Something a little different: suede goat

[Sloan1874]

Was down at Aero's factory today finalising the details of my Board Track Racer, and this unusual looking half-belt was hanging up in the office:





The above are a couple of pics Ken sent me after I asked him about it, as the ones I took were colour accurate.
This is suede goat, something Ken says he' been trying to source for some 25 years. It's got a very soft hand, but it also has the unique feature of being tanned like leather on the reverse side. This means the collar you can see comes from the same hide, it's simply flipped over, and protects the jacket at high-wear points.
Apparently, because the original 30s suede jackets were delicate creatures, there are very few left over, so those that do turn up on Ebay go for big bucks.

 

[Fanch]

Appears to be a very comfortable jacket to grab on the fly from the closet.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yep, should appeal to those living in warmer climes looking for something with a bit of dash. I have no idea how they manage to do that dual tanning/suede process. The suede itself is very different from the standard type you get nowadays, which tends to be much 'shaggier'. Btw, looking forward to seeing your Maxwell - that black goat's amazing!
Here are a couple more pics, though they are not colour accurate:

 

[Superfluous]

Love the cut and the use of suede. The orange color is a bit much. Might be interested if it was more on the brown side.

Funny to see the jackets we covet laying around Aero's office, including on the floor.

 

[Sloan1874]

It's a lot softer in tone in the flesh, my pics are just too pale to represent the colour accurately. I recall Denny saying that the rest of hides are actually a bit more brown - though obviously the thing to do is ask for a sample. As far as the jackets on the ground thing goes, Rachel was doing a lot photos in the next room for the sale page, so they were spread out ahead of being put on the dummy - space is at a premium in the factory, but they don't readily leave jackets lying on the floor. That said, I stash my jackets on the floor behind my seat when I'm in the office!

 

[Benny Holiday]

I reckon it looks great! It'd be good to see more suede jackets being made.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Love the suede; not a fan of the contrast collar – reminds me too much of those white-collar, pink torso 80s banker shirts. SJ

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks great but I have some naive questions: is suede hard to look after - how does water/rain effect it? And can you stop it going shiny?

 

[Sloan1874]

Good questions. I've had suede shoes that I Scotch Guarded and they've kept their looks for years, but I've never owned a suede jacket. Anyone got experience on this?

 

[Seb Lucas]

The reason I ask is that I love the look but 25 years ago I had a 1960's suede jacket in a blazer style that, like the first photo, had an orange like hue. It was lovely and pristine when I got it, but 12 months later it got stained by rain and also became very shiny and bald at the elbows and shoulder where my bag strap sat. I was advised to use a suede brush to bring back the surface and spray it with Scotchguard but these measures provided limited help. And I don't really like the idea of spraying my jacket. I also wonder if there are different types of suede, and if these vary in their wear qualities.

 

[Plumbline]

I've had an Aero A2 in " Sueded Horse" I got from the sale pages back in 2006/7 ... it was lovely leather but did stain rather easilly with water and oils from skin ( cuffs, elbows, pockets and neck) even with scotchguard.

Great to wear though and very supple.

I also had a halfbelt sample made up in India ( by the same company who makes Jackets for RL ) and it was really nice hide ( almost G-1 colour but without the pebble finish) .. it too was very nice to wear, great hand and very supple.

Goat is incredibly durable hide ... so it's a surprise so few jackets survive !!!!

 

[Otter]

Not my personal cup of earl grey, but that does look like an interesting suede.

 

[Sloan1874]

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/news-detail.php?id=156

 

[Edward]

Oh, my. That black goat is something... I was planning a new halfbelt in black fqhh, but I'm gonig to have to think seriously about that goat... If it's as good as, or better than, the seal goat I've had from Aero before, it'd be superb for what I have in mind.

Good questions. I've had suede shoes that I Scotch Guarded and they've kept their looks for years, but I've never owned a suede jacket. Anyone got experience on this?

Never had a suede jacket myself... Never been that keen on the look of suede. Got a pair of suede oxfords - same as yourself, scotchguarded them, no problem, though I've never worn them out on a wet day. I'd be wary of wearing sueded in the rain, though - one for dry days, I think.

Goat is incredibly durable hide ... so it's a surprise so few jackets survive !!!!

maybe destroyed by water damage or thrown out because they got too dirty?

 

[Rudie]

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/news-detail.php?id=156

Dang! If I had known this I would have waited for the rich brown goat for my jacket. I see they already copied my jacket in black goat.

 

[Rudie]

Edward, I would prefer the goat over FQHH any old day. Go for it!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I've found the trouble with suede jackets is instead of gaining a nice patina like many leathers it eventually picks up a grimy appearance in the wear areas. I had a suede jacket in the '60s that got to looking pretty shabby from wear. I had it professionally cleaned but that destroyed..stiffened and unevenly darkened the soft nap or rough out. Bought my Wife a nice shearling lined suede when we were first married. She loved it...but..same thing. Used a suede brush to try and keep it clean but after a couple of winters the soiled type patina finally began to take over. So not a fan of suede jackets.
HD

 

[ProteinNerd]

I see they already copied my jacket in black goat.

I noticed that as well, I'm assuming its going to become a standard offering then...

 

[Rudie]

When I inquired last year about this jacket they said they planned to introduce it, but minus the breast pocket because it was so complicated to make that only Julie Leitch could to it. I guess they reconsidered...

 

[Sloan1874]

Julie is a wizard, isn't she? I saw the one made of black goat and your eye is drawn to that pocket. Would've been a shame not to have it, really.