Aero Jackets for big guys

[Dennis M]

Hi lounge,

A bit about me, I'm 6"1 with a long-ish torso, 240 Ibs and am a powerlifter by hobby. Love me some leather too, got a 1930's half belt fitting jacket coming from Thurston Bros. Anyone on here of similar build with success in fitting/customizing into an aero jacket? I don't find the "boxy-ness" look of the highwayman attractive...

 

[Jejupe]

Hi @Dennis M and welcome to the lounge!

I am 6'2" weighing around 255 with 49-50" chest and I too like to lift as a hobby. I have a collection of Aero jackets and I've found it hard to figure out their sizing system. Let's say that I've learned their sizing by the hard (=expensive) way. Depending on pattern I'm size 46, 48, 50 or even 52 in their jackets. You've done the right thing going with Thurston with your first(?) Aero! They'll sort the fit for you. Regarding the fit of different Aero patterns, I'd say that a lot depends on how the weight distributes in your body. If you have wide shoulders and large chest like me, it might be that the 30's halfbelt is not the best starting point, but I'm sure Thurston knows what they are doing with your project.

Personally, I've found that Aero's 50's style jackets tend to fit me better than their patterns based on earlier decades jackets. Earlier models tend to have too narrow shoulders for me, unless I go up in sizes. By 50's styles I mean following styles that I've owned at some point: the Teamster, 50's halfbelt, the Bootlegger, Veste des Rallye and Barnstormer. With these styles I'm size 46 for a T-shirt under the jacket and 48 for roomier fit which allows to layer a sweater under the jacket. The Highwayman, which you mentioned, is also a 50's model, but I've found it harder to find a nice fit with this pattern. If the shoulders are wide enough for me, the body starts to be too baggy for my taste.

I have also a Dustbowl, a Mulligan and a Maxwell which are all 30's halfbelt styles, I think. With these I'm size 50. With some of the Aero's slim fitting military models, such as A2, I might need to go to size 52.

 

[Jejupe]

Oh and I forgot to mention that if you have large taper from chest to waist you might want to discuss with Thurston about changing the taper of the jacket from standard pattern. For example Size 48" chest measurement but size 46" waist measurement. But as said, Thurstons folks are pros, just tell them all your concerns with the try on jacket and they'll make your custom jacket to fit you right.

 

[Dennis M]

@Jejupe thank you my man, that's a wealth of knowledge right there that you've provided. This will be my first aero jacket!

 

[Edward]

Could be worth your considering the Premier patter 30d HB if you need that extra taper. Forget about the sizing system of whether it's "right" or not - go by your own measurements and then Thurston / Aero will steer you right as to which size best fits that.

You're definitely going the right way in terms of looking for a model that works best for you; there was a time when some folks, wanting a slimmer jacket than the US-50s style HWM, used to try to go down several sizes in that pattern, with the result that they looked like they were trying to wear a jacket that should be boxy fitting in a size that was too small for them.

Also worth consdiering what you plan to wear under it. I wouldn't myself buy an Aero I could only fit a t-shirt under (as opposed to a shirt and a waistcoat) , as I'd get very little opportunity to wear it in this climate.

 

[ton312]

Great advice and info from @Jejupe, particularly the waist taper. I’ve done this on several Aeros and I find it really improves the fit. I think you’ll find the 50’s patterns, like the halfbelt more comfortable and accommodating to wear. Despite being only marginally trimmer, the 30’s patterns do cut some off in the shoulders.
Another thing to remember is the back style. I’ve added shoulder gussets to all the half belts I’ve owned and they’ve helped quite a bit (I think Aero has really improved the functionality of them).
I’m not in the heavyweight division that you and jejupe are (5’11/215lbs) but I do have a significant drop from chest 46” to waist 33”. Using the drop sized waist while finding the right upper body/tag size will be your golden ticket I’m sure. You can also style a 50’s HB to look like a 30’s model with some simple mods, like I did here:

August collar, button cuffs, rear yoke and shoulder gussets. Drop sized waist and I get all the comfort of the 50’s pattern while maintaining the trim aesthetic of the 30’s design.

 

[Jejupe]

Could be worth your considering the Premier patter 30d HB if you need that extra taper.

I would discourage any lifter to go with the premier range. I believe these have quite narrow shoulders even when compared with ”standard” 30’s patterns. Of course if the lifter in question avoids bench presses and overhead presses and does mostly squat and deadlift it might be different story... however its usually the exact opposite how people tend to train with weights! [emoji847]


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[Jejupe]

@ton321 speaking about tapers: do you go with standard taper with your bootleggers or..?


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[ton312]

@ton321 speaking about tapers: do you go with standard taper with your bootleggers or..?


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I did not specify the additional taper on the BL. According to Carrie it’s already built into the pattern. The 50’s and 30’s HB don’t do that natively.

 

[Jejupe]

I did not specify the additional taper on the BL. According to Carrie it’s already built into the pattern. The 50’s and 30’s HB don’t do that natively.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Actually bootlegger or it’s straight zip sister the Route 66 would be my recommendation for anyone with more muscle in the chest/shoulder area.

 

[jacketjunkie]

I did not specify the additional taper on the BL. According to Carrie it’s already built into the pattern. The 50’s and 30’s HB don’t do that natively.

Yeah the BL has plenty of taper by design. My size 38 goes from a 23" PTP to a 20" bottom hem.

 

[Edward]

I would discourage any lifter to go with the premier range. I believe these have quite narrow shoulders even when compared with ”standard” 30’s patterns. Of course if the lifter in question avoids bench presses and overhead presses and does mostly squat and deadlift it might be different story... however its usually the exact opposite how people tend to train with weights! [emoji847]

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Ah! I must defer to your greater knowledge on this - I've not set foot in a gym since it stopped being an easy way out in games "lessons" close to thirty years ago!

 

[Boyo]

@Dennis M, Im a bit late to the party but, you and I are just about identical in height and weight.. I usually wear a standard 48 in all of my Aero jackets.. but as was said you gotta know the measurements that work best for your shape, mine are as follows:
Across chest ( pit to pit) 26"
Shoulders 21
Sleeve 26.5 27"
Back Length 26'.5 27"

The 1930's half belt Im wearing below ( labeled a 48) was not made for me so Ive no idea how it was specced.. but the measurements matched my criteria.

I haven't tried the waist tapering yet, but I think that would work best if you were ordering a Highwayman..

 

[Edward]

TBH, I wouldn't advise a Highwayman as the ideal start for anyone who wants a fitted waist - it just ends up taking away too much of what the jacket is about, imo.

A better option for that might be the Original 59er version, the Premier HWM, or possibly even the Royale (which is very much like the HWM in more of a 30s fit, to my eye - save the pocket differences, which Aero might even be open to changing).

 

[AeroFan_07]

These a lot of really great advice from some Aero (and weightroom Heavyweights) already on this thread. I also enjoy lifting but am far behind the 8-ball in many respects. I'm 195 lbs, 6'1" and a Size 36 waist for over 15 years. Would really love to get that Waist dimension down to 34 again.

As has already been stated, going with Thurston and Carrie is the Best first move!! She is tremendous at sizing up folks. As soon as she saw me, with no tape measure at all, she had everything dialed in right away. You will save a Ton of $$$$ by simply buying through her for the first couple, at least.

As others have stated, a 30's or 50's Half belt is a great first choice. I think an often-overlooked choice is the Plainsman however as others have stated it's based off the 30's Half Bet, which is a little narrower of fit. The Highwayman is a great jacket, but a tough fit. I prefer the Zip Sleeve model as it seems to have the fit dialed in a bit more.

Enjoy the search! Post some photos when you get one and welcome to FL

 

[MegaLARP]

Just do what I did and go on a multi year cut until nobody can even tell you lift in a jacket anymore

 

[Dennis M]

@ton312 is your 50's HB cordovan? Looks wonderful.

 

[Dennis M]

@AeroFan_07 thank you!

 

[ton312]

@ton312 is your 50's HB cordovan? Looks wonderful.

Cordo steer! Dreadnought edition!

 

[regius]

My first reaction to the OP question is: why Aero of all makers. The stiff hide, the high shoulder cap/low arm
Hole, is not exactly friendly to muscular physiques. Vanson/Langlitz are much much more ergonomic. Aero is like that by no fault, it’s what they are meant to be.


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