jonbuilder
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The leather jackets I wore during my early years were much larger than I would consider today. They were sold and replaced with smaller jackets.
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Explaining the Aero Fit.
- Thread starter cloudylemonade
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While I still think the Highwayman is one of the coolest looking jackets in the world when worn in the right size, I don't think there's anyone in the world who'd prefer it in an intended size number.
Even in the 80s they were cut smaller. My old one in a 38 had 17.5” shoulders and 21.5” pit to pit. I’m not sure when they “grew”. I get that the body shapes might be based on certain decades, but even Aero states that the Highwayman is a “boxier American cut...” (ie larger) the Original 59’er should fit more accurately, right?
I think it would be a great move to standardize shoulder and pit to pit across their line. Then the “fit” of the decade design/ pattern would be more apparent.
I think it would be a great move to standardize shoulder and pit to pit across their line. Then the “fit” of the decade design/ pattern would be more apparent.
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I had no problem with my first top tier leather jacket circa 2000. I knew I wore a size 40 off the rack and Aero had a Highwayman with added sleeve length on their sales page....
So on my first custom I simply added a little body length on my Bootlegger that I prefered.....
So on my first custom I simply added a little body length on my Bootlegger that I prefered.....
But it's not 100% fool proof.
My GF had an Aero jacket made, they sent a first fit jacket which really didn't work, we sent it back, they sent a second one which was much better, small adjustement were made before they did the leather version.
When she received the leather version she was originally pretty happy, as it did fit decently and looked good in pictures, but she found it so uncomfortable she ended up never wearing it.
She tried all the break in tricks, nothing worked, she hasn't worn the jacket in 4 years...
It's not that she doesn't like leather jackets either, she wear her Lewis Leathers all the time.
In this case, the cotton test jacket didn't translate well into leather.
If anyone wants a nice present for their GF, we were actually discussing putting it up for sale on TFL soon:
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When I found Thedi. I did contact Thurston brothers for a fit jacket just to see how Thedi fit....
The fit jacket slipped right on in place like I'd already worn it for awhile. Nice! So I ordered my preferred sleeve length of 26 1/4 and same body length. When it arrived I fell in love. For me it was beyond my expectations. So I never really had a problem figuring out fit for me. I just searched for a brand that had a leather and style that I liked and requested my measurements for fit. I liked the Thedi style.
The fit jacket slipped right on in place like I'd already worn it for awhile. Nice! So I ordered my preferred sleeve length of 26 1/4 and same body length. When it arrived I fell in love. For me it was beyond my expectations. So I never really had a problem figuring out fit for me. I just searched for a brand that had a leather and style that I liked and requested my measurements for fit. I liked the Thedi style.
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El Marro
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Agreed!
I have owned three Highwaymen and the third one fits the best. It is a size 42 while every other jacket I own is a size 44 or 46.
To be fair, you are passionate about this hobby and you spent a lot of time honing your knowledge and I suspect these friends of yours at least to a certain extent as well.
I will admit freely that I had no idea of my measurements until spending some time here.
Seems like Aero decided to dictate the fit you should have. The "better make it too big than too tight" mentality I guess.
To be really honest, I was mainly looking for "good enough" especially considering that my weight has not been so stable. Which means that my perfect fitting jacket varies depending on my weight lol
Technically you can adjust the fit of a jacket or change your body to fit better when you think about it... although the latter might be a bit extreme
You went with Johnson Leathers... they know what they are doing. They got me a spot on fit, the first time - they actually did a second mock up jacket just to be sure to get the fit right with me. And now they are making another mock up for the oncoming orders.
jonbuilder
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well put
dudewuttheheck
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That's a good point. I'm too used to thinking of this place as "normal."To be fair, you are passionate about this hobby and you spent a lot of time honing your knowledge and I suspect these friends of yours at least to a certain extent as well.
I will admit freely that I had no idea of my measurements until spending some time here.
jonbuilder
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I not suggesting my comments apply to your girlfriend or yourself. As you have stated more elegantly than I ever could jacket patterns are a multi-dimension process. I think when working with a heavy and stiff leather-like Hoween CXL the fit or jacket measurements need to work with the leather, heavy stiffer leather cut into a jacket pattern like a close-fitting men's sports jacket cut from fine wool will not be comfortable to wear, it just does not work. The same goes for laddies jackets made from heavy leather being cut to resemble models wearing fashion jackets cut from thin lambskin. This is an example of the wearer's learning curb that Marc mentioned. The fit process involves two people the tailor and the wearer. Skilled tailors will make suggestions so the finished jacket works.But it's not 100% fool proof.
My GF had an Aero jacket made, they sent a first fit jacket which really didn't work, we sent it back, they sent a second one which was much better, small adjustement were made before they did the leather version.
When she received the leather version she was originally pretty happy, as it did fit decently and looked good in pictures, but she found it so uncomfortable she ended up never wearing it.
She tried all the break in tricks, nothing worked, she hasn't worn the jacket in 4 years...
It's not that she doesn't like leather jackets either, she wear her Lewis Leathers all the time.
In this case, the cotton test jacket didn't translate well into leather.
If anyone wants a nice present for their GF, we were actually discussing putting it up for sale on TFL soon:
Alan at JL did convince one of our members that a 6 oz jacket would not be practical to wear.
Another point the leather jackets from the 1920s through the 1950s were work and sporting jackets. Currently, many of the jackets we are wearing are modeled after these work jackets but we are not buying them as work jackets.
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I think it's not that simple...We both knew more or less what we were doing when we ordered this jacket.
She already owned and wore a Lewis Leathers which was made of similar thickness leather.
The Aero pictured is Vincenza, so not super thick. The measurements of the Aero are actually all bigger than the Lewis.
The problems she is experiencing with it are the same i have with my Aeros, it hangs on the neck and gives her back pain, and the jacket has poor mobility whilst not being tight in any way.
It's the classic "it feels too big and too small at the same time" Aero fit.
Tusche
Familiar Face
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I own about 35 Aero jackets and had never ever any fit issues. ( maybe just from my personal perspective ) Most of them I bought via german retailers.
The only thing I changed from the standard pattern are the back and sleeve length.
This feeling “too big and too small at the same time” is something I can’t imagine.
Always my order includes the words “ HH as heavy as possible “.
I enjoy the break in time and really like how beautiful the HH ages.
The size advice from Aero is pretty clear to me.
Normally I am a size 38, as a example the classic Highwayman I size down to 36, the premium highwayman I size up to a size 40.
Both fits perfectly.
Due to the fact I own really more than enough I have one for every single opportunity.
Some fits with just a T- Shirt underneath, some has room for a heavy layering underneath, some are my jackets riding my sidecar rig, some are for a nice evening at a good restaurant.
By the way I own leather jackets from Eastman, Thedi, LW, Les Motocyclettistes, Orgueil, Y2, Finecreek, Himel, SB, Real McCoys, Original WW A2, The Few, Buzz Rickson, Whitefeathers, Mr. Freedom, Addict clothes, Vanson as well.
This said I am not an expert about the right fit but I have really a couple of jackets to compare.
I will never judge about someone’s jacket or the fit ( except someone asked me ) because for me all is a personal feeling and taste.
The only thing I changed from the standard pattern are the back and sleeve length.
This feeling “too big and too small at the same time” is something I can’t imagine.
Always my order includes the words “ HH as heavy as possible “.
I enjoy the break in time and really like how beautiful the HH ages.
The size advice from Aero is pretty clear to me.
Normally I am a size 38, as a example the classic Highwayman I size down to 36, the premium highwayman I size up to a size 40.
Both fits perfectly.
Due to the fact I own really more than enough I have one for every single opportunity.
Some fits with just a T- Shirt underneath, some has room for a heavy layering underneath, some are my jackets riding my sidecar rig, some are for a nice evening at a good restaurant.
By the way I own leather jackets from Eastman, Thedi, LW, Les Motocyclettistes, Orgueil, Y2, Finecreek, Himel, SB, Real McCoys, Original WW A2, The Few, Buzz Rickson, Whitefeathers, Mr. Freedom, Addict clothes, Vanson as well.
This said I am not an expert about the right fit but I have really a couple of jackets to compare.
I will never judge about someone’s jacket or the fit ( except someone asked me ) because for me all is a personal feeling and taste.
hondurasdave47
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Sorry, I didn't make it past the first sentence!
Marc mndt
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Which whitefeather do you own? I would love to some pics. Those are a rarity here at the lounge. I especially like their cossack.
But it's not 100% fool proof.
My GF had an Aero jacket made, they sent a first fit jacket which really didn't work, we sent it back, they sent a second one which was much better, small adjustement were made before they did the leather version.
When she received the leather version she was originally pretty happy, as it did fit decently and looked good in pictures, but she found it so uncomfortable she ended up never wearing it.
She tried all the break in tricks, nothing worked, she hasn't worn the jacket in 4 years...
It's not that she doesn't like leather jackets either, she wear her Lewis Leathers all the time.
In this case, the cotton test jacket didn't translate well into leather.
If anyone wants a nice present for their GF, we were actually discussing putting it up for sale on TFL soon:
What leather is that?
