Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[Harris HTM]

Thanks for your compliment on my collection. I've thought about that, whether a military style like an A1 or A2 would suit me. I think I could pull it off but I'm not sure whether I'd actually wear such a jacket. But if you don't try you don't know and I'm open to try anything, as long as it's quality made.
Today I received a Lewis Leathers biker jacket with padded shoulders. Not too long ago I would have dismissed such a style but now that I've tried, I really like it.

you may try a military inspired jacket, my Happy Days is my spring/summer leather jacket!

 

[torfjord]

Does anybody have a picture of how a Brown Chromexcel jacket ages/patinas? I see lots of photos of "natural" color patina, but now much for brown,

 

[Carlos840]

Thanks for your compliment on my collection. I've thought about that, whether a military style like an A1 or A2 would suit me. I think I could pull it off but I'm not sure whether I'd actually wear such a jacket. But if you don't try you don't know and I'm open to try anything, as long as it's quality made.
Today I received a Lewis Leathers biker jacket with padded shoulders. Not too long ago I would have dismissed such a style but now that I've tried, I really like it.

Like you i am not a fan of the military jackets, but i tried an Eastman A1 last year and it was really nice.
I think it would work well on you, very V shaped jacket, IMO it was nicer than their A2, not as blousy.
To me it instantly went into the list of jackets i wanted to get, but that i was not ready to pay new price for as i don't think i would actually wear it much (not a fan of knits)
A 44 was a great fit on me (i'm a 42 in californian and windward). Since that day i have been looking for one on eBay, but still haven't seen one.

 

[Harris HTM]

View attachment 310307

yeah, a natural light photo reveals much more than the ones I've posted. Great jacket!

 

[torfjord]

yeah, a natural light photo reveals much more than the ones I've posted. Great jacket!

That jacket is long gone unfortunately. Sold it to someone in the classifieds. But I really liked how the brown cxl breaks in!

 

[firsttimebuyer]

Wow that was super helpful. Thanks everybody. Now, here is a harder question. Does anybody have a picture or experience with patinaed battered tan vs patinated unfinished horsehide? From what I have seen they look pretty similar once the unfinished horse has a patina. I also saw a thread where somebody described battered tan as getting lighter when exposed to sunlight, whereas unfinished horse gets darker. Apart from looks, is unfinished horse tough enough for a motorcycle jacket?

 

[MrProper]

I think it would work well on you, very V shaped jacket, IMO it was nicer than their A2, not as blousy.

That's the point. If shoulders and hips have too much V, then the jacket has to support it. Then it may no longer be historically correct, but in my opinion it still looks better.

 

[dlite90]

Is a super high stitch count necessarily a better construction than, say, 7 stitches per inch?

 

[handymike]

No, not necessarily. Other factors come into play as well.

 

[jonbuilder]

breaking in process, knocks off some shine and can bring out substantial grain

I have an Aero sunbrust halfbelt in black tumbled and I agree with Aero's description. I think an Aero bootlegger would be nice in brown tumbled horsehide

 

[jonbuilder]

Aero brown CXL horse as requested. Five years moderate use

 

[dlite90]

I read online that the absolute best leathers in the world don’t come from a tannery, but each part of the tanning process is sourced to different specialists in northern Italy. That made me raise an eyebrow, I wonder if it’s true and if anyone has experience with such leathers.

 

[Bfd70]

^ “Best”
Let the games begin!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I read online that the absolute best leathers in the world don’t come from a tannery, but each part of the tanning process is sourced to different specialists in northern Italy. That made me raise an eyebrow, I wonder if it’s true and if anyone has experience with such leathers.

"Best leathers" always makes me chuckle. Best for what? No doubt in this niche artisanal authenticity movement there will be any number of 'unique' processes and marketing claims.

 

[Fonzie]

Thanks! I wrote Ken too. Maybe tumbled is the way to go. I worry the jerky won’t stand up to Chicago weather.

I also understood that Jerky was even lighter than Vicenza and I didn't want that. Now I have unfinished HH, which is in something like Vicenza. If I hadn't wanted natural, I would have taken tumbled too.

I currently own from Aero: CXL (not tumbled but used enough to show same grain), brown Jerky HH, brown Oil pull HH and Vincenza (black and blackened brown).
In order of thickness:
1. CXL
2. jerky HH
3. Vincenza
4. Oil pull
I love them all in their differences but my favourite and probably the one that combines the best characteristics of each one of them is the Jerky HH.

 

[ton312]

I currently own from Aero: CXL (not tumbled but used enough to show same grain), brown Jerky HH, brown Oil pull HH and Vincenza (black and blackened brown).
In order of thickness:
1. CXL
2. jerky HH
3. Vincenza
4. Oil pull
I love them all in their differences but my favourite and probably the one that combines the best characteristics of each one of them is the Jerky HH.

Thanks man! I’m getting a sample to be sure but I really like the look of the jerky HH. Def has the most vintage looking grain.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I currently own from Aero: CXL (not tumbled but used enough to show same grain), brown Jerky HH, brown Oil pull HH and Vincenza (black and blackened brown).
In order of thickness:
1. CXL
2. jerky HH
3. Vincenza
4. Oil pull
I love them all in their differences but my favourite and probably the one that combines the best characteristics of each one of them is the Jerky HH.

That's interesting. I wish Aero would provide a typical weight rating for these. They used to say that their medium HH hides were typically 2.2oz thick. I have a Vincenza half-belt and it seems about 2.5oz in weight. Not light by any means from my perspective. Didn't Areo claim that Jerky was their lightest recently? Maybe it is batch dependent. I think I like the look of Jerky the most.

 

[Fonzie]

That's interesting. I wish Aero would provide a typical weight rating for these. They used to say that their medium HH hides were typically 2.2oz thick. I have a Vincenza half-belt and it seems about 2.5oz in weight. Not light by any means from my perspective. Didn't Areo claim that Jerky was their lightest recently? Maybe it is batch dependent. I think I like the look of Jerky the most.

My oil pull is 5 years old, maybe discontinued leather or batch but definitely lightest and more supple. Jerky is 4 years old, thick as CXL almost but more supple and ageing nicer with the tea core coming through more like vintage ones.
Edit: typo.

 

[Harris HTM]

That's interesting. I wish Aero would provide a typical weight rating for these. They used to say that their medium HH hides were typically 2.2oz thick. I have a Vincenza half-belt and it seems about 2.5oz in weight. Not light by any means from my perspective. Didn't Areo claim that Jerky was their lightest recently? Maybe it is batch dependent. I think I like the look of Jerky the most.

My vicenza is easily as thick and heavy as any of my cxl fqhh, though far more supple. But I came to understand that this had to do with a batch that they were using around the time my vicenza happy days was made.

 

[dlite90]

^ “Best”
Let the games begin!

Why would there be any “games” about it?
Someone could just post about said tanning in northern Italy and what it’s like without trying to fling shit.