Calling on all AERO "Happy Days" Jacket owners...

[Dagenham Dave]

I want to purchase an AERO "Happy Days" jacket, but am not sure what size to get.

I have my ideal measurements when measured this way:

Chest = 24": With the jacket laying on a flat surface, the tape measure is placed across the chest, from bottom of armhole to bottom of armhole.
Across Shoulders = 20": Measured at the back, from top of armhole to top of armhole.
Sleeve Length =27": with the sleeve laying flat, a tape measure is placed from the top of the armhole/shoulder seam, down to the end of the wool wristlet.
Back Length = 26": Measured from the bottom of the collar down to the bottom edge of the wool knit waistband.​

Now AERO can do my custom arm and back lengths, but must base the rest of the jacket on a pattern for either 42 or 44. I know, depending on the jacket, I would be either 42 or 44 because of my size - I am 6'3.5" tall with a slim/athletic build, and my chest measures at 44".

But they can not tell me what the chest or shoulder measurments for a 42 or 44 would be becaue they don't have one in stock.

Does anyone have one in a 42 or 44 that they could measure for me please?

Kind regards,
Dave

 

[handymike]

Dave, If you've narrowed it down to an Aero, go through Carrie and Wade at Insurrection. You'll need to put down a deposit to get a fit jacket, but it's the best way to go.

 

[nick123]

If it gives you any consolation, I just checked, and Thurston recommends going down one size from your chest/suit size. You're probably looking at a 42.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Dave, If you've narrowed it down to an Aero, go through Carrie and Wade at Insurrection. You'll need to put down a deposit to get a fit jacket, but it's the best way to go.

I haven't really narrowed it to an AERO. I just want a perfect fit for the money.

Does Insurrection sell AERO. And if so, why can they offer better guidance that AERO themselves?

Can you send me a link to Insurrection please?

 

[Dagenham Dave]

If it gives you any consolation, I just checked, and Thurston recommends going down one size from your chest/suit size. You're probably looking at a 42.

Thanks. But I still want to know pit-to-pit of a 42 before paying that sort of money.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Monitor]

Dagenham Dave, for what it's worth, in addition to arm and back length, Aero should be able to taper or expand both the chest and the waist of the jacket by an inch or so, regardless of the pattern. They've done this on my J106, which is a much more complicated jacket than Happy Days, so I don't see why it shouldn't be doable.

 

[wdw]

Having messed up a few Aero orders despite living almost within spitting distance, I would definitely recommend the fit jacket from Insurrection. I'm sure at least one other on here down your way has done that.

Just don't rush it, take your time and be exactly sure of the fit you want after trying on the jacket.

 

[handymike]

http://www.thurston-bros.com/

carrie@thurston-bros.com

I doubt they can offer "better" advice than Aero, but they send out jackets to try on. They have fitted a lot of Loungers with success, and in the US they're a phone call away...

 

[nick123]

Thanks. But I still want to know pit-to-pit of a 42 before paying that sort of money.

Cheers,
Dave

Just email Holly with what pit pit you require and I'm sure they'll know what size to make for you. I'm not sure if that's how to go about it though.
For Thurston, just give them a call. They know what they're doing. Some of the "jacket game" requires having a little faith. It's difficult to wait three months being uncertain if you got it right, but keep in mind, but often there will be up to a .5" discrepancy with any measurement you specified in the final product.
A lot of it is faith.

 

[zhz]

Yes, the Thurston is the best way to decide the Aero jacket size. But I don't know how it works if you are not in US.

What I don't understand is how come Aero does not know the measurements of their jacket because they don't have on in stock? This should be decided before the jacket been made, right? Did you contact Holly at Aero? Send her an email and I am sure she knows the measurements of the jacket.

 

[dan_t]

Hi Dagenham Dave,
Not sure were you are in this great land of ours, but if by chance you are in Melbourne, these guys are the only 'stockists' for Aero in Asutralia;
http://pickingsandparry.com/

p.s. Their website is crap, so don't expect any great info - just the contact details........

I live in Sydney, so have absolutely no idea as to what stock they carry or their level of familiarity with the jackets. May be worth giving them a call though. You never know, they may just have a 42 / 44 in stock to measure for you.....

Good luck!

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Yes, the Thurston is the best way to decide the Aero jacket size. But I don't know how it works if you are not in US.

What I don't understand is how come Aero does not know the measurements of their jacket because they don't have on in stock? This should be decided before the jacket been made, right? Did you contact Holly at Aero? Send her an email and I am sure she knows the measurements of the jacket.

I have emailed Holly, and they honestly cannot give me an exact pit-to-pit measurement. Just a recommended sizing for my chest size of 44" (which for the "Happy Days", Holly suggested a size 42). But in my opinion, a recommendation is not enough to lay down over AUD1,000.

Dave

 

[Dagenham Dave]

http://www.thurston-bros.com/

carrie@thurston-bros.com

I doubt they can offer "better" advice than Aero, but they send out jackets to try on. They have fitted a lot of Loungers with success, and in the US they're a phone call away...

Thanks Mike. But I'm in Australia. So this may not work.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Hi Dagenham Dave,
Not sure were you are in this great land of ours, but if by chance you are in Melbourne, these guys are the only 'stockists' for Aero in Asutralia;
http://pickingsandparry.com/

p.s. Their website is crap, so don't expect any great info - just the contact details........

I live in Sydney, so have absolutely no idea as to what stock they carry or their level of familiarity with the jackets. May be worth giving them a call though. You never know, they may just have a 42 / 44 in stock to measure for you.....

Good luck!

I'm in Geelong, so I'll give them a call. Thanks.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

If it gives you any consolation, I just checked, and Thurston recommends going down one size from your chest/suit size. You're probably looking at a 42.

That's what Holly also recommends, but I still think it's a big gamble not knowing the exact pit-to-pit measurement, especially for the cost of an AERO.

Dave

 

[ykurtz]

That's what Holly also recommends, but I still think it's a big gamble not knowing the exact pit-to-pit measurement, especially for the cost of an AERO.

Dave

What some forums do is create a table of models/sizes based on manufacturer along with the year. Basically, people crowdsource the information and the original post is continuously updated with the latest and greatest info. Perhaps this is something someone on TFL could take up, perhaps someone with a good baseline knowledge of Aero sizing themselves? This would be useful for 'off the rack' sizes and could at least provide a baseline for future purchases for those who can't avail themselves easily to test jackets or afford multiple iterations with the vendor.

That said, pure measurements by themselves are seldom 'good enough' re: fit. I find talking with the vendor--usually someone very experienced with the product--is the best way to go. In my experience, purchasing a jacket purely on measurements might get you pretty close, but often miss out on things like collar fit (does the collar raise dramatically when raising one's arms), shoulder width (and by extension arm length), girth in the stomach/waist, etc. Also, knowing how the jacket will 'settle' over time based on things like temperature/age/humidity, et. al. Buying a leather jacket is NOT like buying a suit of armor: sizing will change over time in many subtle ways due to creases, stretching and/or shrinking of a natural substance, strength of seams, various stresses, etc.

 

[handymike]

Dave, you can email Holly. ProteinNerd is in AU, and he went through Thirston Bros for his.

 

[nick123]

That's what Holly also recommends, but I still think it's a big gamble not knowing the exact pit-to-pit measurement, especially for the cost of an AERO.

Dave

I'll bet you a size 42 will work. Based on two separate confirmations,
I'd say it's safe to order it despite not knowing the pit pit. Worst situation is you can always exchange it I think.

 

[nick123]

I'd be strongly hesitant to trust old measurements, but here's a snapshot of an expired ebay listing. Looks like a 42 would be right at or close to a 24" pit pit.

 

[lp01]

What I don't understand is how come Aero does not know the measurements of their jacket because they don't have on in stock?

I find this fact so enourmously stupid that I think I will never buy an Aero!

What kind of knowledge and control over a product do you have if no one from the factory can't tell you the measurements pit to pit? Vanson does it!

My only explanation is that they are affraid to compromise with a pit to pit measurement because themselves dont trust their manufacturing process to produce something within half an inch tolerance, lets say... Maybe the less experienced people (ex-trainees) at aero are only able to do it within a 1,5 inch tolerance, that's why they wont tell you.

The pattern behind your jacket is somewhat simple and probably worked/ manufactured by less experienced employees.

Of course, if you choose a 44' and then it measures 25 inch pit to pit they will say you ordered it bigger. On the other hand, if you choose a 42' and the guy doing the jacket produces a smaller then usual with a 21' pit to pit, than it was your problem also. If they have it in stock, they will happily give away the measurements because the jacket would be sent to you with those exact measurements - no problem upon compromising!

Summarizing, you will embark in a kind of russian roullete: the fir could be ok like 84% of the times and not ok the other 16%.

It is your money anyway.