A-2 Jacket: A Classic and Tasteful Design?

[MLJ_1764]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forums here and was hoping for some advice regarding selecting a jacket. For some time, I have wanted to purchase a high-quality and durable leather jacket for everyday wear. My typical outfit is chinos/khakis with a dress or an Oxford shirt (occasionally with a medium width tie).

Now, I have been looking at the A-2 pattern flier's jacket as a possibility and I was wondering whether those who own A-2 style jackets or anyone else who is familiar with the design would care to offer his or her opinion on whether this style is suitable both for everyday wear and for those occasions when one needs to dress less casually. For me, a jacket like this (from a maker such as Goodwear, Aero Leathers, ELC, or Real McCoy's) is a significant investment and I want to make sure that it will serve me in good stead through many years and many different occasions.

Thank you to everyone who reads this post and to whomever would care to comment.

All the best,

Michael

P.S. If anyone owns a jacket from one of the aforementioned makers and would care to comment specifically on those makers and their products (within the bounds of the rules of the forum) please feel free to offer your two cents.

 

[fedoralover]

I own an Aero in Russet horsehide and a Goodwear in dark seal horsehide. I find the Russet seems to go better (for me) with a tie than my darker Goodwear which I wear more often for everyday. But that may be just a personal preference. I'm one who believes you can wear an A-2 whether dressing up or just in casual everyday wear. All the top venders you mentioned make great quality jackets.

If you are someone who is a freak about authenticity Goodwear seems to be the most favored. But due to a back log of orders he is not taking anymore orders at present and when he does you may still have a significant wait time. It is doubtful you would get it in time for this winter or even possibly the next. It is worth the wait though.

fedoralover

 

[Deleted member 16736]

A-2's are a classic and tasteful design, which is why they have lasted so long. However, I strongly urge you to get the fit right: a baggy A-2 make you look like an old-man and expensive leather jackets are non-returnable. For me, the most important thing on sizing is making the jacket snug in the shoulders: if the shoulders sag, you'll look like MacArthur. Add a pipe and a pair of aviator sunglasses and you'll have a terrific Halloween costume. In my opinion, John at Goodwear as good as he is tends to favor comfort over a tight fit, so you have to nail him down on the sizing, that is, if you can even place an order. For the money, you'd probably do very well with a Kelso A-2. The fit is right and the leather looks good. Plus it's a lot less expensive than some of the others. The last thing you want to do is drop $1000 or more on a jacket only to find out: it's the wrong shade, the leather won't repel water, or the fit is wrong. Because you won't be able to return it. My 2 cents.

 

[HeyMoe]

I have three of them - one painted with a friends B-24 nose art, one decorated with a 101st patch and 502nd widowmaker insignia (the regiment I was in while in the 101st) and one that is plain.

I find the one that is plain gets worn alot more than the other two. My only issue is that it is a military fit and tends to wrinkle my dress shirts so I don't often wear it to work. However, an A-2 with Chinos, a dress shirt, tie and fedora is an outstanding look!

 

[Edward]

If you are determined to have the very most historically accurate option, GoodWear is the one for which to shoot. Otherwise, I would suggest scouring eBay for a good deal on a used Aero, ELC, or similar. Depending upon your size, you should be able to pick up an excellent used example for half the new price, or a little less. It seems to me that goat wears better in terms of staying newer looking for longer, though if you prefer a hard-worn look, horse seems to achieve that much more quickly.

 

[ButteMT61]

I've got me Aero A2 Bronco in seal on right now.
Today I've got jeans on, but khakis/chinos are also great and what I wear.
I admittedly don't often wear a tie because of the business I'm in, but it looks plenty sharp.
All good points above. Take your time, and get the right fit. For your needs, a blousy jacket would look dopey.
Lost Worlds is another thought. But again, expensive.
If you are a more common size: 38-42, you will find lots of jackets on eBay and the Classifieds here.

Good luck!

 

[Atticus Finch]

Please allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment…and I’ll probably be banned from the Lounge for what I’m about to say, but…

While the A-2 is definitely a classic, timeless design. And while it goes well with many styles of clothing. And while high end A-2 reproductions are now more accurate than ever before...

Pardon me, but everyone and his flippin' cat has a reproduction A-2!

I walked into my favorite coffee shop one cool day last winter and every man there, who was over the age of forty, was wearing some sort of A-2 repro. I thought I had walked into a geriatric squadron’s pre-flight briefing. No, I didn’t see any Eastmans, Aeros or Good Wears…most were just mall jackets…but at ten yards distance, very few people can tell the difference between a Wilson’s A-2 and a Good Wear 42-18246-P.

So…when I decided to invest in a high end repro, I decided against the A-2. Instead, I bought an A-1. It is a very different jacket, but as to function, it can pretty much be interchanged with the A-2. It goes well with kakis. It goes well with a fedora. It goes well with an oxford shirt and a tie. It goes well with a T-shirt and jeans. It is comfortable in exactly the same temperature range as the A-2. It weighs the same as the A-2. A high end A-1 repro costs about the same as a high end A-2 repro.

But wear it to your coffe shop and I can almost guarantee that you’ll be the only one there wearing an A-1.

AF

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Please allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment…and I’ll probably be banned from the Lounge for what I’m about to say, but…

While the A-2 is definitely a classic, timeless design. And while it goes well with many styles of clothing. And while high end A-2 reproductions are now more accurate than ever before...

Pardon me, but everyone and his flippin' cat has a reproduction A-2!

I walked into my favorite coffee shop one cool day last winter and every man there, who was over the age of forty, was wearing some sort of A-2 repro. I thought I had walked into a geriatric squadron’s pre-flight briefing. No, I didn’t see any Eastmans, Aeros or Good Wears…most were just mall jackets…but at ten yards distance, very few people can tell the difference between a Wilson’s A-2 and a Good Wear 42-18246-P.

So…when I decided to invest in a high end repro, I decided against the A-2. Instead, I bought an A-1. It is a very different jacket, but as to function, it can pretty much be interchanged with the A-2. It goes well with kakis. It goes well with a fedora. It goes well with an oxford shirt and a tie. It goes well with a T-shirt and jeans. It is comfortable in exactly the same temperature range as the A-2. It weighs the same as the A-2. A high end A-1 repro costs about the same as a high end A-2 repro.

But wear it to your coffe shop and I can almost guarantee that you’ll be the only one there wearing an A-1.

AF

You're not committing heresy: I feel the same way you do, and to be perfectly honest, I never feel so old as when I wear my A-2. I was afraid that might happen, and it did. Whose A-1 did you buy? Is it capeskin or horsehide? Thanks.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Whose A-1 did you buy? Is it capeskin or horsehide? Thanks.

Hi Joel. I got John to make one for me back when Good Wear was still making A-1s. It is capeskin and has the smaller, lower pockets as per the Army Air Corps version of the jacket.

AF

 

[Phantomfixer]

Please allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment…and I’ll probably be banned from the Lounge for what I’m about to say, but…

AF,
A very honest and thought provoking statement, now where did I put the tar and feathers???

 

[Phantomfixer]

Atticus,
Actually your A-1 is a very very nice jacket. I admire it, looks great on you.
John

 

[Atticus Finch]

Atticus,
Actually your A-1 is a very very nice jacket. I admire it, looks great on you.
John

Thank you, Sir. And its not like I hate A-2s. I'm just not willing to spend much money buying them. I have four or five current-issue jackets that take care of my A-2 needs. Back when I was buying them, they could be found on ebay for 50 to 100 USD.

AF

 

[GoodTimesGone]

Atticus-thanks for the laugh! That was funny but true. Now having said that, I'm 44 and would not look right in the latest hip-hop or emo fashions-nor would I want to. When I go to the coffee shop across from where I work I am the only one wearing an A-2. I rarely even see a leather jacket period. For at least the last 4 years our local department stores have only carried PVC(pleather) :eeek: jackets. I don't know who's buying the PVC as I never seen them worn. I've had compliments on my A-2s and have been told a few times that it(friends think I only own one) suited me. I usually wear chinos and a button dress shirt with brown casual dress shoes. I agree with earlier comments that adding a tie looks sharp as well. An A-1 or A-2 by the makers already mentioned in the thread would go great with your usual outfit.
-Tom

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Beautiful jacket, Atticus.

After thinking over it, I think I'll end up selling my A-2 and use the money to help fund my dream jacket: a Langlitz horsehide Columbia. It'll be custom-fitted to my body and won't make feel like I'm channeling Douglas MacArthur.

 

[ButteMT61]

AF: Well, I'm not sure about everyone and their mother owning an A2 - I live in LA, and I can't recall the last time I saw someone else wearing one, sans our weekend reenactments.
Problem with the A1 is that the only A1 I want is made by Good Wear, and there's no orders being taken today.
Your point I guess must be valid for some places, but if I saw that many A2's, I'd likely not be wearing mine...
However, it was a good addition to the thread, and I do love your A1!

 

[Aether]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to the forum.

For me the A2 is a wardrobe essential. If I could only have one jacket (a horrible thought I know!) then it would be the A2, it's just so versatile and looks equally as good dressed up with a shirt and tie as it does with t-shirt and jeans.

I can't comment on the other makers mentioned but I've had my Aero Steerhide A2 for about 10 years and love it, its well made and it keeps getting better looking year after year. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I lost it.

Nick

 

[scotrace]

Atticus: You're dead right. You can't swing a cat without hitting a guy in an A2 these days. Your A1 is one of the best garments I've ever seen posted here. Much more flattering than the average A2, which tends to make anyone who isn't rail thin look paunchy.

 

[Fifty150]

For some time, I have wanted to purchase a high-quality and durable leather jacket for everyday wear.

Michael,

How important is it to you that you have a historically accurate jacket? If you must have every detail exactly like it was back during a certain period in time, then you will spend whatever it takes in order to get it right. Remember that A-2 jackets came from different contractors and sub-contractors with different details, and details varied from production lot to production lot. You will have to decide exactly which details you want, then spend whatever you need to, in order to get exactly what you want. You will be happy with your jacket, and wear it with much pride.

Or if you just want a high quality and durable leather jacket for everyday wear, then you have lots of options. Browse the high end leather manufacturers. You could get great jackets for a fraction of what it would cost to buy a custom A-2. Your expected budget of over $1000USD could fall to $200 - $300.

If all that you want is a good jacket, then you don't have to spend a small fortune. Take your time. Try things on. Look at different designs. Will you wear this jacket on a motorcycle? Or use it in the winter? Will this jacket have to keep you dry? For me, leather is what I prefer in bad weather. Nothing makes a better rain coat. Other people are afraid of getting their leather wet.

One of my favorite leather jackets was bought off the bargain rack for about $60, and I like wearing it just as much as some of the jackets that cost more than 10X that. The leather is thick enough to protect me from the elements (wind, rain, snow). There is enough sleeve length so that I can reach for the handlebars or steering wheel. I've got enough room in the chest and shoulders to move around. It fits nicely over a layer of insulation on really cold days.



5150

 

[bretron]

If you're ok with the hunt (e.g. waiting months, and possibly buying a half-dozen jackets trying to find the right size), I say buy a used one. It is what I've done for years- much to my wife's chagrin
On the other hand, for a few hundred more you can get a brand spankin new one custom built, and professionally fitted just for you.

If I were to buy today, I'd probably follow the piper to Good Wear (for all the reasons mentioned all over the damn internet!), OR to Bill Kelso (for about the same cost as a used ELC, but reportedly every bit as nice).

Good luck, man!

 

[Phantomfixer]

Thank you, Sir. And its not like I hate A-2s. I'm just not willing to spend much money buying them. I have four or five current-issue jackets that take care of my A-2 needs. Back when I was buying them, they could be found on ebay for 50 to 100 USD.

AF

I know you like your A-2s. I remember the one with the Weather Sq patch. (at least I think it was the Weather SQ). Anyway I do apologize if my statement seemed harse. It was meant to be jovial. I appriciate your taste in the curent issue A-2. I had a Avirex issue A-2. It had side pockest etc. However, it was/is a very nice A-2, good goatskin.
John