Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,074
- Location
- London, UK
Mostly been covered, but to chime in with my own experience...
Different A2 contracts all fit differently - ask the manufacturer for advice on fits. Unless you're set on a very specific contract, chances are you'd be better looking for the one that fits best rather than the other way around. Expect the Japanese stuff to be cut slim in order to flatter the slighter Japanese physique. Make sure you check actual jacket measurements rather than relying on size: one person's 42 is another's 44. In my limited experience, Aero and ELC seem to cut to "modern" sizing, in that a 42 from one of those will fit like a wartime 44. I have 42s from Aero and ELC that are a nice, neat (but not too much so) fit. I'd definitely need a 44 in a Goodwear or an original. If you are looking at the USN jackets, be aware they are often noticeably slimmer than an A2. I have an Aero AN6552 in a 42. I can wear it fine, but I could as well wear a 44 and find it fit like my 42 A2. As others have noticed, contract differences aside, there was no standard fit in WW2 issue clothing, so buy what you like and how you like it fitting.
Most of the modern A2 type jackets (i.e. non-repro) I see are cut on the baggy side. Trimmer has become more fashionable in recent years (at least over here), but these seem to be often aimed at the hip hop crowd who clearly prefer their clothes big and baggy.
Those are really nice, but definitely buy a size up from what you normally take. My USN AN6552 Aero is just about as neat as I'd want in one of these (not quite as much so as a Thirties Halfbelt, but close!). The Aero ANJ3 I briefly owned I could get into and fasten, but it was definitely a size too small. I corresponded with Aero about it (Amanda at that time), and the advice I was given was that these are cut small and a size up is the best bet. I'm not in a massive hurry to get one again, but if a used one came up at the right price I would jump on it.
Different A2 contracts all fit differently - ask the manufacturer for advice on fits. Unless you're set on a very specific contract, chances are you'd be better looking for the one that fits best rather than the other way around. Expect the Japanese stuff to be cut slim in order to flatter the slighter Japanese physique. Make sure you check actual jacket measurements rather than relying on size: one person's 42 is another's 44. In my limited experience, Aero and ELC seem to cut to "modern" sizing, in that a 42 from one of those will fit like a wartime 44. I have 42s from Aero and ELC that are a nice, neat (but not too much so) fit. I'd definitely need a 44 in a Goodwear or an original. If you are looking at the USN jackets, be aware they are often noticeably slimmer than an A2. I have an Aero AN6552 in a 42. I can wear it fine, but I could as well wear a 44 and find it fit like my 42 A2. As others have noticed, contract differences aside, there was no standard fit in WW2 issue clothing, so buy what you like and how you like it fitting.
Most of the modern A2 type jackets (i.e. non-repro) I see are cut on the baggy side. Trimmer has become more fashionable in recent years (at least over here), but these seem to be often aimed at the hip hop crowd who clearly prefer their clothes big and baggy.
I doubt you will find the Japanese A2 jackets to be sufficiently long enough if you are over 185cm. If you want the M422 comfort without the fur collar, then the ANJ-3 might be an idea. Here's a link to an Aero listing for one
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=976
Those are really nice, but definitely buy a size up from what you normally take. My USN AN6552 Aero is just about as neat as I'd want in one of these (not quite as much so as a Thirties Halfbelt, but close!). The Aero ANJ3 I briefly owned I could get into and fasten, but it was definitely a size too small. I corresponded with Aero about it (Amanda at that time), and the advice I was given was that these are cut small and a size up is the best bet. I'm not in a massive hurry to get one again, but if a used one came up at the right price I would jump on it.