Indiana Jones Jacket
When you hear the opening notes of the theme music from the Indiana Jones sagas, you likely get an immediate feeling of excitement and adventure. You picture Harrison Ford, in his trademark Indiana Jones jacket and fedora, seeking out danger and barely avoiding certain death. You can almost picture yourself adventuring through remote areas of the world, searching for long-lost artifacts, and (usually) getting the girl.
Five movies later, and Indiana Jones is an icon. An archaeologist who can kick some butt, everyone has seen at least one of his quests brought to life on the big screen. Indiana Jones first came to Hollywood in 1981, and 30 years later, he still delights children and adults alike with his exploits.
Part of the allure and mystique surrounding Harrison Ford’s character is his trademark brown leather jacket and time-worn fedora. The original Indiana Jones jacket was designed by Deborah Nadoolman for the original Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. It was then commissioned by Peter Botwright, who meticulously altered the jacket until it met the approval of the actor himself.
The Indiana Jones jacket alone is not something you would find on fashion runways in Milan. It’s basic, inspired by the practical leather jackets preferred by aviators in the era after World War I. These jackets were designed for their functionality and durability, not style. They kept out the elements, and that was about it.
But when you add a leather fedora, bullwhip and a whole lot of attitude, you have transformed the plain into the Indiana Jones jacket. Everyone knows what it is, and everyone can picture it. The jacket has come to represent adventure, bravery, and a little craziness.
There is a rich history in the Indiana Jones jacket. If you’re a true Indiana fan, you will know that it has traveled the world. The jacket has taken Indiana from the mountain of Nepal, to the dunes of Egypt, from bars in Shanghai to plane crashes in remote Indian villages. It has survived boat chases in Venice, skirmishes in Austria, air raids in Germany, and the hot desert suns of Turkey. That’s quite a jacket, seeing more remote regions of the world in 3 years than most of us will dream about in a lifetime!
While filming the Indiana Jones series, the jacket has undergone some minor, almost imperceptible changes. For the original Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Indiana Jones jacket was hand aged to give it a worn feeling, using none other but Harrison Ford’s own pocket knife and a wire brush. For the Temple of Doom, the jacket was slightly altered to add another inch to the hem and give a bit looser fitting. The Temple of Doom jacket was contracted out to be produced more cheaply. When the time came to film the Last Crusade, the costumers brought original designer/leatherista Peter Botwright back into the fold He added a snap button to the storm flap of the jacket, and opted to craft it from cowhide rather than the original lambskin. But unless you are looking closely, you probably won’t notice any of the changes.
Harrison Ford donated his original Indiana Jones jacket, along with his trademark leather fedora, to the Smithsonian Institute in 1989. In 1999, the Smithsonian added the requisite bullwhip to the collection. It remains in the museum today, for fans to appreciate in all of its glory.
While you can’t purchase the original Indiana Jones jacket, there are many replicas and knockoffs offered for sale. For a true Indiana fan, this is the way to go.
Indiana Jones is still a favorite for Halloween, and you can find costumes in sizes for small kids, teens, and adults. Costume kits typically include the Indiana Jones jacket, fedora, and (very rarely for safety purposes) the bullwhip. This is a timeless investment, as unlike other pop culture icons, it doesn’t appear that Indy will be going away anytime soon.
Many leather clothiers also offer leather replica Indiana Jones jackets. Some are modified to include adjustment straps in the back and zipper closures. New retailers continue to add the jacket style to their collections, cementing it in the leather fashion industry. You can typically find the jackets crafted from cowhide, lambskin or goatskin, and you are limited only by your budget.
But if you truly want to get as close to authentic as possible, you can order a custom-fitted Indiana Jones jacket (as well as other Indy-inspired clothes and accessories) from the original designer himself. Peter Botwright, owner of Wested Leather in London, offers his jackets at reasonable prices, and each Indiana Jones jacket comes with a certificate of authenticity, so that you know it’s not an unauthorized copy or replica. True Indy fans will not be disappointed!