Burgundy Leather - Nickel or Brass Hardware?

[jpk_NJ]

Trying to decide on hardware color for a Burgundy/Cordovan half belt. I've seen plenty of Cordovan with brass example but not so many with nickel. Looking for some good photos of what the nickel hardware / burgundy would look like. Both my Brown & Black jackets use vintage Nickel zips but I don't want to screw up the burgundy coat by picking the wrong hardware.

 

[Carlos840]

Beware of Burgundy, i think it is different from Cordovan! I once ordered a burgundy jacket from the AL sales page and it was pretty much purple.
Not the nice brown/red you expect from Cordovan, full on purple.

Can't remember what the hardware was, but it was the last of my worries, it went straight back in the box and back to AL

 

[handymike]

Burgundy/brass reminds me of my father in the 80's...

 

[Peacoat]

Carlos is right, Burgundy and Cordovan are different. If you want something with a little red in it, go with Cordovan. If not, go with the Brown. Best looking hide Aero carries, IMO, and I have both the Brown and the Cordovan. I am partial to the brass hardware.

 

[Harrifer]

I always wear belts with brass buckles, attached them myself. I like the weight and shininess of it, as well as the fact that more or less nobody else has it. Nowhere sells solid brass buckles on the high street in the UK, so it's unique.

 

[pawineguy]

Another option to consider is the antique brass, I think it looks great. Two shots that I'm pretty sure are both Cordovan with nickel. It looks good, IMO. Keep in mind that with the overlapping leather on top of the main zipper, when the jacket is zipped, and if you wear it zipped most of the time, not much brass would show. I have seen Cordovan Vanson jackets that look terrific with brass.

 

[ton312]

The hardware color isn't that important imo. The cordovan hide however, is the most beautiful, intoxicating, star gazing leather I've ever seen.

My question is...how's that Midnight Blue??

 

[Cooperson]

Antique brass for me, every time.

 

[Peacoat]

I said brass in my response above, but all three of my Aeros are antique brass. I think several other of my jackets are antique brass as well. Out of the box it is subdued and aged. Many of the posters on this board like the nickel, however, especially with the black hide.

 

[AeroFan_07]

So I could see this going either way. The burgundy, cherry or cordovan Aero or Alexander leathers are all fairly "warm and bright" jackets, so an antique or dark brass tones them down a bit whereas a bright brass or nickel makes them a little brighter. Sort of comes down to your choice. I tend to think I would prefer the antique brass overall unless with certain types of black (motorccycle oriented, etc.)

 

[dan_t]

Antique brass all the way for anything other than black hides. Nickle for black leather.

 

[IXL]

Brass, every time, although I do own plenty of black-jacket/nickel-hardware combos.

 

[Fanch]

Antique brass - elegant and understated.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Oo

So I could see this going either way. The burgundy, cherry or cordovan Aero or Alexander leathers are all fairly "warm and bright" jackets, so an antique or dark brass tones them down a bit whereas a bright brass or nickel makes them a little brighter. Sort of comes down to your choice. I tend to think I would prefer the antique brass overall unless with certain types of black (motorccycle oriented, etc.)

Good point about the hardware possibly "brightening" the jacket up. Not the look I'm going for.

But what if the zips were NOS rectangular Talons from the 50s/60s? Dull Nickle / Dull Brass ??

And what's the forum thought on cargo pocket snaps? Good or bad?

 

[Edward]

I ordered my cordovan Aero Bootlegger with Antique brass, and have always been very pleased with that, though these days I rather like shiny, non-antiqued brass in my jackets. Chrome could work well too, I suspect - moreso than brown with chrome, imo.

 

[Pdxgeo]

This is a pertinent question for me as I'm ready to order a "seal" jacket from DD. I am thinking dull brass like the photo here. The original Becks seem to have been nickel or chrome however...I think.

 

[ProteinNerd]

As others have said, antique brass is the way to go for brown and cordovan jackets imo. I even have it on my black premier half belt and it looks greta on that too.

I only like nickel on black motorcycle style jackets.

 

[handymike]

I like em all:

 

[wild_balls]

Brass all the way, antique or shiny !!!

Cheers Joakim