From the front, it looks as good as a Highwayman can. But I'd take 0.5" off the sleeves, they're sitting heavy on the top of your hands, if you ask me. I'd also like to see the back with the jacket zipped up. I had a Highwayman that looked great at the front, but the back was just too broad across the shoulders. If it's fine, then it'll be good to go with a Bootlegger - which I happen to think is a far cooler jacket.
Pretty common in these parts, I think, bearing in mind the commonality of armed civilians and concealed-carry laws in the US.
If you are only going to wear it unzipped then it looks like a good fit. Don't know about the fit with it zipped. If you wear it over your pistol, the Highwayman has side buckles that could be adjusted out on your strong side. Or you could always leave it unzipped and fit with the pistol wouldn't be a problem. As another poster said, hold off on buying another jacket just now. Wear this one, break it in and enjoy for a couple of years, then get the other jacket.
Appears to fit the way a HWM is supposed to fit, although as @Sloan1874 said, the sleeves might be a tad on the long side. If you were to size down, the HWM might be too tight in the chest and shoulders. If you keep the fit HWM, I would also recommend not rushing to buy a second jacket this season but wait to see how the HWM breaks in before making fit micro adjustments from your HWM to a Bootlegger. If you decide to send the HWM back to Carrie, have pictures taken front and back with the fit jacket zipped and your arms by your side for Carrie's assessment.
just my 2 cents but, i would send it back, not because it it doesn't fit or look great because it does. I just think its much easier to find a Highwayman jacket either gently used on FL/eBay/Grail etc or directly from the Aero sale pages than it will be to get a similar Bootlegger. there are about 10 Highwayman on the Aero sales page this morning in various sizes, colors & leathers
Valid point, too.... the HWM is Aero's biggest seller, which inevitably means more of them on the used market too.
She's staying! I slept in it the last three nights and I hate to take it off when it gets hot during the day. Incidentally, I found that a wool Pakol hat and afghan scarf go right well with the jacket yesterday. This thing can look good anywhere in the world, I think. Several of my coworkers asked about it and I've passed on Thurston's information to them so that they can get their own.
Good thing about working in Afghanistan is that your wife/GF isn't there to make fun of you for sleeping with a leather jacket on...
It looks fine to me and I would keep it, especially so if it will work well with the sidearm choice. The old "she sent me a different model fit jacket, but one that has the same kind of fit" is how Thurston sold me two jackets: the fit jacket, which my wife insisted I keep (well, gee honey, okay) and the one I originally intended to order. Enjoy both your new jackets!!
I can't even be mad about it. They're such a pleasure to deal with, and their products are top shelf. I know I'll end up with the Bootlegger as well, before too long.
Great fit, very nice jacket. Looks perfect on you. Know the place, pulled out from Kabul precisely 3 years ago. Keep your head down and keep well. Greetings to all BW buddies.