Time for a poll!
For this thread I have three contenders in mind; Aero, Good Wear, and Bill Kelso. Rainbow County don't make the cut cos AFAIK theirs is not customisable.
I'm afraid the great Chinese firewall doesn't allow me to post pictures of anything, anywhere, atm. But if any public spirited & kind doer of good deeds feels like doing another... pls go ahead and post away. You'll be earning yourself some good TFL karma. In the absence of pics here are the links:
GW Californian Imperial: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152762088275676.1073741831.87454655675&type=1
BK Heracles: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.862960473734245.1073742089.540638042633158&type=1
Aero Original Hercules: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1406
In my view, and it could be that owning one which I love has clouded my judgement (alternatively, it could be that I own one because I have excellent judgement) it's hard to look past the aero. I'm aware that choosing an aero over a GW probably reads like lunacy to most of you but bear with me for a moment. When I saw pics of the Imperial on our good friend Handymike, I couldn't help noticing the length. It seems to be a bit longer. And obviously the BK version is in a longer length too. With the aero I feel like this is the ultimate short fitted jacket. In fact, the fit of the thing feels to me like it belongs in their premium range - fitted but not skin tight, with slim arms and a comfortable half cord collar. But more than that, it's the rest of the details that I really think make it such a winner. The shiny gold hardware against the super grainy and pliable jet black FQHH (on mine it is) for example, really set it apart from other run of the mill black leather jackets that you might encounter on the high street. Frankly, that's a combination I wouldn't have requested but it works great. I also dig hard the cord lining, cord backed collar and the absence of a chest pocket. Granted those details are all customisable and obviously JC and BK can do that too.. but we're talking about the models as are i.e. in their current incarnation as presented to the market by the maker. I think they all have the hookless zipper, which is another detail I like a lot. In my deliberations this wasn't even a factor, but it can also be noted that the aero is by far the cheapest, and AFAIK is the only one available in black goatskin. A word about the Heracles before I go, which shouldn't be overlooked. It too does look like a belter with a stack of great details, but I just don't dig this jacket in this length as much as I would had they turned out a shorter version.
Anyway, please take a moment to vote in the poll and if you have a comment, add it below. I'll be interested to learn which one - based on the pics - you lot like most
Here's a thread with the review of mine btw, fit pics on pages 1 and 7.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?77180-Aero-1920s-Original-Hercules&highlight=
*NB. Obviously the older generation felt mine was 3 inches too short, but that one is as Ken presented it WITH half an inch added. Remember, we are talking about the stock versions of these models as brought to market by each maker. Granted, we are short on fit pics here but don't let that stop y'all from jumping to conclusions!
For this thread I have three contenders in mind; Aero, Good Wear, and Bill Kelso. Rainbow County don't make the cut cos AFAIK theirs is not customisable.
I'm afraid the great Chinese firewall doesn't allow me to post pictures of anything, anywhere, atm. But if any public spirited & kind doer of good deeds feels like doing another... pls go ahead and post away. You'll be earning yourself some good TFL karma. In the absence of pics here are the links:
GW Californian Imperial: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152762088275676.1073741831.87454655675&type=1
BK Heracles: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.862960473734245.1073742089.540638042633158&type=1
Aero Original Hercules: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1406
In my view, and it could be that owning one which I love has clouded my judgement (alternatively, it could be that I own one because I have excellent judgement) it's hard to look past the aero. I'm aware that choosing an aero over a GW probably reads like lunacy to most of you but bear with me for a moment. When I saw pics of the Imperial on our good friend Handymike, I couldn't help noticing the length. It seems to be a bit longer. And obviously the BK version is in a longer length too. With the aero I feel like this is the ultimate short fitted jacket. In fact, the fit of the thing feels to me like it belongs in their premium range - fitted but not skin tight, with slim arms and a comfortable half cord collar. But more than that, it's the rest of the details that I really think make it such a winner. The shiny gold hardware against the super grainy and pliable jet black FQHH (on mine it is) for example, really set it apart from other run of the mill black leather jackets that you might encounter on the high street. Frankly, that's a combination I wouldn't have requested but it works great. I also dig hard the cord lining, cord backed collar and the absence of a chest pocket. Granted those details are all customisable and obviously JC and BK can do that too.. but we're talking about the models as are i.e. in their current incarnation as presented to the market by the maker. I think they all have the hookless zipper, which is another detail I like a lot. In my deliberations this wasn't even a factor, but it can also be noted that the aero is by far the cheapest, and AFAIK is the only one available in black goatskin. A word about the Heracles before I go, which shouldn't be overlooked. It too does look like a belter with a stack of great details, but I just don't dig this jacket in this length as much as I would had they turned out a shorter version.
Anyway, please take a moment to vote in the poll and if you have a comment, add it below. I'll be interested to learn which one - based on the pics - you lot like most
Here's a thread with the review of mine btw, fit pics on pages 1 and 7.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?77180-Aero-1920s-Original-Hercules&highlight=
*NB. Obviously the older generation felt mine was 3 inches too short, but that one is as Ken presented it WITH half an inch added. Remember, we are talking about the stock versions of these models as brought to market by each maker. Granted, we are short on fit pics here but don't let that stop y'all from jumping to conclusions!
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