Explaining the Aero Fit.

[Seb Lucas]

I would love to know how many people they get that are so uninformed that they don't care to have actual measurements. That data would be really interesting.

Most I would imagine. In almost 40 years of talking about jackets with others I have never met a single guy who knows what their measurements are.

 

[torfjord]

Most I would imagine. In almost 40 years of talking about jackets with others I have never met a single guy who knows what their measurements are.

I think you’re right. Prior to joining this forum I had no idea how you even measured a jacket, let alone my own measurement preferences. And even that is evolving as my ideas on fit changes.
But, I wonder if that is the case with most of Aero’s customers? I mean it is a niche product in a niche market. I would expect most customers in this niche market to be more informed than the general population.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I think you’re right. Prior to joining this forum I had no idea how you even measured a jacket, let alone my own measurement preferences. And even that is evolving as my ideas on fit changes.
But, I wonder if that is the case with most of Aero’s customers? I mean it is a niche product in a niche market. I would expect most customers in this niche market to be more informed than the general population.

Could be. Nevertheless I suspect there are many guys who just buy into the heritage pattern, artisanal craft narrative of Aero and don't think past "size 42".

 

[torfjord]

Could be. Nevertheless I suspect there are many guys who just buy into the heritage pattern, artisanal craft narrative of Aero and don't think past "size 42".

Sounds reasonable. But I suspect even for those guys, having a fit chart with stock size measurements of different Aero patterns would be helpful in determining the fit differences between different patterns. That and photos of actual people wearing the jackets the way they are intended to fit would greatly improve Aero’s website.

 

[Tom71]

I am happy for that explanation.

I buy my outerwear (including tailored suits) in anything between 40 and 44. And this is not even including "vanity sizing". It´s certainly fair to ask a seller or maker for individual measurements (as Aero have just done; thank you very much), but I don´t think it´s either necessary nor sensible to demand adherence to a "global sizing scheme" from them.

 

[jglf]

I feel leather jackets should fit like tailored suit jackets. It’s rare if I can get just the right fit, bc I have a 9in chest to waist drop. Jacket makers have to build a jacket that fits most, so even if I get a slim fit jacket, it’s usually too tight in the chest and arms. I’ve always had best results from jacket measurements.

 

[red devil]

Oh, yeah I would be good with that too for the most part. I just don't like to trust a company's thoughts on what my size should be. Any time I go by tag size without measurements or give my body measurements to a maker, it doesn't work out for me.

It actually worked out for me with quite a few makers with Thedi being the most impressive. Theodoros pointed how my measurements were wrong the first time without even having a pic for reference, and got me one of my best fits.

I still don't understand how a size 42 houch hauler - a cut from the 30s that is not generous if I understood correctly - fit me when I was at my heaviest.

I wouldn't know how to get my sizing right without asking knowledgeable Aero owners here.

 

[CBI]

this is great information.

 

[l0fielectronic]

Oh, yeah I would be good with that too for the most part. I just don't like to trust a company's thoughts on what my size should be. Any time I go by tag size without measurements or give my body measurements to a maker, it doesn't work out for me.

Took a few jackets but I too have learned this.

 

[El Marro]

I think a posted size chart with P2P, shoulder width, bottom hem, and stock sleeve and back length would be a great thing. During my time here on the lounge there has always been an air of mystery regarding Aero sizing and that is partly because of the inconsistency of key measurements between jackets of the same model and same tagged size. One need only study the Aero sale page to see that this is true.
I understand why this is the case, because most jackets are made to order for specific customers and an attempt is made to accommodate their individual measurements. It does make it hard though to have any idea how an Aero may fit unless one has all of the measurements in front of them for a specific jacket.
This may work well for people who do not know,nor care to know, their individual measurements but it is confounding for us loungers who would like to know how a jacket measures up across a size range and make our decision accordingly.
Also I would like to thank @cloudylemonade thank you for the explanation of Aero sizing. It is always really cool to get input from one of our esteemed makers on how they do things.

 

[jonbuilder]

Where does Aero's STF fit in relative to normal and premier sizing?

 

[Logician]

All these complications about measurements is what prevents me from buying an Aero. But also jackets from other brands. Perhaps my leather jackets acumen is below par. I am not an expert in measurements specific to particular designs and eras. That's why I come to this forum to benefit from the knowledge of people more knowledgeable than me. I admit I am a Boeotian in these matters compared to many of the members of this forum and I don't contribute as much to it as I would like because of that. I don't like complicated things, only quality leather jackets, shoes and jumpers.

 

[Marc mndt]

All these complications about measurements is what prevents me from buying an Aero. But also jackets from other brands

Isn't this just part of the fun? The excitement you get when your custom jacket is delivered and it turns out you've nailed the fit. Without trial and error, we could close most of the threads here. It's the journey of getting to that point that you know what works for you that's half the fun.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Most I would imagine. In almost 40 years of talking about jackets with others I have never met a single guy who knows what their measurements are.

I know mine and I know several others who know theirs.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Isn't this just part of the fun? The excitement you get when your custom jacket is delivered and it turns out you've nailed the fit. Without trail and error, we could close most of the threads here. It's the journey of getting to that point that you know what works for you that's half the fun.

I disagree with this. I'd rather get it right the first time. My Aero was a disaster and it was not fun to get it and have to sell it immediately.

 

[Carlos840]

I disagree with this. I'd rather get it right the first time. My Aero was a disaster and it was not fun to get it and have to sell it immediately.

+1 That's what happened to me too, i drove to Aero, was measured, ordered two jackets.
When i received them both where oversized. I sold both back to Aero at a loss, one of the reasons i won't order again...

 

[Marc mndt]

I disagree with this. I'd rather get it right the first time. My Aero was a disaster and it was not fun to get it and have to sell it immediately.

Of course you'd rather get right the first time. Getting it wrong sucks, especially when the jacket is practically unwearable. A custom build that's unwearable is something the maker is to blame for imo, unless you've intentionally ignored the maker's advice.

What I meant to say is that it's impossible to get a custom build 100% perfect on your first try. My last custom build was a FL. It's not perfect but I'd say it's close at 98/100. There's no way I could have achieved this close-to-perfect fit two years ago. Since then I've bought (and sold) a number of jackets and I've learned not only from my mistakes but I also learned how I like a jacket to fit. Learning takes effort. Trial and error. I enjoy getting better at it.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Of course you'd rather get right the first time. Getting it wrong sucks, especially when the jacket is practically unwearable. A custom build that's unwearable is something the maker is to blame for imo, unless you've intentionally ignored the maker's advice.

What I meant to say is that it's impossible to get a custom build 100% perfect on your first try. My last custom build was a FL. It's not perfect but I'd say it's close at 98/100. There's no way I could have achieved this close-to-perfect fit two years ago. Since then I've bought (and sold) a number of jackets and I've learned not only from my mistakes but I also learned how I like a jacket to fit. Learning takes effort. Trail and error. I enjoy getting better at it.

Ah OK well I certainly agree with that. At this point, all my best fitting jackets are actually off the rack models. It is definitely not easy to get a 100/100 fit on a custom jacket. My point was that not getting enough help from the maker, then that's not "part of the fun."

As @Carlos840 points out, even going to Aero can still not be enough.

 

[jonbuilder]

Of course you'd rather get right the first time. Getting it wrong sucks, especially when the jacket is practically unwearable. A custom build that's unwearable is something the maker is to blame for imo, unless you've intentionally ignored the maker's advice.

What I meant to say is that it's impossible to get a custom build 100% perfect on your first try. My last custom build was a FL. It's not perfect but I'd say it's close at 98/100. There's no way I could have achieved this close-to-perfect fit two years ago. Since then I've bought (and sold) a number of jackets and I've learned not only from my mistakes but I also learned how I like a jacket to fit. Learning takes effort. Trail and error. I enjoy getting better at it.

Marc, I have to disagree with you about it not be possible to get a 100% perfect fit the first time with bespoken. I have only one made to order bespoken jacket and there is nothing I would change with the fit. The first time I say it takes two visits to the tailor. First visit to be measured and discuss with the tailor what you want with the fit. Second visit to try on the canvas or whatever fit test jacket to review any fit adjustments or detail changes like pocket size and layout or perhaps the collar or front dip etc. After the first jacket, I still think it would be worth the extra effort/expense to do a test jacket in canvas and go over the fit in zoom.
Johnson Leather made my bespoken jacket at a cost of just less than an Aero off the rack jacket at the time.

edit of course knowing how you want a jacket to fit in another manner and can change over time. Changing your thoughts on fit does not mean your first thoughts were wrong just they change may be influenced by reading what other jacket-wearing TFL member are saying about the proper fit

 

[Marc mndt]

Marc, I have to disagree with you about it not be possible to get a 100% perfect fit the first time with bespoken. I have only one made to order bespoken jacket and there is nothing I would change with the fit. The first time I say it takes two visits to the tailor. First visit to be measured and discuss with the tailor what you want with the fit. Second visit to try on the canvas or whatever fit test jacket to review any fit adjustments or detail changes like pocket size and layout or perhaps the collar or front dip etc. After the first jacket, I still think it would be worth the extra effort/expense to do a test jacket in canvas and go over the fit in zoom.
Johnson Leather made my bespoken jacket at a cost of just less than an Aero off the rack jacket at the time.

But at the time you bought your first bespoke jacket, you were already very knowledgeable about jackets and you had a pretty good idea of how you wanted a jacket to fit (I guess?).

Anyway, I think a fit/mockup jacket is indeed very helpful. Even more so if it's your first custom build.