Small Questions:

[felix03]

Good idea Boyo! One thing I always wondered but never thought it merited its own thread: How does water exposure cause grain to develop?

 

[Boyo]

@felix03 .. I’m no expert by any means but could it be as simple as the water washing or stripping some of the wax or oils from the outer layer of the hide and uncovering the texture underneath?

* Edit
Sales pitch from a leather conditioner
“leather can get wet - but it’s not a great idea. The main problem when you get leather wet actually arises as the leather dries. When leather gets wet, the oils in the leather bind to the water molecules. As the water dries and evaporates, it draws out the oils with it. The leather’s loss of natural oils causes it to lose its supple quality and turn brittle.”

 

[Bfd70]

Release. I’ve become really critical of fit for myself. Best garment in a bad fit reduces my enjoyment too much.

 

[zebedee]

I have found that a jacket that seems a bit tight around the gut can often soar in my estimation if I get on the rowing machine and cut down on the noodles. Sadly, sleeves that are too short can't be amended even by mild starvation.

If a jacket has become one that I'm comfortable in - regardless of fit (sleeves can be a bit too long or the body is a bit baggy) - I'll keep the jacket regardless of what anyone thinks (same with flannel shirts).

 

[Seb Lucas]

To clarify, the jackets both fit, and are wearable.. one is a little short the other a little snug. I cant recall not wearing one or passing it over for something else due to the above issues but I know neither will ever fit perfect (and neither one is currently replaceable).

The snug one.. and also maybe too short

The short one..also maybe a bit snug
View attachment 180062

I wouldn't wear or hang onto jackets that are so short.

As I've written before, the really short jacket probably works best if you have the body of a 15 year-old boy.

But some fit issues, like slightly wide shoulders or a slightly too long sleeve, don't worry me.

Like Monitor - who put it very well - I get bored with a certain fit after a while and need to see and wear something different from time to time.

I would keep a jacket that is a little loose but never one that is too trim or too short.

 

[ai00344]

I'm the complete opposite to @Carlos840 the more I have the more ruthless and picky I get. You can only wear so many jackets in active rotation. If I've got 12, I'm not going to miss the 1 that doesn't really fit. On the other hand, if I'm down to 2 or 3...losing half or a third is really going to impact my options even if its not "perfect".

The only issue that trumps this is if it's too short in body length....I'll just never wear it if I think its too short.

A big +1 on this for me. Too short is a deal breaker for me (makes me feel super self conscious)

 

[Gamma68]

I wouldn't wear or hang onto jackets that are so short.

As I've written before, the really short jacket probably works best if you have the body of a 15 year-old boy.

I guess Vanson has sold a ton of Comets to 15-year-old boys.

If you’re not tall or overweight and if you’re reasonably fit, a shorter jacket will work for you.

 

[handymike]

I actually have grown to like shorter jackets as an option. Not the 21” ones, but 23.5” is great with military trousers that are higher rise than my jeans.

 

[jacketjunkie]

I'm growing fonder of shorter jackets too. The Johnson Leather jacket I posted in the WAYT-thread the other day has a 24" backlength and easily covers belt in my midrise jeans. If I was to buy a crosszip, I would want it to be shorter in the back, like 23" but with some extra length in the front as I find the length issue is never in the back but in the front where trousers sit lower than in the back.

 

[Sloan1874]

I personally like a short jacket - that's one that at minimum covers my belt-buckle - but I've got a small frame and legs a bit longer than than my waist size, so I can get away with it. The problem with a short jacket on someone carrying a bit of timber is that it tends to emphasis the girth which can be unflattering.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I guess Vanson has sold a ton of Comets to 15-year-old boys.

If you’re not tall or overweight and if you’re reasonably fit, a shorter jacket will work for you.

Yeah - must have, it's a horrid look for most adult males. As you say - not tall, not overweight and reasonably fit.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I personally like a short jacket - that's one that at minimum covers my belt-buckle - but I've got a small frame and legs a bit longer than than my waist size, so I can get away with it. The problem with a short jacket on someone carrying a bit of timber is that it tends to emphasis the girth which can be unflattering.

That's it in a nutshell. If it's over the belt I don't consider it particularly short

 

[Sloan1874]

Anything above the belt we're in bolero territory and that's not somewhere I'm willing to stray.

 

[barnabus]

I’m solely interested in leather jackets as an explorer. I’ve sold many perfect fits and great styles, horrible fits and horrible styles. I just like to explore. For me that’s where the fun lies. New or vintage, I just like to try new things.
I don’t want a closet full of anything. When I have over three leather jackets in my closet, it makes me really uncomfortable. I’m not a collector. I’m a visitor. But if I don’t like the fit, the visit is certainly shorter. I certainly know what I like but I almost wonder if I’m more interested in finding out what I don’t. I have no idea why.
The jackets above you’ve posted @Boyo aren't bad fits by any means. Maybe not optimal and you do have better. But certainly doable. Particularly the HB. Which I think looks good high and tight.

This is me too, I think. I like trying all sorts of styles, but I'm no collector - I want to wear the jackets I get. And if I don't wear them (often), back into circulation they go to fund further experiments.

 

[bn1966]

I started as a serial wearer, accidentally turned into a collector, re-evaluated the situation & moved most on (other than daily rides & hard to get pieces that fit well). My loft & wardrobes are much happier for it as am I...not overwhelmed by choice anymore

 

[Sloan1874]

I have a rotating list in my head of jacket styles that I want. As I tick those off, my acquisitions slow. That said, sometimes I see something that just calls my name. I’m hoping this weekend that there will be Windward which does the job...

 

[jacketjunkie]

I have a rotating list in my head of jacket styles that I want. As I tick those off, my acquisitions slow. That said, sometimes I see something that just calls my name. I’m hoping this weekend that there will be Windward which does the job...

If I were in your position, I'd talk to Aero to make me a Windward with some front drop. I tried that design once and while 23" backlength did cover my belt in the back, it unfortunately was too short in the front. Most vtg Windwards have that frontdrop and imho the Aero incarnation misses it deeply.

 

[Sloan1874]

It'll be interesting to see what turns up at the sale. I'm not Jonesing for anything really at the moment, but you never know it until you see it...

 

[Boyo]

@Sloan1874 I am hoping that you'll bring your camera and share some of the finer details of the sale with those of us not attending?
Also..If you aren't a daily checker of the Aero sales pages like I am there has been a nice influx of jackets posted lately in all sizes as well as a slight reorganization in how the items are displayed.. they're now displayed by jacket size which I find quite helpful...( potentially costly)

 

[Peter Bowden]

Aero have a Windward in their used jacket selection-size 46