First Aero Jacket - Help!

ProteinNerd · May 5, 2016

Adding to the consensus on the back length here. IMO the main risk of making the back longer is the front can then be a too long due to the design and front "drop" i.e.: the front is longer than the back. The length looks good here but another 0.25 inches won't be a mistake.

As for stitching, I'd go for matching or maybe the OD. I've got OD on my Long Hercules and it doesn't stand out at all, its very subtle, a nice detail but defiantly gives a more vintage look...depends what look you are going for.

When I was sized for my PHB I was told the Premier range was approx. 1/2 size smaller than the regular cut which I'd agree with, maybe a touch more? I think the thing to consider isn't growing taller after your 20's but maybe growing "wider". It didn't happen to me due to my obsessive diet and training but it sure happened to most of my mates. Not a lot of them would fit into a slim fitting jacket they could wear in their early 20's.

Fanch · May 5, 2016

Thnikkaman said:
I hear you guys, I'm just a bit worried about growing another inch and suddenly having a jacket that is too short. I'm in my early 20's and it's not an unlikely scenario...
I'll round the 24.75 up to an even 25 and call it a day.
Maybe it'll be a bit on the longer side, but better safe than sorry right

If you are now in your 20's you might grow horizontally but unlikely to grow vertically.

handymike · May 5, 2016

I'm learning that sleeve wrinkling really depends on length and diameter of the sleeves on your individual jacket. If your sleeves are a bit too long, they wil wrinkle up and the sleeves will eventually sit at their "natural resting spot". If you get shorter sleeves, they will only wrinkle a little at the "stress spots" where you bend your arms. Likewise, if the sleeves are very slim they will show more wrinkles than a wider cut sleeve.

Sloan1874 · May 5, 2016

Thnikkaman said:
I hear you guys, I'm just a bit worried about growing another inch and suddenly having a jacket that is too short. I'm in my early 20's and it's not an unlikely scenario...

Yes it is. Add at your own peril.

BobJ · May 6, 2016

The only other thing I would mention, is to consider the fact that having both the inner and outer chest pockets on the same side, stacks four layers of fabric, and their contents, on top of each other. Might want to consider having one on each side.

Thnikkaman · May 6, 2016

I'll leave the back length where it is then, won't add any. You guys are the experts here, I'm trusting you

I went with OD stitching, it should look neat with the dark seal.

BobJ said:
The only other thing I would mention, is to consider the fact that having both the inner and outer chest pockets on the same side, stacks four layers of fabric, and their contents, on top of each other. Might want to consider having one on each side.

You've got a point. I like being able to reach across with my right (dominant) hand to get into my pocket though...
Maybe I could move the outer chest pocket over to the other side and leave the inner one where it is. Thoughts?

wdw · May 6, 2016

@BobJ is right about the pockets. My first jacket had double pockets which was a mistake, so my later ones kept them separate. I never had any issues with using my non-dominant hand, so hopefully you won't.

FWIW, I wouldn't overthink every aspect of your first jacket, as that can only lead to disappointment when it turns out not to be 100% perfect in every possible way. Use it as a learning process. Having the fit jacket is a huge leap forward, though, and will should ensure you at least get 90% there.

Good luck anyway.

Edward · May 6, 2016

Sloan1874 said:
I think rust could be really nice as a thread. Gives you a bit of detail without it yelling 'look at me!'.

Yeah, Rust would be pretty cool. I do have Olive Drab thread on a seal goat A2, and it looks fantastic - so subtle a detail, thuogh, that you have to really look for it.

Sloan1874 said:
I really wouldn't add length to your jacket. Once you drop far beneath the pocket line, you're into long half belt territory and that's an entirely different design and fit.

Yeah, adding to the chorus I'd be careful on this too. It's all very well adding a bit of length to fit, but you do hav to be very careful not to throw off the balance of the jacket or it looks all wrong (anyone who saw the Grease Live! thing that was on the TV a while back in the US, available now on Netflix, will know what I mean when I say how, for example, adding too much length to a jacket can spawn a monster....).

Course, you need to know the Call of the Outerwear Poster in relation to this....

"Yer jacket's not too short... it's yer trews ain't high enough!"

Thnikkaman · May 6, 2016

I moved the interior pocket over to the right side to avoid this "stacking pockets" issue.
Last modification, swear to god.

It's all approved and sent in now, time for the long wait

My dad's going to be tickled when he sees it.
I'll post pics... in June... or July...

Edgar Laurel · Nov 13, 2016

Monitor said:
Welcome, Thnikkaman. As I began reading your story, I was so looking forward to asking you to post a few photos of a genuinely worn Aero, but then I got to the losing everything in a fire part... Sorry to hear that happening, man.

Well, here's what I can tell you...

I personally am of the opinion that the legends of FQHH rigidity and long break-in periods have been somewhat exaggerated. Found all my FQHH jackets wearable straight out of the box and it didn't take me more than a few day to get them about as comfortable as a jacket can get. This hide gets much softer and pliable in a few minutes you're wearing the jacket, once it warms up to your body heat. Especially so on a warm day. My HWM was among the softest jackets I've owned and it was also one of the heaviest Aero's I've seen.

What I'm saying here is, it's not lambskin but it's not Vanson either. It a heavy hide but one that gets broken in quick and nice.

Go with cotton drill, or at least one of the lightweight tartans. Even Aero says tartans are there just for the show. You won't get any help from them on a cold day, but they sure make a difference when the sun's up. With both tartan and a cotton drill you'll definitely have to layer up but being lighter and more breathable, cotton drill won't cook you up in there the way tartan would.

How thick the leather is don't matter when it comes to temperature.

You say you'll ride in this jacket so I would consider one of the MC styles - but maybe HB works on a motorcycle too. Can't say as I haven't tried but I guess I would always go with a Kaff Racer and NOT just 'cause I love the style but because I've had three motorcycle jackets from Aero and I discovered that the CR is by far the best for riding. I'm sure Board Racer is just as good.

As for the sleeve length... Don't over do it. Don't know what you ride, sounds like it's something sporty but if it's not a Harley or something of a kind, for the sleeves to reach your hands, they'd have to cover your fingertips off the bike. Screw that. Sleeves will always ride up on a bike and one inch won't make much of a difference. Get the jacket with a standard sleeve length and a pair of decent motorcycle gloves.

I'm with you all the way.
Sleeve length should be your normal sleeve length, that's why good old mc gloves exist.
I'm also with you about de HH stiffness and breaking in. I've broken in all of my HH jackets pretty effortlessly. A few minutes wearing the jacket and it beggins to warm up, the hide softens to be really wearable.
It's just about wearing the jacket and do your everyday routine, it will break in nicely in a relatively short amount of time. The "the jacket will break you" drama does not exist at all.
Like some spanish mysticist used to say "non ecziste".

Grayland · Nov 13, 2016

Sloan1874 said:
I really wouldn't add length to your jacket. Once you drop far beneath the pocket line, you're into long half belt territory and that's an entirely different design and fit.

I agree. You have to remember that most half belts dip 1.5 - 2-inches in the front, so adding length to the rear adds length to the front as well.

First Aero Jacket - Help!

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