Aero 1950's half-belt size

[Seb Lucas]

Aero's Amanda recommended I get a size 40 in the 1950's half-belt, with an inch added to arms and body.

I am 6ft 2 inches and around 185 pounds - 35 inch wiast - medium build. I like my jackets to be roomy but not baggy.

I normally wear a size 42 tall in suits

Does a size 40 Aero sound right to you guys?

Cheers

 

[Papa M]

As long as she had all of your measurements then I'd trust her on it. The key is probably the arm length - so I think that you'll be okay.

When I ordered my last jacket (The Waterfront - which is roughly the shape of an A2) she queried several matters with me concerning my dimensions, and we discussed it and came to a consensus of opinion. The dimensions I gave suggested to her that I should have a smaller size than a 44. However when I explained that I wear a 44 A2 and have a slightly wider hip than chest and waist she agreed that the bigger size might be preferable - especially as I specified that I did not want a skinny cut. The end result was perfect for me.

As long as you are clear, honest, and thorough with your dimensions and aspirations I think that she will do a good job for you.

 

[bbc1969]

I would say just be true to your gut feeling on what you believe your size to be. Aero/Mark @ Aero USA was very informative and of great assistance. But, the factory advised a standard size 48 for me. While the 48 chest would have been ok, if not a bit tight, I knew I would be dealing with binding in the shoulders. I knew in my gut I needed a 50 with my specific sizing for sleeves, ect.

Took delivery of my jacket, and it fit exactly like I wanted. The 48 would have fit, but would have been tight in some places, and I know I would have been uncomfortable, and several hundred dollars worth of jacket would not be used that often......

 

[Cooperson]

Seb - It all depends on what hide you have chosen and what you want wear under it. My 40" heavy FQ horse Highwayman is perfect with a shirt or light sweater but with a thicker wool sweater it's tight. I am probably a similar build - 36" waist, 40" chest. I don't like baggy jackets so it is spot on for me. Heavy horse is more restrictive that the lighter weight hides, so if you have gone with HFQH and you want to wear sweaters then you should probably have a word with Amanda.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[Peacoat]

I would never go a size smaller on an Aero if you want a roomier fit. My experience has been that they build them tight. My Highwayman looks good, but the fit is just too tight for me. And forget even getting a sweater on under it. It stays in my closet while others with more room get the wear. Too bad, as it is a really nice jacket.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Confusion

Thanks fellas. Hmm... I've never worn 40 before - it has always been too small. All my jackets in leather have either been 42 or 46 - depending on make. My G&B expo is a 42 long and it fits perfect.

May have to do more research. No hurry.

Tony Nowak does a killer half-belt, may look into that one.

 

[Splitcoil]

As long as Amanda has your measurements, I'd trust her. I've got the Long Half Belt in a standard 40R. I'm 5'10", 160lbs, long-limbed. These are not intended to be baggy, or even very roomy, but going with Amanda's recommendations and providing her accurate measurements, I ended up with a jacket that fits great and allows for a heavy sweater underneath if I like.

Making sure she has an accurate shoulder measurement is important on that jacket. The waist won't be your problem. I'm a 33 or 34 waist and I have plenty of room around there in that jacket. If it's too tight, it would likely be across the shoulders, where that jacket fits pretty snug (and looks good because of it). But again, it's pretty rare for her to get the sizing wrong if she has your measurements.

I really don't think they would look as good if they cut them really roomy. Here's the fit in mine with a medium-weight shawl-neck sweater underneath. The line across my fingers isn't the sleeve, it's fingerless gloves. I'm astounded at how perfect the sleeve length is for me. With elbow bent like that, the sleeve end falls just about an inch short of my knuckles, and with arm extended, it's pretty much right on the knuckles. Some clever trick in the cut of the sleeve.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Well?

Well Split, you're really making it harder now. You are wearing the size Amanda picked for me (she wants me to add an inch). The problem is, I'm 25 pounds heavier than you and 4 inches taller. My shoudlers are broad...

Don't see how a 40 would fit me.

 

[Splitcoil]

You're probably right. I wouldn't say I'm especially broad-shouldered for my height.

 

[Edward]

Amanda recently advised that I should be looking at a 40" chest in a Bootlegger. My regular size is a 42 in a suit also (in some vintage suits, a 44). This sizing decision was based on my measurements (40 chest exhaled, 42 totally inhaled), and desire to have a jacket that will fit right with a thick flannel shirt but no more underneath - I'm not looking for something to accomodate a heavy sweater. Amanda informed me that the underarm measurements in the size 40 Bootlegger would be around 46" pit to pit, which is typically what I have in a modern 42R suit jacket, and is plenty roomy for what I have in mind. I would be inclined to trust her judgement.

As a matter of general priactice with any company, where I am uncertain about something like that I would tend to trust to their judgement. A] because they know the product better than I do, and B], because if it should turn out that the other size is actually what I require (as happened with a beret I purchased online recently), it's a whole lot easier to go back to the company and say 'sorry, I need the next size up' and have it changed if you're not having to say to them 'uh, yeah, you were actually right, and when I insisted on going for the size up, it really is too big!'

 

[RP McMurphy]

Sizing

Edward, good point *tips hat*

As far as Aero's sizing goes, a size 40 LHB that I own will accomodate a thick Army sweater without things getting at all tight. Aero originally recommended I order a 38, even in a 30's slimcut, however I knew I would need a 40 due to my shoulder-width. It all depends on how you intend to wear the jacket...


RP

 

[Edward]

It all depends on how you intend to wear the jacket...

Absolutely, and I would make that clear as well when looking advice on sizing.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Good advice guys. But I thought I was pretty clear. I said I wanted it roomy but not baggy. That means a sweater underneath, when cold, etc. I hate tight jackets.

 

[RP McMurphy]

50's sizing

Huh

Well, if it helps, I'm about 170 lb's with a tapered build, size 32 inch waist and size 40 chest. A size 40 50's LHB is nicely snug around my chest, with enough room for a thick sweater underneath, even with the side straps brought all the way in.

Hope that helps at all...