NON-fqhh Aero Clothing

[Edward]

Aero's superb FQHH is rightly celebrated in these parts. It does, however, seem to me that their equally superb other hides (and, indeed, textiles) are rather unfairly overshadowed. This thread seeks to redress the balance, so....

Please post photos / your experiences of Aero products other than their FQHH jackets. To start the ball rolling, here are some I own:

Goat A2, Seal, with red silk lining and 77th Fighter Squadron patch

Steerhide Motorcycle jacket:

Aero Waterfront

I have an Aero AN6552 (goat), but don't seem to have any photos of it yet, despite owning it for about five years. That was my first Aero.

I'm waiting for this to arrive now - steerhide Highwayman:

Thoughts, views, comments, experiences? In particular, interested in how those of you who have owned original era pieces in hides other than horse find the Aeros stack up.

 

[leopardstyle]

Hey man, this is a great thread to start an one that I've been waiting for. I'm probably going to order an Aero 38 contract A2 before too long and I want to hear about the other types of hides. I know I can get samples but I actually feel one can learn just as much if not more from other peoples experiences.

I have a G&B try on jacket in goat and the leather is just amazing. I will probably end up getting an Aero rather than the G&B so I want to hear about the goat, other types, and definitely people's experience with the oil pull.

Also Edward I've seen your A2 picture above on other threads. How is that breaking in and do you have any more pics of it that you can show?

 

[Edward]

Hey man, this is a great thread to start an one that I've been waiting for. I'm probably going to order an Aero 38 contract A2 before too long and I want to hear about the other types of hides. I know I can get samples but I actually feel one can learn just as much if not more from other peoples experiences.

I have a G&B try on jacket in goat and the leather is just amazing. I will probably end up getting an Aero rather than the G&B so I want to hear about the goat, other types, and definitely people's experience with the oil pull.

Also Edward I've seen your A2 picture above on other threads. How is that breaking in and do you have any more pics of it that you can show?

I've never handled a G&B so I can't compare, but the Aero Goat is a superb hide. I've not worn the A2 for a few months (since around the time that photo was taken) as it has been too cold for it. Both my Aero goats are still pretty new looking. Goat doesn't develop the same patina as horse, so it stays "newer" looking for much longer. I like that about it, as it keeps something of a smarter look. Useful, as I often wear them to the office. Of the two the A2 looks more casual owing to the squadron patch and AAF decal. Goat is much lighter than horse, but still strong. Actually, I think the Aero goat is a much tougher hide than the horse on my ELC A2. A lot of enthusiasts strongly prefer the horse on an A2 as it was the original spec, though I hear from folks round here that the original goat jackets have survived in greater numbers and better condition. I don't have any more photos of the A2 as of yet, but will post more when the warmer weather kicks in and I have occasion to take more.

 

[Seb Lucas]

G&B goat is amongst the best on earth. It compares well to the Aero I've seen. About the same thickness - 2.5 -3 oz. John Chapamn uses a 2.5oz goat as did WW2 A2's. Goat does age and develop a patina but it has to be veg tanned. The chrome tanned goat stays looking new for years. I don't mind that but some people seem to want wear as soon as possible. Goat is very abrasion resistant and fairly light so it's my favourite. Almost impossible to come by in Australia.

 

[ButteMT61]

I have admired Aeros other offerings, but in spite of my spending habits, $350 jeans aren't in my immediate plans lol
And other times I find no large sizes for me.
But I almost got the reversible jacket in the same green from their sale page! Love that.
Oh, I do have some Aero scarves which I used on my trip last winter. I just need 'em longer.

 

[leopardstyle]

Seb and Edward, good replies. I had been heavily leaning toward the horse but now the goat is back in the running. I like the idea of it being very light and wearable. Still there are many good supporters of their horse hide. These decisions can be tough.

 

[leopardstyle]

Also color. I'd like to get a very dark seal. Do you know if any of the hides come in different colors?

 

[Doc Average]

Aero's superb FQHH is rightly celebrated in these parts. It does, however, seem to me that their equally superb other hides (and, indeed, textiles) are rather unfairly overshadowed. This thread seeks to redress the balance, so....

I recently picked up one of their new CC41 style spear-point collar shirts. I've been meaning to post pics etc. for a while now. I'll see what I can do this evening. I'll just say quickly that it's an excellent shirt, and the collar has a beautiful shape. At £80 it was a little pricy for me (I won't be buying multiples unless that lucky lottery strike comes up!), but hey "I'm worth it!".

 

[Edward]

I have admired Aeros other offerings, but in spite of my spending habits, $350 jeans aren't in my immediate plans lol
And other times I find no large sizes for me.
But I almost got the reversible jacket in the same green from their sale page! Love that.
Oh, I do have some Aero scarves which I used on my trip last winter. I just need 'em longer.

Yeah, I know how you feel about the jeans! I'm prepared to spend out on Freddie's, Prison Blues, etc - for me those are pricey enough, but ultimately worth it to get the cut and style I want. I'm sure a lot of the real, hardcore denim crowd can see the added vale in Iron Hearts and the likes. For myself, I don't wear denim so much these days, and so the idea of spending the price of a Jermyn Street tweed jacket on a pair of jeans.... Computer says no. Each to his own, though!

I've been tempted to order the Waterfront green check wool as a lining in another jacket - maybe the Elvis MC jacket, for instance - for a bit, but I'm only wary as to whether it would be too heavy for much of the year.

Also color. I'd like to get a very dark seal. Do you know if any of the hides come in different colors?

The various horsehides come in brown, black, cherry and cordovan - I think steer the same. Goat is available in seal and russet only. The seal is true to the colour in my A2 photo (at least on my monitor) - a nice, deep brown: what I might call a "true" brown, rather than a very reddish hue verging on cordovan. It's not that shade you'll see in some original A2s where they looked almost black in all but direct sunlight, but it is a good, dark brown nonetheless. Jan Solo has some nice stuff in this thread and some very good pictures, I believe.

I recently picked up one of their new CC41 style spear-point collar shirts. I've been meaning to post pics etc. for a while now. I'll see what I can do this evening. I'll just say quickly that it's an excellent shirt, and the collar has a beautiful shape. At £80 it was a little pricy for me (I won't be buying multiples unless that lucky lottery strike comes up!), but hey "I'm worth it!".

Be interested to see photos of those. They are really nice looking, though as you say expensive for daily wear. I appreciate a barrel cuff for more casual situations or under long-sleeved knitwear, but I think at that sort of money I'd be more inclined to go for a shirt for special occasions, with a double cuff. Still, maybe one day if I'm much more flush I'll treat myself.

 

[pauleway]

Also color. I'd like to get a very dark seal. Do you know if any of the hides come in different colors?

I have a Russet Goat Custom 50's Half-Belt and the leather is beautiful. It's a lighter, reddish brown but their Seal goat is just as nice if you prefer a dark brown.

 

[deluxestyling]

Aero Leather's Deer Skin.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

CafeRacer
Aged Tan steerhide:

Cheyenne
Seal goat:

Modified 30´s Halfbelt
Oill pull medium horse:

 

[Edward]

Great, folks, keep them coming!

Aero Leather's Deer Skin.

Nice! I am tempted by the halfbelt in that hide - just not sure how practical the colour is. I really like it, though.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

My initial thought for my 30´s jacket was also the halfbelt in "deer", but I also thought about how practical it would be. With a small child there is the risk of throwup and other things on your clothes

 

[Edward]

My initial thought for my 30´s jacket was also the halfbelt in "deer", but I also thought about how practical it would be. With a small child there is the risk of throwup and other things on your clothes

lol Yet another reason I prefer cats. Course, then you have to watch for the claws....

 

[deluxestyling]

It does get grubby due to the light colour but it doesn't mark when splashed with water (or possibly baby sick). It's as water proof and stain resistant as any leather and not at all venerable like suede.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Nice. Its a beauty!

 

[Tony B]

Probably too fat and too old to put it off but god the more I look at that deerskin colour the more I want another jacket in it.....something nice and complex with lots of seems to pick up dirt knowing me.

 

[ButteMT61]

Aero Bronco in Cape skin. Love this jacket more and more...

 

[CodeRed]

I really love my Iron Heart 21 oz jeans...anyone ever try Aero's 30 oz jeans? Curious about how they wear and the cut...