My first Aero -- is it a keeper?

[HoosierDaddy]

If it is Horween CXL it should feel nothing like naked leather. It doesn't look like Aero's oil pull to me so I would assume it is Aero's CXL FQHH.
I wouldn't keep it. Mainly because of the cost of repairs and the fit.
HD

 

[navetsea]

well if the rest of the outfit is what you wear normally, then this style of jacket is a bit out of place. maybe a brown one without epaulet and belt might work better if you like a cross zip.

 

[MET]

The zip can be replaced, the lining can be repaired. But you can not grow to fit. Ptp is too large for you. Send it back.

 

[Downunder G Man]

If you were sitting on a Harley ( or similar !) with raised handlebars , then the back of this jacket would be fine.

Bearing in mind this IS a motorcycle jacket that "reach" is probably designed into the manufacture.

Looks fine from the front , 100% there.

I am wondering how you can "return" a used jacket anyways ? Must have been advertised with the internal wear and broken zipper I would have thought in the original listing wherever it was ? Where did it come from ?

 

[rocketeer]

May have been an old custom fit for someone in shape so to speak. The lining goes back to the 80s, can't tell you exact but I have a sheep lined Connelly with the same lining in the pockets.

 

[Edward]

It's supposed to fit tight at the waist, being a motorcycle jacket. I would assess whether you'd be able to zip it up before getting the zipper repaired, and if it's not something you can wear zipped, move it on. If it does fit (and it looks like it does from your pictures to me) then it'd be a good jacket to keep once the zipper is repaired. Whether you got a good deal or not, that's up to you to decide.

This has to be part of the consideration. This particular Aero model was originally patterned after Marlon Brando's Durable from The Wild One (Ken was contracted to make the jacket that the Brando dummy in Tussauds wears). They are cut big on the shoulders and tight in the waist; a 42" I have somewhere is around 47" in the chest, but cut to about 37" in the waist. Narrower at the hem that a size 42 30s HB I owned, and too tight for me to wear closed. Very much not the boxy cut of a Schott.

Here's Brando in his:

Looser on the chest to allow for reach (and layering, presumably; bikers back then didn't have half a dozen jackets each for all weather conditions...), tight at the waist to stop it flapping and the draft getting in. Very much a bike designed for the American rider; you'll note that while Johnny Strabler had the rarefied taste to choose a Triumph over a Harley, he still had those high, American style bars on it.

IT's a look many here will hate, others will love. Wholly subjective. What I would say, though, is that it's a model where you have to go by your waist size rather than your chest size.

That said, if you are happy with the waist fit, then I might consider having the repairs done. Just be sure what they'll cost first. In all honesty, I wouldn't buy a jacket knowing that I had to immediately have the zip replaced unless I had a fantastic place local where I was certain they could do it. If the zip problem wasn't represented in the sale (wherever you got it - eBay?), I'd be sending it back.

 

[Gamma68]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. After having about a day or so to think about it, here are my impressions:

I have my own thoughts about fit, but also feel it doesn't hurt to ask for honest input from others. I agree with those who have said it is too roomy at the chest and especially the back. Understand that the fit pics were taken with the jacket right out of the box worn over what I had on at the time. I'll do a little layering or wear a heavier shirt and see how it looks then. One thing I thought was odd is the shoulders seem rolled forward a bit toward the front rather than lying naturally.

The seller disclosed the zipper flaw, not the small amount of lining wear. I got it at a pretty good price and factored in that I'd have to pay for a new zipper. If the fit were better, I'd have no issue in investing in a zipper. I'm a little disappointed in the lining.

The seller offers 30-day returns. Right now, I'm leaning toward returning it, depending on a second try at fit with a little layering. To me, fit is king unless the jacket is rare or special in some other way.

 

[Edward]

I reluctantly am having to let mine go for the same reasons of fit; it seems I'll just have to go up a size to get in round the belleh. C'est la vie!

 

[barnabus]

Here's Brando in his:

There's something pretty awesome about this as a fit though, if you're confident enough.

 

[Edward]

There's something pretty awesome about this as a fit though, if you're confident enough.

Oh, hell, yeah. A 44 on me (the one have is a 42) would have the shoulders of my Highwayman and the waistline of my Dustbowl. I like that Vee!

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Hey guy:
Put a hoodie on and let’s see front, back, side pics before you send it back. You might be surprised.
Shoulders, arms and waist are fine. Somtimes it’s hard to bat a thousand in a second hand world.
That’s a bitchin cool crosszip guy!!
Be well. Bowen

 

[barnabus]

Oh, hell, yeah. A 44 on me (the one have is a 42) would have the shoulders of my Highwayman and the waistline of my Dustbowl. I like that Vee!

I've got a vintage cross zip heading my way which I'm hopeful >crosses fingers< is going to have just that.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Gamma:
I’ll say it up front. If you don’t want that thing....PM me.
B

 

[Monitor]

I don't know, I think this jacket fits you pretty well, Gamma. I'd keep it.

Zipper is a problem but I don't know where are you taking your jackets for a repair. Never paid more than $30 for a main zipper replacement.

 

[ton312]

Fix the zip, line the bottom in black corduroy and call it a day!

 

[cloudylemonade]

The seller offers 30-day returns. Right now, I'm leaning toward returning it, depending on a second try at fit with a little layering. To me, fit is king unless the jacket is rare or special in some other way.

If you decide to keep it email me on holly@aeroleatherclothing.com, I would say it's wearable after the zip fix - it looks as though only half the zipper needs changed which we could send you, if you wanted to get fixed locally. The lining is double thickness, it’s only the thinner covering layer that’s worn, wool underneath is quite thick, so the wear holes are only really cosmetic and shouldn't cause you any problems... The jacket dates circa 1988-91 so it’s a fairly early one

 

[Gamma68]

If you decide to keep it email me on holly@aeroleatherclothing.com, I would say it's wearable after the zip fix - it looks as though only half the zipper needs changed which we could send you, if you wanted to get fixed locally. The lining is double thickness, it’s only the thinner covering layer that’s worn, wool underneath is quite thick, so the wear holes are only really cosmetic and shouldn't cause you any problems... The jacket dates circa 1988-91 so it’s a fairly early one

Thank you for this information, Holly.

 

[Gamma68]

More fit pics (with layering) taken at various angles.

Because of the weight, I'd consider this a fall/winter jacket. This is how I'd likely wear this jacket during those seasons. I'm not a hoodie guy, so I'm wearing the jacket over a medium weight flannel shirt and t-shirt.

The front length is slightly annoying as it doesn't quite cover the belt line, although I believe short is the style. My belt buckle would likely slip a little lower.

Again, bear in mind I can't zip this jacket.

I discovered another missing zipper tooth further up near the lapel, same side as the missing teeth at the bottom. The stock zip doesn't seem as if it were robust enough for this jacket.

 

[ton312]

More fit pics (with layering) taken at various angles.

Because of the weight, I'd consider this a fall/winter jacket. This is how I'd likely wear this jacket during those seasons. I'm not a hoodie guy, so I'm wearing the jacket over a medium weight flannel shirt and t-shirt.

The front length is slightly annoying as it doesn't quite cover the belt line, although I believe short is the style. My belt buckle would likely slip a little lower.

Again, bear in mind I can't zip this jacket.

I discovered another missing zipper tooth further up near the lapel, same side as the missing teeth at the bottom. The stock zip doesn't seem as if it were robust enough for this jacket.

View attachment 118796 View attachment 118797 View attachment 118798 View attachment 118799 View attachment 118800 View attachment 118801

Oh yeah! Whats not to love there?

 

[Gamma68]

One more to give you an idea of the amount of room at the chest: