighter version of the shirt and may look more like whats represented on the screen as well. The material is indeed the same calvary twill as with the MBA pants. The back pockets are not as scalloped as the MBA versions I have, but I like the look of them.
The construction of the inside button is a little bit different as well. It's all one piece going down the lenght of the buttons as opposed to the separate piece of material with MBA's. It looks to me that this will help give a more smooth appearance to the front of the pants if there's any kind of pull on the inside button since it has more area to disperse the pull. The buttons for the front and back pockets have a bit of a marbled color to them. I think I may prefer if they could find a flat brown button as were on the MBA pants. The pants are also unfinished on the bottom, at least the pair I got, as in previous versions, so some alterations will be needed. But this is a good thing, IMO as I can get them the length and look I want.
One slight nitpick, and this is more personal preference than anything is that I'd like to see the front pockets be a little more deep. They seemed a bit shallow for my liking, but I don't know if this would be the opinion of most.
All in all, I think this is a great offering by Wested and I think we'll be most pleased. I for one am grateful for Peter's efforts and his willingness to strive to make us happy. These are really well constructed and you can tell that care was given to make these live up to our scrutiny and high standards.
Job well done, Wested.
... Oh and before you ask, no I will not be posting any pics until after the Gettysburg summit. I'd like to leave a little something for those who are attending.
Well, sorry for the extended delay, but here goes...
Mike
I was sent a set of the shirt and trousers for presentation at the Gettysburg Summit (much thanks to Wested for expediting this so it could happen). I've been told that orders placed will be going out this week, so I'm posting this review to whet the appetite of those who placed already.
I'll start with the shirt. The material is lightweight like the MBA versions and well crafted. It really appears to me that Wested took ALL our coments to heart from our initial review thread. I'm impressed that they finished off the bottom of the shirt more like a dress shirt, not just the sewn edge as in previous versions. They shoulders are double stitched and the epulets have the point squared off as in some of the pics supplied. The buttons have been updated and now correctly match those that appear on Indy's shirt, not the Cabela version as seen in the sample. There was also an extra set of buttons... which I'm sure will be most appreciated as these buggers are hard to find... but the extra set included with this shirt appear to be the same color as those on the shirt. This is not a slight in my opinion, as I tend to go for the Raiders look anyway.
Now the bad news... You re-dyers out there may have to put away your boiling pots of water and RIT dye. These shirts are lighter than the MBA versions and IMO are more on track with what the dye jobs attempt to be. They do look more like the on-screen color of the shirt as opposed to the in person darker MBA. Not that I ever minded the darker color, mind you... these just seem more like the image that ended up on screen.
As for the pants. They too are lighter than the MBA's... for Raiders at least, as I don't have any LC pants to compare them with. I think this works well with the lighter version of the shirt and may look more like whats represented on the screen as well. The material is indeed the same calvary twill as with the MBA pants. The back pockets are not as scalloped as the MBA versions I have, but I like the look of them.
The construction of the inside button is a little bit different as well. It's all one piece going down the lenght of the buttons as opposed to the separate piece of material with MBA's. It looks to me that this will help give a more smooth appearance to the front of the pants if there's any kind of pull on the inside button since it has more area to disperse the pull. The buttons for the front and back pockets have a bit of a marbled color to them. I think I may prefer if they could find a flat brown button as were on the MBA pants. The pants are also unfinished on the bottom, at least the pair I got, as in previous versions, so some alterations will be needed. But this is a good thing, IMO as I can get them the length and look I want.
One slight nitpick, and this is more personal preference than anything is that I'd like to see the front pockets be a little more deep. They seemed a bit shallow for my liking, but I don't know if this would be the opinion of most.
All in all, I think this is a great offering by Wested and I think we'll be most pleased. I for one am grateful for Peter's efforts and his willingness to strive to make us happy. These are really well constructed and you can tell that care was given to make these live up to our scrutiny and high standards.
Job well done, Wested.
... Oh and before you ask, no I will not be posting any pics until after the Gettysburg summit. I'd like to leave a little something for those who are attending.
Well, sorry for the extended delay, but here goes...
Mike
Has put me the long teeth. I hope to receive the pants and the shirt in the next week. 
Not true to the original, I know, but a LOT of our gear isn't. Just thinking out loud....Regards. Michaelson
)
D'OH!