Please share thoughts: button versus zipper jacket?

[Benzadmiral]

My plan, someday, is to have an Aero A-1 Aeromarine with their leather shawl collar and the buttons. I've never seen one in real life. Like my Open Road hats, the A-1 would be one of a kind around here. So, buttons would be my preference.

 

[IXL]

All I know is that the two heavyweight jackets that I have with buttons are a real hassle to button or unbutton. So much that I often give up. I honestly couldn't unbutton the cuffs on my Aero Half Belt. It was a new jacket so I suppose it would've gotten better after a while but I'd wager a bet if I messed with it every day, the button would pop right off long before the jacket got there. . .

That is what keeps me from ordering a jacket with buttons: I fear they would not survive the breaking-in process well.
The A-1 in a buttoned version does look incredibly tempting, though. Really tempting.

 

[Guppy]

That is what keeps me from ordering a jacket with buttons: I fear they would not survive the breaking-in process well.
The A-1 in a buttoned version does look incredibly tempting, though. Really tempting.

To break in a button jacket, don't use the buttons. Ream the button holes with a dowel rod, and flex the leather until it gives and becomes more pliable. Otherwise you're just asking for popped and broken buttons. It doesn't take much time.

 

[Monitor]

That is what keeps me from ordering a jacket with buttons: I fear they would not survive the breaking-in process well.
The A-1 in a buttoned version does look incredibly tempting, though. Really tempting.

Well, there hasn't been all that many cases of buttons falling off Aero jackets or at least I can't think of one right now. It's the least reported problem here, I think? So most likely my fears were unjustified but I just couldn't help it. The cuffs are double layered and tougher than most belts, it just didn't seem like the tiny piece of thread holding the button would last very long against that.

 

[Guppy]

Well, there hasn't been all that many cases of buttons falling off Aero jackets or at least I can't think of one right now. It's the least reported problem here, I think? So most likely my fears were unjustified but I just couldn't help it. The cuffs are double layered and tougher than most belts, it just didn't seem like the tiny piece of thread holding the button would last very long against that.

Truthfully, I don't know that the cuff buttons are meant to be used. They can be, but it's not like the closed cuffs are so tight as to require buttoning.

 

[Bfd70]

Greeting everyone. New to the forum. I discovered The fedora lounge while researching the very same jacket. I ordered the button version in brown yesterday. As mentioned several times that I've seen, Thurstons was an absolute joy to deal with. Should be here Friday.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Greeting everyone. New to the forum. I discovered The fedora lounge while researching the very same jacket. I ordered the button version in brown yesterday. As mentioned several times that I've seen, Thurstons was an absolute joy to deal with. Should be here Friday.

Welcome to the fedoralounge! Would love to see you post some pictures, once it arrives! Especially fit pictures are always very appreciated and nice to look at for other people interested in the style.

 

[Fanch]

It's so interesting how we all see the elephant differently

True that. For anything heavier than mid weight HH or goatskin I prefer football buttons as on my Teamster. Regular buttons on my jerky HH Mulligan and particularly on my goatskin Maxwell work just fine but less user friendly than zippers. Just my two centavos.

 

[Bfd70]

My new Thedi shawl collar arrived. I'll do my best to review, but please keep in mind that I am quite uneducated on leather jackets. Prior to this my last leather jacket purchase was a cafe racer style bought 20 years ago (some of that will factor in). I will attempt to load a few fit photos but don't currently use a 3rd party since i quit photobucket.

1. CRAFTSMANSHIP: As already memtioned in other threads on the brand, the detail is superb. No loose threads. Nice material choice for liner. "Silky" (?) sleeves which i assume is to ease entry and exit. Handsome buttons (more on that shortly).

2. FIT: I went with a stock small. I am 5'10" 150#s. I wear a 14.5 34 dress shirt. 36 or 38 suit coat depending on the cut.My true waist is 30". I think the coat fits very well, but am slightly nervous. I suppose the best way i can describe it is that it fits like a model would wear it in an ad, but perhaps slightly too snug for real life. Here is where my last jacket comes into play. When i bought that i was 20 pounds heavier and it has been broken in to cotton soft over the last 2 decades. I consider it's current fit too loose, but it is what i am used to. I can say with certainty that a stock medium would be too large, but i'd certainly relax if i had 3/4" in the chest and waist (that is with a sweatshirt, with a T shirt it is perfect).

LEATHER: The color is a beautiful rich brown. Most photos don't do its depth justice. There is a slight sheen to it and an almost waxy texture. The thickness is best described as suitable for crashing a motorcycle in. It is stiffer than I expected and stops just short of being able to stand on it's own. I purchased the button model and have resigned my self to the fact that some will come off during the break in process. It takes better than a minute to get in and out of this jacket. I am sure this will soften with age. The shawl collar is stiff. It easily lays flat, but is not definitely in need of breaking in for comfort. As this part of the jacket doesn't move much during wear, i may need to help it along manually a bit. I suspect that since in my locale this is a spring and fall jacket to be worn in rotation with waxed cotton it will take 3 years to break in.

PURCHASING: True to all I've read, Carrie from Thurstons was a pleasure to deal with.

I will now attempt picture uploads from a tablet.