First Aero, First Post, BIG Dilemma

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

After months of lurking in the shadows, avidly absorbing the invaluable volume of knowledge shared here,
I am coming out with a first post, to coincide with the order of my very first Aero Leather Jacket.

A late coming of age at 58, it figured that if I didn’t, I may never get to witness the spectacle of the jacket’s breaking and ageing process, as it would probably outlive my own!

The model decision has been obsessively agonising, from HWM to J-106 via Cafe and Sheene, then straight back to the HWM

The HB was also in the picture but without the chance of trying it on, I was worried about that very distinctive back shape. By contrast having owned several Schott 630 in the past, the relative safety of the HWM got the edge.

I ride a motorbike but only in fair weather so that kind of ruled out a dedicated motorcycle jacket such as any D Pockets or Cafe Racers and I also own an old faithful Perfecto 118, so In the end, versatility and common sense prevailed.

I know exactly what I want the jacket to look like so I have gone for Premier shape, zipped sleeves, slanted chest pockets, single tip western back yoke w/gussets, Lochcarron tartan, antique brass hardware.

So trigger been pulled, order placed, deposit fished out of my account yesterday, conversation started, it’s time to stop messing around and get on with the real scary part, The Leather.

After literally months of browsing more images than a teenager who’s just discovered online porn, and more U-Turns than an Uber lost in Beijin, the choice is now restricted to the following:

1-BLACK CXL FQHH (BADASS)

2- BROWN CXL FQHH (SAFE AS)

3- RUSSET VIC HH (THE GODFATHER)

4- BLACKENED BROWN VIC HH (THE TWIST!!)

I have always maintained that one’s first Aero MUST be CXL but now that the time has come I am no longer so sure!

The more images I see and the more I read the more indecisive I become, it’s KILLING me which id of course ridiculous, but not as much as the fact that I am already planning my second one as a back up for a dubious decision that hasn’t even been made yet!!!

I clearly need help!!….I would be interested to hear from long standing Aerologists about their experience and choices when they first pulled that trigger and how those choices have reflected over the life of the jacket.....

mendelboaz · May 8, 2021

My vote goes to CXL, as I am a huge fan of the way it ages, the amazing color variances (especially in the brown CXL), and the incredible smell. So then the important question is, do you want the very badass black aging to grey to brown over the years (does require some dedication for any real patina to show through, but once it does it looks amazing), or do you want the straight-out-of-the-box incredibly rich and varied color of brown CXL?

Bfd70 · May 8, 2021

Black CXl for the win.

Jin431 · May 8, 2021

Can't go wrong with either black or brown cxl, check your current wardrobe to see which color will be easier to pair with whatever you currently own. If you want an easy wearing jacket right off the bat that will show immediate character with a few wears then go with the blackened brown vic, it's easier to wear off your bike too since it midweight.

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

mendelboaz said:
My vote goes to CXL, as I am a huge fan of the way it ages, the amazing color variances (especially in the brown CXL), and the incredible smell. So then the important question is, do you want the very badass black aging to grey to brown over the years (does require some dedication for any real patina to show through, but once it does it looks amazing), or do you want the straight-out-of-the-box incredibly rich and varied color of brown CXL?

Dedication is not an issue, traditionally I have always preferred black, in fact, that was never even a question, I was never too keen on the brown leather and never owned much of anything in brown except maybe for my Oro Tan Red Wings

......this has changed somehow in recent years and now suddenly I find myself staring at those brown/amber/tan marbly shades and I just drool...then a photo of a well seasoned black CXL comes up and I 'm back to square one....

That's why I am contemplating a second order in black...but it is pure financial madness

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

Bfd70 said:
Black CXl for the win.

straight forward. I like it

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

Jin431 said:
Can't go wrong with either black or brown cxl, check your current wardrobe to see which color will be easier to pair with whatever you currently own. If you want an easy wearing jacket right off the bat that will show immediate character with a few wears then go with the blackened brown vic, it's easier to wear off your bike too since it midweight.

I have seen some spectacular wear on that, I just think I will ned up with CXL simply because I have been longing for it for so long, very good tip about checking the wardrobe and collection of boots...

Monitor · May 8, 2021

Rokhardo63 said:
After months of lurking in the shadows, avidly absorbing the invaluable volume of knowledge shared here,
I am coming out with a first post, to coincide with the order of my very first Aero Leather Jacket.

A late coming of age at 58, it figured that if I didn’t, I may never get to witness the spectacle of the jacket’s breaking and ageing process, as it would probably outlive my own!

The model decision has been obsessively agonising, from HWM to J-106 via Cafe and Sheene, then straight back to the HWM

The HB was also in the picture but without the chance of trying it on, I was worried about that very distinctive back shape. By contrast having owned several Schott 630 in the past, the relative safety of the HWM got the edge.

I ride a motorbike but only in fair weather so that kind of ruled out a dedicated motorcycle jacket such as any D Pockets or Cafe Racers and I also own an old faithful Perfecto 118, so In the end, versatility and common sense prevailed.

I know exactly what I want the jacket to look like so I have gone for Premier shape, zipped sleeves, slanted chest pockets, single tip western back yoke w/gussets, Lochcarron tartan, antique brass hardware.

So trigger been pulled, order placed, deposit fished out of my account yesterday, conversation started, it’s time to stop messing around and get on with the real scary part, The Leather.

After literally months of browsing more images than a teenager who’s just discovered online porn, and more U-Turns than an Uber lost in Beijin, the choice is now restricted to the following:

1-BLACK CXL FQHH (BADASS)

2- BROWN CXL FQHH (SAFE AS)

3- RUSSET VIC HH (THE GODFATHER)

4- BLACKENED BROWN VIC HH (THE TWIST!!)

I have always maintained that one’s first Aero MUST be CXL but now that the time has come I am no longer so sure!

The more images I see and the more I read the more indecisive I become, it’s KILLING me which id of course ridiculous, but not as much as the fact that I am already planning my second one as a back up for a dubious decision that hasn’t even been made yet!!!

I clearly need help!!….I would be interested to hear from long standing Aerologists about their experience and choices when they first pulled that trigger and how those choices have reflected over the life of the jacket.....

Jerky horsehide. You'll thank me later.

CXL is too heavy and it's only a matter of time until you discover looking at it is much more fun than wearing it, while within the specific arena where Vicenza competes, you'll find much better contenders. Like Shinki, for instance. Or indeed Jerky HH.

For me, when it comes to Aero, Jerky is where it's at.

jacketjunkie · May 8, 2021

I own russet vicenca and brown clx jackets and both are beautiful to look at. I feel clx ages more nicely with color fades and scratches blending in nicely and fitting the charm where as scratches in the vicenca make it look worn out rather than worn in while it looks dressier in general. I'd take vicenca for a careful special occasions dressy weekend wear jacket and clx for a jacket that sees a lot of wear and will get roughened up.

handymike · May 8, 2021

Cxl for the “biker look” or Vicenza for the “rock-n-roll” vibe.
Jerky is worth looking at...get some samples

Or you can go for something different and beautifully gorgeous with Cordovan CXL Steerhide!

Salmosalar · May 8, 2021

Rokhardo63 said:
After months of lurking in the shadows, avidly absorbing the invaluable volume of knowledge shared here,
I am coming out with a first post, to coincide with the order of my very first Aero Leather Jacket.

A late coming of age at 58, it figured that if I didn’t, I may never get to witness the spectacle of the jacket’s breaking and ageing process, as it would probably outlive my own!

The model decision has been obsessively agonising, from HWM to J-106 via Cafe and Sheene, then straight back to the HWM

The HB was also in the picture but without the chance of trying it on, I was worried about that very distinctive back shape. By contrast having owned several Schott 630 in the past, the relative safety of the HWM got the edge.

I ride a motorbike but only in fair weather so that kind of ruled out a dedicated motorcycle jacket such as any D Pockets or Cafe Racers and I also own an old faithful Perfecto 118, so In the end, versatility and common sense prevailed.

I know exactly what I want the jacket to look like so I have gone for Premier shape, zipped sleeves, slanted chest pockets, single tip western back yoke w/gussets, Lochcarron tartan, antique brass hardware.

So trigger been pulled, order placed, deposit fished out of my account yesterday, conversation started, it’s time to stop messing around and get on with the real scary part, The Leather.

After literally months of browsing more images than a teenager who’s just discovered online porn, and more U-Turns than an Uber lost in Beijin, the choice is now restricted to the following:

1-BLACK CXL FQHH (BADASS)

2- BROWN CXL FQHH (SAFE AS)

3- RUSSET VIC HH (THE GODFATHER)

4- BLACKENED BROWN VIC HH (THE TWIST!!)

I have always maintained that one’s first Aero MUST be CXL but now that the time has come I am no longer so sure!

The more images I see and the more I read the more indecisive I become, it’s KILLING me which id of course ridiculous, but not as much as the fact that I am already planning my second one as a back up for a dubious decision that hasn’t even been made yet!!!

I clearly need help!!….I would be interested to hear from long standing Aerologists about their experience and choices when they first pulled that trigger and how those choices have reflected over the life of the jacket.....

Aero currently have a limited trial run of black badalassi at present that you might want to check out - I think that would be perfect for this style....

handymike · May 8, 2021

^^now that is the right suggestion!
...but remove the shoulder gussets. The Badalassi will make this a very classy jacket that should have a clean rear silhouette.

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead · May 8, 2021

nothing looks better than CXL imo if what you want is like a vintage, worn in sort of style. But it's not comfortable necessarily. It's loaded with wax so it's super stiff if you're wearing in a cold weather climate. And obviously you won't wear much in a warm weather climate. But the breakdown, color shading, creasing, etc. is second to none. I haven't handled a lot of Shinki, but that might be the ultimate I guess, but CXL is right up there from what I've handled as well.

If you want more of a "dress up" leather jacket, I'd go Badalassi, classic style like PHW, Everyman, etc.

The Jerky and I'd add Battered Tan are also great suggestions. I haven't handled but pics have been great.

Long story short, if you think you're going to end up with a handful of jackets, I'd definitely get a CXL. But if it's a one and done, I'd really take my time. Most of my madness is from chasing what I think I wanted and ended up with way more than I needed. But at the same time, I discovered a lot of things I didn't know about.

handymike · May 8, 2021

Maybe the first question should be “are you a results oriented guy, or do you enjoy the journey”

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

Monitor said:
Jerky horsehide. You'll thank me later.

CXL is too heavy and it's only a matter of time until you discover looking at it is much more fun than wearing it, while within the specific arena where Vicenza competes, you'll find much better contenders. Like Shinki, for instance. Or indeed Jerky HH.

For me, when it comes to Aero, Jerky is where it's at.

I may well be wrong because I have not seen it in the flesh, but the Jerky seems to me quite "opaque" if that makes sense? Grainy, and in all the photos I have seen almost dull...the one thing that definitely does it for me is oily/marbly, almost shiny, that deep butterscotch intensity with lots of variations.
again I may be completely off piste and Jerky can be all of that, but that is the impression I have got, I will definitely ask for samples.
Shinki I have not seen, I will research it...much appreciated input

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

jacketjunkie said:
I own russet vicenca and brown clx jackets and both are beautiful to look at. I feel clx ages more nicely with color fades and scratches blending in nicely and fitting the charm where as scratches in the vicenca make it look worn out rather than worn in while it looks dressier in general. I'd take vicenca for a careful special occasions dressy weekend wear jacket and clx for a jacket that sees a lot of wear and will get roughened up.

so you see...I need two!...
russet Vicenza in photos looks absolutely stunning, is there much difference in thickness
what styles are your CLX and Vic?

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

handymike said:
Maybe the first question should be “are you a results oriented guy, or do you enjoy the journey”

journey all day long

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

handymike said:
Cxl for the “biker look” or Vicenza for the “rock-n-roll” vibe.
Jerky is worth looking at...get some samples

Or you can go for something different and beautifully gorgeous with Cordovan CXL Steerhide!

Cordovan is also on my radar, I can see a nice bootlegger with blonde mutton collar!!
see?!.....it's endless

handymike · May 8, 2021

Rokhardo63 said:
journey all day long

Then CXL!
There will be opportunities for other hides on other builds.

Popa_B.A.D. · May 8, 2021

handymike said:
^^now that is the right suggestion!
...but remove the shoulder gussets. The Badalassi will make this a very classy jacket that should have a clean rear silhouette.

Badalassi is also in contention, if it's even possible to make it even harder, although if I was going down that route it would probably be russet
the shoulder gussets are a fixation of mine, although I see the "clean lines" concept. I think I'll end up with them if nothing else for the excuse of motorcycle riding!

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