Aero 1930's HB and Premier Highwayman

[Harris HTM]

Hello everybody.
I've been watching this forum for years but it is actually my first post. I do have a question regarding the sizing of Aero 1930's Half Belt and the Premier Highwayman.
My chest measures 40.25'' and my belly 38.125''.
I contacted Aero and they advised size 40 for both styles.
Just for the verification:
I do own two schott perfecto's 618HH, size 38 and size 40. The 38 sits perfect on the chest but is rather tight on the belly while the 40 has a comfortable fit.
Does anyone have any experience on the two aero jackets?
I'm planning to order soon so any recommendations are always welcome.
Thanks in advance guys and long live horsehide.

 

[dan_t]

Firstly, welcome!
As you seem to be located in the Netherlands, Thurstons fit jacket program may, or may not be an option. It could be worth reaching out to Carrie just to see.

Otherwise, you can't go too far wrong listening to Aero's advice - they do know their products better than anyone else!

 

[Harris HTM]

Thanks Dan.
I guess a fit jacket from the US is not an option, regarding shipping and probably taxing costs. I trust the Aero advice, the jackets I got from them in the past fit fine.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Welcome to the Lounge!

The Premier Pattern are very trim fitting, with narrow shoulders and high armholes. High armholes are good which is why I would pick premier fit over regular pattern, but a size 40 probably has like 17.5-18" shoulders and is accordingly trim through the body. I have a 40.5" chest and I prefer 19-20" shoulders and a relaxed fit, so I would go for a 42, but that's down to personal taste and preferences.

edit; I think Pawineguy owns a premier HWM?

 

[Harris HTM]

Hi jacketjunkie, thanks for your reply!
Judging by my other Aero and Schott jackets I think that the optimal cross-shoulder width for me is indeed 17.5''-18.25''. A bigger shoulder width for me makes the jacket look oversized, but this indeed lies on the eye of the beholder.

 

[rmconner80]

My advice, which I posted elsewhere:

You will find a less room in the Premier Highwayman than in a 30s Halfbelt of the exact same tag size. The 30s Halfbelt is slim, but the Premier is an even closer fitting jacket.

That said - I have a 42" chest and wear a size 38 Premier Highwayman! It's tight! But that's what I wanted. I have a separate jacket in the works to accommodate a warmer lining and layering a sweater. If I were to do it again, I'd get a size 40 in the Premier Highwayman. But based on how a size 40 test jacket (30s Halfbelt) fit me, I would never have known to get a size 40.

Depending how you like your jackets to fit, and whether you want to layer, it sounds like either a 40 or a 42 will work for you. Like you said, it's probably down to shoulder size.

 

[Harris HTM]

My advice, which I posted elsewhere:

You will find a less room in the Premier Highwayman than in a 30s Halfbelt of the exact same tag size. The 30s Halfbelt is slim, but the Premier is an even closer fitting jacket.

That said - I have a 42" chest and wear a size 38 Premier Highwayman! It's tight! But that's what I wanted. I have a separate jacket in the works to accommodate a warmer lining and layering a sweater. If I were to do it again, I'd get a size 40 in the Premier Highwayman. But based on how a size 40 test jacket (30s Halfbelt) fit me, I would never have known to get a size 40.

Depending how you like your jackets to fit, and whether you want to layer, it sounds like either a 40 or a 42 will work for you. Like you said, it's probably down to shoulder size.

Thanks for your reply.
What I really try to avoid is for the jacket to be really tight around my (beer-)belly, which may be the case with the 40 premier, OR for the jacket to be really loose on the shoulders/chest, which, if I get it well, might be the case with the 40 HB. Hmmm.

 

[jacketjunkie]

http://aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=2839

You can see the measurements for a 40 Premier HWM here.
Pit to pit 20.75"
Shoulders 17.25"

Pit to pit 20.75 means that the jacket has a factual chest width of less than 41" (p2p is measured outside). If you have a 40.5" chest and 38" belly, you won't be able to zip this up. Also 17.25" shoulders is very little.

Go for a 42 if it shall be the Premier HWM. (If deciding between HB and HWM, I would definitely go for the HWM, much more contemporary jacket which won't get you any strange looks, regardless of where you wear it)

 

[Harris HTM]

I've seen this jacket. What troubles me a bit is that there is another Premier HWM on the sales section, size 42:

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=2759

Pit to pit 22.75"
Shoulders 18.5".

The differences with the size 40 you mentioned are quite big, I really wonder whether there is a wrong size tag in either of the two jackets.

 

[Fanch]

With ~40" chest and ~38" abdomen, there is only a 2" drop. I would be just as concerned with the lower torso fit as the upper with even a 30's half belt design, much less with a Premier. Your safest bet might be a regular HWM or 1950's half belt in size 40?

 

[Harris HTM]

With ~40" chest and ~38" abdomen, there is only a 2" drop. I would be just as concerned with the lower torso fit as the upper with even a 30's half belt design, much less with a Premier. Your safest bet might be a regular HWM or 1950's half belt in size 40?

Hi, thanks for replying.
I have tried a highwayman size 40 and a pioneer size 40 and they were huge for my taste. I recently came across a 50's HB size 38 which was ok with thick layering.

 

[Cooperson]

I'm not sure if this helps but I'm 5'11" with a 40" chest and 36" waist. My 40" Premier 1930's half belt is trim fitting and I can't layer with it, but it's still one of my favouite jackets.

 

[Harris HTM]

I'm not sure if this helps but I'm 5'11" with a 40" chest and 36" waist. My 40" Premier 1930's half belt is trim fitting and I can't layer with it, but it's still one of my favouite jackets.

Hi Cooperson! Thanks for the photo, your jacket looks great!
I guess the Premier Half Belt has a trimmer fit than the 30's HB. I think I will avoid the Premier Series and go for a normal 30's Half Belt.

 

[Insomnia]

I would choose a size 40 1930 HB or a size 38 1950 HB.
Here my size 40 1930 HB

 

[Seb Lucas]

Interesting - I have a 40 inch chest and 34 waist (185 pounds six two) I had a size 42 1930's half-belt but it was a tight fit I didn't enjoy - Thurston Bros recommended a 44 for me.

 

[Harris HTM]

I would choose a size 40 1930 HB or a size 38 1950 HB.
Here my size 40 1930 HB

great jacket Insomnia!

 

[Harris HTM]

Interesting - I have a 40 inch chest and 34 waist (185 pounds six two) I had a size 42 1930's half-belt but it was a tight fit I didn't enjoy - Thurston Bros recommended a 44 for me.

Hi Seb. Was it a Premier series?

 

[handymike]

Keep in mind that the Premier cut is also referred to as the STF (super tight fit).
You can't go wrong with a well fitting standard 30s Half belt IMHO (Aero's best jacket ...a classic)

 

[Harris HTM]

Keep in mind that the Premier cut is also referred to as the STF (super tight fit).
You can't go wrong with a well fitting standard 30s Half belt IMHO (Aero's best jacket ...a classic)

Hi Handymike. I think you are right, I will avoid the Premier series and go for the standard 30's HB!

 

[Roma]

My Long half belt 44 fits very roomy with my chest being 43". On the other hand, my Cafe racer 44 fits pretty snug.