Re-sizing a leather jacket (Aero Premier Half Belt)

[Despot]

Hey fellow loungers…

I’ve an odd question - how easy/possible is it to reduce the size of a leather jacket?

I’ve posted on here before about having lost a lot of weight in the last 8 months. I’ve gone from, in real terms, a size 48 to somewhere between a 42 and 44 depending on the maker. In suits I’ve dropped from a well fitted EU60 to a roomy EU56 in fairly slim fitting Canali suits (drop 7) and I’d say at the rate the weight is slowly dropping I’ll be an easy EU54/44 in slim suits before the end of the year. The slimmest I’ve ever been was a size 42 in suits in my 20s … so I’m pretty happy about this weight loss at 43.

Except that my favourite jacket - my old daily driver Aero Premier half belt - is like a sail on me now.

It’s tagged as a 46 - as it was a stock jacket it wasn’t made for me … and in my heavier years (ie last year and since Covid) I couldn’t zip it closed. But it seems to me that it’s within the realm of being altered to fit again (albeit not a tight or slim fit perhaps as it was when it fit me perfectly when I first got it before I piled on weight in 2020).

Why not order a new one in the right size I hear you say? Well… it’s got sentimental value. I wore it the day I proposed to my fiancé and the day I carried our daughter over the threshold of our home. Hell - I wore it when we took the keys to our home and walked into our house that first cold December evening in 2019.

As I said … it’s got serious sentimental value. If possible I’d like to be able to wear it for years to come.

So - what’s the likelihood of this being possible? I think it’ll have to come in at least two inches on the chest and waist … and all the knock on effects that’ll come from that.

Anyone tried something like this before?

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I think you are better off selling it and getting a new one. It's just not worth it.

 

[handymike]

I would email Aero and ask for a new one made with your jacket’s hide- panels. Explain why it has such sentimental value and they will probably say yes. Otherwise, you are taking a big risk. Johnson might do it...Dena might do it...but it’s risky.

 

[Despot]

I think you are better off selling it and getting a new one. It's just not worth it.

Yeah. That’s my worry. If it’s not worth it I’d rather keep it - as stupid as that’d be. There is also that lingering fear that the weight may return. I don’t think it will - I’ve lost it through sustainable lifestyle changes and diet (not dieting - I just eat better and less of it). I used to yo-yo when I lost weight through training without sorting out diet/lifestyle but this seems to be a permanent step change given how I’ve kept the weight off.

Also … I’m aware that I’m overthinking this. Most people (ie non loungers) wouldn’t even care or notice and would just think “cool - my jacket zips closed easily now” - and it’s not like I’m short on other jackets to wear (my current daily driver is a Flat Head Delraiser - a jacket that a year ago I’d never would thought I’d fit into let alone would become my go-to).

 

[Tom71]

I would email Aero and ask for a new one made with your jacket’s hide- panels. Explain why it has such sentimental value and they will probably say yes. Otherwise, you are taking a big risk. Johnson might do it...Dena might do it...but it’s risky.

I concur. Speak to Aero. They made it; if they can’t/won’t remake it, it’s probably not going to work out at all.

BTW: I am totally with you on „no sale and size-down purchase“. Sentimental value can’t be explained with a dollar figure!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Yeah. That’s my worry. If it’s not worth it I’d rather keep it - as stupid as that’d be. There is also that lingering fear that the weight may return. I don’t think it will - I’ve lost it through sustainable lifestyle changes and diet (not dieting - I just eat better and less of it). I used to yo-yo when I lost weight through training without sorting out diet/lifestyle but this seems to be a permanent step change given how I’ve kept the weight off.

Also … I’m aware that I’m overthinking this. Most people (ie non loungers) wouldn’t even care or notice and would just think “cool - my jacket zips closed easily now” - and it’s not like I’m short on other jackets to wear (my current daily driver is a Flat Head Delraiser - a jacket that a year ago I’d never would thought I’d fit into let alone would become my go-to).

I understand keeping something for sentimental value. As others have said, ask Aero. If they can't, then maybe just keep it as is.

 

[Jiaward]

Talk to user @SeaSide. He resized a JH-1 that I purchased from him. I’m sure some of you would tell me it’s obviously altered but a new guy like me can’t really tell. I’m not sure how to link the ad but the title is below. You can see pictures.

Real McCoys JH-1 For Sale - Modified Size​