Alexander Leathers

[Jeff M]

Unlike you I expect, I have jackets made by both. Or rather I have jackets from Aero from a few years back to couple of years ago, and have ordered and been sent one and then a remake since then. Both of which were not right at all.

...

No dog in this fight for me. Just my experience.
I also have Aero jackets made pre and post "management change".
Sent back 2 jackets for re-do/correction from the earlier regime.
One from the post regime.
Each time the re-do's/corrections were made in a timely fashion and got things right.
Interestingly, one of the corrections was made by the "new regime" on a jacket made several years ago by the "old regime".
I contacted them about a problem with the satin sleeve lining in a half belt that was so redundant it bunched up at the wrists each time I put it on. I hardly wore the jacket, it was so uncomfortable.
When I ordered the jacket with the satin lining, I was told by the old regime that they always put the satin lining in over the standard cotton twill lining out of concern of the wear to the satin.
Aero no longer does that.
I asked the "new regime" if they could just get rid of the satin and correct the redundancy of the twill.
Even though the jacket was several years old, they told me to send the jacket back, would correct it at no charge.

So...overall, my experience has been positive with both "regimes", and noticed no differences in "quality".

 

[Jeff M]

,,, I do know that Aero have of late really beefed up their checks on jacket specc requirements before any jacket goes out the door - ..

I understand that this was one area that Aero had been lacking in over the years.

 

[winterland1]

It's something that is really best not returned to at this juncture, but that's not to say it won't be at some point in the near future. If you read back, you'll get the gist of it.

I believe I have read most all of the info. There is a lot.
I didn't mean to redrudge up the past controversy by posting an article I read about Alexander Leathers. Oh well.
I really wish we could keep to talking/posting about the actual jackets and buyers experiences, pictures etc of them. The other eventually just turns into he said she said.

I had to restrain myself from posting a link to a thread about the Sam Walker deal on here. I only mention it as I had never read it before. It is good to be informed but I am trying to take my own advice also. Ha!

 

[Sloan1874]

That's fair, winterland, it's more Sandy A's dredging up of the issue again in the manner he did that's a bit tacky - in cases like this, it's always better to maintain a dignified silence. The Sam Walker-Aero connection is pretty historic, but they still seem to kick up every so often.

@Jeff, Ken said that a rigorous checking process is now in place which starts with each jacket's dimensions, but works through the customer's own submitted spec, to make sure they match.

 

[Plumbline]

in cases like this, it's always better to maintain a dignified silence.

Are you serious ...... did you just post that with a straight face

 

[Sloan1874]

Funny how you suddenly pop up there, PL. We can say what we like around here, it counts for nothing. I don't recall Aero saying very much on this after the initial statement and certainly nothing in any press coverage. with the legal wheels still turning, I don't think it's in anybody's interest to make unwise comments. [huh]

 

[Capesofwrath]

No dog in this fight for me. Just my experience.
I also have Aero jackets made pre and post "management change".
Sent back 2 jackets for re-do/correction from the earlier regime.
One from the post regime.
Each time the re-do's/corrections were made in a timely fashion and got things right.
Interestingly, one of the corrections was made by the "new regime" on a jacket made several years ago by the "old regime".
I contacted them about a problem with the satin sleeve lining in a half belt that was so redundant it bunched up at the sleeves each time I put it on. I hardly wore the jacket, it was so uncomfortable.
When I ordered the jacket with the satin lining, I was told by the old regime that they always put the satin lining in over the standard cotton twill lining out of concern of the wear to the satin.
Aero no longer does that.
I asked the "new regime" if they could just get rid of the satin and correct the redundancy of the twill.
Even though the jacket was several years old, they told me to send the jacket back, would correct it at no charge.

So...overall, my experience has been positive with both "regimes", and noticed no differences in "quality".

I only posted here because I haven't visited FL very often in the last few months and when I saw the mess that a few Aero fanboys had made of this thread I thought I would post a counter balance. It was supposed to be about AL and to inform anyone interested in that company and its products I thought.

I don't have any great problems with Aero. They refunded me and I wasted nearly a year. No one died. I just think their quality control is nowhere as good as it was. I had the odd issue before but not like this.

The first jacket I was sent was very weird in several ways and cannot have been properly inspected. I saw one obvious flaw the moment I took it out of the box after a quick glance. With the second jacket they inclosed a check sheet BTW with all the measurements properly entered and ticked as passed. But when I measured them I made them much shorter. That jacket didn't have flaws like the first it was just that most of the measurements I asked for were off but ticked anyway.

Wishful thinking by the checker? Bad tape measure? Full order book and a desire to get the orders out regardless? Who knows? The attitude was just send it back and we'll do it again. But I wondered what the hell would turn up next time, and I was fed up with the hassle and with them by then.

 

[Plumbline]

I don't think it's in anybody's interest to make unwise comments. [huh]

There you go again ... you're killin me man

Gotta love the press .... God love 'em

 

[Sloan1874]

Always nice to have a reader, PL. I look forward to providing more breaking news very soon.

 

[frussell]

I understand the Aero loyalty. If you get one made right, they're hard to beat. I would also like to be able to read an Alexander Leather thread without all the crap that comes with it. The folks in charge at Aero that sold me an 11 pound storse jacket are now at AL, but the person who put it together, labeled as FQHH still works at Aero and is highly regarded here. Should I boycott both? No, I'll just be more careful next time. I'd order from either, if AL made bigger sizes on their standard models. Seems like the most vocal critics never got burned in the first place. Frank

 

[Seb Lucas]

I've not followed this controversy nor do I care to. I can say that the Alexander Leathers 1930's half-belt in goat I bought is one of the best jackets I have ever owned or seen. As goods as the 1930's Aero I had in every way but cheaper and with only a 4-5 week wait.

 

[nicholasb]

Judging my AL jacket against the few Aero's I have owned, I see no quality difference whatsoever between the two. I am sure people who were caught up in the problems are understandably upset but personally I can't see why anyone else would worry about it. Surely there is room for the two companies to exist and it has to be better for the customer.

 

[nicholasb]

Talking of Alexander Leathers jackets, I think the pictures of the jackets look better without the dark background as seen on this site.
http://www.stuartslondon.com/coats-jackets-c23/leather-jackets-c66/alexander-leathers-m213

 

[Sloan1874]

Aren't those Aero's own zips on the Irvin? :eeek:

 

[Plumbline]

I think they are Alexander Leather Company's version of the Air Ministry zipper ...... I certainly know who designed them ( and it wasn't me) !

 

[Sloan1874]

Hmm, wouldn't have any reason to do with why AL no longer sell the Irvin on their own website, would it? Using another company's hardware without their permission, that'd be very dodgy...[huh]

 

[Plumbline]

no idea .... any insight ????

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Those are certainly the zippers Aero were using in 2008 or so.

 

[Stand By]

Oh dear.
Just when I'd really been enjoying the lack of partisan comments around here that just turn me off ... <sigh>

Thanks for posting the link nicolasb; it was nice to see that Irvin. Always good to see something that's nice and new (to me, anyway).

 

[Stand By]

Oh dear.
Just when I'd really been enjoying the lack of partisan comments around here that just turn me off ... <sigh>

Thanks for posting the link nicolasb; it was nice to see that Irvin. Always good to see something that's nice and new (to me, anyway).