My Wested visit
Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg
My Wested visit
Hi,
I’ve been an Indiana Jones fan since seeing Temple of Doom at the cinema in 1984. It wasn’t until later that I got to see Raiders. Now I think ROTLA is my favourite movie of the trilogy.
I bought a ‘Wested’ Last Crusade jacket back in (I think) 1998 and it instantly became my second skin. With such soft leather and being so lightweight I immediately fell in love with it. I think it had been an earlier incarnation of Indygear, which had sent me in the right direction.
The last half year I have been a lurker (ouch sounds kinda creepy) here on the Club Obi Wan. I held back from joining as I thought I would probably end up being here every day to keep up to date with the new posts. Finally, I decided I should officially join up (because I do find I am here almost daily). After this period of time I feel like I know many of you who post here, even though I’ve not chipped in.
Recently I decided my Wested Jacket needed a companion to make it feel not so lonely and to wear in exchange. For my new one I decided to go for a Raiders style Jacket with the smaller collar.
I visited Wested in Swanley on Tuesday this last week (5th October). I only live about 30 minutes from the shop. Previously I had dealt with them only via their website and email (I think it was when they were based in their other premises).
I thought I would share a few screen captures from my visit (I haven't seen any recent pics, on the forum or main site, of Westeds Swanley shop).
For those of you who haven't actually been there.. the shop is located quite close to the M25 motorway, and so you can hear a hum of noise from the cars and trucks passing by. Quite conveniently located for visitors by car, with a small car park next to the building.
Jerry met me and gave me a run down of the changes to the jacket since mine was made.
My measurements were taken from my existing jacket as this fits and feels pretty good. I did ask them to subtract an inch from the bottom of my jacket because I had originally ordered my Last Crusade in a ‘long’. Jerry said that my Last Crusade was in fact the short length. So I asked to have it an inch less anyway, just so it is a little different.
I am very much looking forward to having a new Wested and taking it on my travels with me. I love having something that is handcrafted by craftsmen and really feel proud to be wearing it.
Also I am happy to a part of the COW forum and look forward to getting to know you all.
Best Wishes,
Derek (Indyevans)
I’ve been an Indiana Jones fan since seeing Temple of Doom at the cinema in 1984. It wasn’t until later that I got to see Raiders. Now I think ROTLA is my favourite movie of the trilogy.
I bought a ‘Wested’ Last Crusade jacket back in (I think) 1998 and it instantly became my second skin. With such soft leather and being so lightweight I immediately fell in love with it. I think it had been an earlier incarnation of Indygear, which had sent me in the right direction.
The last half year I have been a lurker (ouch sounds kinda creepy) here on the Club Obi Wan. I held back from joining as I thought I would probably end up being here every day to keep up to date with the new posts. Finally, I decided I should officially join up (because I do find I am here almost daily). After this period of time I feel like I know many of you who post here, even though I’ve not chipped in.
Recently I decided my Wested Jacket needed a companion to make it feel not so lonely and to wear in exchange. For my new one I decided to go for a Raiders style Jacket with the smaller collar.
I visited Wested in Swanley on Tuesday this last week (5th October). I only live about 30 minutes from the shop. Previously I had dealt with them only via their website and email (I think it was when they were based in their other premises).
I thought I would share a few screen captures from my visit (I haven't seen any recent pics, on the forum or main site, of Westeds Swanley shop).
For those of you who haven't actually been there.. the shop is located quite close to the M25 motorway, and so you can hear a hum of noise from the cars and trucks passing by. Quite conveniently located for visitors by car, with a small car park next to the building.
Jerry met me and gave me a run down of the changes to the jacket since mine was made.
My measurements were taken from my existing jacket as this fits and feels pretty good. I did ask them to subtract an inch from the bottom of my jacket because I had originally ordered my Last Crusade in a ‘long’. Jerry said that my Last Crusade was in fact the short length. So I asked to have it an inch less anyway, just so it is a little different.
I am very much looking forward to having a new Wested and taking it on my travels with me. I love having something that is handcrafted by craftsmen and really feel proud to be wearing it.
Also I am happy to a part of the COW forum and look forward to getting to know you all.
Best Wishes,
Derek (Indyevans)
- Indiana Jerry
- Scoundrel
- Posts: 4684
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:59 am
- Location: DBSSWWD ~ "This is how we say goodbye to MIMES in Germany!"
- Contact:
Great photos...nice of you to support us addicts by showing us WEAR our jackets are being made...now if only we could get daily pics of our jackets being made...no, I spend way too much time here anyway...and imagine how awfully we'd nitpick Peter if we could look over his shoulder everyday! I wouldn't blame him at all if he quit at that point!
-
- Professor of Archaeology
- Posts: 765
- Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2002 11:14 pm
- Location: Bay Area
-
- Field Surveyor
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2003 6:59 pm
- Location: Devils Lake, North Dakota
Great post Derek & thanks for the pics - now we know what to expect when we visit Wested in 2 weeks as part of the UK summit...which leads me on nicely to...
Have you checked out the UK Summit thread over in 'Events' - as you live so close to where we are all staying, you might be interested in attending some or all of the activities we have planned, including a Wersted visit. Jack the Ripper Walk, dinner with Noel Howard of MBA constumes and the British Museum visit.
If you were interested in joining us, you would be more than welcome!
But speak up quickly if so, to be sure of inclusion in Redbeard's fantastic event poster!
Al
Have you checked out the UK Summit thread over in 'Events' - as you live so close to where we are all staying, you might be interested in attending some or all of the activities we have planned, including a Wersted visit. Jack the Ripper Walk, dinner with Noel Howard of MBA constumes and the British Museum visit.
If you were interested in joining us, you would be more than welcome!
But speak up quickly if so, to be sure of inclusion in Redbeard's fantastic event poster!
Al
Ahh i hoped some of you would appreciate the pics and thanks for the welcome
And why are some pics blurry? Were you shaking in amazement when you took the pics
Well .. the pics are captures from my video camera .. and the blurriest ones are from when i was panning (well ok .. yeah it was hard to concentrate on keeping the pans steady )
If you were interested in joining us, you would be more than welcome!
Thanks very much Al.. i'd love to come and meet some fellow gearheads and also participate in the general beer drinking activities! So please add me to the list!
I'll probably be able to make a couple of the days anyway
[img]But%20speak%20up%20quickly%20if%20so,%20to%20be%20sure%20of%20inclusion%20in%20Redbeard's%20fantastic%20event%20poster![/img]
Ah i think redbeard has already printed the posters now .. the price of being in on the action at short notice
I want to see a picture of Jerri(sp) the female one... i like her accent on the phone.....
I didn't see the female one - Gerry .. I'll see if i can capture her on film for you next time when i collect my jacket .. or on the summit visit.
And why are some pics blurry? Were you shaking in amazement when you took the pics
Well .. the pics are captures from my video camera .. and the blurriest ones are from when i was panning (well ok .. yeah it was hard to concentrate on keeping the pans steady )
If you were interested in joining us, you would be more than welcome!
Thanks very much Al.. i'd love to come and meet some fellow gearheads and also participate in the general beer drinking activities! So please add me to the list!
I'll probably be able to make a couple of the days anyway
[img]But%20speak%20up%20quickly%20if%20so,%20to%20be%20sure%20of%20inclusion%20in%20Redbeard's%20fantastic%20event%20poster![/img]
Ah i think redbeard has already printed the posters now .. the price of being in on the action at short notice
I want to see a picture of Jerri(sp) the female one... i like her accent on the phone.....
I didn't see the female one - Gerry .. I'll see if i can capture her on film for you next time when i collect my jacket .. or on the summit visit.
- Neolithic
- Professor of Archaeology
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:46 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Welcome, Derek! I hope you enjoy your time here now you've officially joined up!
I was at Wested in July. Did you see the Minority Report jackets up the back? I wish I'd picked one off the rack there. Very nice. Jerry had a lot to say about how cool Australia was, so that immediately made me like him.
I was at Wested in July. Did you see the Minority Report jackets up the back? I wish I'd picked one off the rack there. Very nice. Jerry had a lot to say about how cool Australia was, so that immediately made me like him.
Well Wested phoned this morning (13th Oct) and said my Jacket is ready to collect.
Gerry said that he thought it would take about 3 weeks (possibly 2), so i thought i might collect it on the Summit visit (if it was done in time for)... but wow i didn't expect it to be finished already :D:D:D
So i guess a little afternoon drive is in order .. pics of my new jacket coming up soon.
Best wishes to all,
Derek
P.S. Can't wait to see all attending the Indy summit in London.
Gerry said that he thought it would take about 3 weeks (possibly 2), so i thought i might collect it on the Summit visit (if it was done in time for)... but wow i didn't expect it to be finished already :D:D:D
So i guess a little afternoon drive is in order .. pics of my new jacket coming up soon.
Best wishes to all,
Derek
P.S. Can't wait to see all attending the Indy summit in London.
This afternoon i went back to Wested and collected my new Jacket
While there i took a few more pics
Peter
Jerry
Bill - the cutter (cuts the patterns out of the leather)
Raiders Goat (left) and Authentic Lamb (right) side by side.
Close up of the above.
Jerry had shown me a horse jacket on my previous visit .. I asked if he had the cow and horse to get a comparison on but he didn't have any in the shop this afternoon. (I forgot to ask about the elephant raiders .. hrmmmm )
Something for the warmer weather .. A Wested Cotton Jacket
My New Wested Jacket .. mmmmmmmm love that smell!
I am as giddy as a schoolboy Since i got home i have been wearing it and striking various indy poses to check the look
'The "going for the Idol" pose'
'The "just entered the bar scene with gun (or in my case finger) poised" pose
'The "about this big explanation to marion" pose'
etc etc
(is it just me .. or do other people do this? lol)
Ahh do i need to provide pics to back this up?
While there i took a few more pics
Peter
Jerry
Bill - the cutter (cuts the patterns out of the leather)
Raiders Goat (left) and Authentic Lamb (right) side by side.
Close up of the above.
Jerry had shown me a horse jacket on my previous visit .. I asked if he had the cow and horse to get a comparison on but he didn't have any in the shop this afternoon. (I forgot to ask about the elephant raiders .. hrmmmm )
Something for the warmer weather .. A Wested Cotton Jacket
My New Wested Jacket .. mmmmmmmm love that smell!
I am as giddy as a schoolboy Since i got home i have been wearing it and striking various indy poses to check the look
'The "going for the Idol" pose'
'The "just entered the bar scene with gun (or in my case finger) poised" pose
'The "about this big explanation to marion" pose'
etc etc
(is it just me .. or do other people do this? lol)
Ahh do i need to provide pics to back this up?
- English Adventurer
- Laboratory Technician
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:17 am
- Location: A Basha somewhere on STANTA
- English Adventurer
- Laboratory Technician
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:17 am
- Location: A Basha somewhere on STANTA
- English Adventurer
- Laboratory Technician
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:17 am
- Location: A Basha somewhere on STANTA
- English Adventurer
- Laboratory Technician
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:17 am
- Location: A Basha somewhere on STANTA
-
- Museum Curator
- Posts: 1684
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2004 4:54 pm
- Location: East of Swindiana
- Indiana Jerry
- Scoundrel
- Posts: 4684
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:59 am
- Location: DBSSWWD ~ "This is how we say goodbye to MIMES in Germany!"
- Contact: