Field Leathers

[Marc mndt]

Well, as I only have this one as a benchmark, would you guys mind giving feedback on what works and what doesn't, just so I can start making my notes? (Sorry for the potato quality pictures).

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Overall that looks like a good fit to me yet it's difficult to make a good assessment with the jacket unzipped. It's also important to know whether you're planning to wear your jacket with a t-shirt only or also with a sweater. Maybe you could start a new thread to ask for advice on the fit?

 

[mvilla]

Overall that looks like a good fit to me yet it's difficult to make a good assessment with the jacket unzipped. It's also important to know whether you're planning to wear your jacket with a t-shirt only or also with a sweater. Maybe you could start a new thread to ask for advice on the fit?

I will! Thank you! And sorry if I fail at any point with the expected etiquette

 

[dudewuttheheck]

@dudewuttheheck I wanted to quote your post but somehow it's gone now.

Anyway, as you were saying:

Calling my review awful while basically subtweeting me is uncool. I stand by that review. I specifically said that the jacket did not work out for me. I also said that I have seen Aero jackets fit others well. My goal wasn't to imply all Aero jackets are bad. I made sure to temper that. All I did was share my real experiences. I wonder how that is awful in your eyes @Aloysius

The jacket fitting someone else doesn't discredit my review as I only said the pattern didn't work for me... weird for you to say that. I'm not surprised though I suppose.

I'm not sure this is the place to share my constructive criticism but I'm going to do so anyway

In your review you mention 'the quality of Shinki horsehide'. There is no such thing because Shinki is just the name of the tannery, a tannery that produces a variety of leathers that have different qualities.

For instance, the Shinki characteristics you mention are 'depth of color' and 'firm temper'. I can show you Shinki leathers that have 0 color depth and no firm temper.

You also mentioned that the Aero jacket falls way behind any Japanese leather jacket in terms of construction quality. It depends on how you define construction quality, but in terms of stitching neatness I've seen jackets from different Japanese makers that were much sloppier stitched than the Aero you reviewed.

Freewheelers jackets aren't perfect either. Here's the French seam on a FW jacket you owned yourself.

View attachment 489341

You also mentioned 'the beauty of freewheeler patterns'. Not every jacket pattern is suited for every body type which was perfectly exemplified by your Aero A-1 which didn't look good on you yet it looks absolutely great on one of our fellow loungers. You acknowledged that yourself in your review. But next you talk about the beauty of Freewheeler patterns even though the same holds for those. For example, this FW Speedmaster with extremely high armholes, wide shoulder and narrow chest doesn't look good on me nor does it look good on the guy that modelled the jacket for them.

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After reading your review on the Aero A-1 the uninformed reader might get the idea that Shinki leather has certain qualities, Japanese jackets have better construction quality than Aero's and that FW patterns are the best in any case, which is simply not true.

Yeah thats the kind of constructive criticism that I appreciate and is helpful.

It's funny because I fully agree with everything you said, but I didn't express it properly in the review and my opinions have probably changed a bit.

Part of the issue is thst I make all of this information and my shift in opinions known on here, Instagram, and my video reviews, but I still need to update the old written reviews where some things I wrote are outdated.

I have now updated the review. I think it's more accurate now, but any further constructive criticism is welcome. My reviews are meant to be helpful so anything thay helps me do that is appreciated.

 

[Will Zach]

I will! Thank you! And sorry if I fail at any point with the expected etiquette

In addition to what Marc said, I would just add that unless you are planning to wear your jacket exclusively with the shirt untucked, you should include a few pics with the shirt tucked in. This way it is easier to see the length of the zipped jacket in reference to your torso. Don't worry about etiquette fails, we are all here to learn. Starting a new thread asking advice on the fit is a good way to get advice quickly.

 

[Aloysius]

Yeah thats the kind of constructive criticism that I appreciate and is helpful.

The reason I didn't go point by point wasn't to insult you. Much the opposite. I saw no benefit in trying to argue with your opinions on something from several years ago when you, like anyone else, have learned and changed views in that time. I meant it as a show of respect, because there was no point engaging in a dispute when there is no personal dispute and when such an argument is irrelevant to the point of giving suggestions to a newcomer to leather jackets.

Part of the issue is thst I make all of this information and my shift in opinions known on here, Instagram, and my video reviews, but I still need to update the old written reviews where some things I wrote are outdated.

Of course. That's why I said:

I don't mean this as a dig against the author, who is a respected member here. Rather, we are all learning more and getting a better understanding of things like pattern, materials, and construction. Things like blog posts can crystallize a moment as being the definitive opinion. I've certainly had many of these over the years, immortalized on forums or other places. I wouldn't pay them heed if I saw them now.

(It's actually worse for me because I'm a writer by trade, so many of those publications in my case are in print and beyond my control; I can't modify them like I could a blog.)

 

[Aloysius]

I have now updated the review. I think it's more accurate now, but any further constructive criticism is welcome. My reviews are meant to be helpful so anything thay helps me do that is appreciated.

I just took a look! Good clarifications. I would suggest though that when you do so you make a note at the top like:

"Updated on MM/DD/YYYY to reflect new information/knowledge"

That's just me speaking as an editor/writer, not as a fact-checker. It's cool when the reader gets to see that he's part of a journey with the writer in those kinds of things.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

The reason I didn't go point by point wasn't to insult you. Much the opposite. I saw no benefit in trying to argue with your opinions on something from several years ago when you, like anyone else, have learned and changed views in that time. I meant it as a show of respect, because there was no point engaging in a dispute when there is no personal dispute and when such an argument is irrelevant to the point of giving suggestions to a newcomer to leather jackets.



Of course. That's why I said:


(It's actually worse for me because I'm a writer by trade, so many of those publications in my case are in print and beyond my control; I can't modify them like I could a blog.)

Ah ok I understand. Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate that. I suppose I took it the wrong way. I actually prefer to have specific constructive points of criticism given because I do like to take feedback to improve my information and fix my articles.

I know my stuff isnt perfect, but it is meant to be helpful to people overall so i always try to fix things when i can. I think ive gone back and edited 75% of my articles at this point, maybe more.

Not having control must feel feel worse. At lesst i can update my thoughts or delete my old videos if they're inaccurate or out of date.

I just took a look! Good clarifications. I would suggest though that when you do so you make a note at the top like:

"Updated on MM/DD/YYYY to reflect new information/knowledge"

That's just me speaking as an editor/writer, not as a fact-checker. It's cool when the reader gets to see that he's part of a journey with the writer in those kinds of things.

Good idea. I will add that to this one and do that to others going forward.

 

[Jasonissm]

@dudewuttheheck I wanted to quote your post but somehow it's gone now.

Anyway, as you were saying:

Calling my review awful while basically subtweeting me is uncool. I stand by that review. I specifically said that the jacket did not work out for me. I also said that I have seen Aero jackets fit others well. My goal wasn't to imply all Aero jackets are bad. I made sure to temper that. All I did was share my real experiences. I wonder how that is awful in your eyes @Aloysius

The jacket fitting someone else doesn't discredit my review as I only said the pattern didn't work for me... weird for you to say that. I'm not surprised though I suppose.

I'm not sure this is the place to share my constructive criticism but I'm going to do so anyway

In your review you mention 'the quality of Shinki horsehide'. There is no such thing because Shinki is just the name of the tannery, a tannery that produces a variety of leathers that have different qualities.

For instance, the Shinki characteristics you mention are 'depth of color' and 'firm temper'. I can show you Shinki leathers that have 0 color depth and no firm temper.

You also mentioned that the Aero jacket falls way behind any Japanese leather jacket in terms of construction quality. It depends on how you define construction quality, but in terms of stitching neatness I've seen jackets from different Japanese makers that were much sloppier stitched than the Aero you reviewed.

Freewheelers jackets aren't perfect either. Here's the French seam on a FW jacket you owned yourself.

View attachment 489341

You also mentioned 'the beauty of freewheeler patterns'. Not every jacket pattern is suited for every body type which was perfectly exemplified by your Aero A-1 which didn't look good on you yet it looks absolutely great on one of our fellow loungers. You acknowledged that yourself in your review. But next you talk about the beauty of Freewheeler patterns even though the same holds for those. For example, this FW Speedmaster with extremely high armholes, wide shoulder and narrow chest doesn't look good on me nor does it look good on the guy that modelled the jacket for them.

View attachment 489340 View attachment 489338

After reading your review on the Aero A-1 the uninformed reader might get the idea that Shinki leather has certain qualities, Japanese jackets have better construction quality than Aero's and that FW patterns are the best in any case, which is simply not true.

I actually really like that Freewheelers jacket, I didn't at first but it grew on me, even though it's not a repro like I usually prefer and more of a "fantasy piece".

I think it fits quite well on this guy: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cizf0waPr2T/

Very different build from me though, and I think the small chest causes some creases to the leather across the chest, but doesn't happen or as much when this guy wears it.

 

[Will Zach]

This is how it looked on me. Ridiculous.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Even I know that this jacket would never work for me in a million years despite my Freewheelers fanboyism.

 

[Marc mndt]

I actually really like that Freewheelers jacket, I didn't at first but it grew on me, even though it's not a repro like I usually prefer and more of a "fantasy piece".

I like it too and it looks absolutely great on some people but not on me. My point being, this pattern is not for everyone. Even though they make great patterns, even theirs are not suitable for everyone.

 

[navetsea]

i think CR pattern is not supposed to be worn fully zipped off the bike, I think it looks best worn half zipped. jacket with sleeve post on the front of the body like racing jacket would look narrow chested when worn fully zipped even at the correct size, but when half zipped it will pull apart on the top showing the shirt/ tshirt suggesting wider chest look.

 

[mvilla]

In addition to what Marc said, I would just add that unless you are planning to wear your jacket exclusively with the shirt untucked, you should include a few pics with the shirt tucked in. This way it is easier to see the length of the zipped jacket in reference to your torso. Don't worry about etiquette fails, we are all here to learn. Starting a new thread asking advice on the fit is a good way to get advice quickly.

That is an interesting point, actually... I was never one to wear shirts or tees tucked in, but pretty much any fit picture I see of a leather jacket, the model is wearing their tees/shirts tucked. I don't think I'd wear it like that, so I really don't know if there is a "more adequate" model that I should look into...

 

[MrProper]

That is an interesting point, actually... I was never one to wear shirts or tees tucked in, but pretty much any fit picture I see of a leather jacket, the model is wearing their tees/shirts tucked. I don't think I'd wear it like that, so I really don't know if there is a "more adequate" model that I should look into...

I never tuck in my shirts and jumpers either. However, they are short enough that it works anyway. I had my shirts made short on purpose so I could wear them over my trousers. In my opinion, normal shirts are too long by default.

 

[Will Zach]

I never tuck in my shirts and jumpers either. However, they are short enough that it works anyway. I had my shirts made short on purpose so I could wear them over my trousers. In my opinion, normal shirts are too long by default.

Yep. The same idea was behind the successful startup Untuckit. All their shirts are shorter.

 

[MrProper]

Yep. The same idea was behind the successful startup Untuckit. All their shirts are shorter.

There is really nothing that doesn't exist.
I did not know that. And again an idea that I didn't turn into money lol

 

[ton312]

J Crew makes superb slim untucked shirts....that's all I buy these days.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

If you don't tuck your shirt, you need to find a balance of jacket length and shirt length and you definitely do need shorter shirts.

I always tuck my shirts, but can respect people not always wanting to tuck. However, shurt tails hanging out well below a jacket (especially a zipped up one) just looks ridiculous and sloppy.

 

[Tom71]

This is how it looked on me. Ridiculous.

View attachment 489434

It‘s a spectacular jacket, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Still, very few people can really pull it of, so market should be very limited.

Looks a bit like something designed by @navetsea only less “wow”.

 

[Aloysius]

That is an interesting point, actually... I was never one to wear shirts or tees tucked in, but pretty much any fit picture I see of a leather jacket, the model is wearing their tees/shirts tucked. I don't think I'd wear it like that, so I really don't know if there is a "more adequate" model that I should look into...

T-shirts became bizarrely long sometime in the 00s and haven't really come back since.

The shirts that are supposed to be worn untucked have bizarrely just about died out, besides in Asia, the ones with the square hem I mean.