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Budget A-1 jacket

McQ7

New in Town
Messages
31
Location
Fayetteville, AR
My Bronson A-2 arrived last Wednesday, July 27th. Super quick shipping--under a week--delivered by DHL, which had really detailed and frequent tracking info and free delivery options (signature release, for example).

In a sort of comedy of errors I originally intended to order a size M (38) dark brown because I understood that was the only size M remaining. AL, the vendor, wrote me to say that, based on our chat, he was sending me a size M in the light brown instead. I had expressed preference for that color, and I thanked him for taking the initiative on my behalf. However, there must have been some confusion because what arrived was a size L (40) in dark brown! I wasn't stressed, since AliExpress comes with free buyer protection and guarantee of accurate orders. It's more or less like Amazon. "Well," I thought, "might as well try it!"

(side note: AL, the vendor, has been great to work with throughout this whole process, apologized for the wrong order being sent, but said if I ended up happy with the order to keep it. He would have worked with me to correct it, as well. Overall, my opinion of the vendor is extremely high, and I think this order mix up was due in part to a return order combined with the fact that their item stock is so low at the moment.)

The fit was ideal in the chest, arm length, and overall length. It might have been slightly large in the shoulders, but then most all A-2 jacket pics I have seen have shoulders dropping off slightly. And those are the A-2 jackets from Goodwear and Eastman that members here have heaped praise on for being a good fit. I scoured the forums for examples, and I think I ended up with the proper size, after all. The jacket fits comfortably but not loosely while wearing just a t-shirt, yet I can also layer a button up shirt and my thickest cardigan and just get by.

I'm 5'7 and 145 lbs with a 39" chest and 32" waist (measured). What usually happens is that I fit a U.S. size S (38) in shoulders, arm length, and overall length, but I fit a U.S size M (40) in the chest. Often, the size M with be absurdly long on me. Therefore, I'm extremely pleased that the length of the Bronson equivalent (Large/40) is so spot on. Considering the chest, I'm not sure a size M (38) would work for me. My idea with the jacket was that I would layer beneath it, and I think the size L (40) chest is just about perfect.

As far as the color goes, when I paired it with my messenger bag and fedora, I realized that a lighter jacket that had more red undertones might not have been the best choice. With the dark brown Bronson A-2, my fedora is lighter. However, when I blow up the pics of the light brown version on multiple screens/devices, my fedora appears darker.

To conclude, the jacket arrived as the wrong size and wrong color, and yet somehow ended up being the correct size and correct color--I just didn't know it yet!

Since this post is so long, I'll include pics in my next post...
 

McQ7

New in Town
Messages
31
Location
Fayetteville, AR
Fit Pics of the Bronson A-2 in size L (40) dark brown
5'7" 145 lbs, 39" chest, 32" waist
-brightness, exposure, and contrast adjusted to best show fit
-hat and messenger bag pics are unedited


T-shirt layer:

open, shut, and angle to hopefully show the chest fit

A7730F5C-53C5-42E9-B0B3-DA8B3D534547_zpsuwnw45cb.jpg


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T-shirt and button up:
arm stretch pic (buttoned) shows that the fit is extremely snug with arms extended

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Cardigan layer on top of button up and t-shirt:
The first pic shows how thick the cardigan is--any tighter in the chest on this jacket, and that second to top button would be too stressed to handle it.

FA289F26-388A-4602-98E3-EAC709F1E5AD_zpsgocoyi6b.jpg


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With fedora and messenger bag:
These are both true to life color on my iPhone--I'm impressed that the olive drab knits can appear brown depending on the lighting and color combination.

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dinomartino1

A-List Customer
Messages
338
Location
Perth, Australia
US$200 including DHL courier shipping, read the whole thread for more info, any questions just ask as a few people including myself have one now and will be happy to tell you what we can.
 

l0fielectronic

Practically Family
Messages
666
Location
UK
Fit Pics of the Bronson A-2 in size L (40) dark brown
5'7" 145 lbs, 39" chest, 32" waist
-brightness, exposure, and contrast adjusted to best show fit
-hat and messenger bag pics are unedited

Looks a great fit.

Mines a bit more snug, certainly no cardigan layering but fine for a shirt and a vest, been wearing it this week thanks to a change in the summer weather and its a nice light weight jacket, I'm liking it a lot.
 

McQ7

New in Town
Messages
31
Location
Fayetteville, AR
Looks a great fit.

Mines a bit more snug, certainly no cardigan layering but fine for a shirt and a vest, been wearing it this week thanks to a change in the summer weather and its a nice light weight jacket, I'm liking it a lot.

Thank you! I can see a more snug fit being preferable. Glad to hear you're liking it after being able to wear it a bit. I'm going to try to get some higher quality pics in better lighting soon, and then once I've worn the jacket a while post some more pics later this year, too. I wore it around the house the other night for a couple of hours, and I could feel it getting softer and more flexible already.

Where I live the winter weather can, depending on the year, be temperate enough that I could end up wearing my extremely warm pea coat only a handful of times. The pea coat can be overkill sometimes, so being able to wear this A-1 with layers will hopefully be a useful choice. For the winters that don't get too cold, I plan to use this jacket often from the autumn through the winter and into early spring.

Today in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, it's going to be 96 F with the heat index at 103 (39.4 Celsius). I'm certainly looking forward to things cooling off here!
 

l0fielectronic

Practically Family
Messages
666
Location
UK
So I slightly regretfully just sold on my Bronson A-1. Loved the jacket but was just a little too snug fitting so I wasn't wearing it. I think they did bring out one size larger after I bought this but when I just looked just now it seems they aren't selling this model at the moment.

Only wore it a handful of times but it was just starting to show a little wear, a couple of photos now its gone (and if someone on here bought it - love to see some photos once its a bit more worn in)...

bron (14).jpg bron (7).jpg bron (13).jpg
 

McQ7

New in Town
Messages
31
Location
Fayetteville, AR
So I slightly regretfully just sold on my Bronson A-1. Loved the jacket but was just a little too snug fitting so I wasn't wearing it. I think they did bring out one size larger after I bought this but when I just looked just now it seems they aren't selling this model at the moment.

Only wore it a handful of times but it was just starting to show a little wear, a couple of photos now its gone (and if someone on here bought it - love to see some photos once its a bit more worn in)...

View attachment 88932 View attachment 88933 View attachment 88934

Great pics! I know what you mean about snug fitting. I ended up with a size larger than I intended and stuck with it. It's turned out to be a good decision. When I get a chance I'll also take some updated pics and post here. The Bronson A-1 served me well all last fall, winter, and spring. Here in Arkansas it's finally gotten cool enough that I've worn it a couple of times--today, in fact. I've been really satisfied with it.
 

Mr black

Familiar Face
Messages
58
Location
London
Just reviving this thread- does anyone have pics of how these jackets have bedded in after 2 or so years wear? Are they still going strong?
 

Gamma68

One Too Many
Messages
1,926
Location
Detroit, MI
A jacket I haven't seen mentioned here is the AVI-LTHR A-1. I own one and for the money, I think it's quite nice. There is a whole separate thread on this jacket.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
Bronson look like an interesting label. I'd love to see somebody stock them in the UK - they have a lot of stuff I'd really like to try, but I am wary of the sizing issue as it's a bit far away if it goes wrong... Really liking the wool A1s and their nylons currently. Were I convinced of the sizing and the quality is up to it, I might go for two of their MA1s (green liner early version and orange-lined version), and an L2A.
 

dinomartino1

A-List Customer
Messages
338
Location
Perth, Australia
Bronson look like an interesting label. I'd love to see somebody stock them in the UK - they have a lot of stuff I'd really like to try, but I am wary of the sizing issue as it's a bit far away if it goes wrong... Really liking the wool A1s and their nylons currently. Were I convinced of the sizing and the quality is up to it, I might go for two of their MA1s (green liner early version and orange-lined version), and an L2A.

There is no size issue.
I have three jackets. two t-shirts, a sweatshirt and and two shirts and have had no sizing issues with any of them, they all matched the measurements in the item descriptions and they do give all the measurements unlike a lot of retailers.
 
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Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
There is no size issue.
I have three jackets. two t-shirts, a sweatshirt and and two shirts and have had no sizing issues with any of them, they all matched the measurements in the item descriptions and they do give all the measurements unlike a lot of retailers.

The auctions I looked at on eBay I've been mostly between sizes, or often between one size and the non-available 'next size up': in China, I'm usually an XXXL, a size or two up from my UK regular in just about everything. Actual measurements are definitely a plus, though, if they're now offering those. Not their fault, of course: I'm just one of those people who vqry in size depending on the cut. I must keep an eye. I'd certainly love to see one of their MA1s; if they're as good as the Alphas at least in quality terms, they certainly *look* better. Certainly all the buzz I hear about Bronson is very encouraging. Perhaps nextg Summer I might give them a go with something like one of their denim jackets.
 

dinomartino1

A-List Customer
Messages
338
Location
Perth, Australia
Though some of my stuff is 38 some is 40 , best to go by the measurements and ignore the size.
The stuff is cheaper on taobao than AliExpress but it can be problematic to use.

I don't have any nylon but their shirts and sweatshirts are good,
as well made as any high street brand.

These are the three stores on aliexpress with bronson and bob dong.

https://magician.aliexpress.com/store/3122028?spm=0.8937474.0.0.79df2e0ewthxed

https://oldsaints.aliexpress.com/store/2949105?spm=0.8937474.0.0.79df2e0eBpz1Qf

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1229407?spm=0.8937474.0.0.79df2e0e9nY1jj
 

l0fielectronic

Practically Family
Messages
666
Location
UK
Heres some photos of the Wool and Leather A1 available from some of the sellers selling the Bronson brand.

I bought a Bronson A1 previously, really liked it but felt it was just a bit too snug so I sold it on, on here I think... Then I ended up buying another a year or so ago when I noticed they're now selling them one size larger. Really happy with it and the fit although the lining on the new one feels a lighter and less warm material than the previous one I had.

I noticed this Leather sleeved wool bodied A1 'flight Instructor' jacket, I liked the look of the one ELC made and I've seen a couple of the military clothing sites do versions of this style, the ELC was out of my price range and the other versions didn't look that great it some of the photos I've seen.

Anyway the price was good and I'd had good experience with the Bronson brand so ordered one. The brand name in it is, ahem, 'Assiduous Confused Effort' which I think is maybe what the person given the task of translating the brand name into English made of it :)

That said it feels nicely made, the leather is labeled as horsehide and the body is a similar melton wool in feel and weight to what I have in a jacket from Aero. The patch is nicely embroidered, I thought when I ordered it I might remove it but I'm quite happy with it, the sleeves look a little shiny but I'm guessing that would reduce in wear.

The only dissapointment was in the measurements, I've always found them to be relaible before from these sellers but the ones for this jacket seem off, it came in about 2" less all around than was stated on the website - I actualy thought it might be too big when I ordered and considered sizing down based on the measurments.

I had put it on eBay and took these photos thinking of selling it on before I wore it, but having tried it on a bit more and looking at these photos I may hold on to it and see how I get on when the cooler weather gets here. I would prefer it a size larger as I find it just a bit snug at the shoulders, and the waist - Its sized as an XXL for reference and I'm normally a 44.

Anyway thought I'd put it up here in case anyone else had been looking at one. Think it came in at about £140 all in so I can't complain at the price...

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I'm not on the run, I'm just not sure the forum needs to see my combined 'am I in shot, am I not in shot'/squinting into the sun faces :)
 
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