Newbie Questions As I Plan For My First Custom Aero

[Bfd70]

Sorta late to the thread, but as I’m in Chicago as well, i figure i’ll chime in. I’m also in the 150#s and tend to run cold. After this long winter i’ve concluded that for me in the 35-49 and overcast zone leather just isnt the best choice. I realize thats purely subjective and that there are people in this town in shorts and flip flops but for me it doesnt work. I plan on ordering a 1930s as well this month. I also reached out to the forum and got some good liner recommendations. One that stuck out that might work is courderoy. A common suggestion isnto leave room for layering. I think this is a viable and prefferable option for bigger people, but at our stature baggy jackets look silly. We tend to have less room to play with if you will. A jacket that fits with a sweatshirt looks baggy without and one that fits without makes you look like an over stuffed sausage with. In the end i am opting for a drill lining. I picked up a deck jacket (50% off) from Schott on Milwaukee ave for when it’s too cold for cotton drill. Once it hits 35 I bring out the anj-4, which is great to about 15.

 

[Harris HTM]

Update on my progress:

I have been in contact with Carrie, and I've just pulled the trigger and paid my money. Carrie recommends I try a '30s Half Belt size 40 for my fit jacket. I still suspect I'll end up with a size 38, but we'll see.

She said the Premier 30s Half Belt is the same fit as the regular '30s Half Belt, and that the main differences are the slightly higher arm holes and slimmer sleeves of the Premier. The collar is different too, as I remember. The Premier wasn't available as a fit jacket, so I'll be trying on the standard '30s Half Belt.

Still 99% sure I'm going with brown CXL FQHH, unless there is a general consensus that I should consider black for my first jacket. I love the pictures I've seen of the FQHH in brown, and wear mostly jeans so I think it would work fine. You know I'll just end up getting a black one later, right? I see how this works.

Next decision will be the lining, and I'm working with Carrie. She's going to send samples with my fit jacket. I don't think I want a tartan, since it's just not really my style, but I want something warm that can hold up to damp weather. Very curious to see what she sends.

So it's all real now - I'm getting my first Aero!

You definitely cannot go wrong with a brown fqhh 30s hb! Don't worry about initial stiffness, it will finally break in.

 

[Michael312]

I got my fit jacket and samples in the mail last week, and today I talked to Carrie at Thurston Bros. She was extremely helpful. I'm almost ready to place my order, with just one or two final decisions to make. Here's the current specs for my jacket:

Aero 1930's Half Belt in brown CXL FQHH in size 40

• Shorten the sleeves and the body by up to 1"
• Taper the body by 1/2" on each side
• Two interior pockets
• Alloy zipper
• August collar

Really glad I'm getting a custom jacket, since an off-the-rack size 40 wouldn't be quite right on me.

Carrie said Aero can taper the 1930's Half Belt down by one size or up to 2" total, and that the 1" taper should help it look trimmer on me.

She was quick to talk me out of the Premier for some of the same reasons mentioned here, including that it would likely end up too tight, especially in the CXL FQHH.

Still under consideration:

• Eliminating the outer chest pocket. It's not very functional, and I kind of like the cleaner lines with no chest pocket.
• Final decision on the lining, although I'll probably go with this: https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/beaters-grey-shetland-jacketing-tweed-fabric/
  

Looks like my jacket will go into production some time in June.

 

[Edward]

The standard outer chest pockets are of limited practical use unless you spec a bigger on as on the HWM or the Bootlegger. I still like how they look, though if you're getting an inside pocket you likely won't need one if you prefer the look without.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Two things;

For a warmer liner, don't forget about moleskin. It's very cozy, warm, durable and affordable on top of that, I love that stuff. My HWM has sleeves lined in corduroy and my shirt and sweater sleeves get stuck and push up every time I put on that HWM. No such thing with moleskin.

The issue with Aeros chest pockets is that they are unpractical, too tight I width and not deep enough. @sweetfights has found a good solution for that by ordering it to be 6" deep or so for a smart phone to fit in. If I was to order another Aero, this is definitely what I would ask for.

 

[Edward]

Two things;

For a warmer liner, don't forget about moleskin. It's very cozy, warm, durable and affordable on top of that, I love that stuff. My HWM has sleeves lined in corduroy and my shirt and sweater sleeves get stuck and push up every time I put on that HWM. No such thing with moleskin.

The issue with Aeros chest pockets is that they are unpractical, too tight I width and not deep enough. @sweetfights has found a good solution for that by ordering it to be 6" deep or so for a smart phone to fit in. If I was to order another Aero, this is definitely what I would ask for.

For my next HB, I'll simply order a Bootlegger chest pocket on it.

 

[handymike]

That's a great idea! Since it's slanted, there's no reason you cant go wider and deeper.