Product review: Todd's Costume's Indiana Jones Jacket

[Funky]

Being the Indiana Jones enthusiast that I am, I've been hearing great thing about this little spot on the web called Todd's Costumes http://www.toddscostumes.com/indy/indiana_jones.htm

From what O understand one can go there for all of their Indiana Jones costuming needs without breaking the bank but still have the quality. It sounded too good to be true. So I thought I'd take a chance and ordered the off the rack leather jacket. The description made it sound as if this is a perfect clone of the famous Wested jacket; I've owned 2 Wested's in the past so I thought I'd do a comparisson. And at the 150.00 pricepoint, what a bargain!
I first e-mailed Todd to see if they had a jacket in stock in my size. I wear a 40-42 regular and he advised that their size Large should fit perfect. Communication was a dream as he responded within 6 hours. When I paid he confirmed delivery and payment that night. So far so good.
It came in today, just 5 days from me placing the order (that includes a weekend in there!) and it was delivered UPS.
The packaging was very professional (even better than Wested's packaging!) First thing I did was check out the costruction. Solid! The lambskin leather is EXACTLY like a Wested and the color is dead on. I mean, the think is just like a Wested in every respect...almost. The buckles on Todd's are black where they are brass on a Wested. To be honest I don't know which is more accurate. Also the zipper is silver where the Wested features a brass zipper. The lining was a little different as my Wested's had a cotton lining and this one is polyester. I knew this going in and I don't mind in the least. The lining on this one is even pleated for ease of movement. Wested's do not.
Now came the true test...does it fit? The fit was actually pretty good. Arm length was perfect and very comfortable. The only real problem I had with the jacket is I fett it's just a bit too short in the waist area. The bottom comes just to the bottom of my belt loops on my jeans. I would have been more comfortable if it were a bit longer. But all in all, for 150.00, you will not find a better deal. This is actually the closest jacket I have seen to a Wested. And at half the cost, speedy and professional service, I grade this product an 8+, with 10 being the highest.
Thanks, Todd! :thumbsup

 

[Ramiel]

Thanks for the review, I was thinking about buying a Todd's jacket, and I think I will do it soon (and personally I love a little "shorter" jacket instead of a long one, so, this is a "plus" for me )
Thanks again!

 

[Muad'Dib MD2B]

Glad to hear Todd's jacket is so great. When I was looking for a cheap alternative to the Wested, I ended up going with a close-enough from Wilson's Leather in my local mall. From the front, I'd say it looks dead-on. The major differences are in the back (side snaps instead of buckles, and a seam down the center are the most obvious ones). I got it on clearance, and it's definitely close enough for my purposes, so I'm happy with it. Had I known Todd was going to offer this jacket and it would be of good quality, I may have held out. Oh well. I'm glad you're happy with your purchase.

-Chris

 

[rhboyd]

yeah yeah yeah.... post PICTURES monkey-boy!!!!



-r!

 

[DarkHelmet]

I just bought a Grosgrain hat band from Todd. Haven't received it yet, but he was very responsive.

A couple of years ago, just was we moved to Vegas, I bought a pleather Arizona brand jacket from JC Penney. I was waiting to start my new job so couldn't afford a real leather so I picked up this fake for about $40.00. It actually looked very good for being fake and I remember what drew me to it was it had the Indy look.

I didn't wear it much because as soon as I got my first paycheck, I hit the outlet mall and bought a nice leather for $99.00.

Well, I revisited the pleather recently when getting my Indy costume together and I am amazed at how good it looks. Though not screen accurate, it does the job. If you come across one at JCP, pick one up as a cheap alternative or back-up.

I was actually looking at Todd's leather jackets and will probably get one as soon as I can, especially for that price.

Thanks for the review!

 

[Zendragon]

Jacket sounds cool... the screen jacket is supposed to have black sliders for the straps, so that sounds more accurate and the zipper is supposed to be nickel. The jacket should fit a little short, like the 80's cut.

Look forward to photos.

 

[Solo4114]

Sounds good. Personally, I prefer the longer length of the Wested, but I also wear it for more than just costuming, and I like the way it looks. The wested comes down to about mid-butt on me, I guess.

For the record, I would advise AGAINST getting the satin interior for the Wested. I got that on my jacket and I would not do so again. It has NOT stood up to wear and tear and is now pretty threadbare. I may have to send it in over next summer to have it replaced with their cotton liner.

 

[Apollo]

Sounds like a great Jacket for a great price!

I've ordered from Todd twice and it's always a pleasure dealing with him.

Top-notch customer service! :thumbsup

 

[Kt Templar]

The biggest issue I have with the Todd is that he tried to hardball Wested into giving him a vastly discounted trade price so that Todd could "become" the US "agent" for Wested. Of course Peter told him to stick his generous offer where the sun don't shine.

Sooo Todd spins this story about wanting to produce a Uber screen accurate jacket with an AMAZING new leather, he takes a Wested jacket "recasts" (sorry, reverse engineers) it a bit, does a few of the "fanboy" mods and calls it the best jacket in the universe. None of the jackets recieved looks remotely like the sample posted on his site.

He makes a US made jacket but can't better Westeds price and the jackets are not up to snuff, I know I've seen one, ratty stitching badly matched leather and amateur construction, with side straps that were falling off due to a badly concieved fixing. He posts a price of $300 to Indyfans but $500 to the general public.

Sales dry up.

Ok, fast forward a few months. Wested decides to sell a lower cost jacket with some of the more commonly asked for mods: White metal zipper, smaller pleats, smaller pockets etc. But this is designed slighly longer in the body, Peter understands that to make this work in the real world, the jacket needs to have a little give for the taller folks, you can always have sleeves shortened, but not lengthened. To get costs down the jacket sells for £125 and no customisation, it is made overseas and is slightly lighter in weight than the standard jacket.

Almost immediately Todd releases his overseas made jacket, at least the workmanship seems better than his US custom made, this is in a much thinner leather than any that have gone before and has too narrow sleeves and is too short in the body. From anecdotal evidence it seems to weigh in at about half the weight of the budget Wested. It is priced at $149. I believe this is a loss leader.

Time will tell if the Todd will hold up to normal wear, frankly it looks nice but too flimsy, and too short.

In the end it's up to you what you buy. The sharp practice sticks in my gullet.

 

[Funky]

Okay, so I had an opportunity recently to compare it side by side with a Wested. Sadly, I have to say that yes, many of the above statements are true. The stitching isn't quite as sturdy, and the leather is indeed thinner plus my statement about it being too short stands painfully true. With that being said, for casual use and foe a close enough jacket for a display at the 150.00 price point I still say it's not bad. :unsure

 

[DarkHelmet]

I bought some wonderful Petersham hat ribbon from Todd a few weeks ago and he charged me $7.00 for shipping. The ribbon is $1.98 per yard, so it was sent to me in a regular first class envelope with a first class stamp.....I wasn't too happy.

I wanted more ribbon, and asked Todd if he could do something about the shipping (there is no way I am going to pay $7.00 again). I never heard back from him. :unsure

I definitely don't want to derail the thread, or bash Todd, but I am dissapointed and to me, it's a reflection on his business as a whole.

I was considering getting the $150.00 jacket, but I don't think I will now.

 

[THEMAN]

I've snagged a nice Wested Goat from a member here a few months back... Fits me perfect, and great quality. Paid $200 and couldn't be happier with an Indy jacket. Just need to break it in... at least the new jacket smell is gone already. Westeds stick for the first year!
Let's see pics of this Todd's close up and I'll be happy to post pics of my Wested Goat close up.

 

[HothGirl]

Thanks for sharing the reveiws everyone.

I was shopping around for a Christmas gift for my brother and it's nice to have that much info so I can get the best possible jacket.

 

[rickrickrick]

In reference to the ribbon shipping, I've never bought anything from Todd, but most places post fees for "shipping and handling," which would include Todd's time to cut, pack, and ship the ribbon. How long does it take to prepare, pack, address, and ship something? Fifteen minutes? Half an hour? I don't know. But you're paying for more than postage when you buy something shipped, that's all I'm saying. Happens all the time on ebay stuff - I pay $5 "shipping and handling" for, let's say, an embroidered Star Trek insignia, and it shows up in an envelope with one first class stamp on it. Cost of stamp, cost of envelope, well under a dollar. That's the way it goes. You also pay for the seller's time. Todd is in the costume business to make money.

 

[DarkHelmet]

In reference to the ribbon shipping, I've never bought anything from Todd, but most places post fees for "shipping and handling," which would include Todd's time to cut, pack, and ship the ribbon. How long does it take to prepare, pack, address, and ship something? Fifteen minutes? Half an hour? I don't know. But you're paying for more than postage when you buy something shipped, that's all I'm saying. Happens all the time on ebay stuff - I pay $5 "shipping and handling" for, let's say, an embroidered Star Trek insignia, and it shows up in an envelope with one first class stamp on it. Cost of stamp, cost of envelope, well under a dollar. That's the way it goes. You also pay for the seller's time. Todd is in the costume business to make money.

I understand "handling" charges and don't mind paying for someones time to pack and ship an item, but $7.00 is ridiculous to put a piece of ribbon in an envelope and drop it in the mail box. I would also expect him to be making money on his talent and quality, not nickel and diming people in handling charges :rolleyes

If someone wants to pay excessive handling, more power to them but I won't be buying ribbon from Todd again.

What's his handling charges to ship one of his jackets...$100.00??