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Funny Aeroleather Review I found on Schott Website

sshack

A-List Customer
Messages
384
Location
California
Recently received an Aero Highwayman... very pleased. (More detailed review to follow after I break it in a bit...)

But never one to be satisfied, I was looking at options for my next purchase and I came across this review on the SchottNYC website. The reviewer doesn't post a very flattering picture of the Aero customer (me being one of them!). But, it was pretty funny. And made me wonder if the Schott leather is the same as Horween? The price is certainly more palatable than Aero...

Here's the review:


"Excellent Quality, Phenomenal Value
I received this jacket the other day and my initial impression was WOW, this is an amazing jacket, I've always liked Schott jackets (rode with a Perfecto for over a decade) and this one was no letdown. The horsehide is stiff and heavy not pliable like Schott's cowhide (which is still fantastic leather just different). The leather is fantastic, seriously.

The fit is definitely made for someone with a more athletic build, it's a tapered cut and fit me like a glove. I've had custom jackets made by certain Scottish makers routinely considered the measuring stick for leathers not fit this well (in fact the loose boxy cut on their jacket left me very disappointed after a very long wait). I went with the same size I typically do instead of ordering a size up. It's a trim fit for me, but I like that with an MC jacket.

I've been wearing the jacket non-stop and it's already starting to break in a touch. the leather is some of the nicest I've seen, actually it is the nicest I've seen. I've ordered and returned jackets from makers typically considered the best jackets on the market (as discussed earlier, the Scottish reference should tip people off without naming them). But at this point I have to attribute their reputation of greatness to nothing more than a bunch of mall walking old men with more money than sense."
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,081
Location
London, UK
His complaint about the "boxy" fit sounds like he didn't understand or was misadvised with regards to the nature of the HWM design. [huh]
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
The guy that didn't like the "boxy" fit of the Scottish jacket that he purchased might have felt differently had he bought a Cafe Racer instead. As Sloan said "Horses for courses ..."
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
The guy that didn't like the "boxy" fit of the Scottish jacket that he purchased might have felt differently had he bought a Cafe Racer instead. As Sloan said "Horses for courses ..."
Or, I sold my Prius because it couldn't tow a trailer…
 
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sshack

A-List Customer
Messages
384
Location
California
True, he didn't specify which Aero jacket he was comparing. If it was the Highwayman, I can attest that it is indeed a boxy-ish cut, but still feels like it will eventually mold itself to my body. Right now, it's still very stiff. But the sleeves and length are spot on and the shoulder width is a good compromise for wearing shirts and the occasional sweater.

What I chuckled at re: the review on Schott was the description of the Aero owners. I wouldn't call myself an old mall walker (30's, practice martial arts), but I'm no kid either. As far as more money than sense, I have a lot of sense and would love more money, lol.
 

resortes805

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,019
Location
SoCal
I wish I could afford to buy an Aero jacket and then immediately start planning to purchase another high end leather garment.
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
I haven't been in a mall in over 8 years. Never bought a leather jacket in one either.
I've got some Schott jackets. They make nice pieces for the price, but they in no way compare to Aero, GW, etc. etc. And that's not bad, it's just a different level of good. :)
 

sshack

A-List Customer
Messages
384
Location
California
Hi, resort. I may have misspoken. I wasn't doing serious shopping, just researching the leather tanning/manufacturing industry in general. It's pretty interesting stuff, especially the Horween website. Since we're currently in a mini-heat wave in S.Calif, it's kind of hard to break in the jacket. Reading was the next best thing. :)
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
I wish I could afford to buy an Aero jacket and then immediately start planning to purchase another high end leather garment.

Tragically, the purchase of one seems to lead inevitably to plans for the next, whether you can afford it or not - in fact, I think just ordering one makes you think 'And after I get that one...' :D

Also, I think sometimes people have a concept of what a 'proper' leather jacket should look like, and so when they come across something very high end, it doesn't jibe with their expectations and they reject it. It's like high end hi-fi: some people expect flashing lights, shiny metal and loads of buttons, when in fact you're more likely to get a few gun metal grey boxes with a few buttons and a small signature on the side, which just hums menacingly. [huh]
 
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technovox

One Too Many
Messages
1,241
Location
San Francisco
I'm somewhat wary of reviews in general, and particularly rosy reviews of products posted on the product manufacturer's own website. But when a reviewer also singles out the manufacturer's competitor for criticism...well, let's just say it raises some red flags as to credibility.
 
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Xenophon

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
New Delhi (India) / Ostend (Belgium)
To a certain extent I can understand the guy's frustration. It'll probably indeed boil down to a poor understanding of the various jacket models, their period and the typical cut. I'm more or less in the same boat with my first Aero jacket, a half belt deluxe in FQHH. Gave my measurements to AL and they advised a size 40. I wear suits that are typically a slim fit 38 and concurred-with some trepidation as I like a trim fit- that a 40 would be reasonable in case I'd wear it with a thick sweater. The jacket arrived and while -when worn with a sweater- it's still a bit roomy around the shoulders, it's way too big at the waist. At that time I wasn't aware about the differences in cut between the models etc. Still own the jacket btw but think I'll put it up for sale next time I'm in Europe. What I mean to say is: unless you know the maker and the cut it's not an easy thing to get right for both AL and the buyer.

What I think Aero should do is show some real models wearing the jackets in various poses and put those up along with the model's measurements. I regularly purchase suits online at a couple of specialised sites and never had a problem but they present things like this (just click on the size and fit section to expand it). At least for me this really works but of course it helps that I'm within 1 in of the model's size. When purchasing at a distance sizing is critically important and with all due respect, there I think Aero could/should do a bit more as far as providing info about cuts and real life examples are concerned.
 

Plumbline

One Too Many
Messages
1,271
Location
UK
Have to agree ... But then I have had GREAT jackets from many ( Aero, Eastman, Schott, Bill Kelso, Alexander's, Legendary USA, Lost Worlds and also many vintage original manufacturers ) ... I've even had one of JC's A2's.

Some I liked and some I didn't .... But I don't think I have actively dissed ANY of the manufacturers. I may say it isn't for me or I didn't like the style .... But I've yet to come across a manufacturer who makes "BAD" jackets. Some I have liked better than others but none as of yet have been BAD.

Some ive kept ... some ive moved on .... I've been in many malls and bought many leather jackets ... So perhaps he/ she was talking about me :)
 

Cyber Lip

Practically Family
Messages
782
Location
Seattle
question for you on your new highwayman...did they cut it a little longer in front than in the back, or is it even all the way around? If it's longer in front could you tell me by how much?
 

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,371
Location
California
question for you on your new highwayman...did they cut it a little longer in front than in the back, or is it even all the way around? If it's longer in front could you tell me by how much?

Mine was about one inch shorter in the back than front. Hope this helps.
 

sshack

A-List Customer
Messages
384
Location
California
when laid flat on the ground, it seems like the front of my Hwyman is a little longer. But when I wear it, the back of the jacket is longer.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Maybe a typo. Surely writing "middle aged men who don't walk malls" would be pretty close (apart from you young ones). I went into a mall this year and lasted 30 minutes. The sheer vulgarity of poorly made disposable fashion items disgusted me. Isn't that why we're here? Doesn't make us better people, we just have better stuff. Mind you I think my Schott jacket is the business too.
 

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