Wested making a new ROTLA Jacket?

[pitfallharry]

I saw over in Todd's jacket thread over at COW that Peter announced that he's going to start offering a ROTLA Indy jacket in a worn in lambskin and he's using Agent 5 specs. I guess the jacket will cost $195.

He didn't say much more then that and I don't know when we'll see pics or when it will be available to purchase.

Just thought I'd let you guys now.

[GoneSolo]

Better and more affordable? I'm in.

[Ragingblues]

I've been watching that thread and saw this last week as well. But, since Peter hasn't made any formal announcements about it... I figured it was still a "plan" of action to combat the recent additions to the jacket market. No threads started on it either, just a mention in Todd's jacket thread.

My question is, why not use "Raiders" specs instead of saying he is going to use Agent 5's? If Peter really does have the original patterns, why not use those instead of estimates about dimensions based off of images on a screen?

Agent 5, no disrepect meant here at all. I know your purpose behind the whole gathering together of specs to make the jacket with, was intended to make the Wested's more like Raiders instead of the current offering. So, if the goal is the same, why not use the old specs he already has at the shop instead of basing it on someone else's list?

I know what I believe the answer to my question is, but I'm leaving that part out to see what others think about it.

Ken

[pitfallharry]

Yeah, the price isn't bad and I know the reason he did it and posted it in Todd's thread was steal his thunder. Up until he posted that Todd's jacket was getting a lot of attention.

I'd like to see what Wested is offering because it is a good price but I'm still interested in Todd's jacket as well.

By the way......What's the latest on that? Any new news?

[Kt. Templar]

admin said:

I've been watching that thread and saw this last week as well. But, since Peter hasn't made any formal announcements about it... I figured it was still a "plan" of action to combat the recent additions to the jacket market. No threads started on it either, just a mention in Todd's jacket thread.

My question is, why not use "Raiders" specs instead of saying he is going to use Agent 5's? If Peter really does have the original patterns, why not use those instead of estimates about dimensions based off of images on a screen?

Agent 5, no disrepect meant here at all. I know your purpose behind the whole gathering together of specs to make the jacket with, was intended to make the Wested's more like Raiders instead of the current offering. So, if the goal is the same, why not use the old specs he already has at the shop instead of basing it on someone else's list?

I know what I believe the answer to my question is, but I'm leaving that part out to see what others think about it.

Ken

He could make it with the same pattern he's been using all along. But with deference to all the changes people are requesting forwards and back he's decided to do one "fixed price" alternative, no mods.

Personally, I think the pattern he has is the LC jacket. The pockets from the MK tracing from the Smithsonian Jacket match EXACTLY and the yoke is very reminicent of the one in the film.

The one he uses for Raiders is a redrawing of that I imagine.

All in all he sees all theses jackets as the Indy jacket, just with different mods for each "style". Note that none of the other makers differentiate, they just call them Indy jackets.

We shall see in time, the leather is TBC, the one he has right now looks pretty cool but is too light.

[Ragingblues]

I think having a set jacket configuration is a good option for Peter. His life and the choices a customer has to make, would be much simpler is all they had to do was pick a jacket size and sleeve length. People who still wanted to give every measurement and choice of options on the normal jacket could still do so, but also having a simpler approach (and cheaper) will be a winner.

This is one of the things that makes Todd's jacket and the Expedition so appealing. The design and cut is already there... no fussing about making it screen accurate, and the order process is simple. I think the addition of sleeve length to ordering a specific jacket size should be all that is required for most people anyway.

Also... KT hit my point on the head. I don't believe Peter has the original patterns for Raiders and hasn't in many years. This is why the jackets are so different in cut from what you see on screen, an Expedition, or even Todd's jacket.

Ken

[indianadirk]

I read it too , And I totally freaked , a jacket with the cool specs , for half of what the jacket costs normally !
WHY NOT !

[Prof.Wex]

Yeah I saw that thread,

Man I wish this $195.00 jacket was around right now. considering my most recent order from wested was a grand total of $371.45.. I don't know why it cost me that much, It list the jacket for $250.00 plus something like $40.00 shipping. I did ask for the 80's cut, 1 piece underarm gussets, and the x box stitching, so maybe thats why mine cost more. Im actually thinking that wested needs to update the prices on their Indy Jacket site. I think I paid the current ebay price of $287.00 plus the shipping, tax, and extras would probably put it closer to what Im paying. either way I cant wait to get my jacket.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Ragingblues]

That does seem high for a Wested....

I wonder what the 80's cut cost, since the underarm gussets shouldn't be more than a few dollars and X-Box stitching is supposed to be free.

Ken

[indianadirk]

Tax is the magic word I think
NH's shirts cost me 84 euros
but the added tax and shipping is 50 euros thats a little steep in my opinion.
American People pay less tax I heard.

Maybe it goed the same for wested too?

[Ragingblues]

Maybe so Dirk.... I just assumed that Prof.Wex was here in the U.S., but that may not be the case at all.

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

Actually Wested don't charge anything "extra" for tax where ever you are, unlike Noel does in the EU. They just swallow the cost.

Standard price on a Wested is £145, £165 for a modded jacket, £5 for gussets, plus £20 for shipping.

The current pound dollar exchange rate is: $1.966 : £1. therefore if you have a modded jacket at £165 + £20 = £185 that would be..... US$363.71. Remember a few days ago the exchange rate was nudging very close to £2, that may make the difference.

[Prof.Wex]

Hey Guys,

Kt, I believe your right, Its probably the exchange rate. I'm in the U.S. so I know the shipping is about $40 .. I'm not complaining though, I know its gonna be a great jacket . However a jacket for $195.00 would be great .

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[GCR]

To "borrow" a phrase from Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King, here are "10 things I think, I think"

1. Wested doesn't have the original jacket design specs for Raiders anymore. My theory is that Wested is using a modified pattern that originated from the LC jacket but was changed at times through new research and frequent fan requests into something of a hybrid of Raiders and LC, while not necessarily being totally accurate to either.

2. Something like this would really be good for Wested. Offering a jacket that already has all the necessary "Raiders" modifications built in should eliminate the issue of some people not getting the all the mods they wanted and requested on their order. It will also bring the Wested (the jacket with the authentic "name") back into the thick of the screen-accuracy race, allowing customers to have both the authentic name and screen-accuracy. Pricing the jacket below all the other major competitors and making it extra-affordable to fans is another smart move.

3. Something like this will be good for the fans. If anything, Wested selling a screen-accurate jacket for under $200 may entice the competition to drop their own prices a bit, making more jackets more affordable to more people. Plus, with folks who buy more than one Indy style jacket, it'll give them another great option to add to the collection.

4. Wested may have to change the Certificates of Authenticity they send out with their jackets. The current certs say "...hand cut from the original patterns used for Harrison Ford in the film Raiders of the Lost Ark"...whether or not that's the case doesn't matter to me, but in the case of this new jacket, with Peter using Agent5's specs, what will the certs say now? "...hand cut from the original patterns used for Agent5"?

5. The "broken in" or somewhat "distressed" lambskin should really be great. That's one of the MANY things I loved about Todd's jacket, the well worn, broken in look the leather had when it was brand new. Any jacket that has that look from the get go sounds good to me.

6. I want one. And one of Todd's, too. And you know what, maybe, just maybe, I might get me a flightsuits someday...maybe. But Todd's jacket and this new Wested are definitely right up at the top of my list.

7. I think I may not have actually thought of ten thinks to think I thought of...or something like that...

Anyways, I'm in...KT, you said the current batch of leather Peter had been cosidering was too light, what can you compare it to in order to give us an idea of the actual color? Lighter than the predistressed hide Peter currently sells?

And not to cross threads here, but has anyone heard about Todd's progress with his jacket and what his plans are right now for production? I haven't heard any updates on his jacket for a while and I was wonderin'.

-GCR

[Ragingblues]

All I know is, I bought mine in November of 2005 and it cost me $100 less than your's did Prof.Wex. I asked for X-Box stitching (no charge.... didn't get it anyway on the replacement jacket.... long story), but no 80's fit. That and the exchange rate difference must be the culprit, but wow.... a hundred smackers more is alot.

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

gcr said:

Anyways, I'm in...KT, you said the current batch of leather Peter had been cosidering was too light, what can you compare it to in order to give us an idea of the actual color? Lighter than the predistressed hide Peter currently sells?

He's made a few samples in different leathers over the last few months. One that is darker like DB lamb but completely matt with a quite prominent grain large (sort of 1/6 inch 'cells'). But flat, no pebbles, it's sort of like a flat cowhide.

This one he's keen on is very light, like the lightest areas of the LC jacket with sandy matt surface in some palaces and broken coated surface layer in others. It's a shock to see at first, but it does grow on you. As it is a good coat of pecard would make it a very interesting jacket. But it is even lighter than the predistressed cow that we've seen around.

I've suggested he gets one closer to the authentic brown.

[GCR]

kttemplar said:

gcr said:

Anyways, I'm in...KT, you said the current batch of leather Peter had been cosidering was too light, what can you compare it to in order to give us an idea of the actual color? Lighter than the predistressed hide Peter currently sells?

He's made a few samples in different leathers over the last few months. One that is darker like DB lamb but completely matt with a quite prominent grain large (sort of 1/6 inch 'cells'). But flat, no pebbles, it's sort of like a flat cowhide.

This one he's keen on is very light, like the lightest areas of the LC jacket with sandy matt surface in some palaces and broken coated surface layer in others. It's a shock to see at first, but it does grow on you. As it is a good coat of pecard would make it a very interesting jacket. But it is even lighter than the predistressed cow that we've seen around.

I've suggested he gets one closer to the authentic brown.

Very interesting, thanks KT! Having a worn looking leather in a color close to the authentic brown would be great. While I'm sure the other leather (the lighter color) would look great after a coat or two of pecards, it'd still be swell to have a jacket that matched up to the color we see on screen right off the bat. Peter just designs, cuts and assembles these jackets, right? He doesn't actually do anything to the leathers he works with, like redying or distressing himself, does he? If he couldn't source a darker leather, would it be out of the question to have some sort of treatment done on site at Wested to darken the leather he has?

-GCR

[Kt. Templar]

gcr said:

Very interesting, thanks KT! Having a worn looking leather in a color close to the authentic brown would be great. While I'm sure the other leather (the lighter color) would look great after a coat or two of pecards, it'd still be swell to have a jacket that matched up to the color we see on screen right off the bat. Peter just designs, cuts and assembles these jackets, right? He doesn't actually do anything to the leathers he works with, like redying or distressing himself, does he? If he couldn't source a darker leather, would it be out of the question to have some sort of treatment done on site at Wested to darken the leather he has?

-GCR

Oh no, Wested is very small, the pics you've seen online is pretty much it, plus the workshop area which is maybe 3-4 sewing machines and various interesting looking rivitting type machines. There's no room for any type of dying or distressing.

He currently has 3, I think, machinists on site and another six at another site. Plus a part time cutter. His daughter is a pattern cutter and works for some famous brands around London (girls stuff I do't remember most of the names!) she comes in on her free time and helps with some stuff.

Peter is the boss, manages everything, I think he does some cutting, but I doubt he actually machines anything these days! He may do some of the rivetting.

[pagey]

I'm disappointed to hear that the predist. lamb is such a light colour. i was hoping it might be a viable option for my next jacket.
As it is, I'm in the dark brown camp so even "close to authentic brown" is too light for me. Looks like I'll be switching to Todd

[garzo]

I read Peter's comment over on COW too and figured he's jumping on the bandwagon with a "really accurate" ROTLA jacket seeing as he's facing increasing competition, and not just from Todd.

What confuses me is the '80s Cut. I just have one Wested and it's a regular cut (that I've since had tailored to fit a little narrower around the torso and no more squirrelage). I thought the 80s Cut was already the more accurate ROTLA cut. Wasn't that the case? I've heard some people suggest that the 80s Cut is nothing more than one size smaller than what you ordered. Are 80s Cuts really narrower all around, sleeves included, and no squirrelage factor? Even so, I guess it might be other things like the pockets and what not that still make Westeds less accurate than Todds. Sounds like Peter's really putting up a fight with a much cheaper jacket.

[GCR]

pagey said:

I'm disappointed to hear that the predist. lamb is such a light colour. i was hoping it might be a viable option for my next jacket.
As it is, I'm in the dark brown camp so even "close to authentic brown" is too light for me. Looks like I'll be switching to Todd

I've always been of the opinion that for much of Raiders, the jacket looks closer to the dark brown color as well, although I think the jacket used for the Temple scenes (both the inside stuff done at Elstree and the location stuff in Hawaii) looked more like the authentic color for the most part. Does anyone know:

a) How much lighter the authentic brown color is vs. the dark brown (I know I've seen color camparison shots of different leather swatches or samples in the past over at COW, but I don't think I've ever seen a shot of two whole jackets, side by side under the same lighting in the same picture. Anyone have one of each and a digital camera that would be willing to do a fellow gear collector a favor?)

b) How the color of Todd's jacket compares with Wested's 2 versions of brown or the color of other jackets like the G&B?

Perhaps something even darker than the authentic brown would be better, as a jacket made from a leather that is already distressed will certainly get lighter as it ages, right?

-GCR

[Kt. Templar]

NOTE: This is not the leather or the pocket!!

But this leather is very similar to the surface texture and the colour of the single sample he showed me.



He hasn't got a batch in just a few skins to try out.

[GCR]

kttemplar said:

NOTE: This is not the leather or the pocket!!

But this leather is very similar to the surface texture and the colour of the single sample he showed me.



He hasn't got a batch in just a few skins to try out.

KT, I'm with you, I love the look and texture of that sort of lather, but I'm not too crazy about the color. I agree that a darker color would be better.

KT, do you know if Peter will be including the silver zipper as part of this ROTLA jacket? I've heard that there can be issues sourcing these or that they cost quite a bit or something, do you have any inside info on that?

And thanks for posting that pic to give us an idea of what the sample looked like!

-GCR

[Kt. Templar]

gcr said:

KT, do you know if Peter will be including the silver zipper as part of this ROTLA jacket? I've heard that there can be issues sourcing these or that they cost quite a bit or something, do you have any inside info on that?

And thanks for posting that pic to give us an idea of what the sample looked like!

-GCR

You're welcome.

I believe he's open to suggestions. If people send him an email on the subject and note the details that are particularly important to them. I'm sure many will end up on final jacket.

I doubt he'd put the Riri zipper on this jacket but he might find a source for something along those lines... whist the Riri is very nice and excellent quality, it is a expensive zipper (he grumbled about them being the 'most' expensive zipper!). It is actually a little too polished and has a heavy chrome plating, not quite the 'brushed aluminium' that I think would be totally screen accurate.

[pagey]

I like that kind of texture very much - but if the colour is any way similar to that then forget it. For me the raiders jacket is a very dark jacket and even "authentic"brown is too light. Maybe it's due to lighting and this and that..whatever - i want my jacket to be the colour that i see on screen, regardless of what was used. A colour like in the picture above is just not Raiders.