Do you buy into the "Real World" jacket idea ?

[GCR]

It depends, since one person's definition of "real world" might differ drastically from someone elses. For someone who needs a real rugged, hard wearing jacket in a tough, thick leather, then a thin lambskin jacket ain't going to cut it. But that doesn't mean you can't wear a thin lambskin jacket everyday, and take it with you on hikes or camping trips or whatever, without fear of it suddenly popping a seam or ripping to shreds. Lambskin works as an everyday jacket from probably 75% of the people out there, but sometimes the peace of mind associated with a certain level of toughness and durability is enough to sway someone into going for a jacket in horsehide or cow or goat or buffalo...

Plus, hell, lambskin IS what Indy wore, in 3 out of 4 movies, right?

So anyways, yeah, I do subscribe to the "real world wear" philosophy as I like a certain amount of quality and durability in my gear, but not to unnecessary extremes. My lambskin G&B or even my old lambskin Wested both serve my purposes very well.

[Kt. Templar]

IMO the who "real world" thing has a couple of angles to it.

In general terms a heavy duty heavy threaded jacket is not harder or more expensive to make, eg. bikers jackets. They are made out of a thick and tough cowhide which in professional leather terms is actually low on the 'quality/price' totem but IS heavy and tough, but it's something that bikers need. Thin, fine, strong denotes a quality and therefore more expensive leather. You can get perfectly serviceable bikers jackets for £50-£100 over here. The very expensive bikers jackets include all sorts of 'armour' inserts to suppliment the leather. There is no need for a heavy Indy jacket to cost any more than a light one. The leather does not necessarily cost more just because it is heavy or thick, it might actually be cheaper.

Indy's jacket at least in the first 3 films is not a thick heavy jacket. The closest you can get to the look with added strength would be the thin washed goat available now.

The second aspect is, what are some vendors calling 'Real world' and why? Peter uses a term, "Street Wearable". In actuality the only big difference is the zipper facings and the cut. The zipper facings probably do stop the lining from catching on the zip to some degree and it does pull the jackets somewhat away from it's original costume pattern more towards what it would have been if it had been designed with day to day use in mind. Wested also use a heavier duty bronze coloured alloy zipper (iirc a no 8.), the film one was a no 5 made of aluminium which would not stand up to much heavy handed uses. If any one is interested the TOD jacket Peter is working on uses a large gauge silver coloured alloy zipper much like the ones on bikers jackets.

He also made the pockets bigger, this was because people were ripping the SA pockets by using the 'too small for real world' hand warmers. You win some you lose some! Again the tiny TOD pockets are going to be interesting, I wonder if they should be supplied tacked shut like suit jackets, with a note inside: "Please be careful, these pockets are SA sized, if you use them with your meathooks take care."

The 'street' cut is also looser and that is a business decision, one that Wings take a few steps further. Many people are not 'Ford Shaped' the fuller and extra-full cut (of the Wings) allows more people to be able to wear these jackets and thus more sales. G&B are also designed to be a little more forgiving. Todd went the other way, as it turned out a little too far, he has noted a lot of returns on his jackets.

Lambskin is a fantastic day to day leather, for most urbanites it is the perfect leather. But if you are going out and about in the bush, perhaps go for a heavier jacket, horse and cow with take a heck of a beating, or go the middle way and try goat. The cut and facings are up to you!

[Deleted]

As far as I am concerned my Leather Jackets are all "Real World".

I wear them during spring and fall. Too hot in Summer for a leather jacket and our Winters are way too cold.

Since I do not ride a motorcycle so I don't need anything to protect me against road rash.

Cheers,
John

[Havana]

I have a Wested lamb that I've worn for 8 years now and on 7 seperate trips to Africa. I've never babied it. I consider it my light weight, rough use jacket. I throw it here or there. I've sat on it, used it as a lumbar cushion, slept on it while camping and on long road or air trips. I've even used it as an additional blanket. It shows some wear for sure but still looks and feels great. No holes. Never lost a stitch (and I've stuffed those pockets on plenty of occaissons). I believe in a heavier jacket for colder climates and for motorcycling (which I do) but my lamb has proven to be tough enough for just about anything else. I love the way it just hangs on my shoulders and the way the sleeves wrinkle up when I bend my arm - just like Indy's did on the big screen. My lambskin Wested is a bit thicker than some others I've seen but I'd still call it a light weight jacket. I do have an old Avirex lamb skin A2 that is very thick and heavy - easily the equal to a very soft cowhide. I believe US Wings and CockpitUSA still offer some jackets in this heavy, thick lambskin. It's worth checking out. I've had some old Schott heavy cowhide jackets that were so stiff you could stand them up. I also had a motorcycle jacket from Aeroleather Clothing of the UK that was made of heavy steerhide. That thing was so thick it was more like body armor than a jacket. Comfort is very important. No matter how great it looks or how much it costs, you won't wear it if it doesn't feel good on you.

[Marc]

John put it pretty darn well with

As far as I am concerned my Leather Jackets are all "Real World".

I'd say that for me PERSONALLY, while the Todd's is so awesome s.a. that leather appears too flimsy to me. It's great to wear, almost like a heavy shirt, but I just fear that it could be torn when getting stuck to a nail or barb wire (or whatever), which I have a terribly tallent for

So as for "Real World" the jackets as we can get them do a perfect job for me.

With that said, "Real World" vs. "bullet proof" is a completely different story. *I* love when gear is basicly indestructable - I absolutely LOVE the horsehide Peter is using. It is NOT as soft and comfortable as a lampskin right out of the box and yes, it takes a while to break in (which I consider part of the fun) but I just like the feeling that I COULD be dragged behind a truck Does that mean that it needs leather facings and a baggier cut? - Not in my opinion. But heavy steer hide, cow hide and horse hide? - Ohhhhh yeah baby

Regards,

Marc

[Kentucky Jones]

I'm with you, Marc. I've ordered a Wested in horsehide. I can be pretty hard on a leather jacket. When I have one I can fit into (lol) I wear it for everything. It takes a beating, so I wanted something very durable. Wested agreed that horsehide was the way to go. Todd's jackets look good but his sizing is about two sizes low for the "real world" (pardon the pun.) I wear an XXL jacket/shirt which runs to a 50 to 52 inch chest in every other brand, and an 18 1/2 to 19 inch neck. (Yeah, I'm "portly", well, let's say "chubby"-ok, the heck with it, I'm fat.) I'm probably down to an XL now but ordered a 52 Wested anyway. Give me room for a sweater underneath.
Best,
KY

[Marc]

But that doesn't make a good ol' lambskin any less "real world" for those who don't do those type of things.

My thoughts EXACTLY! I've got a Novapelle Raiders from Wested as well and it's an AWESOME jacket that I wear daily! Would I wear it where it could get REALLY rough? - Nope, that's where the horsehide comes handy

Regards,

Marc