New Aero Bootlegger - leather recommendation

[Tomek81]

Hello dear TFL members,

I am not really new here since I participated to this message board in 2012 when I was purchasing an Aero Bootlegger in Chromexcel Cordovan…
Then I met my wife, dropped off from the TFL, had two kids, got busy with my career, moved to two different continents in a span of 10 years, even forgot my former TFL username… here I am, settled in Tokyo, with older kids and more time to think again about my clothing.

I already bought a nice black leather jacket from the Flat Head directly at the Tokyo store, but I would really like to go for another Bootlegger in a different hide.

Truth being said, my Chromexcel Bootlegger is way too heavy and stiff to my tastes, I don’t wear it that often anymore, and I am not really fond of how the leather aged after 10 years (the shade has become too light and too “purple”).

I was thinking of Chestnut Badalassi, Tobaco Badalassi or russet goatskin. Something more wearable, with a nice, warm, rich brown.

Any advice or suggestions?

I have never handled or seen these hides so I rely only on TFL pictures so far…

Thank you and happy new year’s Eve!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Aero Badalassi Offering

^^ Definitely not as pliable as LL Veg sheep. I’m going crazy waiting for Midwest temps to cooperate, so that I can finally wear my new black Badi jacket. I’ve been on the edge of my seat since mid July when I received it. Can’t wait to see how it behaves with some proper wear. This...

www.thefedoralounge.com

The current Chestnut Badalassi is darker, more seal color as I understand.

As nice as the veg tan russet goatskin is, it doesn't have the depth and color changing potential the Badalassi has. Badalassi has a squeak.

But dude, you're in Tokyo, Ueno is just a short stop away.

 

[Tomek81]

Thanks for your answer but what do you mean by Ueno? Is there a specific Japanese brand or store you have in mind?

 

[Guppy]

Hello dear TFL members,

I am not really new here since I participated to this message board in 2012 when I was purchasing an Aero Bootlegger in Chromexcel Cordovan…
Then I met my wife, dropped off from the TFL, had two kids, got busy with my career, moved to two different continents in a span of 10 years, even forgot my former TFL username… here I am, settled in Tokyo, with older kids and more time to think again about my clothing.

I already bought a nice black leather jacket from the Flat Head directly at the Tokyo store, but I would really like to go for another Bootlegger in a different hide.

Truth being said, my Chromexcel Bootlegger is way too heavy and stiff to my tastes, I don’t wear it that often anymore, and I am not really fond of how the leather aged after 10 years (the shade has become too light and too “purple”).

I was thinking of Chestnut Badalassi, Tobaco Badalassi or russet goatskin. Something more wearable, with a nice, warm, rich brown.

Any advice or suggestions?

I have never handled or seen these hides so I rely only on TFL pictures so far…

Thank you and happy new year’s Eve!

The badalassi should be what you're looking for, but if that's too heavy still, maybe look at the kelpie, or russet jerky.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Thanks for your answer but what do you mean by Ueno? Is there a specific Japanese brand or store you have in mind?

It's a store location, Americaya and General Garden. They carry lots of brand from Aero to Rainbow Country and everything in between. I drool just looking at the background shots on their Instagram page.

 

[Pandemic]

Don’t rule out Vicenza too quickly, either.

 

[Tomek81]

It's a store location, Americaya and General Garden. They carry lots of brand from Aero to Rainbow Country and everything in between. I drool just looking at the background shots on their Instagram page.

View attachment 477125

Thank you, I will for sure check out those two stores before placing any order to Aero Leather. I wonder whether they will have jackets with lighter hides though, on their website they look like they stock mainly FQHH jackets. Anyway as you said it’s 20 mn away from my office so it’s worth checking.

I was tempted by the Chestnut Badalassi initially, it doesn’t look that dark on the few pictures I could find, and Tobacco Badalassi appears kind of reddish to me.

 

[Salmosalar]

Badalassi is a v good bet - my favourite Aero hide by far - I have jackets in the tobacco, russet and black variants and am currently pondering one in chestnut for 2023…..

 

[MrProper]

I was tempted by the Chestnut Badalassi initially, it doesn’t look that dark on the few pictures I could find

Aero's first batch of Chestnut Badalassi was too light for her taste. The new one is darker. They may still have some from the first batch should you want something lighter. It pays to ask.

 

[Aloysius]

GOAT, Aero’s hidden best leather.

 

[Damon141]

If Aero has a Stockist in Tokyo you should handle them in person, if you are standard sizing you should also check out the Rainbow Country Pony Boy jacket which kind of looks close, the pricing of those are pretty reasonable considering how good they look

 

[Aloysius]

If Aero has a Stockist in Tokyo you should handle them in person, if you are standard sizing you should also check out the Rainbow Country Pony Boy jacket which kind of looks close, the pricing of those are pretty reasonable considering how good they look

Japan is really the core of Aero’s market. Aero Japan is tucked away in the countryside but I’m sure there are stockists for Aero in Tokyo. Aero Japan may be able to direct OP.

 

[Damon141]

Japan is really the core of Aero’s market. Aero Japan is tucked away in the countryside but I’m sure there are stockists for Aero in Tokyo. Aero Japan may be able to direct OP.

I didn’t know that, but I did read an article or maybe it was a video where Aero had a huge order from Japan, I want to say it was in the 1990’s and I couldn’t help but wonder if it sparked some of the Japanese brands into creation.

I would definitely check Aero in Tokyo, along with all the brands that city must have. I envy the OP for his location, here in Florida USA we have nothing of the kind. I will be sure to visit any of the workwear shops if I visit Los Angeles, New York, Langlitz in Oregon, and any others I missed.
I think it would be so cool to just see racks and racks of amazing jackets.

 

[Aloysius]

I didn’t know that, but I did read an article or maybe it was a video where Aero had a huge order from Japan, I want to say it was in the 1990’s and I couldn’t help but wonder if it sparked some of the Japanese brands into creation.

This is exactly what happened.