Ordering my first leather jacket - a sunburst - probably Aero

[Dav]

Yes, that was me a few years back

 

[zebedee]

Personally I don't have any coin in the game for either companies as I'll buy from whoever makes the best jacket for me for the right price.
To put things into perspective, Hugo Boss made uniforms for the SS n Wehrmacht, Mercedes made vehicles for the Nazis and most Japanese companies had their hand in the war too.



Edward thanks for the info about goat as it's exactly what I want, a long lasting leather that doesn't look beat up after a few trips.

The last thing I want is a jacket that looks like it's peeling apart like this:
View attachment 216965

I guess some like this look but I rather have leather that's dyed completely through for this travel leather jacket



Sloan1874, good to know about that leather too as I'm still in the process of deciding on what up get.

Get a jacket in goat. I've worn my 1950s half belt all over the planet in varying conditions and travelled in it A LOT. Aero's goat shows virtually no wear, just slightly increased pebbling. It's lighter than horse or steer, more pliable, just as water resistant and is generally more wieldy (if 'wieldy' is the opposite of 'unwieldy'). It's probably more versatile in what you can wear it with, too. Aero's goat is nicer than Simmons Bilt's (which feels thicker), but you might find that only SB will make a longer jacket (like a Maxwell or their equivalent) in goat.

 

[Edward]

Get a jacket in goat. I've worn my 1950s half belt all over the planet in varying conditions and travelled in it A LOT. Aero's goat shows virtually no wear, just slightly increased pebbling. It's lighter than horse or steer, more pliable, just as water resistant and is generally more wieldy (if 'wieldy' is the opposite of 'unwieldy'). It's probably more versatile in what you can wear it with, too. Aero's goat is nicer than Simmons Bilt's (which feels thicker), but you might find that only SB will make a longer jacket (like a Maxwell or their equivalent) in goat.

THe main limitation with goat is that hies are smaller, so beyond a certain size (48, I think) you start haing to introduce extra seams and such. Most Aero styles should be possible in goat, though.

 

[zebedee]

THe main limitation with goat is that hies are smaller, so beyond a certain size (48, I think) you start haing to introduce extra seams and such. Most Aero styles should be possible in goat, though.

We demand more massive goats. There was a bloke on here ages ago who got Aero to make a Cheyenne with no chest hand warmers in goat and it was stunning. I think he'd got the inspiration from Jan Solo's goat Cheyenne. That was when we found out Aero had done a one-off and there'd be no more 'long goats'.

 

[Dav]

They must be using the wrong goats

 

[navetsea]

I think wear and tear is very personal, one person can have a lot of wear in very short time, doesn't mean you would have the same wear in your lifestyle, kinda my experience with jeans too. and if some wear area is a bit much for your taste... just dab a little shoe cream and buff out.

 

[Edward]

We demand more massive goats. There was a bloke on here ages ago who got Aero to make a Cheyenne with no chest hand warmers in goat and it was stunning. I think he'd got the inspiration from Jan Solo's goat Cheyenne. That was when we found out Aero had done a one-off and there'd be no more 'long goats'.

I suspect alot also comes down to what is available from the tannery. It's a pity because goat is an excellent hide for something as big as a trenchcoat, say, but we all also want to avoid unsightly extra seams...

They must be using the wrong goats
View attachment 217043

Maybe it shrinks a lot in the tanning?

I think wear and tear is very personal, one person can have a lot of wear in very short time, doesn't mean you would have the same wear in your lifestyle, kinda my experience with jeans too. and if some wear area is a bit much for your taste... just dab a little shoe cream and buff out.

It's amazing what a good dose of Kiwi shoe polish can achieve. Otherwise, the best thing I've seen is a cream that comes in a tube - a combined leather restorer and colourant. It's designed for restoration of vintage leather car seats and so availablein a wide range of hues. My dad used it on some very tatty seats in a 1938 Austin 10 once and they came up like new. I've also used it on a leather jacket with fantastic results. I must remember to ask Dad what the brand name is next time we're on the blower.

 

[Dav]

Possibley, but that is a particularly large breed from Pakistan I believe.

 

[Seb Lucas]

If I were buying a first leather jacket (I have owned around 60 over 30 years) I would probably get Aero goat. Light and among the toughest of hides. Will retain its look for a long time. And as it breaks in, it can take on a lovely burnished look like some of the vintage G1's I've seen.

 

[Mawashi]

Get a jacket in goat. I've worn my 1950s half belt all over the planet in varying conditions and travelled in it A LOT. Aero's goat shows virtually no wear, just slightly increased pebbling. It's lighter than horse or steer, more pliable, just as water resistant and is generally more wieldy (if 'wieldy' is the opposite of 'unwieldy'). It's probably more versatile in what you can wear it with, too. Aero's goat is nicer than Simmons Bilt's (which feels thicker), but you might find that only SB will make a longer jacket (like a Maxwell or their equivalent) in goat.

THe main limitation with goat is that hies are smaller, so beyond a certain size (48, I think) you start haing to introduce extra seams and such. Most Aero styles should be possible in goat, though.

We demand more massive goats. There was a bloke on here ages ago who got Aero to make a Cheyenne with no chest hand warmers in goat and it was stunning. I think he'd got the inspiration from Jan Solo's goat Cheyenne. That was when we found out Aero had done a one-off and there'd be no more 'long goats'.

They must be using the wrong goats
View attachment 217043

I think wear and tear is very personal, one person can have a lot of wear in very short time, doesn't mean you would have the same wear in your lifestyle, kinda my experience with jeans too. and if some wear area is a bit much for your taste... just dab a little shoe cream and buff out.

I suspect alot also comes down to what is available from the tannery. It's a pity because goat is an excellent hide for something as big as a trenchcoat, say, but we all also want to avoid unsightly extra seams...



Maybe it shrinks a lot in the tanning?



It's amazing what a good dose of Kiwi shoe polish can achieve. Otherwise, the best thing I've seen is a cream that comes in a tube - a combined leather restorer and colourant. It's designed for restoration of vintage leather car seats and so availablein a wide range of hues. My dad used it on some very tatty seats in a 1938 Austin 10 once and they came up like new. I've also used it on a leather jacket with fantastic results. I must remember to ask Dad what the brand name is next time we're on the blower.

If I were buying a first leather jacket (I have owned around 60 over 30 years) I would probably get Aero goat. Light and among the toughest of hides. Will retain it's look for a long time. And as it breaks in, it can take on a lovely burnished look like some of the vintage G1's I've seen.

Thank you so much guys and it's unanimous... Goat it is for the leather for me.

Apparently the kiko goat is reared for meat in New Zealand and is another source of larger goat skins. Its the second largest goat there is, even bigger than the kamori goat from Pakistan.

As for shoe polish I was in the army so getting my beat up boots to shine isn't an issue lol. I'll go get some brown wax and cream for my soon to me mine jacket

 

[dan-dan]

It would be a reasonable up-charge to add the Sunburst to the 1930s half-belt. We might have a make up I can get behind. There would be no returns though, which is a bit scary.

 

[steve u]

dan-dan,
I've custom ordered two jackets(lost worlds and Sheeley).
If your confident in your Measurements I wouldn't worry.
You'll have a unique Jacket!

 

[dan-dan]

dan-dan,
I've custom ordered two jackets(lost worlds and Sheeley).
If your confident in your Measurements I wouldn't worry.
You'll have a unique Jacket!

Hi Steve!

I'm mainly worried about how I want it to fit. I can go to a tailor and get the measurements properly, that's no worry, but I don't know if the silhouette will be the one that I want, y'know? Which fits my body type the best?

I guess Holly can help me with that, but that's the part I'm the most worried about. It is going to be my first proper jacket, so it's a bit scary.

 

[steve u]

It's only money...a renewable resource
I understand. These two jackets will be my only(last)ones.
At some point you'll jump in or decide to Quit swimming.

 

[dan-dan]

For guys who have bought a custom Aero jacket - Do you add more measurements than the ones listed on the site? It looks scary not measuring the shoulders, back or arms... They said they figure it out from other measurements, but still.

Simmons Bilt offered to add a sunburst back for a very reasonable price, but I don't want to be the practice run for a Simmons Bilt v2 with an added halfbelt and sunburst. That's just way too risky.

I'm looking at the Aero premier 1930s halfbelt with a sunburst now at least!

 

[handymike]

I prefer the Premier collar shape to the standard one...

 

[navetsea]

is that sunburst back add more 3D shape for a neater fit on the back or just for look?

 

[Mawashi]

For guys who have bought a custom Aero jacket - Do you add more measurements than the ones listed on the site? It looks scary not measuring the shoulders, back or arms... They said they figure it out from other measurements, but still.

Simmons Bilt offered to add a sunburst back for a very reasonable price, but I don't want to be the practice run for a Simmons Bilt v2 with an added halfbelt and sunburst. That's just way too risky.

I'm looking at the Aero premier 1930s halfbelt with a sunburst now at least!

To be honest a little bit of photoshop editing can make a world of difference. I cut out a half belt onto some other jackets and I got and idea of how it looks like. Paintshop editing isn't that difficult.

I like the bilt 2 but I'll make it without the seams below the stab pockets.

I prefer the Premier collar shape to the standard one...

Yup they do look cooler!

 

[handymike]

Now that I’ve really thought this through, for a “one-and-done show stopping jacket, I think you should order from Electric Leather Studio.

 

[Edward]

is that sunburst back add more 3D shape for a neater fit on the back or just for look?

The panels on the back of a Sunburst are not vented like a Dustbowl, they're purely cosmetic. It's a style that was seen in the Depression era as it allowed a back panel to be made up of a lot of smaller pieces, meaning less wastage of materials, which ultimately turned out more profitable in the long run even after discounting the labour costs of the additional sewing. Of course, while it originated as a money-saving device, it also looks fantastic, so.