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Aero Sheene made of unfinished horsehide

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,345
Location
Europe
After seeing how the Mister Freedom natural campus jacket developed, I thought to myself that at some point I would need a jacket made of natural leather.
At first I thought of a trucker made of natural CXL, but Aero told me the skins are too thick for a trucker.
So natural Vicenza. But then the trucker looked too much like a Western jacket, since the natural Vicenza is rather yellow.
And since I wanted a replacement for my Cafe Racer anyway, it should be a Sheene in natural Vicenza.
But then I stumbled across the unfinished HH and then the decision was clear. This is what I want.

I placed the order in mid-December and it was delivered today. So it took a little more than 3 months.
During this time I tormented Holly and Denny about the material, details and the right size, but I always met with a lot of patience. Thanks a lot for this :)

Since my old Cafe Racer was way too big but too short, it was clear that the new jacket would have to be at least two sizes smaller and slightly longer.
Ultimately, it became a size 42, with longer body and sleeves, as well as tighter at the waist. The dimensions are not 100% the ones I specified, which is also rather difficult with Aero, as they don't offer tailor-made jackets, but only modifications based on standard sizes. An inch less P2P would have been nice.

The unfinished HH is awesome. Relatively stiff, stiffer than the Vicenza, and feels velvety. Almost a bit like nubuck leather. The smell is great too. Similar to Vicenza, but a bit leatherier (if that makes any sense).
The color is cream, but not as yellow as the natural Vicenza. Even if it didn't get darker, it would be a cool color for summer.

Speaking of summer ... I want this jacket for summer. Therefore also light, thinner leather and a normal cotton drill. This is thinner than the heavy cotton I usually have. I also really wanted to have this color (mustard), which is not available as heavy cotton.
Hardware I used antique brass to have a bit of a contrast to the light leather.

So far everything is good. I just don't find the stiching so intoxicating. Either it's just like that with the leather, or the seam is too tight for this type of leather. The seams definitely look better on my Ridley made of Vicenza leather. But I think that once the color has developed, it won't be so noticeable.

I have to measure the dimensions exactly, but it's something like this:
Shoulders: 19.5"
P2P: 24"
Hem: 20"

I'm 6.5 tall, 198.5 lbs.

In any case, I'm curious to see how the jacket will develop and will post pictures of the progress here from time to time.

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Berto

One of the Regulars
Messages
282
Nice jacket, and fit is perfect. Enjoy it.

With more use, the leather will turn darker and nicer in my opinion.
 

Cheech

A-List Customer
Messages
374
Location
NC, US
This looks fantastic! It reminds me a lot of the cafe racer I had Simmons Bilt make for me last year from their natural Italian horsehide, what with the single-pointed yoke in the back, shoulder gussets, two chest pockets, and no hand warmer pockets. I’m not familiar with this leather—do you know where Aero sources it? The leather in mine is also quite stiff, dense too.
 

Robbie79

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,163
Once again - this jacket looks amazing and suits (perfect contrast to your rather dark tan) and fits you perfectly. It’s definitely not noticeable (for me) that one inch less would have fitted you better in the chest area. Now, you made me wanting another Aero made of this fantastic looking leather!! Congratulations!
 

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,338
Location
Cleveland, OH
It looks very different from "natural" CXL, which, I thought, was undyed, hence "natural" colored leather.

I haven't previously heard of this "unfinished" CXL, which is clearly something other than what Aero and Thurston have been selling as "natural CXL".

So I'm very curious now, what is the difference between "natural" and "unfinished" in terms of process? How differently will they age?
 

NYDRH

One of the Regulars
Messages
277
It looks very different from "natural" CXL, which, I thought, was undyed, hence "natural" colored leather.

I haven't previously heard of this "unfinished" CXL, which is clearly something other than what Aero and Thurston have been selling as "natural CXL".

So I'm very curious now, what is the difference between "natural" and "unfinished" in terms of process? How differently will they age?
Viberg uses natural and crust cxl for their boots. I assume similar to here just different thickness. I've had natural cxl and crust horsebutt from them. What they're labeling natural is as you said, is a finishing color and the crust is unfinished. My natural boots have a warm yellowish undertone and the crust when it arrived was near white and had a different surface texture to it. They both darken over time with the crust being more dramatic
 

Riu

Practically Family
Messages
703
Location
UK
After seeing how the Mister Freedom natural campus jacket developed, I thought to myself that at some point I would need a jacket made of natural leather.
At first I thought of a trucker made of natural CXL, but Aero told me the skins are too thick for a trucker.
So natural Vicenza. But then the trucker looked too much like a Western jacket, since the natural Vicenza is rather yellow.
And since I wanted a replacement for my Cafe Racer anyway, it should be a Sheene in natural Vicenza.
But then I stumbled across the unfinished HH and then the decision was clear. This is what I want.

I placed the order in mid-December and it was delivered today. So it took a little more than 3 months.
During this time I tormented Holly and Denny about the material, details and the right size, but I always met with a lot of patience. Thanks a lot for this :)

Since my old Cafe Racer was way too big but too short, it was clear that the new jacket would have to be at least two sizes smaller and slightly longer.
Ultimately, it became a size 42, with longer body and sleeves, as well as tighter at the waist. The dimensions are not 100% the ones I specified, which is also rather difficult with Aero, as they don't offer tailor-made jackets, but only modifications based on standard sizes. An inch less P2P would have been nice.

The unfinished HH is awesome. Relatively stiff, stiffer than the Vicenza, and feels velvety. Almost a bit like nubuck leather. The smell is great too. Similar to Vicenza, but a bit leatherier (if that makes any sense).
The color is cream, but not as yellow as the natural Vicenza. Even if it didn't get darker, it would be a cool color for summer.

Speaking of summer ... I want this jacket for summer. Therefore also light, thinner leather and a normal cotton drill. This is thinner than the heavy cotton I usually have. I also really wanted to have this color (mustard), which is not available as heavy cotton.
Hardware I used antique brass to have a bit of a contrast to the light leather.

So far everything is good. I just don't find the stiching so intoxicating. Either it's just like that with the leather, or the seam is too tight for this type of leather. The seams definitely look better on my Ridley made of Vicenza leather. But I think that once the color has developed, it won't be so noticeable.

I have to measure the dimensions exactly, but it's something like this:
Shoulders: 19.5"
P2P: 24"
Hem: 20"

I'm 6.5 tall, 198.5 lbs.

In any case, I'm curious to see how the jacket will develop and will post pictures of the progress here from time to time.

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That leather is superb! I love how the sleeves look, was hoping I will get something like that on my CR but I'm pretty sure the pattern makes a big difference.
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,842
Location
SoFlo
Looks great. Can you elaborate on the weight and grade of the horsehide? As Guppy asked - how is "unfinished" different from "natural"? Did the hide come from Aero or you? Which tannery?
 

technovox

One Too Many
Messages
1,241
Location
San Francisco
Thanks for posting your new Sheene. Likewise, I've been looking for a natural leather for a new Sheene. I was originally considering the natural Vic, but the Vic just lacks the depth of the natural CXL. And the CXL is too thick for this climate...(Too bad Aero doesn't offer deerhide, or elk. Or Kudu.)
So I was happy to read about a new "unfinished" option. It will be interesting to see how it ages- really looking forward to seeing some updated fit photos!
 

technovox

One Too Many
Messages
1,241
Location
San Francisco
If I’m not mistaken this is veg tanned unfinished horsehide (not CXL) from the Comipel tannery in Italy. I had a highwayman in this leather that was made as part of a collaboration between Epaulet and Aero.

Love to see some photos of your highwayman...I'm curious how the unfinished HH develops over time in both color and wear.
 

Aerielle Max

One of the Regulars
Messages
113
Once again - this jacket looks amazing and suits (perfect contrast to your rather dark tan) and fits you perfectly. It’s definitely not noticeable (for me) that one inch less would have fitted you better in the chest area. Now, you made me wanting another Aero made of this fantastic looking leather!! Congratulations!
I agree, this one looks perfect on him. That would be really amazing if it ages.
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,868
Location
East Java
soon you'll have a case of pale underarm, and have to find a creative way to tan that part to catchup with the rest, and then there is pale shoulder gusset case (this case is though to break and still unsolved in my department):eek:
 

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