New Aero Highwayman

[nick123]

Hello all,

Received my brown Highwayman (ok, dream jacket ) yesterday from Insurrection.
As some here know I'm a tall guy and can hardly buy anything off the rack, so I always have to go the custom route.
Anyhow, I received this "tall" Highwayman and I'm very happy with it. It's the first Aero I've ever owned and it is something else. I was curious to find out "how stiff" the jacket would be and IMO it's not that bad. I'm looking forward to breaking it in. I also think it will drape a bit better after giving it some time.
So for the FQHH, yes, it IS stiff, but its of no real concern. I've noticed much more the weight of the jacket. Very heavy but does not feel so when worn. Arm movement is relatively restricted but I'm not worried as I don't do a lot of physical activity anyway.
What's funny is that I forgot all about the smell of the new leather until receiving it. It always seems to shock me at first. It's a pleasant smell, but I don't know if I'd like to be in Aero's shoes and have to smell it for 8 hours a day!
I should give a big nod to Insurrection, who made the entire process very easy. I changed my mind a few times over details before it was over and they were just great about it.
I also want to thank Moiria? (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, as I couldn't make out the tag) for making the jacket. I have a strong feeling that FQHH jackets are really difficult to construct. Great job to her.
A size 38 was what I ended up going with. A size 36 was initially recommended but I feel I need plenty of room for my future beer gut. I'm 23 and I hope to be able to wear the jacket long down the road.
Anyhow, here are some amateurish fit pics I took of myself from this camera self-timer app. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks again to everyone here as well.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/nbacich22/image_zps54fdb5d8.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/nbacich22/image_zps95b08143.jpg
Shirt untucked:
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/nbacich22/image_zps06e3b2c9.jpg

 

[HoosierDaddy]

 

[nick123]

Thanks Hoosier. I actually thought of you as I'm wearing light blue jeans in the pictures!

 

[schitzo]

hard to go wrong with a HWM and I see you've got the nice long sleeves you always wanted! That's great.

But how does it feel when zipped up? Is it a boxy type of fit, or a bit closer than that

 

[nabottle]

EXCELLENT Jacket! The brown FQHH is awesome and has a lot of depth. Enjoy your new Highwayman.

 

[nick123]

hard to go wrong with a HWM and I see you've got the nice long sleeves you always wanted! That's great.

But how does it feel when zipped up? Is it a boxy type of fit, or a bit closer than that

I forgot to take a decent zipped photo. But here's one:
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/nbacich22/image_zps489545bb.jpg

It feels a bit tight. But it's a comfortable. I think, given my frame, it's hard to avoid some of the boxiness. I really wanted to take better pics today. When the sun comes out and I get someone to help ill put up some proper shots.
These were taken with my phone against a window sill.

 

[nick123]

EXCELLENT Jacket! The brown FQHH is awesome and has a lot of depth. Enjoy your new Highwayman.

Thank you. Yes, I got really lucky with this darker shade of brown. Here's my best analogy to the brown FQHH: It's like staring into a swimming pool with brown water.

 

[Fanch]

Looks like a perfect fit. Congratulations.

 

[nick123]

Looks like a perfect fit. Congratulations.

Thank you Fanch. Your black one is gorgeous.

 

[thor]

Looks like a perfect fit. Congratulations.

+1

 

[nick123]

+1

Thanks Thor. I believe you just ordered the BK 22a? You'll love it. If not too late, opt for the darker shade of mouton if possible.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Lovely jacket Nick! the new Aeros are great but you can't beat a Highwayman!
Great fit too!

D

 

[nick123]

Lovely jacket Nick! the new Aeros are great but you can't beat a Highwayman!
Great fit too!

D

Thank you Davy. Yes, it's my favorite design.

 

[thor]

Thanks Thor. I believe you just ordered the BK 22a? You'll love it. If not too late, opt for the darker shade of mouton if possible.

Yes I did just order the BK 422; and I did specify the darker mid-brown mouton fur collar. Thanks for the heads up; will post pics once it arrives.
Enjoy your jacket, my friend.

 

[nick123]

Yes I did just order the BK 422; and I did specify the darker mid-brown mouton fur collar. Thanks for the heads up; will post pics once it arrives.
Enjoy your jacket, my friend.

Great. I know there's differentiating opinions of the BK goat but although stiff (the one I previously owned was from one of the old batches I believe) it was an outstanding quality jacket. What was nice were the visible red undertones on that seal leather. Take a flash photo of it once it arrives and you'll be in for a treat.

 

[Insurrection/ThurstonBros]

Looks incredible Nick!

 

[nick123]

Looks incredible Nick!

Thanks. But my pictures were so amatuer that I feel I'm doing everyone a disservice! Soon I'll head to a proper setting and take some real pics. I just need to choose some foilage to stand next to!

 

[wdw]

Great looking jacket and a good sleeve length to boot. You were right to go with the 38.

 

[Cooperson]

Very nice nick, really beautiful hide. The Highwayman is an all-time classic and a perfect choice for a first Aero. Enjoy the break in period and that wonderful smell!

 

[nick123]

Great looking jacket and a good sleeve length to boot. You were right to go with the 38.

Yes, I'm glad I went with the 38 instead of the 36. Originally a 36 was recommended to me and I will say to trust Insurrections sizing advice...as a size 36 (I usually take a size 40 in other jackets) would have no doubt looked perfect with no extra leather flying around...
However, I kind of went with my gut on this one, as I am not opposed to jackets looking a little big, and I don't know if my metabolism will be so speedy forever. Looking at my family genes, it probably will, but I wanted a jacket that would stick with me for a long time. But being rail-thin isn't all fun...generally we are very high-strung individuals.
Back to the numerical sizes, Carrie checked up with Holly and Ken for some more measurements but what ultimately kind of reassured me was going to all of the FL classifieds of Highwaymans and checking up on listed measurements by members.
The Highwaymans measurements are all over the board. The pit-piit measurements vary so much that it makes 100% sense that numerical sizes are not to be trusted. Some list a size 36 as having 18.5" shoulders, others 17.5". I know 17.5" shoulders are too tight for me from experience so to avoid that I just said:
"OK, go with a 38. If its a bit large it will be all the better. Most 38s level out at about 19" at the largest so I should be in the clear there".
I know shoulder measurements aren't the best measurement to go by but they seemed to be the most consistent, if that makes sense.
And of course, most of these variances (other than construction) are due to either:
A) The customer specifies a looser or tighter fit
B) The measurements are derived differently.
Point B brings me to this point:
Now there might be some confusion for the Highwaymans pit-pit measurements in regards to the side-panel seams. I think that some people measure the vertical seams while some just measure the traditional "end-end" of the pits. Not sure if I'm on to something here but I don't think everyone is on the same page with that one.. It's kind of a tricky jacket to measure IMO.
Also, I measured out the jacket and the actual back length is actually 26", but if you count the front dip, it is the 27" that I specified. Future customers might want to take this into consideration by finding out if a jacket (any manufacturer) counts the "front dip" as the back length. Fortunately, I feel the length is great. I wouldn't want it any shorter in the front and if anything, the back is a bit long.
And for the good 'ole sleeves...well, they weren't a problem this time fortunately. They definitely drape and feel longer than knitted jackets of the same length.

So all-in-all. I kind of took a gamble on the chest size but it was a relatively calculated gamble with help from Carrie and Wade. Nice people who were generous from the start. Not making that up either. Every jacket company I've dealt with thus far have convinced me that these leather guys have not lost the principle of customer service.
I originally had an order for a black jacket with the bright red cotton drill, but cancelled that. The most stressful part of the whole ordering process was actually choosing which color hardware to get.
For anyone else who had shared this concern, here's your answer: don't worry, the "ball and chain" puller doesn't make noise when you walk!