New member needing info on a nice travel leather coat/jacket

[Mawashi]

Hi all,

Thanks for this great community and I really love the looks of a classy leather coat/jacket especially in cooler climates.

I am interested in getting a leather blazer / jacket for use when I'm traveling.
I hope the knowledgeable folks here can help me decide on what I should be getting as I have almost zero experience with leather jackets since, I'm from sunny Singapore and the weather here is often so hot and humid I start sweating almost immediately after a cold shower lol!

Being 180 cm tall and only 73 kg I'm slim of built so quite a few jackets are rather too big loose on me especially the sleeves.
My shoulders measure 48 cm wide, chest 103 cm, mid section 88 cm, waist 85 cm but I have skinny arms, 31 cm biceps and 18 cm wrists.

The design of is less biker more blazer / coat yet is quite cozy if the weather turns chilly. I'm not looking for something meant for really foul weather.

As I'll be travelling I'll be mostly wearing a light pull over fleece over a long sleeve tee or at most casual shirt when havjbg dinner at some better places.

These are the styles jackets I prefer.
A H. Junz field jacket
Great looking but rather casual


I'm not familiar with this brand called Avfky but it looks like a much cheaper version of the high large leather
Lawton.

I would love to get a Simmons Klondike in a beautiful brown like the Avfky but this seems to be most logical choice.


If anyone has any advice on the size or make or other jackets I'm all ears.

Many thanks guys.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I guess you're looking for a 3/4 length coat - not so much a blazer.

That said, if you are not careful with this kind of item you can risk running a fine line here between fashion jackets (which folk here are not generally into) or a solid period reproduction 1920's style work coat like this Aero (below).



Think carefully about how thick you want the leather to be. I have a 2.5 oz coat that is often all I need if I have layers. But I am talking about weather generally no colder than 46 degrees but nice wind chill.

After three decades of fieldwork I personally rarely travel with leather as I find it too heavy to store, carry around and wear. I usually layer and wear light items. Waxed cotton is about as heavy as I go.

 

[Dav]

Or there is the Aero Teamster and Cheyenne, both of which can be had in much lighter hides than mine.

I've omitted the hand warmer pockets from the Cheyenne

 

[Mawashi]

I guess you're looking for a 3/4 length coat - not so much a blazer.

That said, if you are not careful with this kind of item you can risk running a fine line here between fashion jackets (which folk here are not generally into) or a solid period reproduction 1920's style work coat like this Aero (below).

View attachment 214189

Think carefully about how thick you want the leather to be. I have a 2.5 oz coat that is often all I need if I have layers. But I am talking about weather generally no colder than 46 degrees but nice wind chill.

After three decades of fieldwork I personally rarely travel with leather as I find it too heavy to store, carry around and wear. I usually layer and wear light items. Waxed cotton is about as heavy as I go.

Hi Seb Lucas,

Many thanks for your reply and I get where you're coming from. I would hate having to lug around a 4 kg leather jacket. I've studied in the US a while at Michigan and the UK but I never had a leather jacket to throw around so I thought it's time I get one to find out what the fuss is about.

A midium weight jacket sound about right and the Aero looks nice.

Or there is the Aero Teamster and Cheyenne, both of which can be had in much lighter hides than mine. View attachment 214193

I've omitted the hand warmer pockets from the Cheyenne View attachment 214194

Dave thanks for your pictures and you look great in both jackets! The teamster in that shade of brown looks super. I discounted it cos of the lines acrossed the chest didn't look right on their site but I'm starting to really like it. I doubt I'll be able to pull off as good as you cos I'm assuming you're a tad bit larger.

I'll add the teamster to th list for considerations as well as these if I can get them in a slimmer cut:
A longer August really looks nice


A slimmer fitting "Mulligan" in brown like your teamster would look awesome

or lastly, a long slimmer half belt


I did look at the Sea Biscuit but the collar looks huge

Thanks again and any more advise would be appreciated as I really want a fine leather jacket that won't look out of place in some of the nice areas of Tokyo, the US or Western Europe.

If anyone has some experience with the jackets mentioned including the Klondike I would be really grateful.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Here's my Teamster in battered tan. Great thing about this style is it can look dressy with a tie and slacks or more casual with jeans and open shirt collar....

 

[Mawashi]

HoosierDaddy many thanks for the pictures, looks like it's 3 for the teamster n zero for the rest.

You guys are really rocking the teamster.
The only concern I have about the aero in the non slim jackets is I might not fit well in them cos I'm rather slim at just 73 kg.

 

[zebedee]

Aero's Long Half Belt is a good choice- it'd look great in battered tan mid-weight leather and it has handy pockets all over the shop. The Stockman is also good if you're after a car coat type of fit. The Maxwell is a happy medium in terms of length.

 

[Harris HTM]

If anyone has some experience with the jackets mentioned including the Klondike I would be really grateful.

My Teamster/Long Half Belt/Mariner:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-teamster-in-tobacco-badalassi.99081/#post-2612732
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-long-half-belt-shearling-lined.89578/
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-aero-mariner.85245/

 

[MrProper]

HoosierDaddy many thanks for the pictures, looks like it's 3 for the teamster n zero for the rest.

You guys are really rocking the teamster.
The only concern I have about the aero in the non slim jackets is I might not fit well in them cos I'm rather slim at just 73 kg.

You can choose a small size and lengthen it and make it narrower.
Aero does customizing for non-military jackets. But then you have several weeks to wait.

 

[Mawashi]

Aero's Long Half Belt is a good choice- it'd look great in battered tan mid-weight leather and it has handy pockets all over the shop. The Stockman is also good if you're after a car coat type of fit. The Maxwell is a happy medium in terms of length.

My Teamster/Long Half Belt/Mariner:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-teamster-in-tobacco-badalassi.99081/#post-2612732
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-aero-long-half-belt-shearling-lined.89578/
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-aero-mariner.85245/

Hi zebedee and Harris,

Thank you for the recommendations and the other jackets really look awesome too. I'm now starting to get why it's so hard to nail the right jacket when there are so many choices lol.

I may end up with a couple like the long half belt or some other zippered jacket but for now a 3/4 jacket might be the way to go as my first and travel jacket.

Btw Harris, I don't see badalassi as an available option on aero anymore. The leather looks amazing.

Many thanks again.

 

[Harris HTM]

Btw Harris, I don't see badalassi as an available option on aero anymore. The leather looks amazing.

It is a great leather, quite lighter than the FQHH CXL as well.
I don't think it was ever an option on the website, however if you contact the guys at Aero they will inform you about availiability, this is how I got mine.

 

[Mawashi]

You can choose a small size and lengthen it and make it narrower.
Aero does customizing for non-military jackets. But then you have several weeks to wait.

Mr Proper that's a good idea and I'm ok with a few weeks after all I've been waiting more than 20 years to get a leather jacket lol.

It is a great leather, quite lighter than the FQHH CXL as well.
I don't think it was ever an option on the website, however if you contact the guys at Aero they will inform you about availiability, this is how I got mine.

That's for the heads up I'll go bug the guys at Aero on this Thanks again Harris

 

[Cornelius]

A slim-fit Mulligan seems like it would fit the bill here, but that doesn't seem to be an Aero model owned by many on the forum - very difficult to find pictures of it worn. I've been curious about that style myself.

 

[zebedee]

When you say travel jacket, I'd think that means pockets and rain protection- you may want internal pockets as well as external ones, and that's where things get... particular. Inner pockets can spoil the line of the jacket (I got my Stockman without them, so it's a two-pocket beast). For travel, I've found that the Long Half Belt's pockets were really useful- but beating any pocket arrangement was a an over-shoulder canvas bag.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Hello and welcome to FL !

For a first take, I would steer you toward ebay and the large number of very nice Areo and other brands being sold out of Japan and other Asian markets. Having a used one for your first one might sound odd, but it's an inexpensive way to get the fit down first, before ordering up the exact jacket you really want. Many in smaller sizes.

A few notes give your location and intended use. In Singapore, mush like Australia, I highly doubt you would like something such as heavy steerhide or Horsehide, but more of a mid-weight would be approprate. It would also be much easier for travel. Denim would be even better. Also consider the lining- I would stay away from anything Quilted, poly-fill or even wool as (other ahtan a light Tartin) it would be much too warm.

I generally do not profer 3/4 length of button up jackets for travel, but that's my preferance. Other than a denim or a wool coat, I have no others that are button up. Good luck with the search!

 

[Mawashi]

A slim-fit Mulligan seems like it would fit the bill here, but that doesn't seem to be an Aero model owned by many on the forum - very difficult to find pictures of it worn. I've been curious about that style myself.

Cornelius the Mulligan does look like a decent travel jacket and it's a shorter field jacket. My only concern is it could be too utilitarian or austere as I will want to wear it when I'm at ginza or high street.

I'll go bug the kind folks at Aero with your recommendation and see if a slim Mulligan might fit the bill

When you say travel jacket, I'd think that means pockets and rain protection- you may want internal pockets as well as external ones, and that's where things get... particular. Inner pockets can spoil the line of the jacket (I got my Stockman without them, so it's a two-pocket beast). For travel, I've found that the Long Half Belt's pockets were really useful- but beating any pocket arrangement was a an over-shoulder canvas bag.

Absolutely zebedee, I've no intention of looking like inspector gadget I might need a few things in the jacket but the day bag / messanger bag will do most of the heavy lifting.

Does anyone like the Klondike at all?
If possible I'll rather not get too boxy a jacket as I doubt I can pull it off a Veste Des Rallye or a stockman unfortunately.
I'm afraid that I'll look like I'm wearing a poncho lol.

 

[zebedee]

Ge

Cornelius the Mulligan does look like a decent travel jacket and it's a shorter field jacket. My only concern is it could be too utilitarian or austere as I will want to wear it when I'm at ginza or high street.

I'll go bug the kind folks at Aero with your recommendation and see if a slim Mulligan might fit the bill



Absolutely zebedee, I've no intention of looking like inspector gadget I might need a few things in the jacket but the day bag / messanger bag will do most of the heavy lifting.

Does anyone like the Klondike at all?
If possible I'll rather not get too boxy a jacket as I doubt I can pull it off a Veste Des Rallye or a stockman unfortunately.
I'm afraid that I'll look like I'm wearing a poncho lol.

Get Aero's Maxwell. It's similar and nicer. I sized up from my normal 40 to 42 and the fit was excellent. I think one in brown with olive stitching would be awesome.

 

[Rosecitymike]

Have you considered the Majestic? Stylish, goat suede, which will be thin and lighter weight. It can easily be dressed up or down.

 

[Mawashi]

Hello and welcome to FL !

For a first take, I would steer you toward ebay and the large number of very nice Areo and other brands being sold out of Japan and other Asian markets. Having a used one for your first one might sound odd, but it's an inexpensive way to get the fit down first, before ordering up the exact jacket you really want. Many in smaller sizes.

A few notes give your location and intended use. In Singapore, mush like Australia, I highly doubt you would like something such as heavy steerhide or Horsehide, but more of a mid-weight would be approprate. It would also be much easier for travel. Denim would be even better. Also consider the lining- I would stay away from anything Quilted, poly-fill or even wool as (other ahtan a light Tartin) it would be much too warm.

I generally do not profer 3/4 length of button up jackets for travel, but that's my preferance. Other than a denim or a wool coat, I have no others that are button up. Good luck with the search!

AeroFan_07, many thanks for the warm welcome. I did look around some of the sites but not ebay Japan or Rakutan. Perhaps I should check out the 2nd hand market here. I'm a slim medium in the US or Europe but here I'm rather tall and lanky for an Asian and so far I've not had much luck to get Japanese designs to fit well. The Chinese styles fit fine but are made from gawd only knows what or how lol.

I only wish I could get the jacket in Kangaroo too as its a super light yet crazy tough.

Ebay, Rakutan here income thanks lol!

Ge


Get Aero's Maxwell. It's similar and nicer. I sized up from my normal 40 to 42 and the fit was excellent. I think one in brown with olive stitching would be awesome.

zebedee, you're right and the Maxwell does look a lot like the Klondike too!

Have you considered the Majestic? Stylish, goat suede, which will be thin and lighter weight. It can easily be dressed up or down.

Rosecitymike, I love suede but the memories of trying to keep a suede shoe clean.... Shudders!
This is going to be my travel jacket and I can already imagine the carnage, ketchup and mustard dribble from the US, coffee and pasta blotches from Italy, red wine spills and horrors of horrors, a chewing gum tacked onto the back.
Suede is nice but I won't want to return home with the stains of the world all over it lol.

The Maxwell, Klondike, Teamster seems to be the leading pack followed by the Milligan and maybe a new addition the Rockafella.

I think the collar of the Rockafella looks rather bad ass and edgy. As a rather large piece I can see it as decent protection when buttoned/folded up and huddled with a warm scarf against the elements. The styling of the sweeping curve stitch doesn't do it for me so perhaps I could ask if Aero could put that collar on the Mulligan or the Maxwell.

Guys correct me if I'm wrong but this is the direction I'm headed in. A slim fit for the Mulligan, Maxwell or the Teamster.
Possible modifications are to keep the length similar to the Teamster and maybe adding the Rockafella collar to some other jacket.
A slightly more complicated modification should I choose the Mulligan would be to have internal instead of external pockets with the addition of slide slits right beside the pocket as hand warmers.

For leathers, badalassi or a mid weight horse or steer and either cotton or light wool as an inner liner for travel to cooler climates. I would not be wearing this anywhere in South East Asia unless I'm visiting an ice bar lol.

I found this on the sale section and the fit seems perfect. I don't care much for the round bottom chest pocket but, I could just remove the bell bottom and have a nicer pocket w a flap stitched over.
What do you think guys?
http://www.simmonsbilt.com/sale/klondike-1269.html

Please keep the discussions coming guys, thanks!

 

[tropicalbob]

I'd also recommend an Aero Long Halfbelt for travel. When I got mine back in 2011 I asked that it be just a bit larger than my usual size as I wanted to be able to layer under it, and Julie Leitch nailed it. The CXL horsehide is a little weighty, but it's sturdy as hell and pretty much rain-resistant. A big plus is also the six pockets, and I keep travel tickets in the zippered chest outside pocket and my passport and credit cards in the inside, buttoned chest pocket. I like to know where everything is when I need it. Good luck.