London Outerwear meetup 8th of December - Epilogue

[red devil]

What about going to Aero?

It's certainly something we can look into

Everyone, please let us know any ideas you may have, it's a good time to discuss them!

 

[Peacoat]

I think we should have the next London meeting in Nashville, TN. It is on the correct side of the Atlantic and is centrally located in the US. Wouldn't be able to visit Aero, but we could visit Taylor's Leatherwear Police Jackets about 75 miles to the south. Not the elan of Aero, but a lot easier to get to.

If we did it in December, a Sheene with a sweater would be enough. If in January or February, a Thunder Bay, or equivalent, might be needed.

Nashville is a fun city with a lot of attractions. It is becoming the bachelorette party center for the US, so we would have to stay away from all of those parties as those girls are aggressive, especially when drinking.

Any of you Londoners up for it?

 

[Edward]

What about going to Aero?

I visited the factory in 2014; it's well worth it. Maybe a group trip for one of their events if we know of one fr enough in advance?

Edinburgh is +/- 4 hours on the train from London, and Galashiels an hour from there now they've reopened the train route (back when I went, we had to go by bus, which took two hours from Edinburgh, but was a lovely journey all the same). It's doable for a weekend, if not a daytrip.

Could be interesting if Edinburgh has anything like RMCs / Clutch et al....

The Glasgow transport museum has a very cool full Irvin suit that belonged to a Scottish Spitfire pilot, who kept it to wear while racing Speedway after the War! That's an hour from Edinburgh by train in the other direction....

 

[Bigbenbs]

I visited the factory in 2014; it's well worth it. Maybe a group trip for one of their events if we know of one fr enough in advance?

Edinburgh is +/- 4 hours on the train from London, and Galashiels an hour from there now they've reopened the train route (back when I went, we had to go by bus, which took two hours from Edinburgh, but was a lovely journey all the same). It's doable for a weekend, if not a daytrip.

Could be interesting if Edinburgh has anything like RMCs / Clutch et al....

The Glasgow transport museum has a very cool full Irvin suit that belonged to a Scottish Spitfire pilot, who kept it to wear while racing Speedway after the War! That's an hour from Edinburgh by train in the other direction....

Same distance for me coming from Amsterdam. I'd love to visit aero.

 

[Lit Up]

I'm thinking of going next week to get an order in before the year is out. Will probably also visit Simmons Bilt.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I'm thinking of going next week to get an order in before the year is out. Will probably also visit Simmons Bilt.

They and Aero look to have some lovely leather jackets etc. It is interesting,as that region of Scotland was well know for it's excellent cashmere and lambswool knitwear, I have a number of Pringle of Scotland and Lyle & Scott pullovers from a town called Hawick which is not far away. Not sure how much knitting is done there now though. (By co-incidence, I also went on the recently reopened railway line to Galasheils and Tweedbank.)

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I think we should have the next London meeting in Nashville, TN. It is on the correct side of the Atlantic and is centrally located in the US. Wouldn't be able to visit Aero, but we could visit Taylor's Leatherwear Police Jackets about 75 miles to the south. Not the elan of Aero, but a lot easier to get to.

If we did it in December, a Sheene with a sweater would be enough. If in January or February, a Thunder Bay, or equivalent, might be needed.

Nashville is a fun city with a lot of attractions. It is becoming the bachelorette party center for the US, so we would have to stay away from all of those parties as those girls are aggressive, especially when drinking.

Any of you Londoners up for it?

Nashville is quite a way, I think one would have to change aircraft at Atlanta. (Is there a train service from Nashville to Memphis, I have a cousin who lives near there?)

 

[rocketeer]

Here is that gorgeous brute, at a not so sexy price though (and small sizing): https://www.superdenim.com/uk/dispatch-rider-coat.html

Are these WWII replicas in the same materials etc? I very rarely criticise members choice of garments but from experience I would say as a despatch rider coat during that era they were great, but wearing it constantly in all weathers they look awful when the weather gets to the material and extremely heavy when wet.
Mine was nearly mint when I bought it from an old style surplus store, (they still stocked gas mask bags from WWII £10 in the early 1990s) I tried wearing it outside one really bad winter but it got filthy and a devil to clean even a small patch, it went to a homeless man who laughed but still took it. I saw the coat in a dustbin/skip a few days later, it looked like a heavily waxed sand coloured duster, even he got fed up with it though I did not retrieve it.
To be replaced by an ex NCB wool Donkey jacket which got a bit heavy and soaked up the rain haha. Something else others call a classic design ???? For Gods sake it a wool coat thats all.
If you buy the despatch coat, and it is an exact replica, good luck with it

 

[Peacoat]

Nashville is quite a way, I think one would have to change aircraft at Atlanta. (Is there a train service from Nashville to Memphis, I have a cousin who lives near there?)

Not to worry, there is non stop service between London and Nashville. American offers the service, and goes into Heathrow. I just checked and British Airways also has service out of Heathrow.

Don't think there is a train to Memphis, but it is faster to fly.

 

[Edward]

I wish we had more high-speed, electric trains going everywhere, it's so much more civilised than flying (if, granted, sometimes slower: I can get to Paris from home in under four hours by train, but it's nearer seven if I were to fly).

 

[Edward]

Are these WWII replicas in the same materials etc? I very rarely criticise members choice of garments but from experience I would say as a despatch rider coat during that era they were great, but wearing it constantly in all weathers they look awful when the weather gets to the material and extremely heavy when wet.
Mine was nearly mint when I bought it from an old style surplus store, (they still stocked gas mask bags from WWII £10 in the early 1990s) I tried wearing it outside one really bad winter but it got filthy and a devil to clean even a small patch, it went to a homeless man who laughed but still took it. I saw the coat in a dustbin/skip a few days later, it looked like a heavily waxed sand coloured duster, even he got fed up with it though I did not retrieve it.
To be replaced by an ex NCB wool Donkey jacket which got a bit heavy and soaked up the rain haha. Something else others call a classic design ???? For Gods sake it a wool coat thats all.
If you buy the despatch coat, and it is an exact replica, good luck with it

I'd assume they are... I won't be paying thst price, tho! I remember seeing them in the classic car mags for fifty quid back in the 90s. I Scotchguard everything I can that lightly coloured! Surprised no one is doing an affordable wax cotton version, though. Grencell are doing one with The Rake in Grenfell cloth, but it's expensive, and in any case thry've mucjed aaround with the design. They've not totally Cabourned it, but it's just not as cool.

 

[Jejupe]

I'd assume they are... I won't be paying thst price, tho! I remember seeing them in the classic car mags for fifty quid back in the 90s. I Scotchguard everything I can that lightly coloured! Surprised no one is doing an affordable wax cotton version, though. Grencell are doing one with The Rake in Grenfell cloth, but it's expensive, and in any case thry've mucjed aaround with the design. They've not totally Cabourned it, but it's just not as cool.

After the meet up I cannot help reading your writings in my head with slight irish accent!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Never met Edward, but always imagined him with a slight Russian accent and hearty laugh of a Mongolian warrior.....

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I wish we had more high-speed, electric trains going everywhere, it's so much more civilised than flying (if, granted, sometimes slower: I can get to Paris from home in under four hours by train, but it's nearer seven if I were to fly).

Yes, you have to get out to the airport and be there for along time before you take off etc. (Although London City is a nice place to fly from.) The train is more central.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Maybe we can set up another meeting for Spring? I would love to go, I just have to know early, so I can plan accordingly.

 

[navetsea]

whatever you plan guys... make more photos

 

[GHT]

After the meet up I cannot help reading your writings in my head with slight irish accent!

More of an Ulster accent, with a dash of cockney and an affable Irish character.

 

[Jejupe]

More of an Ulster accent, with a dash of cockney and an affable Irish character.

I really couldn’t tell one from another so I’ll take your word for it.

 

[Edward]

I identify it as 'Liam Neesonesque'....

 

[Fanch]

Not to worry, there is non stop service between London and Nashville. American offers the service, and goes into Heathrow. I just checked and British Airways also has service out of Heathrow.

Don't think there is a train to Memphis, but it is faster to fly.

As I recall, at one time Memphis was the largest metroplex in Tennessee but think now metropolitan Nashville is approaching 2 million whereas metropolitan Memphis is under 1.5 million. Since downtown Memphis is right on the Mississippi River, any westward expansion of Memphis would be in Arkansas. In fact the first town west of Memphis is West Memphis, Arkansas, and its southern boundary is adjacent to Mississippi. Both cities though have a rich musical history though, with Memphis being the "birth of the blues" and Nashville the seat of county music. Truth be known, I much prefer blues over country.