Aero Shackleton with Brass Buttons, Size 38

[Feliksas]

Howdy all,

Just wanted to share a picture of my full leather-back Shackleton vest, to which I had added authentic, Royal Navy, brass buttons (24-25mm).

For those considering the vest, the default buttons are sensitive to water--I don't recall being out in the rain with it, but somehow, each one fell apart, and Aero said that that usually happens/can happen if they get wet. Anyway, it ended well, as I think these buttons are lovely and add to the "look."

 

[l0fielectronic]

The shackleton I had had plastic buttons which were styled to look like leather football buttons? I guess they must have changed what they use.

Looks good. Mine always felt a couple of inches too long and I eventually sold it.

 

[Feliksas]

If I were to buy it again, I’d probably get it shorter, too, since all my jackets are shorter, and sometimes I want to wear it with a jacket. But I’ve adopted it as my “teacher flair,” since I’m a school teacher, so now it lives happily at school .

My original buttons were leather football buttons, and while lovely, they wore out.

 

[JoeNiblick]

I was wondering why buttons would not fare well with moisture, and that seems odd on an item of clothing, but I suppose leather-covered buttons are not that durable.

 

[Feliksas]

Apparently, as I learned, there's what seems to be a "cardboard heart" to the button, or somesuch, around which the leather is wrapped--so be warned It's a fantastic vest, and I do wear it out now that I have my metal buttons in the woods and elsewhere in the rain, but with the original buttons, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[abone]

I have this vest and one of my buttons came apart yesterday. I hadn't worn in the rain either. The leather came apart from the backing material. I've fixed that button with some glue but now that I see how its constructed, I know its a matter of time before the others come apart. A brass button is a great long term solution but I am curious how you attached them? The buttons are attached with thread to a backing of some sort that is sewn into the vest and not accessible from the backside. It appears I'd have to take the two front side and backside of the leather apart in order to access the button attachment point.
Did you do this yourself, or take to a seamstress?

 

[Feliksas]

Howdy,

I had a seamstress do it, although she did as I would have done were I to do it myself--she sewed small flat black buttons on the inside of the vest so that the leather doesn't tear.

Brass buttons are working out great, they look sharp, and I wore the vest every day at the school where I work. I highly recommend the brass button switch, although given your experience, I think we should nudge Aero to move away from these buttons--everything Aero is usually top notch, but if your buttons also failed, then there may be a problem with them!

Let me know what you decide to do,

F

 

[abone]

I bought my vest from an Aero dealer, Thurston Bros in Seattle. I agree, these buttons aren't up to the quality of the vest. I'll give Thurston a shout. I know they've sold a few. A marine style, vintage looking dark brass button would be the right way for Aero to address this.
Did you buy your replacement buttons online?

 

[Edward]

I'd be interested to hear more about what leather you went for. I'm hoping to order a Shackleton once I get my weight down a bit, and I'm torn between a leather back or drill cotton. Aesthetically, something like goat all over appeals, but head-wise I'm also seeing the advantage of a cotton back as the idea for me is in part to wear it like a sleeveless "jacket" when it's too warm out for a "proper" leather jacket.

 

[Feliksas]

Aero sent me replacement buttons, but I decided not to use them because I fear that the same would happen.

I bought these instead; and I see there are similar sets available for a good price on eBay. As I mentioned above, 25mm fit well and suit the vest; now that I've had them for a few months, Royal Marine buttons seem more "in character" than the default ones.

Post pictures if you decide to go for alternate buttons--I couldn't be more pleased with my choice to change them, despite wringing my hands about "damaging" the vest for a few weeks before I did.

F

 

[Feliksas]

I'd be interested to hear more about what leather you went for. I'm hoping to order a Shackleton once I get my weight down a bit, and I'm torn between a leather back or drill cotton. Aesthetically, something like goat all over appeals, but head-wise I'm also seeing the advantage of a cotton back as the idea for me is in part to wear it like a sleeveless "jacket" when it's too warm out for a "proper" leather jacket.

My order specs were: Standard size 38, olive stitching, battered Seal Horsehide, all leather back (should last longer), and herringbone tweed lining. I literally do yard work/forest work in it, though, and lean against brick walls and rocks and the like, so I have no regrets about the leather--I'm afraid a cloth back would make the vest too fragile for what I paid for it.

Regarding the weight loss--I took off the 12kg I put on during quarantine, and which you maybe saw in my summer photos, by just doing fish oil for breakfast and lunch (Mollers or whatever it's called, has some other vitamins in it), and then eating supper with my family (4 hour eating window essentially). On Fridays, I allow myself pints and pizza or whatever suits my fancy. It took me about 2.5 months to get rid of those 12kg and the pot belly. Good luck with that!

F