Is my Aero FQHH board racer "seven" too small?

[leatherweather]

Hi, my first post is a question, but I have been browsing this forum for information for years now. So many knowledgeable folks on here!

I recently bought a "new", brown, FQHH board racer with a collar in size 40. Somebody had it made for them by Thurston I believe, and it was too small for them. I really got an amazing deal on Ebay for an essentially new Aero. I took the chance that it may be a little tight, because buying a new one at full price is not in the cards at this time. I got it for about half price of a new one.

I wear a size 40R suit, and usually buy all of my leather items in 40, some of which are actually on the larger size in fit. I'm 5'10.5", 165lbs at the time. I also lift weights so probably have wider shoulders relative to waist. I hope to stay at this weight, but was actually up at 175 over the winter, not a crazy fluctuation I suppose. I know most people seem to size up on this particular style.

Anyway, the jacket definitely feels tight, especially in the arms. The inside elbow bends and the forearms are really squished in there. After three days of around the house wear, the elbows have already loosened up and are a little more comfortable. Range of motion is also limited, like it is difficult to put my arms behind my head laying down, or to cross my arms. I can zip it up no problem. Putting it on is not very difficult, but taking it off is harder. I have worn it with a long sleeve t, and the t shirt actually had wrinkles where the inside elbow area was after taking the jacket off. Bending my elbows up and down consistently to loosen it up may have contributed to this. I'm really hoping that I am able to wear this jacket enough to break it in more and make it more comfortable. Do you guys think I can get the sleeves to break in a little and become any more comfortable?

I personally think it looks great, and so does my wife, and she is brutally honest. Hopefully I can get some pictures to work so that I can get a couple opinions on if you think it's too tight. I'm sorry for the long winded post!! I really do appreciate any input.

 

[navetsea]

looks like a great fit, you have to fight it a bit like all snug fit jackets, like breaking in a snug boots, try to wear a soft thick sweater under it, and bend your elbow, flex, stretch the jacket, etc.

 

[jacketjunkie]

The Seven is a tight fit, I believe it fits you as intended and it doesn't look too small. The jacket will get minimally wider, due to leather stretching, especially around the seams. I had a jacket that felt too tight at the forearms but after a month of wear I didn't notice that tightness anymore so it kind of stretched out to suit its inhabitant. Juding from the pictures where you don't really look squeezed in too hard, I believe you should be fine after a bit of break in. However you must decide because if things bug you about a jacket, that feeling usually only gets stronger the more you wear it so it might actually bother you more the more you wear it. Also, there's never a garantue with how leather behaves.

 

[leatherweather]

Thank you for the input, guys. I love the brown color and smell of the leather, and really like the look of a tight fitting leather jacket. Also, breaking in new fqhh is something that intrigues me. Up until this point, I have only been able to purchase used and already broken in items. Because of that, I am also not used to how tough this leather actually is when new. I'm thinking I might take my chances and keep working at this one hoping to soften it up a bit.

 

[ton312]

Agree with everything above. It certainly doesn't look too small but pics often don't tell the whole story. I don't like being squeezed by my jackets or feeling the weight. I find if sized right the weight spreads out proportionally and is much more comfortable to wear. The sleeves will also be the first and fastest area to soften so bending your arms will become much easier. If the jacket is squeezing your forearms or wrist...that won't likely change.

 

[Sloan1874]

Looks absolutely spot-on. With the BR style, you want the closest fit comfortable for you.

 

[767fo]

The body of the jacket looks to be fine. The shoulders are too tight. With that hide you need at least another inch and a half. Just my opinion.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Looks like a keeper to me.

 

[wild_balls]

I agree with the others, it's a great fit and you will be rewarded if you have patience with a new fqhh jacket! It will take some time but it's worth every minute!

Cheers Joakim

 

[leatherweather]

I really do appreciate all the input guys. I think I have enough confidence now to hold onto it. Can't wait to see how it ages with wear.

 

[Monitor]

Man, don't ever second guess this jacket again. It's the fit most people are trying to get out of their jackets. It's not even like one of those super trim fits, looks freaking awesome on you. 10/10, definite keeper and congrats on a perfectly perfect jacket!

 

[xmr]

Looks like the fit of mine [emoji1303]

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'm a similar height and weight and also have a Board Racer in a size 40. It's definitely snug but I also had a 42 Seven for a short time and it was pretty much the same shoulder measurement but just bigger through the body.....the 40 fit better.

 

[Edward]

Looks grand. Sounds just like the nature of the cut. Maybe look for a Highwayman for 'Winterweight'?

 

[Peacoat]

looks like a great fit, you have to fight it a bit like all snug fit jackets, like breaking in a snug boots, try to wear a soft thick sweater under it, and bend your elbow, flex, stretch the jacket, etc.

I can't tell how it fits through the torso as you didn't include any photos of the jacket zipped. Evidently you aren't concerned about the torso fit but only about the sleeves. This model has narrow sleeves and requires some stretching and breaking in. I agree with navetsea above on the methodology.

The jacket looks good. Once you get the sleeves sorted, I think you will be pleased with it.

Welcome to the Lounge.

 

[Fanch]

I can't tell how it fits through the torso as you didn't include any photos of the jacket zipped. Evidently you aren't concerned about the torso fit but only about the sleeves. This model has narrow sleeves and requires some stretching and breaking in. I agree with navetsea above on the methodology.

The jacket looks good. Once you get the sleeves sorted, I think you will be pleased with it.

Welcome to the Lounge.

I've been out of pocket past few days and just saw this thread but concur with what @Peacoat just said. My first impression was how the jacket would appear when zipped but looking good from what I see and a bargain too.

 

[bn1966]

Welcome! Looks awesome to me! Good things come to he who waits & bends that jacket to his will. The best fits I've had needed some serious breaking in but ended up fitting like the proverbial glove & were worth all the effort. I've used the bulk it out method & get out in the rain as part of the process

 

[Cyber Lip]

the way the arms are curved on these make them feel tight on the upper chest and shoulders when you have your arms arms straight down at your side. The pull from the curved arms being held straight is the cause. Not sure if this is what you're experiencing, but I experience that with mine

 

[Witchtrip]

I agree with everyone, it looks great. Keep rolling/crumpling/massaging those sleeves and they will soften up. I'm breaking in a new HWM right now and am very pleased with how quickly the stiffness is relaxing (summer heat helps a lot ). Mine was so stiff I could barely move my arms enough to zip it up at first. I still can't really put my arms behind my head and I have plenty of room. It will probably take years to break in that much.

Unless you plan on putting on a lot more weight, I think it's a perfect fit. And as I'm sure you've discovered, it's not like you'll want to layer too much under CXL, it's heavy stuff (as heavy as I care to go anyway). Hope this helps

 

[leatherweather]

I'm a similar height and weight and also have a Board Racer in a size 40. It's definitely snug but I also had a 42 Seven for a short time and it was pretty much the same shoulder measurement but just bigger through the body.....the 40 fit better.

That is reassuring that having sized up probably would have been a mistake for me anyway, since I like he way it looks now and my only concern was the tightness which seems to be just getting better.