Todd - Wested pics

[pagey]

I posted these in the "bad luck" thread, and just thought they would be more suited in the jackets section.

Here are some comparison pics of the prototype lamb from Todd, a cowhide from Todd and my own 2 year old goat from Wested.
None of these are a good fit - which is why I've ordered a new Wested.
The goat Wested used to fit me but I've gained a little weight and the jacket shrunk a little after a total soaking followed by being worn for hours in a hot bus. The Todd's were both OK in length - it was the chest / shoulder that was the problem. The 40 lamb was too tight and the 42 cowhide far too roomy.
I could've had the cowhide replaced but, to be honest, it would have taken 2 months and I was also a bit concerned that the longevity of those jackets is as yet unknown. At least with Wested I'm confident of the lifespan and know that I don't have to send it very far if I have a problem somewhere down the line.
Anyway, here are those pics.

goat Wested


Todd cowhide


Todd lamb prototype


All three

It's worth mentioning that I also wasn't as happy with the design of the cowhide in comparison to the prototype that John sent me. John's lamb has higher /smaller armholes that mean you can raise your arms without that terrible "squirrel" effect. The cowhide had large armholes and also a much larger collar and pockets. As I said, I don't much give a hoot about SA in terms of the jacket - but I did feel that the prototype looked and felt a lot more Raiders than the cowhide. I even asked Todd ( when discussing a return and replacement) if he would make up a cowhide using the original pattern.

[Kt. Templar]

Thanks for the comparison shots, really shows the importance of a little Indy "TLC" to the look. Actually the goat doesn't look "that" small, but you must be gutted that you need to get a new one.

[pagey]

The goat is only a little too small. It's passable and I still wear it - but it doesn't look good zipped up. Once the horse arrives, I'll decide whether to keep it as my beat up spare, or let it go.

[IndyBlues]

Pagey it's a shame, because they all look great, individually,....but comparing them,...I like the Wested they way it looks and fits you the best.
'Blues

[pagey]

Me too. And although I liked the hides that Todd used on the other jackets, I'm not entirely convinved of their construction. I guess time will tell. Personally I wasn't totally happy owning a jacket that cost so much (remember shipping to Europe and tax!) and without feeling sure of it's robustness. The thought of having to return it to the States if anything went wrong - and also the wait time - put me off having a replacement cowhide. The Wested is a more reasonable price for me, has the backup of years' of experience in jacket manufacture and is a lot closer to home.

[IndyBlues]

Can't argue with that at all. Wested makes an great jacket, and the same reasons you listed(shipping overseas, customs, exhange if something is wrong, etc) are the reasons I've held off ordering another one directly.
Well, can't wait to see your neew Wested HH. I am curious of what you think of the skin compared to the other hides you've owned.
'Blues

[Kaplan]

Hey Pagey, are you going to go with a standard wested HH or are you going to give Peter the SA "laundry list"?

I love my Todd's for all of its details, but I have already had two seams bust on me. It really does need to be stronger, and less costumy. I plan to bring mine to a local leather tailor to reinforce some of the seams.

[Deleted]

Kaplan,

Where on the jacket did your stitching come apart ?

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pagey]

I've never given Wested a laundry list. I just tell Peter my size, how I want the jacket to fit and which movie I like. I leave the rest up to them - and I've never yet been disappointed (this'll be my fourth Wested). And besides, who am I to tell the inventor of the Indy jacket how to make an Indy jacket?

[Kaplan]

gmann said:

Kaplan,
Where on the jacket did your stitching come apart ?
Cheers,
G-MANN

two places, the top corner of one of the pocket flaps, and also one of the side straps is falling off. No complaints though. I love this jacket. Todd did a great job on it. I'm just going to take it in for a tuneup. Todd accidentally left off the pocket flap snaps, but he promptly sent me some in the mail and like the gentleman he is, he offered to pay for the installation (which isn't necessary). With a few extra stitches strategically placed, and the snaps put in, this jacket will be a winner.

[Kaplan]

pagey said:

I've never given Wested a laundry list. I just tell Peter my size, how I want the jacket to fit and which movie I like. I leave the rest up to them - and I've never yet been disappointed (this'll be my fourth Wested). And besides, who am I to tell the inventor of the Indy jacket how to make an Indy jacket?

I hope your luck with wested holds true! Laundry lists are a hassle... But how can you live without those beautifully scalloped pocket flaps?? I would at least request those.

[pagey]

Hmmm. I'm not sure I'd be quite as content to have to fix a new jacket that had cost that much. And Bogie had to fix his already too.

Scalloped pockets are not important to me. In fact some look a bit too scalloped to my eye.

[Ragingblues]

I'm not a super stickler for screen accurate details, though I do like to receive what I order. The biggest thing I would change on the Wested design is the giant sized pockets. I like my two Wested's, but the pockets are too big for the jackets. I think the Expedition and Todd have nailed both the shape and size, which is a huge plus in my book.

My second most important feature are the higher arm socket placements on the Expedition and early Todd's jacket (not sure about the recent ones... I'll have to ask John). That really makes the jacket fit and move so much better, and happens to make it fit better too. The higher yoke seam is a nice touch to ask for as well, though this is not as important to me as it's mostly cosmetic. Still, if you can get it... why not?

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

I personally feel the main downfall with Westeds in general is the size of the pockets. This was increased due to demands of some folk so that they could use the handwarmers. It seems they were increase on average about an inch and a half but the pocket flaps stayed the same. The pocket flaps also seem to have become smaller over time and as noted they seem to have gradually become less scalloped.

A few weeks ago I pointed this out to Peter, there was a jacket hanging up in the back of the shop, I said look over there, don't you think the flaps look too small compared with the pockets? And he said yes. Well it's up to him he's had plenty of input from lots of people, he must take notice. The tall pockets just look wrong to me. Shave an inch of the height of the pocket and add 3/4 to an inch on the flap and you're cooking with gas.

[agent5]

he's had plenty of input from lots of people, he must take notice.

Yet, he does not. A good example of how is when he asked for people to post screen grabs of the shirt before he started making them. We posted more than were needed and he STILL rounded the shirt sleeves even though several shots showed beyond a doubt they were squared off. How can something this simple be overlooked, especially when he had all the reference material at his disposal. Not only that, Marc sourced the EXACT same cotton material within months and Peter chose to do it in a different color and fabric than the original, even though he had access to both.

It just makes no sense. To me anyways.

[Kt. Templar]

The material on his shirts is partly polyester which makes it stay too 'pressed' and the colour is slightly off it goes very yellow under artificial lights.

I've been round the houses on close enough shirts, by now I probably could have got a NH. But for now I refuse to pay those prices.

The best cheap shirt I found was the first Old Navy shirt it was a very good fabric. I've had a couple of british military shirts, don't go there WAY to much polyester! The Wested is a good mid priced version it is 90+% there. I haven't seen a Magnoli in the flesh so can't really comment. Most other close enoughs don't get to 60% IMO.

That said I eagerly await Marc's version.

[Ragingblues]

I can see anyone's point about not wanting to pay the price for a Noel Howard shirt. However... you hit the nail on the head when you said that you could have had one by now, just trying out various close-enough shirts. Let me say that without a doubt, the Noel Howard shirt is well worth the money, if it's a real Indiana Jones shirt someone is after. Would I be glad to pay less for one? Absolutely. But, that hasn't happened yet, and I already have one... and don't need another.

BTW, I have a Magnoli shirt KT. Let me say that the material will seriously bum you out if you don't like the Wested. The cut and fabric of the Magnoli is very much like any other dress shirt you could buy. It is very well made, just not a good Indy shirt.

Sorry.... back to jackets and such.

Ken

[pitfallharry]

So Pagey, so far , isn't to impressed with Todd's jacket and Kaplan's jacket has a couple of popped stitches?

I guess there's no way of getting a perfect jacket no matter who makes it. My Wested's stitches around the jacket pocket popped out but other than being ticked off a little bit I still love the jacket and I'd probably order another Wested someday.

Yeah, I'd like to see some smaller pockets on the Wested myself but the pockets are so big that they look awkward to me.

I don't care if the jacket is totally SA or not. My big concern has always been quality and durability.

Of course I also care about customer service and I have never had any problem with any of the vendors I've dealt with including Wested.

I'm surprised to hear that Todd's current jacket pattern has shifted so far away from the prototype jacket that John has.

[GCR]

pitfallharry said:

So Pagey, so far , isn't to impressed with Todd's jacket and Kaplan's jacket has a couple of popped stitches?

I guess there's no way of getting a perfect jacket no matter who makes it.

Not to stir up trouble (as this sort of thing has in the past at other forums) but, to my knowledge, I've never heard of the G&B / Flighsuits jackets having any sort of stitching problems.

In fact, if I recall correctly, G&B has some sort of guarantee when it comes to the stitching on their jackets...I think. Just pointing that out, PH. So if stitching is your concern, there is still an option out there, if you have the $$$

Again, this isn't meant as some sort of "G&B is better than Wested or Todd" thing. I've never seen a G&B OR one of Todd's jackets, so I honestly would not dare to pass judgement on either of them. Just trying to make a point about the stitching issue, if it's that much of a concern to you.

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

Yeah, I've never heard any complaints about the G&B jackets like that either, BUT........That doesn't mean it can't happen. Knowing my luck it would to. ;D

I believe G&B have a lifetime guarantee but I think the other vendors have been very good about trying to help if there is a problem even when the jacket isn't new.

[Ragingblues]

pitfallharry said:

Yeah, I've never heard any complaints about the G&B jackets like that either, BUT........That doesn't mean it can't happen. Knowing my luck it would to. ;D

I believe G&B have a lifetime guarantee but I think the other vendors have been very good about trying to help if there is a problem even when the jacket isn't new.

G&B does have a lifetime guarantee on their stitching/construction and the zipper. I have never heard of anyone having to use it though. Both are things that can only be said about them as an Indy jacket vendor to date. And, I don't even have one of them....

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

Aero does too. But thy don't make an Indys and their jackets start around $600.

[Ragingblues]

kttemplar said:

Aero does too. But thy don't make an Indys and their jackets start around $600.

I figured there were other normal manufacturer's that offered a warranty too. That's why I said these were things that could only be said about an Indy jacket company.

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

admin said:

kttemplar said:

Aero does too. But thy don't make an Indys and their jackets start around $600.

I figured there were other normal manufacturer's that offered a warranty too. That's why I said these were things that could only be said about an Indy jacket company.

Ken

My point is Aero looked at doing an Indy jacket. For various reasons they didn't. One may have been that the market would not have accepted a $600 price tag which would contribute to them being able to afford such a warranty in the first place. .

Strangely enough Aero sold a handful of brand new Westeds through their ebay site a little while ago, I always wondered what they were doing with those jackets in the first place.

Kt.

[Ragingblues]

Got ya! It seems they were building too much warranty money into the jackets to make them sellable.

Ken