A-2 Jacket: A Classic and Tasteful Design?

[too much coffee]

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

Hello AF;

Remember months ago when I said you resemble Gene Hackman and Karl Malden? This is the pic that reminded me of Maldin, back in the time frame when he made "The Cincinatti Kid" with Steve McQueen.
Great A-1.......the best I've seen!

Best regards,
coffee

 

[Yeps]

Out of curiosity, why do we always focus on military jackets? There are some fantastic designs. I know I have seen quite a few Aero half-belts around here, and I think those are much more flattering in general. It is just a cleaner, sharper look, and there are plenty of other designs too.

If I could afford an aero (for some reason, theirs is the site I have tooled around the most), it would be the Bootlegger.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Out of curiosity, why do we always focus on military jackets? There are some fantastic designs. I know I have seen quite a few Aero half-belts around here, and I think those are much more flattering in general. It is just a cleaner, sharper look, and there are plenty of other designs too.

If I could afford an aero (for some reason, theirs is the site I have tooled around the most), it would be the Bootlegger.

Yep...love mine! Much more than the A-2s..or any military jacket that I own..!
HD

 

[MLJ_1764]

Hello Everyone,

First off, thank you to all who have replied. You have brought up many good points for me to consider.

I didn't realize the A-2 design was so popular. Where I live there are very few (if any) A-2's that I have seen and countless of the super-high-end (or at least imitations of) "mall" jackets from the name brands. They all look limp, thin as a few sheets of paper, unnecessarily shiny (almost plastic-looking) and (in my opinion) not very masculine. The A-2 seemed to be the antithesis of these jackets. Besides, there was a picture of my grandfather in his and he and I share almost the exact same features and build (height, weight, musculature, etc.). This is what originally drew me to the A-2. I just wish I had his jacket.

Anyway, Yeps brought up the exact question I was going to ask next. The only other type of leather jacket I was considering was the half-belt design from the 1920s through 1940s (specifically those offered by Aero Leathers). In fact, based on my body type, Amanda at Aero suggested that I only/primarily consider the half-belts. So, what do you guys (and girls) think of the half-belt design and those made by Aero? I think that one of these designs in FQ horsehide in a darker brown or russet color would be extremely classy but, not having seen any of them in person, I am only making a supposition.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

All the best,

Michael

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Hello Everyone,

First off, thank you to all who have replied. You have brought up many good points for me to consider.

I didn't realize the A-2 design was so popular. Where I live there are very few (if any) A-2's that I have seen and countless of the super-high-end (or at least imitations of) "mall" jackets from the name brands. They all look limp, thin as a few sheets of paper, unnecessarily shiny (almost plastic-looking) and (in my opinion) not very masculine. The A-2 seemed to be the antithesis of these jackets. Besides, there was a picture of my grandfather in his and he and I share almost the exact same features and build (height, weight, musculature, etc.). This is what originally drew me to the A-2. I just wish I had his jacket.

Anyway, Yeps brought up the exact question I was going to ask next. The only other type of leather jacket I was considering was the half-belt design from the 1920s through 1940s (specifically those offered by Aero Leathers). In fact, based on my body type, Amanda at Aero suggested that I only/primarily consider the half-belts. So, what do you guys (and girls) think of the half-belt design and those made by Aero? I think that one of these designs in FQ horsehide in a darker brown or russet color would be extremely classy but, not having seen any of them in person, I am only making a supposition.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

All the best,

Michael

Michael
Why not type Aero in the search box..and veiw all the various styles of Aeros actually being worn by members here on the forum? Plus read all the opinions in those threads. It'll take you a while.
HD

 

[fedoralover]

There are some fantastic vintage halfbelts out there. I don't know what size you are, but if you aren't a really big guy, watch ebay you may find a vintage one your size with the patina already there. Aero makes some of the best new ones, I think the bootlegger is one of the classier ones. Here's a vintage Sears and Roebuck horse hide halfbelt I picked up a few years ago. It is one of my favorites jackets.

fedoralover

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'm not an A2 fan either. Prefer the A1 also but I'm not keen on jackets with knits generally so I'd go the all leather vintage untility jacket/half-belt. BTW Atticus's photos here have been the best looking, best fit A1's I've seen. They don't suit everyone.

 

[Mark]

Have you considered Aero's Highwayman? I think mine looks great for casual use and semi-formal ocassions. I can't help thinking the A2's a bit of a young mans jacket and i too don't like all the knitted bits.

 

[Edward]

Out of curiosity, why do we always focus on military jackets? There are some fantastic designs. I know I have seen quite a few Aero half-belts around here, and I think those are much more flattering in general. It is just a cleaner, sharper look, and there are plenty of other designs too.

If I could afford an aero (for some reason, theirs is the site I have tooled around the most), it would be the Bootlegger.

I love my bootlegger. It's a classy, half-belt design, a bit different than the run of the mill, and it has just that tiny echo of a Perfecto-style bike jacket without looking odd with a collar and tie. FWIW, I'd more than trust Aero's FQHH were I ever to actually require a riding jacket (though that said, I would be riding something small capacity and vintage style - no interest in the sort of big, performance racing bikes on which, or high speeds at which, modern, armoured jackets make more sense). I'm also very fond of my Thirties halfbelt too. In my future, I foresee a second of each, this time in brown and black (as opposed to cordovan and brown) respectively.

Were I to pick one only of all the leather jackets I own to keep, it would be a tough choice between my Bootlegger and the Halfbelt. I also have two A2s (both seal, on Aero goat and one ELC horse) which get worn a lot and of which I am very fond, but they're not at all the first jackets for which I would reach if I could only keep one. I personally don't find an A2 in its "correct" form to be the most practical of jackets - the lack of an inside pocket plus the limited size of the front pockets is a limiting factor, no doubt about it. Another thing I think of is that if you are looking to put together an historically accurate outfit, a military A2 with accurate patches etc would not, I should think, have been exactly 'normal' on civvy street. That said, for day to day wear, however otherwise vintage accurate I might be on any given day, I wouldn't let that alone put me off an A2.

 

[Grayland]

There are some fantastic vintage halfbelts out there. I don't know what size you are, but if you aren't a really big guy, watch ebay you may find a vintage one your size with the patina already there. Aero makes some of the best new ones, I think the bootlegger is one of the classier ones. Here's a vintage Sears and Roebuck horse hide halfbelt I picked up a few years ago. It is one of my favorites jackets.

fedoralover

Wow, that looks fantastic!

 

[MrAcheson]

I didn't realize the A-2 design was so popular. Where I live there are very few (if any) A-2's that I have seen and countless of the super-high-end (or at least imitations of) "mall" jackets from the name brands. They all look limp, thin as a few sheets of paper, unnecessarily shiny (almost plastic-looking) and (in my opinion) not very masculine. The A-2 seemed to be the antithesis of these jackets. Besides, there was a picture of my grandfather in his and he and I share almost the exact same features and build (height, weight, musculature, etc.). This is what originally drew me to the A-2. I just wish I had his jacket.

Hey my first post! I have to ditto Michael and Butte. I've been looking for an A-2 locally for years. No luck. Not in department stores, not in leather stores, not anywhere. Boring metrosexual leather "mall" jackets? Yup. "Military" bombers that fit no military pattern and are covered with useless pockets or zippers that clutter the jacket's lines? Sure. Leather sportcoats patched together from altogether too many pieces of leather? Yes. Classic like the A-2? Nope. When I do see an A-2, it is always on an older man and he looks like he's been wearing it for decades. Up until now I assumed it was because he bought it when you could actually get one without resorting to the internet.

 

[ButteMT61]

Hey my first post! I have to ditto Michael and Butte. I've been looking for an A-2 locally for years. No luck. Not in department stores, not in leather stores, not anywhere. Boring metrosexual leather "mall" jackets? Yup. "Military" bombers that fit no military pattern and are covered with useless pockets or zippers that clutter the jacket's lines? Sure. Leather sportcoats patched together from altogether too many pieces of leather? Yes. Classic like the A-2? Nope. When I do see an A-2, it is always on an older man and he looks like he's been wearing it for decades. Up until now I assumed it was because he bought it when you could actually get one without resorting to the internet.

More than likely, all he had to do was join the Army...

 

[bburtner@moran]

Mind you the A2 is a classic,but all the A2 jackets I have owned I do not like the fit,I am 5`9 and 157 lbs average guy I believe,they ride up in the back,not a good driving jacket,do not like the collar.PS I will keep wearing my 55j14 from the design aspect it is above the A2.

 

[nicholasb]

I never felt comfortable driving in my old Eastman A2. Thought it was just me. I always felt my jacket was just a touch too big.

 

[Edward]

To the best of my knowledge, ELC used to make their jackets somewhat larger to accommodate the modern man, but in recent years they have revised the patterns. My Roughwear is the same size and fit as my Aero A2; both are a good match to the average WW2 fit (insofar as such a thing can be said to exist).

 

[Phantomfixer]

Hey my first post! I have to ditto Michael and Butte. I've been looking for an A-2 locally for years. No luck. Not in department stores, not in leather stores, not anywhere. Boring metrosexual leather "mall" jackets? Yup. "Military" bombers that fit no military pattern and are covered with useless pockets or zippers that clutter the jacket's lines? Sure. Leather sportcoats patched together from altogether too many pieces of leather? Yes. Classic like the A-2? Nope. When I do see an A-2, it is always on an older man and he looks like he's been wearing it for decades. Up until now I assumed it was because he bought it when you could actually get one without resorting to the internet.

Mr Acheson,
welcome neighbor

 

[cuthbert]

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.

Hello Michael, IMO the A-2 is a classic design because it inspired many other jackets until today, for instance I noticed this year a new trend for fashion jackets clearly inspired by trim fitted A-2s, mostly worn by women who probably don't know anything about the original military jacket. As a rule of thumb any leather jackets aficionado should have an A-2 in his closet, I used to have an Aero, contract 1756, beautiful jacket but a little small for me, in the end I sold to to a girl who didn't care about militaria but loved the design. At the moment as I already written in another threa, I ordered an A-2 from Bill Kelso, their russet horsehide looks very good and I'm looking forward to receive it. Unfortunately things in Greece aren't going too well, so I assume I'll have to wait for long, but all the feedback was positive.

About civilian jackets, I'm a great fan of Aero Highwaymen and Half Belts, I've a pair of both, completely different design, of course.

 

[cuthbert]

Mind you the A2 is a classic,but all the A2 jackets I have owned I do not like the fit,I am 5`9 and 157 lbs average guy I believe,they ride up in the back,not a good driving jacket,do not like the collar.PS I will keep wearing my 55j14 from the design aspect it is above the A2.

Very true, the lack of inside pocket limits a little the A-2 in the everyday use, that's the reason why I asked a custom pocket like the G-1, not historically correct, but convenient.

 

[Aether]

I've got one of the 'blood chits' that Aero used to sell sewn in the inside of my A2 like a giant pocket, very useful and possibly period correct(?)

 

[Fifty150]

Speaking of useful pockets, my favorite is the giant "game pouch" that can be found in the lower back area of hunting jackets. Woolrich puts this feature into their "Cruiser" jacket & lined Stag jacket. The only problem is that with Woolrich, they use a 80/20 mix of wool & polyester. Filson and Pendleton offer 100% wool.


But back to the A-2. A timeless design. If I could only own 1 leather jacket, it would be the A-2. My first leather jacket was an A-2. I did everything in that jacket. Now that I have a closet full of jackets, I still reach for the A-2.