Eastman A-2 Flight Jacket - sizing fit pics - 38 or 40?

octopus_luke · Oct 19, 2018

Hi guys,

I just had a mid-nineties Eastman A-2 delivered that I found on eBay. It's a size 40. I was a bit skeptical about the size, as I'm normally a 38 in almost everything else (including the Irvin flight jacket).

The jacket feels good on, with what feels like the right arm length, but it is a little boxy perhaps in the body. I will also need to get used to the leather rubbing sound around the collar as I move

I've attached some photos of me wearing the jacket with just a t-shirt underneath. Would love a second opinion.

Additionally, I found a size 38 of a similar age and condition too. That should be delivered tomorrow (I'll post photos of that too).

I plan to sell on whichever one is not quite the right fit for me.

thanks,
Luke

Seb Lucas · Oct 19, 2018

Fits fine to my eye. The knits are wrecked - moths?

Remember sizing labels mean nothing. I wear a size 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 depending on the cut of the jacket or the maker.

Steve27752 · Oct 19, 2018

Your ELC looks okay to me.

Peacoat · Oct 19, 2018

You have a bit of extra material in the body, but the sleeves are a good fit. If the 38 you have on the way is the same company, the sleeves may be too short. As Seb said above, the stated size doesn't always correlate with the size that fits you.

If you are having a squeaking sound, put some Pecard or other conditioner on the threads. The movement of the threads against the leather causes the squeak. I prefer a grease type conditioner over a lotion, such as Lexol, but I have used Lexol with good results. It just doesn't last as long.

octopus_luke · Oct 19, 2018

Thanks for the feedback so far. The 38 that’s coming is indeed from ELC. I’ll post photos when I have them.

octopus_luke · Oct 19, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
Fits fine to my eye. The knits are wrecked - moths?

Remember sizing labels mean nothing. I wear a size 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 depending on the cut of the jacket or the maker.

Moths - most probably. I have enquired with ELC about the replacements and will get them delivered once I determine which jacket to keep (I think the 38”s knits are in better shape).

GregGale · Oct 19, 2018

Is it the House A-2? If so, that's a bit boxier than some original maker A-2s. The fit is fine, although it's not the trimmest of fits. Depends on what you prefer. Length's are also good. Looking forward to seeing the 38. I prefer a snug fit, but some people would call it downright small. We have different tastes, and wartime fit varied from extremely snug to very baggy.

octopus_luke · Oct 19, 2018

GregGale said:
Is it the House A-2? If so, that's a bit boxier than some original maker A-2s. The fit is fine, although it's not the trimmest of fits. Depends on what you prefer. Length's are also good. Looking forward to seeing the 38. I prefer a snug fit, but some people would call it downright small. We have different tastes, and wartime fit varied from extremely snug to very baggy.

I probably prefer the snug too, depending on the arm holes and length. I’m 180cm by the way, if anyone else sizing up for these is curious.

octopus_luke · Oct 22, 2018

Here’s the 38 fit pics. Definitely more snug, and without the bagginess. What do people think?

I tried this on only with a thin shirt. I could probably chuck on a light sweater in between.

willyto · Oct 22, 2018

Definitely keep the 38. It fits you a lot better.

Carlos840 · Oct 22, 2018

Agreed, 38 fits much better.

Jeremiah · Oct 23, 2018

Stick with the 40. Trust me. ELC's leather shrinks up with some sweat and rain. I have a 40 that now fits more like a 36 on me. Tight in the shoulders and when I zip it up it is pretty snug. The 40 looks more like a wartime fit. The 38 looks more like a modern fit. Go with what feels best to you but that 38 will get smaller. Trust me. Only difference between those two is the arm length anyway. The arms will shrink up bit with the creases.

octopus_luke · Oct 23, 2018

Jeremiah said:
Stick with the 40. Trust me. ELC's leather shrinks up with some sweat and rain. I have a 40 that now fits more like a 36 on me. Tight in the shoulders and when I zip it up it is pretty snug. The 40 looks more like a wartime fit. The 38 looks more like a modern fit. Go with what feels best to you but that 38 will get smaller. Trust me. Only difference between those two is the arm length anyway. The arms will shrink up bit with the creases.

Fair point, but I should add the jacket is up to twenty years old (not sure if anyone can help date it more specifically?), so I was expecting that there shouldn’t be much more shrinkage.

Additionally, the 38 does feel better in the body. Snug, but fitted. I found that there was way too much excess in moving around in the 40, but then again, I didn’t consider how significant any shrinkage would be.

GregGale · Oct 23, 2018

I much prefer the 38! Nice fit!

Dav · Oct 23, 2018

Another vote for the 38 from me.

octopus_luke · Oct 24, 2018

Thanks guys! Looks like the snug 38 will be sticking around. I just need to lightly condition this old leather and I’ll be in business!

willyto · Oct 24, 2018

Also I recommend you to flip the collar up put it inside the sink with warm water and shape it to your liking, it will get a better shape and look more relaxed.

octopus_luke · Oct 24, 2018

willyto said:
Also I recommend you to flip the collar up put it inside the sink with warm water and shape it to your liking, it will get a better shape and look more relaxed.

Good tip! Not quite sure how i would like it otherwise, but perhaps worth playing around with it.

willyto · Oct 24, 2018

octopus_luke said:
Good tip! Not quite sure how i would like it otherwise, but perhaps worth playing around with it.

They usually look better when not using the collar snaps, the water will make the leather easy to shape and when it dries it will keep the new shape you gave it. No need to do anything extreme wet it and give it a bit of curve to your liking.

An example:

Before

After

ubi · Oct 29, 2020

[QUOTE = "octopus_luke, post: 2474934, member: 34557"] Ciao ragazzi,

Ho appena ricevuto un Eastman A-2 della metà degli anni novanta che ho trovato su eBay. È una taglia 40. Ero un po 'scettica sulla taglia, dato che normalmente sono una 38 in quasi tutto il resto (inclusa la giacca da volo Irvin).

La giacca si sente bene, con quella che sembra la lunghezza del braccio destro, ma forse è un po 'squadrata nel corpo. Dovrò anche abituarmi al rumore di sfregamento della pelle attorno al colletto mentre mi muovo

Ho allegato alcune foto di me che indosso la giacca con solo una maglietta sotto. Mi piacerebbe una seconda opinione.

Inoltre, ho trovato anche una taglia 38 di età e condizione simili. Dovrebbe essere consegnato domani (posterò anche le foto).

Ho intenzione di vendere su quello che non è adatto a me.

Grazie,
Luke [ATTACH = full] 140582 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 140583 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 140584 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 140585 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 140586 [/ ATTACH ] [ATTACH = full] 140582 [/ ATTACH] [/ QUOTE]

Eastman A-2 Flight Jacket - sizing fit pics - 38 or 40?

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