Help with A-2 purchase

[Spitfire40]

Hello,
I'm planning to get a seal brown A-2 and what I'm looking for is a good trim fit with good quality components that will last a while. In the past, I had ordered an A-2 in goatskin from US Authentic in size 38 Skinny, but that jacket was way off in fit. It measured 23 inches pit-to-pit and I was swimming in it. My chest measures 38" and I'm not really a very skinny skinny guy. I'm 5' 5" and weigh 158 lbs.
I looked at the JA Dubow Mfg but I haven't been able to get in touch with them. Does anyone have experience with this maker? Seems to be a good deal based on the couple of reviews, but I'm wary given the lack of response.
Other option I'm considering is Eastman from HPA, but the length is my concern since I'm 5' 5". What would be a appropriate length for A-2 given my height? I thought the 24.5 jacket length of the US Authentic I tried was not bad, but I'd like inputs.

 

[Boyo]

@Spitfire40 .. it might be worth your while to take a look at the Aero Leather sales page.. specifically the Quartermaster section ( which I have conveniently linked below) they are having a nice sale at the moment with 2 sized 38's waiting for ya..

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=2278

 

[TXFlyGuy]

How about having an A-2 custom made to your specs? There are a couple manufacturers that will do that.

 

[nick123]

Definitely hit up that Quartermaster sale! My Aero A-2 rocks.

 

[seres]

I would give Thurston Brothers a call and talk to Carrie. She could send a fit jacket, which you will try on and take some pics. Then a phone call will give you exact answers, and you can choose the style, leather, length, etc.

 

[El Marro]

+1
I think Thurston Brothers is a great way to go here because you are very unlikely to find something off the rack that fits without modifications.

 

[Spitfire40]

Hi Fellow loungers,
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, Thurston Brothers sounds like a good option, but I hit up the quartermaster sale like Boyo suggested and ordered a size 40 42-18775. The length on this jacket as pert the listing was 24.5 (much shorter than other listings in size 40) which should work out well for me, with a pit-to-pit of 21. I might have to get the sleeves taken in a bit. Seemed like a good deal, considering it was the more expensive Vicenza HH.
Looks like the jacket shipped today morning. Lets see how this one turns out.

 

[Brettafett]

Good luck. Fit pics!

 

[Boyo]

That's awesome spitfire40.. there's a chance you're wearing that by tomorrow afternoon..

 

[Spitfire40]

I recurved the jacket in the mail today. I think it’s just a bit roomy in the torso. The pit to pit for this jacket was listed as 21, but I measured it to be 21.5. I might have to get the sleeves taken in by inch & a half

What do you guys think?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sloan1874]

Sleeves are a bit long but the body's fine. It's a 42 contract, so it's going to be a bit roomier by its very design. Check these pics for the variety of fit: https://www.google.com/search?q=www...uAKHRxVAr0Q9C96BAgBEBs&biw=1366&bih=625&dpr=1

 

[Boyo]

The sleeves are long, the knits shouldn't be inside the sleeve that much.
How does the jacket feel? it looks like its comfortable and you can move around in it.

 

[Spitfire40]

@Boyo , Yes the sleeves are long & I had anticipated that. I was going have them taken in by 2 inches, but there are other fit issues.
I measured the jacket after the post above & it is actually bigger than what was listed on the website. The pit-to-pit was measured at 22" while the listing said 21" and the shoulder measured on at 18" while the listing said 17". It felt too roomy in the chest & the back. My other leather jacket (not A-2) is 21" pit-to-pit & fits well.
I sent an email to aero with pictures & Dominic replied in no time with a gracious apology & offered a full refund and said Aero would pick up the return shipping.
I'm going to go via Thurston now. The fact that they are in the US is less of a hassle & also the fit jacket process makes a lot of sense.

 

[Boyo]

^^ Sounds like a good plan. even though this one didn't work out it will pay off in the end as you should now have a good sense of what measurements you want from a custom jacket.. Take a bunch of measurements of this jacket and a good bunch of fit pics for future reference.
As always Aero customer service is top notch.

 

[Seb Lucas]

@Boyo , Yes the sleeves are long & I had anticipated that. I was going have them taken in by 2 inches, but there are other fit issues.
I measured the jacket after the post above & it is actually bigger than what was listed on the website. The pit-to-pit was measured at 22" while the listing said 21" and the shoulder measured on at 18" while the listing said 17". It felt too roomy in the chest & the back. My other leather jacket (not A-2) is 21" pit-to-pit & fits well.
I sent an email to aero with pictures & Dominic replied in no time with a gracious apology & offered a full refund and said Aero would pick up the return shipping.
I'm going to go via Thurston now. The fact that they are in the US is less of a hassle & also the fit jacket process makes a lot of sense.

Good that you are getting what you want but frankly measurements will often vary depending on who is measuring and a difference of half an inch to an inch is common.