New Aero back designs

[Dr H]

Me? Perish the thought... ;-)

 

[Plumbline]

 

[pauleway]

The 'belt' provides a clear line at back, acting as a guide or focus point for cinching of buckles, or D-ringed straps. Without this arrangement I suspect there would be 'blousing' in the back. So there is function in this strip of leather.

Similarly, the half-belt allows for insertion of pleats and such, aiding fit at the back. I'm sure there are examples of close-fitting jackets with other arrangements than half-belts, but a half-belt is certainly one way of engineering a neat fit. Again, in this regard a half-belt is functional.

Any garment technicians in the house?

Plus, it just looks good!!!

 

[pauleway]

I think it was in my article It's a hefty number of new ones, though. I suppose given the situation, Aero feel the need to put some clear-water between them and AL. Can only be a good thing to expand the choice generally - I'm fairly certain I noticed that they've got a new cafe racer on the site already.

Competition is a good thing for the consumer!!!

 

[Sloan1874]

Don't think AL will feel that way...

 

[Plumbline]

I'm not sure they share the same consumer ... and from when I've spoken to them I'm not sure they care TBH !!!!

Ken appears to be moving much more into the authentic 1920's - late 40's era ( much more where Aero were goiing in the early 90's) more vintage style with vintage fit ( much more Fedora Lounge and more into JC's / Lost Worlds space perhaps) ... and moving away from the " vintage style with modern fit" place which AL are going towards.

Don't know if there's room for both .... but the number of current players and their order books would suggest there is.

I also get the impression that AL are much more orientated towards customisation ( choice is where they are going ... look at my recent order and the level of customisation I could include !) and that Aero are moving away from bespoke built jackets . Might be just my impression or just a sign of the pressures on Aero currently.

The biggest issue with Aero ( and has been for many years) is the length of time you have to wait from order to delivery ( this is the same for JC unfortunately IMHO ) ...... I know some are happy to wait 6 months + from order to delivery, the order books show this .... I'm not, and I know I'm not alone. Maybe it's just my impatience .. but the market will adjust to supply demand in a timely manner.

However, Aero have a hugely loyal customer base and I'm sure they know their customers better than I, I'm mostly a second hand Aero customer and shall continue to be so ( full retail is an expensive luxury ... I'd much rather pick up a seldom worn ( it's amazing how many are almost new ) 2nd hand jacket or a sale/ intro offer item )

 

[majormajor]

I'm not sure they share the same consumer ... and from when I've spoken to them I'm not sure they care TBH !!!!

Absolute total utter complete cloud-cuckoo land.

Talk about ignoring the blindingly frigging obvious.

Tell you what PL. Don't hang around near a level crossing. You'll never spot that train coming!!:eeek::eeek::eeek:

 

[Sloan1874]

I'm sure AL talk a very good game.

 

[pauleway]

Don't think AL will feel that way...

Competition is good. It makes you push yourself to do your best and that can only be good for the consumer!

 

[Plumbline]

Absolute total utter complete cloud-cuckoo land.

Talk about ignoring the blindingly frigging obvious.

Tell you what PL. Don't hang around near a level crossing. You'll never spot that train coming!!:eeek::eeek::eeek:

so answer this then major ...

Q. Are you likely to buy from AL ?

Q. Are you likely to buy from Aero ?

just because the product is similar ... doesn't mean the target market is ..... go read some of Porters musings. The modern automotive market was built on this philosophy !

 

[Fanch]

In this case, the product appears more than just similar, although maybe there is a difference between the two in thread count Not sure whether or not AL offers FQHH

No question that Ken has added authentic 1920's - late 40's era jackets, although fit can be either vintage or modern by simply adding an inch or two to body length. Remember that Ken's most famous design is the Highwayman from the 60's, which also appears copied by AL's "Roadster"

Looking at AL's website, it seems obvious that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Perhaps the Stuart will emerge on the AL website, as it is my understanding that the Stuart was not one of Ken's designs. I believe that Ken had the courtesy of dropping the Stuart from Aero's website for that reason, the courtesy of which appears not to have been returned by AL shakeshead

 

[Plumbline]

So ... "Ken's" most famous design was the "Highwayman" .... where the name already existed in the brand of the 1960/70's British Leather Motorcycle Jacket manufacturer and the design was a copy from any number of manucturers in the 1950's including Californian, Levis Straus and others ..... these are NOT unique designs and their lack of legal protection bears testament. It's a damn fine jacket .. but lets not pretend it was originally designed by Ken or anyone else we know .... the design of these jackets originates from when they were first created .... the rest is just copying.

Indeed ... it would be good to know how much design influence Ken actually had ..... up until now there has been very little original and unique about the Aero products save perhaps the use of FQHH .... the rest has been (exceptionally manufactured) copies of jackets from Montgomerry Ward, Sears Roebuck, Wards and Rin Tanaka books as far as I can see ... as well as the run of the mill milllitaria. There are a number of manufacturers who make similar jackets and indeed some better ( JC with regard to A-2's for example).

If immitation is truely the sincerest form of flattery then Aero, Lost Worlds, Goodwear, Eastman and any number of other manufacturers ALL do this shamelessly. It's what the REPRO market is all about ... the only thing which varies is Porters 4 p's ... product ( quality and quantity), price, promotion and place ... if the product attributes are similar then I suspect AL's strategy will be on product customisation, price and faster manufacture / delivery .... I should point out I don't KNOW this as I am simply putting 2 + 2 together and making 22. Their primary channel to market is the Web and that soesn't look like changing for either and they woth look to be playing on a global basis.
In my experience "courtesy" isn't something which is commonplace in the business environment .... and certainly not in a place where feelings are running so high and legal challenges are being thrown about ... harsh though that may be, it's the commercial reality of business I'm afraid

 

[pauleway]

I'm just glad that there are companies like Aero that IS making these style jackets, and you are able to customize your jacket to your personal tastes. As I said before, the competition is good for us consumers and we can make the choice of who we want to deal with!

 

[Plumbline]

Agreed Paul ....

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Lets see...wasn't a :tape2: put on the Plumbline argument..?..or was that just the Plumline argument before? It can get confusing just what thread we are on and which Plumbline argument is in progress. Seems any thread will do..and any Plumline argument can surface at any time. [huh] ..but thrilling isn't it...

 

[Fanch]

That's OK PL, we all love you anyhow :kiss:

 

[Plumbline]

nice to hear from you HD ... how are you today ?

 

[too much coffee]

Actually Plumbline, your remarks are spot on.

Regards,
coffee

 

[Fanch]

When I looked at the AL website, I made the following observation:

Arkansas is an Aero 30s HB
Detroit is an Aero Bootlegger
Dirtrider is an Aero Cafe Racer
Drifter is an Aero HB Deluxe
Long Rider is an Aero LHB without bi-swing back
Memphis is an Aero 50s Flight Jacket
Nebraska is an Aero zip sleeve Highwayman with front snap at bottom of jacket
Roadster is an Aero Highwayman
Spiegel is almost identical to Aero Hercules

I did note that the Dakota is a HB with a very clean design, perhaps my favorite on that website. However, to say that AL is not heavily influenced by Aero would be a gross understatement, and it seems highly suspicious that virtually all of their patterns actually originated at Aero.

 

[jlanderson]

When I looked at the AL website, I made the following observation:

Arkansas is an Aero 30s HB
Detroit is an Aero Bootlegger
Dirtrider is an Aero Cafe Racer
Drifter is an Aero HB Deluxe
Long Rider is an Aero LHB without bi-swing back
Memphis is an Aero 50s Flight Jacket
Nebraska is an Aero zip sleeve Highwayman with front snap at bottom of jacket
Roadster is an Aero Highwayman
Spiegel is almost identical to Aero Hercules

I did note that the Dakota is a HB with a very clean design, perhaps my favorite on that website. However, to say that AL is not heavily influenced by Aero would be a gross understatement, and it seems highly suspicious that virtually all of their patterns actually originated at Aero.

I noticed the same, in addition to the £50 increase in price over the introductory rate.

I know business is business, but it still rankles that Ken Calder immediately stopped selling any designs Lauder had originated while Lauder is basically ripping off the man who gave him his start in the business more than 25 years ago. Loyalty and honor, I guess, are hollow words these days.