Getting a second Aero Jacket, what style should I get?

[JanW]

Hi all,

On the heels of my first Aero jacket (Cordovan Zip-Sleeve Highwayman), I'm thinking of another one in a lighter sort of leather, which I can use as a travel jacket (It's true what they say that it's addicting). To round it off, I'm thinking of a more formal-looking style which I can wear to semi-formal events in a pinch. I'm looking at two options:

Aeromarine

Or

Royale

Offhand, both strike me as very similar and the more "formal" looking of Aero's models. The big differences are the buttons and the shawl-style collar of the Aeromarine. Given the differences between the Highwayman that I already have, I'm tending towards the Aeromarine myself.

I've messaged Holly to send me leather samples. In the meantime, she's advised me that both styles tend to be trimmer than the Highwayman, but should still work for my frame.

Any advice on the style? (or tips from owners of these two styles?)

Thanks!

 

[handymike]

I have a button-up shawl collared jacket, and I find it easy to dress up or down. I like having the option of button or zip in the closet. I would look at vicenza, goat, and soft steerhide for leathers.

 

[Harris HTM]

Since you already own a zipped short jacket maybe you should consider a longer buttoned one such as a Mariner or a stockman? I myself own 4 aero's and my mariner looks really formal, I have a thread here with photos, if you search for aero mariner in the forum you will find it. As for mid weight leather then I strongly recommend the vicenza.

 

[nick123]

I have a hunch that the Royale would knock it out of the park. Like the 59'er Highwayman, really rare/non existent in these parts. I like that Royale a lot! Perhaps buttons on it instead of the zip.

 

[Monitor]

I always loved the Royale. Whichever you choose, please make sure it's Horween CXL, horse or steer, midweight or heavyweight. You'll thank me later.

 

[Plumbline]

Get the one you like most

 

[Edward]

I don't currently own either of those models, but I do have several other halfbelts, a Highwayman, and a bunch of other leathers, as well as strong opinions on this. I've given a lot of thought to the idea of a leather specialised for travelling, and I have travelled long-haul quite a lot to both India and China with work, taking various jackets, so.

For a hot weather travel jacket, leather *will* have it's limitations. I'd consider picking up something like the Darcy work jacket (cotton) to have in your bag at least, should the leather turn out to be just too much - see http://www.darcyclothing.com/shop/jackets.html .

When choosing hide, I would give some thought as to the sort of temperatures you'll be travelling in. I find I do most of my longhaul flights (most of my flying altogether, actually) during the warmer months (or to places which are warmer), so that would very much affect my choices. In terms of leather which can be bearable in some warmer temperatures, I'd go (unsurprisingly) for the lighter hides. A midweight horse like the Vicenza is worth considering, though if you're happy with black, seal or russet as a colour, I'd give serious consideration to Aero's goathide. It's a beautiful hide, nice and light, but it has the durability that some lighter hides lack. Goat is excellent for abrasion resistance, beaten, I am informed, only by Kangaroo (though I don't think Aero have yet found a reliable enough supply to make Roo a stock hide). When I was last in India (February 2013) I spent most of the week in linen, but I had a couple of leathers with me and the Aero goat A2 was perfect for chilly mornings (we had one day free in Dehli and managed to get a cab out to Agra to see the Taj, leaving at 5am when it was nippy enough!) and air-conditioned airports and aeroplanes. The great thing about goat is that it is light like that, but presumably because of its abrasion-resistant qualities, it also looks, for want of a better word, "tidier" than the likes of CXL FQHH, even long after break-in. While the marbling effect of that hefty horse can look fantastic, if you want something that will pass in a casual business setting, I think goat would be your best bet.

Of course, the other real factor that affects the warmth of a jacket is the lining. Unless you're attached to a particular wool lining (in tartan) or you're travelling in real cold and want a heavy lining, I'd suggest sticking to the standard drill cotton in a colour of your choice - with a brown jacket I'm partial to the brown or olive drill, with black, the black is a classic but the red looks really special.

As to style.... either of these will look fantastic and give you that 'Howard Hughes' vibe with a nice pair of trews and collar and tie. Button or zip front is a choice that's really up to you (I think both are available on the Aeromarine, while you can always ask them about the Royale and see). Both are jackets I ultimately intend to purchase. Choosing between the two for travelling purposes, though, I think the Royale might just be the more practical of the two. I base this on its similarity to the Indiana Jones jacket - essentially, if I was reduxing Indy for Disney now, and given a free hand to start again, I'd opt for one of those as a more truly period-accurate look than the design that Lucasfilm and Wested ended up with in 1980. That said, I still have a lot of affection for the Wested. My Wested Raiders is goat. Markedly lighter than Aero's goat, but without the fragile feel of the lamb. (I haven't tried their striated sheepskin, but I gather it's almost as tough as the goat.) One thing I will say about that jacket is that the satin lining in the sleeves is not ideal in warmer weather - I find it sticks to my arms in a way that cotton wouldn't. On that basis, I'd advise against asking for a satin liner on the arms of your Aero if you're going to be travelling where it is warmer. The reason I raise the Wested, though, is pockets. It has two inner pockets and two big patch pockets, bigger than an A2, on the front. The AeroMarine's pockets are pretty small (smaller, if memory serves, than on an A2), so if, like me, you like to have big pockets to take all the things you want to have that close to hand when travelling (passports, tickets, phone, ipod, wallet......) rather than committing to a bag, this is where the Royale scores big. The Wested Indy has been a fantastic travel jacket for me for that very reason - I think the Royale would be an excellent choice as an 'upgrade' to high-end version. I would advise one inner pocket for your wallet at least, but the two big ones otherwise should cope with the other demands of travelling.

Good luck with the whole process of specc'ing out and choosing the jacket - as you've discovered already, the right number of nice leathers is always.... "one more".

 

[eugenesque]

The Aeromarine certainly looks more distinct due to the shawl collar but I think the Royale is versatile. You are able to dress up and down with it more easily. My personal opinion. Select what you like the best!

 

[jacketjunkie]

Out of these two, I'd definitely go for the Royale.. if you are to own only two Aeros though, I'd get a 30s HB with the 50s HB back (40s HB as another member refered to it before). The Half-Belt is such a classic style that you ought to own one imho and will do for both casual and formal styling.

 

[Guppy]

Hi all,

On the heels of my first Aero jacket (Cordovan Zip-Sleeve Highwayman), I'm thinking of another one in a lighter sort of leather, which I can use as a travel jacket (It's true what they say that it's addicting). To round it off, I'm thinking of a more formal-looking style which I can wear to semi-formal events in a pinch. I'm looking at two options:

Aeromarine

Or

Royale

Offhand, both strike me as very similar and the more "formal" looking of Aero's models. The big differences are the buttons and the shawl-style collar of the Aeromarine. Given the differences between the Highwayman that I already have, I'm tending towards the Aeromarine myself.

I've messaged Holly to send me leather samples. In the meantime, she's advised me that both styles tend to be trimmer than the Highwayman, but should still work for my frame.

Any advice on the style? (or tips from owners of these two styles?)

Thanks!

I vote aeromarine.

 

[Sloan1874]

In the back of my head, I have a Royale in blackened brown HH with a tweed lining penciled in as my next Aero, but that's just me...

 

[willyto]

The Royale hands down in Goatskin or Vicenza.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I agree mostly with Edward. The one thing that has put me off the Aeromarine is all those buttons. There are 9 on show and a further 2 on the sleeves. I find it a bit much. The Royale probably needs to be worn shorter - to the waist and no longer- so if that's an issue for you the Royale may not be appropriate. I think the Aeromarine will be a more forgiving pattern and will work on a range of body shapes. If you are overweight or very short, the Royale will look wrong.

Go the goat in those styles which I suspect would be more period accurate (and versatile) for those leisurewear patterns.

 

[ton312]

Both these jackets are super interesting and fairly rare in the wild. I don't think I've ever seen a fit pic of the Royale. I agree with Seb wholeheartedly. It should be worn "short", like a windward should be. This pattern looks quite versatile. It's not saying too much if that makes sense.
I love the Aeromarine and have lusted after a two tone. My tendency to prefer the heavy hides and fear of buttons falling off has kept me at arms length...if I were looking for a trouble free utility jacket a 30's or 50's HB would be my choice. It's an understated pattern where simplicity becomes elegance. Just as JJ alluded to. The Royale has some of those same qualities where the Aeromarine makes a bit more of a period statement. I love the shawl collar. It's a beautiful design on a leather jacket. Tough call here. Sorry for the stream of consciousness and good luck on your hunt. It appears you can't go wrong either way tbh.

 

[Fanch]

Given your build and the way your HWM fits, why not a 1950's half belt in either russet or seal Vicenza? Probably the same size 40 as your HWM but maybe 1/2" to 1" longer in the body to cover your belt.

 

[zebedee]

I've ordered a 1950's HB in seal goat with an extra inch- curious to see how it will turn out. Goat's a great hide which shows very little wear (if any).

 

[barnabus]

I would have the Aeromarine all day long! Although points made already in the thread are valid about pockets and traveling; purely in its own right as a piece, Aeromarine.

Also: I love buttons!

 

[jonesy86]

Since you already own a zipped short jacket maybe you should consider a longer buttoned one such as a Mariner or a stockman? I myself own 4 aero's and my mariner looks really formal, I have a thread here with photos, if you search for aero mariner in the forum you will find it. As for mid weight leather then I strongly recommend the vicenza.

Saw this mariner on the bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aero-Leathe...923168?hash=item2efe0f7ba0:g:DrcAAOSwtfhYr3Ez

Not my size but looks like a nice jacket.