Advice on Aero jacket

Rickard_H · Apr 6, 2017

Thanks for the words about lining Harris and Carlos!

I've discussed a bit more with Aero and even though I like the Wayfarer I'm not 100 % that's the jacket I'll be happiest with over time.

They gave me back lengths of the different models in sz 40 and 6'1 and they were all shorter than I expected.

That together with my doubts about the Wayfarer has made me look more at the Long half belt again.

We'll see how it'll end!

Guppy · Apr 6, 2017

Rickard_H said:
Thanks for the words about lining Harris and Carlos!

I've discussed a bit more with Aero and even though I like the Wayfarer I'm not 100 % that's the jacket I'll be happiest with over time.

They gave me back lengths of the different models in sz 40 and 6'1 and they were all shorter than I expected.

That together with my doubts about the Wayfarer has made me look more at the Long half belt again.

We'll see how it'll end!

I used to like the long half belt, but after a few years, when I see it now, it looks too long, like the proportions are off. I think that the wayfarer and plainsman look like longer jackets that were designed to be longer, not a waist jacket that's been stretched.

jacketjunkie · Apr 6, 2017

Now that you seem to shift towards longer styles, are you set on a zipped style? Because if not, you should really consider one of their buttoned styles. I like buttons sooo much better on heavy leather jackets. Thick leather tends to look and act oddly stiff along the zipper seams while a buttoned style feels much more relaxed when closed. Forms much better to your body when sitting while zipped styles very strangely push out the zipper and the heft of leather along it. don't know how to describe it better.

Their Teamster(same length as LHB, same pattern block, about 28" in size 40), Veste de Rallye and Stockman (both a bit longer, maybe 30"?) are great jackets imo. Cheyenne is nice too but leave off the handwarmer pockets.

Edit: judging from your measurements and body weight I'd say you are a 40 in normal styles, a 42 in tighter styles. My numbers are pretty much identical to yours except I am shorter and that is how it is for me. If you go for a LHB, I'm pretty sure you are a 40 in that style, probably with some extra sleeve length.

Edit2:
About the lining and temperature... my Teamster is lined in alpaca and comfortable at 5-10C. At 0-5C it works too but any colder than that or cold wind and you're at a point where you want to grab a different jacket. That's okay though. Leather makes for a terrible winter jacket, all stiff in the cold.

Fanch · Apr 6, 2017

I more or less concur with what @jacketjunkie said regarding buttoned rather than zipped longer coats, which is the reason I bought a Teamster rather than a LHB. When sitting, I am able to open the bottom button to avoid the leather bunching up at the bottom. As I said earlier, I went with moleskin body shell and cotton drill sleeve linings for durability and function as my designated cold, foul weather coat. My zipped jackets are generally no lower than 2" to 3" below my belt. I hope the OP is not terminally confused at this point as we all have our own individual viewpoints with no right or wrong answers, just opinions.

Rickard_H · Apr 7, 2017

Definitely not scared away at least

Very good points about the the stiffness from the thick leather and the zipper vs buttons in the longer models. I haven't given buttons any thought and I've never had buttons in a regular jacket, only zipper. For this time I'll stick to zipper and save the buttons for my second or third jacket if it comes to that!

AeroFan_07 · Apr 7, 2017

Sounds like you are on a good path here Richard. I find waist-length or just below that to be my "go to" most of the time, however in Iowa it's cold, but not "that" cold.

You'll make a good choice, and it's good you are thinking/planning ahead for this purchase.

Rickard_H · Apr 8, 2017

AeroFan_07 said:
Sounds like you are on a good path here Richard. I find waist-length or just below that to be my "go to" most of the time, however in Iowa it's cold, but not "that" cold. You'll make a good choice, and it's good you are thinking/planning ahead for this purchase.

Great! What temperatures are we talking about?

Just measured my really pleasant Barbour Lens, unlined unwaxed cotton summer jacket, it has an 80 cm, 31.5" back. On the other hand it's a loose fitting thin jacket.

Rickard_H · Apr 8, 2017

Anyone who's worn out a wool tartan or Harris tweed lining or something similar and can say something about how long it'll last?

tropicalbob · Apr 8, 2017

I agree with the comments above about the LHB in brown. I've had one for six years, and it has become my one and only. One word of caution I'd give is that you should stress to Aero that you may want to layer underneath it. Mine is really a perfect fit, but anything more than a sweater of mid-thickness feels a bit tight.

Robson · Apr 8, 2017

My wintercoat is a Hercules with alpaca lining.
I am about your size and its a size 40 with a 30" back
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-jacket-are-you-wearing-today.82949/page-21#post-2043791

I wear it all the time from september till spring, then I change to my HWM with cotton drill lining

Rickard_H · Apr 9, 2017

tropicalbob said:
I agree with the comments above about the LHB in brown. I've had one for six years, and it has become my one and only. One word of caution I'd give is that you should stress to Aero that you may want to layer underneath it. Mine is really a perfect fit, but anything more than a sweater of mid-thickness feels a bit tight.

Thanks! Although I think that's what I'd like, for colder temps I have other jackets. Right now I'm aiming for a jacket that works above freezing.

Robson said:
My wintercoat is a Hercules with alpaca lining.
I am about your size and its a size 40 with a 30" back
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-jacket-are-you-wearing-today.82949/page-21#post-2043791

I wear it all the time from september till spring, then I change to my HWM with cotton drill lining

Ok, nice jacket!

Rickard_H · Apr 9, 2017

Another thought...

As I've said a couple of times, I like the Wayfarer and the Long half belt the most. The only thing is that they both have a little boring upper backs, in my eyes the Half back deluxe and the August looks nicer with more shaped yoke and bi-swing back. The Bi-swing also sounds like a useful feature in a slim jacket.

Could it be possible to ask Aero to make any of them with a Bi-swing back or would that be faaaar into the customizations that they won't do anymore?

And, most important, would it look as good as I imagine or would it just be a weird mix of styles?

After all, the August is an example of the 30's as is the Wayfarer and the same goes with the 50's and the LHB and the HBD.

Sloan1874 · Apr 9, 2017

Long Half Belt comes with a bi-swing as standard. You could ask if something like the Dust Bowl or Sunburst back could be added. I don't think that would be impossible.

ProteinNerd · Apr 9, 2017

Ask Aero obviously, but I'd assume they could match the similar era (and thus pattern) jackets. I've definitely seen 50's half belts with and without action backs and the LHB is just a longer version. I haven't seen many Wayfarers or Augusts for that matter so can't comment on those sorry.

Rickard_H · Apr 9, 2017

Sloan1874 said:
Long Half Belt comes with a bi-swing as standard. You could ask if something like the Dust Bowl or Sunburst back could be added. I don't think that would be impossible.

Yes right but it doesn't have the yoke of the HBD instead. Good catch!

Sure the Dust Bowl and Sunburst looks nice!

Good to hear that you think it would be possible!

Sloan1874 · Apr 9, 2017

The Dust Bowl is a very close cousin to the 50s HB, so that would be the easiest fit.

handymike · Apr 9, 2017

A long half- belt deluxe with removeable fur collar would be awesome.

Rickard_H · Apr 9, 2017

Are the vertical seams at the back of the Dustbowls just seams or do they fold like an action back?

A little hard to tell from the pictures.

handymike · Apr 9, 2017

The seams on the dustbowl open.
Here is a shot of what the back looks on a longer jacket:

Here is my jacket (1930s) with just the top yoke:

Rickard_H · Apr 9, 2017

Nice jackets!

So you don't like it when they open? Doesn't it make the jacket easier to wear if it's a tight fit? What's the bad part of it?

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