Are quality products just for the menfolk?

[matei]

Hi all,

Now that I'm about to order the dream jacket for myself from Aero, Mrs. Matei asked me if any of these companies make high-quality leather outerwear for the ladies?

It is one thing to order a tiny size from a manufacturer like Aero, but if they're not accustomed to making womens clothing, chances are it wouldn't fit.

According to Mrs. Matei, there is a lack of high-quality, durable leather outerwear for women. I would have to take her word for it...

 

[kojax]

cockpit usa are making some leather jackets for ladys like the a-2 and the g-i jacket and other ones .

 

[John Lever]

Hi all,

Now that I'm about to order the dream jacket for myself from Aero, Mrs. Matei asked me if any of these companies make high-quality leather outerwear for the ladies?

It is one thing to order a tiny size from a manufacturer like Aero, but if they're not accustomed to making womens clothing, chances are it wouldn't fit.

According to Mrs. Matei, there is a lack of high-quality, durable leather outerwear for women. I would have to take her word for it...

Aero used to offer a whole range of womens pilot jackets. I haven't seen any on sale for a while but they must still have all the patterns.

 

[Creeping Past]

That's an interesting point, Matei.

Is this really a men-only market? Just because the main companies don't market their products at women doesn't mean there's no demand.

Aero are renowned for custom work. It would be interesting to get their perspective on this.

Slightly off-topic:

Looking at the clothing market from the other end of the telescope often produces some strange effects. Why, for instance, are there more, and generally better-fitting, women's clothes around than men's? Why do men pay more, on the whole, for garment ranges where there's less choice of cut and style? Just because men's clothing is marketed in the way it is doesn't mean it's working. If there's no demand for high, tight armholes, etc., why is this? Is it really because men like wearing ill-fitting sacks?

My point is — I do have one! — that the demand by women for leather jackets for leisure wear may be satisfied by high street/mall offerings, since there's much greater choice in women's clothing ranges.

Perhaps men with special requirements in leather are forced to the higher end of the market because there's so little available at the retail sharp end.

 

[matei]

Thanks for the info guys... definitely somewhere to start my research!

 

[zetwal]

I don't think that you should dismiss Aero at of hand. Just email or call them. They are very responsive. And (I would think) they should be able help you make an informed decision about what they can and cannot do for you in this instance. They may have photos to share as well.

 

[John in Covina]

While those that do the high end repros of these aviator styled jackets may be less likely to do women's jackets the high end motorcyle attire makers are more likely to have a line of women's wear in mind.

So you might want to check out some of those makers like Schott and others.

 

[matei]

We saw some interesting designs at Belstaff... however I've never seen the stuff in person.

 

[Fanch]

I currently own a Perrone ANJ in lambskin, which is a great jacket, and is high quality. When I want the most comfortable jacket to wear, I grab the Perrone ANJ, not my Cooper A-2, Cooper G-1, Aero Highwayman, and/or Aero A-2, although the Cooper G-1 is close to the Perrone in comfort.

Perrone also has jackets for women listed on their website:

1. Lady Aviator
http://www.perroneapparel.com/store/a2ladyav.htm

2. Lady Liberty Flight Jacket
http://www.perroneapparel.com/store/libertyfeatures.htm

If I were to order a jacket for my wife, I would probably go with the Lady Liberty Flight Jacket because of the plain, understated design. Both women's jackets are listed as made with lambskin. My lambskin Perrone ANJ, which is listed as the men's Liberty jacket (made now only in goatskin), has worn very well. Again, I emphasize the quality of the jacket.

 

[John Lever]

We saw some interesting designs at Belstaff... however I've never seen the stuff in person.

Reply from Amanda at Aero-
Well we can make any of the jackets for women, as long as we have all their measurements J

 

[matei]

Wow - thanks for that! That is very encouraging...