WESTED jacket questions

[rad1701]

Finally getting around to ordering one of these and have a few questions.

1) Which leather is best/most authentic? Thinking the authentic lambskin. I'm willing to let it age and weather naturally.

2) Sizing - I'm 6'4" will a long fit ok if I give them the right measurements?

3) What's the best lining to get for a fairly cold climate? Thinking cotton body/sating sleeves.

Any other details I should get? Thanks guys.

 

[Apollo]

The great thing about Wested is Peter gives you LOTS of choices.

A lot depends on from what Movie you want your Jacket to look like.

I myself went for The "Raiders" Jacket in Goatskin, nothing more durable except Roo hide.

If you give him the right measurements your Jacket will fit like a glove.

The Cotton Lining would be best for a cold enviroment imo.

I'm sure plenty here will chime in as their are a lot of Wested Owners here.

 

[PHArchivist]

I'm also 6'4".

I asked for a 44, and got a 46. It fit like a g'dam circus tent.

I sent it back and they sent me a 42. Its a bit too small for me, but not grossly so.

And since 42 would be closer to what Ford wore, I accepted it.

 

[Apollo]

Hmmm..see I sent my individual measurements like I was being fitted for a suit, Chest, arm length etc, etc, and he really nailed it for me.

 

[rad1701]

In looking at the web site more now I was thinking about the Temple design since they say it's the same as the Raider's jacket, but about 1 inch longer. I plan on taking measurements and sending him exact sizing also.

I'm a little mixed on the leather now. Might go with the dark brown lambskin because the color seems closer to the way it looks on screen.

 

[CessnaDriver]

When I ordered some years ago, I carefully measured other jackets I had that fit me well and used those numbers. Worked well for me.

 

[Treadwell]

lambskin is more Raiders-authentic. That makes it a lighter coat, though, so if you're going for warmer/thicker, then go with goat. I have one each and I prefer the lamb for the pliability and softness. It's kept me warm enough. Granted, I'm in Florida, but even on days in the low 30s its been sufficient. But the goat does feel nice and sturdy, substantial, more like what one usually expects in a "leather jacket".

My two are second-hand with different features, weights and measurements...between the two I now know exactly what I want and need and will use that info to order my ideal.

Satin lining in the sleeves makes putting it on much easier.

You don't have to specify Temple if you just want longer. Just order longer. Get precise measurements by measuring an existing coat.

 

[Gatekeeper]

I'd say go for the authentic lamb. Closer to screen-accurate, and after a bit of wearing'n'tearing, the color will look good.

Here's my Temple of Doom-style jacket, fresh out of the sewing machine at Wested. Color's a bit chocolat-ey and it's got that new jacket sheen...

... which has now been taken care of with the appropriate abrasives and chemicals.

 

[Jedi-72]

For the money, I'd go with the GB jacket. It came directly from a screen-used jacket and has just as much provenance as Wested's, but is made significantly better than the Wested jackets are. The Wested jacket is a nice costume or fashion jacket. The GB is made the way an Indy jacket should be. It's built like a tank, and the stitching will last longer than you will. You can also get goat from GB. Wested no longer offers goat skin, and while their lamb is nice, it is very, very light and thin.

 

[rmschneider104]

I'm not up on my Indy costumes... who's GB?

 

[Minder Thr33]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jedi-72 @ Mar 3 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]1431075[/snapback]</div>

For the money, I'd go with the GB jacket. It came directly from a screen-used jacket and has just as much provenance as Wested's, but is made significantly better than the Wested jackets are. The Wested jacket is a nice costume or fashion jacket. The GB is made the way an Indy jacket should be. It's built like a tank, and the stitching will last longer than you will. You can also get goat from GB. Wested no longer offers goat skin, and while their lamb is nice, it is very, very light and thin.
[/b]

Gibson & Barnes
http://www.flightsuits.com/leather_expedition.html

I love my G&B jacket, but I got it in a close to straight up trade for my Wested. There's no way I would have paid double what Wested charges to order an off the rack G&B, since Wested can customize their jacket to almost what G&B offers (funny since Wested made the original Indy jacket, huh?)

 

[rad1701]

Thanks for all the info gang. Lots to think on. Any other pictures and tips on weathering are also welcome.

 

[Jedi-72]

The Wested isn't THAT much cheaper than a GB. The GB is about $120.00 more, but well worth it if you want a jacket that will last you a lifetime as opposed to a couple of years before it needs stitch repair or re-lining work done to it. You get what you pay for. If you want the look for a reasonable price, the Wested is the better option. But, if you want a practical, long-lived jacket as well as the look...you'll never regret the GB.

Each jacket is "accurate" in its own right. There are things about the Wested that aren't 100% and vice versa. In that respect, they tie. But, in all seriousness, if you want a tough jacket that will hold up, as nice as the Wested is, the GB will live A LOT longer.

 

[gobler]

You seek www.indygear.com There is a whole section on the jackets.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[PHArchivist]

Here are some shots of how my 42 fits a 6'4" frame...

 

[CessnaDriver]

One more tip,

I bought the pre-distressed version and treating it with Pecards leather dressing made a big difference, I do it a few times a year to keep it in good shape. Darkens it quite a bit too for a better screen accurate look.
I have had the jacket for years now, and the lining is indeed wearing and will need repair soon. Catches on all the crap I have to keep on my belt at work so that made it worse.

Funny, I never see anyone else wearing one. You would think by now I would have ran into somebody.

 

[PHArchivist]

Mine is about five years old, worn six months out of the year.


My inner lining too has worn holes adjacent to the cargo pockets from carrying keys and a wallet in the pockets...

 

[Treadwell]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jedi-72 @ Mar 3 2007, 11:27 PM) [snapback]1431136[/snapback]</div>

The Wested isn't THAT much cheaper than a GB. The GB is about $120.00 more
[/b]

$146 more at current rates. Still, thanks for the tip about GB...something to consider.

 

[agent5]

One thing nobody really mentions is that the G&B came from a "stunt" jacket not even worn by Ford. To some thins isn't a big deal cuz it was taken directly froma jacket made for the production, but what G&B copied is an early Wested jacket. G&B is a copy of a Wested.

Besides small problmes getting the exact hardward you want, I've never had a problem with any of my jackets. I'd just stress the size you're requesting and get cotton lining all the way around. The satin is sort of cold in the winter. I'd also go with the authentic lamb and distress it slightly. If not, it will distress in time/years. Peter is coming out with a new pre-distressed lambskin which looks almost identical to the distressed Raiders jacket right off the rack. I'd ask about that if I were you. I'm not sure if it'
s available now but it will be soon for certain.

They're both good jackets but I do think that G&B should bring that price down a bit.

 

[Treadwell]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(agent5 @ Mar 4 2007, 09:23 AM) [snapback]1431300[/snapback]</div>

One thing nobody really mentions is that the G&B came from a "stunt" jacket not even worn by Ford.
[/b]

That kind of concerns me, too. Although their site claims that several Indy experts helped them tweak it during development, so perhaps any stunt vs. hero differences were corrected at that stage.