Alexander Leathers Simmons and Aero Aeromarine Discussion

[ButteMT61]

I think the title of the thread has been changed at some point today.

Ah...sorry. Didn't realize that. Thank you sir. I like TFL because it's not a commercial site - I trust the folks that over time have proven knowledgeable and trustworthy. I just fear the commercialism that ruins so many other sites - but I know they gotta pay the bills. It's a fine balance.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

With utmost respect for the job that must be done here...Isn't the title of the thread " Alexander Leathers Simmons and Aero Aeromarine Discussion"?Most every thread on TFL goes off-kilter in time, most of the time we keep it civil. I just don't recall a host asking a maker for pics to post up. Given a few companies are releasing very similar jackets at the same timeframe, it seems that comparisons will and should be made here. I would understand if this thread didn't start as a comparo...I agree though it should be constructive!

Asking for pictures to clarify is a new thing. That said, I would have done it if it were Bill Kelso, Goodwear, or any other vendor. We didn't do things like this in the past because frankly we didn't have the time. Now that we are bringing on some affiliates and advertisers, we're able to put a little more time into the site, and will continue to do things like this if it helps answer questions members have. As far as making comparisons, that's fine! We enjoy and encourage comparisons between manufacturers, so I'm not exactly certain what you're asking about. Is it that I split the topic off into another thread?


Edit-- Ah yes, never mind. Your most recent reply solved it. This thread devolved out of Charlie's thread showing off his new Dakota jacket.

 

[ButteMT61]

Thanks Nathan. Good to have it all out in the open so folks understand. I can certainly appreciate needing/wanting to have affiliates here. As consumers, we need to know the difference between us "regular folks" and the sellers/vendors.
I read some crazy stuff on another forum recently from a vendor, and I was pretty shocked, but not surprised. Appreciate the info you posted.

 

[Boyo]

I asked the question about what the AL jacket would look like with the top button undone, Thanks Nathan for getting the picture.. to me it makes a world of difference, the jacket looks much more wearable in the updated shot.

 

[hpalapdog]

No matter, this week I visited both factories.

How big is the AL workshop compared to Aero's emporium ?

I've got some magazine pics of original Simmons Bilts. I'll post them up next week. The late 20's and 30's ones are normally brown aniline goatskin.

 

[wild_balls]

I think the Aero collar looks more engineered ( worked on ).
Otherwise great designs, both of them!

 

[hpalapdog]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Schitz. Maybe you are looking at a smartphone, rather than a decent monitor - I don't know. But when you get the chance, have a proper look:

Here are the collars. The Aero on the right ,has a shawl collar (like the original). The AlexCo has a Peter Pan collar - something I have rarely seen on a leather jacket, or many men's jackets at all, come to that.

In men's clothing the AL type collar is usually called a rounded cutaway collar.
http://www.jrobertsmenswear.com/store/Burgundy-Bengal-Stripe-Cutaway-Collar-French-Cuff-Dress-Shirt/
Quite common on many pre-WWI casual jackets.
I'm away from home at the moment but I'll see next week if I've got any pics of leather ones.

 

[wild_balls]

Thanks Nathan. Good to have it all out in the open so folks understand. I can certainly appreciate needing/wanting to have affiliates here. As consumers, we need to know the difference between us "regular folks" and the sellers/vendors.
I read some crazy stuff on another forum recently from a vendor, and I was pretty shocked, but not surprised. Appreciate the info you posted.

Upright and frank as always, agree with you Butte!

 

[Plumbline]

If I take the AL name correctly then this is a replica of the jacket P12

of the Rin Tanaka book "Motorcycle Jackets - A Century of Leather Design" and NOT a copy of the Aero jacket ...... that might just be why it's called a Simmonds Bilt !!!!!

Just a thought ........... the jacket on P12 is a 1920's - 1930's Black Simmons Bilt in Black Horsehide from an unknown maker and the AL jacket is a pretty decent facsimile .... I think the clue might be in the name

If I get a chance I'll post a pic ...... I'll also phone and ask Will / Amanda tomorrow .. but I'm pretty sure that's the case ( after all that's where he took his grizzly design and many others from)

 

[ButteMT61]

of the Rin Tanaka book "Motorcycle Jackets - A Century of Leather Design" and NOT a copy of the Aero jacket ...

Cool, we've established it's a copy of an older jacket. Feel better? :eeek:

 

[Plumbline]

Incidentally the Simmonds Bilt has a cutaway collar and not a shawl collar

 

[Plumbline]

yes thanks Butte .. it is on the opposite page to the Menlo Cossack which made me smile a little

I am not a fan of either for one reason ..... BUTTONS

 

[Dr H]

Cool, we've established it's a copy of an older jacket. Feel better? :eeek:

As I said, they all are to a degree... ;-)

 

[ButteMT61]

yes thanks Butte .. it is on the opposite page to the Menlo Cossack which made me smile a little I am not a fan of either for one reason ..... BUTTONS

Some buttons I don't like. I don't like football (football) or other rounded ones. I like good ol' flat, round buttons a la A-1. But I get why some don't like 'em. Especially with gloves/cold hands!

 

[ButteMT61]

As I said, they all are to a degree... ;-)

Ever last one. Which is fine. Just do it right!

 

[hpalapdog]

Incidentally the Simmonds Bilt has a cutaway collar and not a shawl collar

See post 47

 

[Plumbline]

sorry HPA .... missed it in scanning out the rubb .... less relevant information (your's however was entirely relevant)

 

[schitzo]

I must admit, to see you lot work out what it is is quite gratifying. It's this type of thing that makes TFL work for me.

Like I already said, whatever it is, when I put it on I reckoned it looked pretty good. And it felt really good on. One of those in their black goat would be a very nice summer jacket indeed, though I do very much like the Norwegian horse too.

 

[Sir Jacket]

I think she looks cute and very much embraceable.

Certainly prefer to embrace her than any of the shawl-collar interlocutors here!

I think Butte's making the most important point here, though: the Lounge has long been about leather-jacket fans discussing fit, purchases etc. To mix that up with vendors' responses, I'm not sure that works – really. Our motives are just too different.

SJ

 

[Jeff M]

Re; the jackets...
Nice to have some more choices available.
I personally prefer the shawl collar to the other design...whatever it's called....but that's just me.
My tastes have changed enough over the years to where I have learned to never say never.