Need Aero Premier Highwayman customization advice

[Witchtrip]

@MRB - thanks! NJ is a sanity saver. We love it so far. Yeah, these chilly summers really ruin any prolonged beach fun, but bring that much needed pyro protection.

I've seen the Sheen and really like it - but I also really like many of the styles. I really hope the HWM works because I don't want to be a pain for Carrie with multiple fit jackets, etc... Tomorrow we will know.

 

[MRB1248]

I wouldn't worry about Carrie. She's very forgiving.
And something to keep in mind, with the fit jacket, it will probably be horse or steer and it will be really stiff. It will seem difficult to move in and in my case, made me think it was too small. I ended up buying a size larger and when I got it, it was so big I could have sheltered a small village. Carrie was nice enough to extend me a credit on an exchange, but lesson learned. My jacket I have now is a 42 and although it still feels a touch small in the shoulders, it's getting easier as it breaks in.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I was also going to suggest the sheene as an alternative to a HWM for a slimmer guy. Personally I prefer it over the premier HWM plus it has a little more room in the shoulders which can be great if you need to layer under it on colder days.

 

[breezer]

tartan lining on a Highwayman is the way to go.

 

[Fanch]

I was also going to suggest the sheene as an alternative to a HWM for a slimmer guy. Personally I prefer it over the premier HWM plus it has a little more room in the shoulders which can be great if you need to layer under it on colder days.

+1. A size 42 Sheene with a bit of extra length added to the sleeves and 2" to the circumference of the waist is a perfect fit for me. I tried on a friend's Premier HWM in size 42 that I found binding in the chest and especially the shoulders, although I will say his Premier HWM in seal Vicenza MWHH is one of the best looking jackets I have ever seen anywhere but just didn't fit me.

 

[Witchtrip]

Fingers crossed the HWM fits! I love the look of it as well, but I will definitely keep the Sheene (if it's still made) and 30s HB as my backup options.

As many of you have broken in new jackets, how much have they stretched? I'm pretty much sold on the vincenza, chromex FQHH is my second choice. Carrie said the vincenza doesn't have near the break-in period.

 

[Fanch]

I would choose the Vicenza in a heartbeat, well worth the upcharge IMO.

 

[tropicalbob]

Hi, WT. I'm from NJ myself originally and was wondering why you said you could wear a leather jacket in the summertime there. I seem to remember that from the end of June until the beginning of September or so it was way too hot, except up in the mountains and down the shore at night sometimes. With that in mind, I'd suggest going with the mid-weight wool as it would give you a few extra months. Anyway, all the best and watch out for the Seaside Heights cops - real f-----s.

 

[Fanch]

Other options for linings would be moleskin or even corduroy for body shell and cotton drill or cotton sateen for sleeves. If it is really cold, I doubt a Premier HWM or Sheene would be warm enough which is the reason my preference is cotton drill throughout.

 

[Witchtrip]

you guys are killing me with options! Now I'll never be satisfied with just one jacket... But since I must be, I'm definitely going with med tartan.

@TB, I was briefly considering heavy, as I prefer to be too warm than cold - I can always layer up and I don't think med weight will be too heavy for the freakishly chilly June & July evenings we have had the past couple of years. It didn't get into the 80s until August last year, I recall, and then summer was over a couple of weeks later.

Thanks everyone for the help here. You've definitely helped me lock in all the details. This is a great forum community - happy to have found it!

I'll post fit jacket pics when I shoot them to add to the database.

 

[RMF308]

I have both heavy and light wool in my Aeros (all FQHH) and I honestly don't find the heavy much warmer or all that difference when it comes to warmth. I do like the heavy wool's finish; it feels slightly more robust and substantial and slightly coarse. I also have cotton drill in in my Vincenza HB and found its a perfect lightweight spring and even fall jacket weight for up here in Seattle. Like others have mentioned the other lining options...you can also choose tweed, alpaca, their quilted rayon, and even sheepskin for a slight additional charge. Best advice is to always talk to Carrie .

 

[Edward]

I was also going to suggest the sheene as an alternative to a HWM for a slimmer guy. Personally I prefer it over the premier HWM plus it has a little more room in the shoulders which can be great if you need to layer under it on colder days.

oth good options to consider. The Premier HWM is a really clever "what if..." of a design. I do suspect that both it and the Sheen, in different ways, were responses to so many folks trying to slim down a boxy jacket over the years...

 

[Witchtrip]

And I will know in a few short hours if they were successful (for my frame) in the overhaul. I really hope so - I do like the stylings of the HWM. Tbc...

 

[rmconner80]

One word of advice if I may on the Premier Highwayman - the sleeves are quite trim, at least on mine. They are great, but no way I could layer anything more than a thin shirt underneath (i.e. a sweater is way out of the question). Be sure you get a Premier Highwayman fit jacket so you'll be able to assess this yourself. When I fitted for mine it was a brand new design, so I guess the Premier Highwayman wasn't available as a fit jacket. A 30s half belt was sent to me instead. Unfortunately this ultimately led me to a size too small on the Highwayman, as the PH is a much closer fitting jacket in the same size as the HB. Still have it... don't wear it.

 

[ButteMT61]

Yeah, you've got more than enough info.
Ignore "us" and start deciding what to do - otherwise, you're going to go insane.

 

[Witchtrip]

Ha! Too late...

 

[Witchtrip]

But that's not a condition this forum had anything to do with...

 

[ProteinNerd]

As many of you have broken in new jackets, how much have they stretched? I'm pretty much sold on the vincenza, chromex FQHH is my second choice. Carrie said the vincenza doesn't have near the break-in period.

I haven't had any stretching on any of mine (Vicenza, FQHH, Steer, Shinki) they will definitely mould to your shape and get more comfortable in areas they are snug but they won't stretch out of shape like a lamb jacket will, the leather is just way to thick and strong.

Having said that, of course leather will stretch if placed under enough pressure but I would have to imagine that if the jacket was tight enough in a particular area to stretch it out through normal wear.....it would be just too uncomfortable to wear or break in, in the first place and it would indicate the wrong size.

 

[Witchtrip]

Thanks PN, very good to know. I wasn't sure how snug it should be unbroken in. I'll try it on with the heaviest wool shirt I plan on wearing underneath.

 

[Witchtrip]

Hey guys, as promised I'm posting some pics of the size 40 Premier HWM that showed up on Friday. It's a gorgeous jacket with several of the details I wanted to see in person (Vincenza, zipped sleeves, olive stitching, light tartan, cotton drill in sleeves). Carrie said the Premier fit runs a little small, so we started with a 40. I think this size works well in everything but the profile (I don't care for the loose waist), however, I'm used to the Schott 641 fit and am going to downsize to a 38 for my first Aero (as that's what I wear in everything). I hate swimming in jackets and even though this size gives me the room to layer, I'd rather just buy a full-blown winter steerhide jacket with alpaca/sheep lining than try to make a "One jacket to rule them all" out of this one. I'm sticking with the HWM as I love the stylings and in tighter FQHH (I love the Vincenza, but it's too supple for my tastes - I want to break this baby in), I think it will be pretty amazing. Hopefully this thread will help someone in my previous position of searching out Premier HWM fit photos. Again, I'm 5' 11" 145 - 150lbs. I'll post pics of the final jacket for the record (and for the attention of you leather freaks . Thanks a ton for all the help!