First, a confession: I've never really liked A2s. In fact I've disliked them quite a lot. I don't like the collar or the waist. And I've always been pretty certain that they'd look really bad on me.
Weeell... I made a fatal mistake, the other day, of wandering into American Classics in Covent Garden and trying on an Eastman Leather jacket. It wasn't actually an A2 but an M-422A, but the leather, the colour of the knits, the quality... I'm not a fan of action backs, so I wouldn't actually buy an M-422A or a G1. So then I began to think about A2s...
I've worked out that what I really don't like about them (and please note that this is my own point of view relating to how I know they'd look on me, not on other people) is the waist. The collar is no longer a problem, now that I've seen Aero's mouton-collared version. But the waist... The way the knit pulls in the waist so that the leather pouches out above it in a sort of lifebelt way. But I've tried on old, very vintage knit-waist jackets which hang straight because the knit has lost all its elasticity.
Now, I realize that this constitutes blasphemy from a purist (and probably every other) point of view, but does any maker do a jacket with a waist that might be described, for want of a better word, as knackered? A jacket that hangs straight and unpouched, but still looks like a Dubow 27798 or a Good Wear seal 21996?
Thanks for any and all suggestions, and go easy on a new arrival on the shores of A2 enthusiasm, please!
You're certainly entitled to express your opinion - that's what this whole forum is about.
Perhaps the "Indy" jacket might suit you better? It's basically an A-2 w/o knits.
I also used to hate the A-2. It isn't the most flattering of jackets but I learned to like it.
Actually Aero Leather in Scotland does a verson of an A-2 without the
bottom rib nits.
The jacket is an open, straight bottom like you are describing.
Check them out. They are not cheap, but it might be what your looking for.
Its called an HG-5. Here is a picture of it:
Aero can remove the chest pocket and put the front pockets on with the
flaps like an A-2 has. I think they even had a version of this on their website
at one point. They can even put the rib nits on the end of the sleeves
instead of up inside like the version I have posted.
They can do just about anything you want!
Jim
Pip, you should really curtail your Portobello and King's Road wanderings! Especially Covent Garden! It can't be good for you!
In all seriousness, I guess it all depends on budget etc ... but if you wanted to experiment with the look you could do far worse than follow Captain Caveman's suggestion. Wested at least is in Swanley and close enough to your London excursions to visit and try on for the fit you want. Their ROLA jacket kind of fits your description and is not expensive at all and is readily re-saleable in case you decide it's not your thing afterall. (Unfortunate in a way the jacket is so inextricably linked with just one 'hero' - but then at least Wested does hold claim to the genesis of the thing and there are worse things to be associated with).
Failing that, in any no name 1980's A-2 copy there is a chance the elasticity will have long since disappeared or could be encourage to do so... At risk of banging on about my favourite company, a very early Avirex (pre -1983) might work but finding one will be a different matter.
Given your tinkering abilities you could probably find two or three orphans in charity shops and make what you want. That would be an interesting thing to see!
Of course the other thing to do is search the wholesale/direct sales leather shops in Whitechapel and Shoreditch etc unless it simply has to be vintage.
The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it, the only people who really know where it is have gone over
Hey, thanks, chaps!
The problem - and it's ridiculous, I know - is that I like the knit waist. I like the contrast and I really like the red of the Dubow and other contracts - the way it contrasts with the seal leather. I just don't like it to be... functional. I suppose I could just stretch it until the elasticity goes, but that seems a bit pointless. I've seen photos of A2s that seem to hang straighter than others - or is that my imagination?
My size 44 Eastman Pearl Harbour A2 hangs straighter than my size 44 Aero A2. Generally the Aero is much more "trim" all around.Originally Posted by pipvh
I've got an old early 90s Avirex A2 that is really floppy and hangs right down across my backside. Maybe by buying big you'll achieve the look you require?
I guess that means you are back where you started - you need one that is an authentically trim fitting but totally knackered in the knit department! And a red rather than brown knit to boot. That sounds a lot like an original
This is going to be some hunt to track this down I feel!
The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it, the only people who really know where it is have gone over
Do a search on Jansolo. He appears to have been able to pull of the look you're looking for i.e. knit jacket without the blousiness.
Our good friend Jan Solo is 12 years old with 26" waist and hips.
The rest of us desperately struggle to reproduce his cool look!
^^^^^^
The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it, the only people who really know where it is have gone over
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