A long wait that proved to be well worth it! This might get a little long, I’ll try to keep it short! First off, my sincere thanks to Aero, who have yet again brought a huge smile to my face. This jacket was made by Julie, the undisputed master Jedi of machinists at Aero. I believe she has made all but one of my jackets. Her work, as usual, is flawless. After buying and really enjoying the fit of two different jackets I wanted to mash them together and create a real workhorse feeling utility jacket. The first was psant’s brown zip sleeve HWM and then this vintage excelled 50’e era HB (the original ass kicker) I purchased from robinray. I really liked the feel of both of these. Particularly the vintage jacket, which was a true Halfbelt but with the adjusters placed at the waist. The wheels were turning! My original idea was to take the zip sleeve HWM and move the belts up 5”, remove the waist band, storm cuff and throat latch. The more I thought about it, the less convinced I was that it would yield the result I wanted. So it occurred to me that an extreme waist taper on the 50’s HB would be the better route. Plus I get to keep the actual false belt which the excelled had (and the adjustments straps where I wanted them anyway). I went with a standard size 40” and cut 2” off the waist. Which is probably very close to what the standard HWM does. I also subtracted 1” of body length from my typical 50’s pattern spec. From 27” to 26”. I likely wouldn’t be able to zip it if it were any longer, and I think it was a good call for the overall look (as long as it doesn’t shrink) I’ve got the belts cinched in pretty tight in these pics. Still trying to find the sweet spot. One thing to note, the 50’s HB has zero front drop. It’s almost as if the finished jacket is cut at the hem with a table saw. Lined in brown cord, sleeves in OD with OD knits, throat latch and my go to back config. silver nickel zips with the same puller. I do plan on finding something to personalize the chest pull. This s my 3rd Aero in midnight blue. The hide this go round has much more green than the last batch I had, and much more everything than the first. It’s a lovely dark evergreen. It’s definitely blue but there is a really strong green undertone. It’s a beautiful chameleon. I think with some wear it will really be special. I plan to be the person to give it that wear...FOR ONCE! I wanted to get some outside shots but it’s just too damn cold. Now commence the selling it when jokes and have a great weekend y’all
What a great color! As usual, the fit is on point. I think you could loosen the straps a little, shape the collar, and still be on the money. Congratulations!
That looks really, good! I really like the colour, and i think the shorter length works really well. I really hope you keep that one long enough for the leather to evolve into glory. If you don't i will be taking part in the fight for it that will happen in the classifieds, may the quickest man win.
Wow! Simply wow! So many crazy, daring options on this. In the plainest brown CXL I think this might be my dream jacket. That fit looks perfect to me, snug at the waist with a little more comfort in the shoulders and chest. That corduroy lining and those storm cuffs....Crazy but crazy good
Comments on fit are redundant at this point of course - tho I will echo the @Carlos840 observation on the length which is perfect, IMO - but that color is absolutely amazing and I would love to see this jacket after a couple of years of actual use. I really wonder how this teal would fade to brown, it ought to look really interesting. It's a really, really nice, fun and unique jacket.
Wow!! you did it again Tony making everyone envious and Carlos will fighting me and I am sure others if you do put it up for sale which I hope you don't
Tony, I hereby formally withdraw my offer to buy this jacket, made in the other thread. This is YOURS. May you grow old together. If you decide to abandon it - fine. But I shall have no part in such utter folly!
What a fun color to wear and mess around town with! You did it again @ton312! Fit and details are spot on! Congratulations
Great choice in options. A dialed in perfect fit. That third photo really captures this gorgeous color. Well done-- CONGRATULATIONS!!
Amazing jacket there Tony!! This should almost have it's own model named after you. And only offered in the signature Horween blue FQHH... Only one real suprise here for me is the lack of zip-sleeves and the addition of storm cuffs. I can see however how this is more "practical" or even a little bit "dressy." Go take your family out for a "take out" date night tomorrow night (you are in Chicago still) and enjoy wearing this around. It is amazing and I along with everyone here really hope you enjoy this jacket for a long, long time!
Fit is always beyond perfect with @ton312 ...the color has exceeded the fit this time around.. looks terrific !
Another perfect creation! Really love the collar on this one! It's awesome man, wear it, love it, enjoy it!
Tony, awesome jacket and fit. That leather is superb! Well done. I am curious on the p2p as the jacket's tagged a 40, and you are what, a 42-44 typically? Mind sharing a measurement or two? We are pretty close to the same size so just wondering how this jacket measured up,
Sure! Here ya go, despite the size 40” tag it fits more like a 42/44”. You can see too there’s quite a waist taper to it. Sleeves are 26” as is the back length.
This is a blue/green, cordovan is a purple/red, Aero really need to sort out their colors! Only joking, great jacket and fit, congratulations. I’m sure it will only improve in, say, a year or two of you wearing it!