Thedi, Aero, Field or?

[scurvyfreedman]

Hi guys,

I've trying to see which guys to go for as I'm looking for a slightly modified version of a Plainsman but I'm undecided on who to get it done by?

Aero is the most affordable while Thedi is more expensive but they don't have a similar design like that and Fieldleather is somewhat new even though their prices similar to Thedi.

I did buy one of Greg's half-belt jacket which was made by Aero but it didn't fit too well and I am looking for advice on which co is great at some customer service and some mods.

I'm new to this so I'm trying to keep the price reasonable.

Any other companies to recommend please?

Mawashi

I have a Thedi jacket, because I wanted a Thedi design. They are riffs off of traditional jackets, but not entirely replica jackets from a time period. As they say with tailoring, don't ask Huntsman to make a drape cut or Anderson and Sheppard to cut a sharp coat. Don't ask Thedi to make someone else's design. Stick with what he makes with a tweak here or there. If you want an Aero design get an Aero. You can get a fit jacket and suggest specific changes if you're worried about standard OTR fit.

 

[sshack]

I would approach this from another angle, especially since you're willing to pay a premium and roll the dice on a custom order-- What leather do you like? Heavy? Mid-weight? Something light that has some flexibility? Horse, steer, goat? How do you want your jacket to "feel?"

For me, the enjoyment isn't so much in the style of jacket, it's the craftsmanship of the leather. Pick a leather, then see what style that type of leather is best suited for. That's how I would do it all over again (and save myself big $$$ in the process).

 

[Edward]

When you say Plainsman, which jacket do you mean? The Lewis Leathers Plainsman? Aero makes a repro of that design too, under the name Virginian.

Out of curiosity, do you wear your jackets on top of a mawashi and nothing else?

Aero Plainsman - https://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/mens/plainsman/mto057

Later 30s style halfbelt - slim fit, slightly longer in the body than the earlier styles. Plainer back than other styles - no yoke on the back of the shoulders.

 

[Mawashi]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies and I'll try and reply to them.

Guppy
If I'm going to get a jacket from Greg, I'll trust that he and Sam will know what they are doing not to get into trouble with Aero and also make it more interesting than the plain old half-belt or a plainsman

ton312
You have great eyes, I did get a PHWM not a half belt and I did ask Greg if he could shift the clinchers up but he said it'll spoil the overall design. But yeah, you're right that a half-belt would suit me better.
I just prefer my jacket to be a tad longer to just there about at the watch line so a long hb or something similar.

handymike
It's not like I'm fixed on a plainsman rather it's one of the few designs that have what I'm looking for.
Mid length, slim fitting and hopefully looks good on a slim guy like me.
I'm looking at several other jacket designs like a Vanson Royale Enfield, Freewheelers Four Corners, Freewheelers Switchyard etc.

If I was to go the Vanson route I'll get it through Carrie at Thurston Bros as I would hate that my jacket have these issues:

58panheadfan
Would you be so kind as to post a photo of your plainsman please?

Aloysius
I was referring to the Aero Plainsman
https://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/mens/plainsman/mto057
I was supposed to try on a wool sweater under the jacket just to see how it felt but it got so hot I gave up rofl!

Canuck Panda
Yeah a PHB or LPHB looks great too with a straight yoke:

BotanPhotography
I did support Greg by buying one of his jackets and I was really looking forward to getting one from him as we had great conversations when he was just starting out on designs and leathers etc etc, so I thought if he was serious why not support him so, I bought the PHWM from him. He couldn't do button jackets then so I waited and waited... it's been around 3 years.

The reason why I'm not jumping on the Field wagon is, since he's been referring all transactions through Sam it's starting to sound like it's all business, no friends discount, no Badalassi leather (Greg was really keen on those leathers before) etc. When I was told we don't do Badalassi Olmo there was not even a follow up like but we have this other leather that quite similar.
The Greg I used to message and email seems to no longer be there.

scurvyfreedman
I do love Thedi's designs but I might not be able to pull em off as they are quite unique. I rather have a rather timless piece that doesn't go out of fashion.

sshack
Do you work as a tailor cos that's exactly how they do, choose the cloth, see the catalogue of designs then let's measure you up lol!
You're spot on that that would be a real way to save and there'll be a lot less having to sell off my less than perfect jacket.

Not extra heavy weight for sure as it'll like be only my travel jacket, mid to heavy at most, I'll want it to age beautifully so veg tanned leathers,

On of the issues with getting a vintage-ish jacket is such designs don't fly where I'm at. Designs that look timeless are what I'm getting at. I've also reached out to some Italian makers like
Atelier Class, Alfredo Rifugio, D'Arienzo and I just got a call directly from Mirko (Atelier Class) all the way from Italy lol.

So let's see, cos this certainly won't be my last jacket and I'm also working to have short trench for my GF too.

Thanks again everyone!

Mawashi

 

[Daniel Veit]

The Greg I used to message and email seems to no longer be there.

I have two jackets in the queue with Greg, the first is due any time, the second around april /may and I have only dealt with Sam. But she willing to dicuss anything at length and knows what she is doing. Sharing the work this way frees Greg for the main business.
I think that was to be expected and is a deliberate, reasonable and sound desision of Gregs.
We all want his/their business to thrive in the long term and I believe the pace he was going at for the first two years was not sustainable.
But of course I do get your point.

 

[Mawashi]

Daniel Veit,

I have no doubt about Greg skills but it's not just the finished product it's the journey, its been a 3 yr long journey and it's a big fat zero so far.

 

[Aloysius]

make it more interesting than the plain old half-belt or a plainsman

I don’t get this at all. If you find the Plainsman boring, why do you want it?

And what exactly would count as an exciting half belt?

 

[Marc mndt]

And what exactly would count as an exciting half belt?

All halfbelts are exciting

 

[Aloysius]

All halfbelts are exciting

No doubt! But OP finds them uninteresting, so I'm not sure how this is 'fixed'.

 

[58panheadfan]

Hi guys,

I've trying to see which guys to go for as I'm looking for a slightly modified version of a Plainsman but I'm undecided on who to get it done by?

Aero is the most affordable while Thedi is more expensive but they don't have a similar design like that and Fieldleather is somewhat new even though their prices similar to Thedi.

I did buy one of Greg's half-belt jacket which was made by Aero but it didn't fit too well and I am looking for advice on which co is great at some customer service and some mods.

I'm new to this so I'm trying to keep the price reasonable.

Any other companies to recommend please?

Mawashi

I think there is no point in further discussing this with the OP. He has now received so much input from experienced forum members... now he has to do his home work. For me, such treads are actually just a waste of time... the OP has his pros and cons for every input, he should first think about exactly what he actually wants.

And a fundamental question that the OP has already asked itself: Does a leather jacket even make sense in tropical regions? As he said: "I'm in the tropics and you have to be a real odd ball to even try and wear leather in 35 degrees C with 80% humidity. Even the guys on bikes don't wear leather..."

 

[Mich486]

https://billkelsomfg.com/shop/product/surrogate-by-californian/

This ain’t bad and should satisfy at least some of your requirements.

 

[58panheadfan]

That might not fit into this thread, but the constant questioning about "fit check" or "how does it look" is completely superfluous. Here too, do your homework: a look in the Mirror, advice in a specialist shop or the opinion of the old lady says more than 1000 words. I can't remember the forum members who form the core of this forum ever asking about it... like I said, that's not an offense to the OP. But I like to repeat myself, do your homework first... I'm always surprised how much patience the main members have, respect!

 

[Marc mndt]

fit check" or "how does it look" is completely superfluous.

Yeah, those 'how does this fit' mirror selfies while wearing pyjama's, I could do without those. I know this is not style forum but if you want other people to advice you on fit then at least have the decency to put on a pair of pants.

 

[58panheadfan]

Yeah, those 'how does this fit' mirror selfies while wearing pyjama's, I could do without those. I know this is not style forum but if you want other people to advice you on fit then at least have the decency to put on a pair of pants.

This reminds me a lot of a thread I opened a long time ago with the question: Either you have style or you don't...

@Marc mndt your statement spontaneously reminds me of a swiss singer Bligg (funny video too) who took up this theme in one of his songs in "schwyzerdütsch".

Here the English translation:
Either you have it or you don't, you have it or you don't.
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it

You can buy fashion, but style is necessary,
What you wear in public, might be what someone else wears as pajamas,
It hides in your closet Sneaks into your vocabulary
Influences the way you walk, and lurks in the parking lot
Goes to work with you, and follows you to your next date,
And decides for itself what happens from now on

Do it with style, style, or else it won't be worth it.,
Style brings you to the finish like, no matter where you are or where you're going,
Yeah, style must always be there

Either you have it or you don't
You have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it

It throws a party on your ipod, and pretends to be your roommate
Makes itself at home on your furniture and enthrones itself like a king
Style can't be taught, no, either you have it or you don't
It uses art and charm and manners to make itself popular
It has a billion faces, but only there's only one thing that can be said,
There are unfortunately way too many people with out it

Do it with style, style, or else it won't be worth it.,
Style brings you to the finish line, no matter where you are or where you're going,
Yeah, style must always be there

Either you have it or you don't
You have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it,

It's the way we talk, how we think, how we talk, how we eat
How we move, how we dress, and how we move
Either you have it or you don't, you have it or you don't, sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it,

Either you have it or you don't
Either you have it or you don't
Either you have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it but life is beautiful with it

 

[Leigh H]

What’s the waiting time for thedi and field?

 

[Marc mndt]

This reminds me a lot of a thread I opened a long time ago with the question: Either you have style or you don't...

@Marc mndt your statement spontaneously reminds me of a swiss singer Bligg (funny video too) who took up this theme in one of his songs in "schwyzerdütsch".

Here the English translation:
Either you have it or you don't, you have it or you don't.
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it

You can buy fashion, but style is necessary,
What you wear in public, might be what someone else wears as pajamas,
It hides in your closet Sneaks into your vocabulary
Influences the way you walk, and lurks in the parking lot
Goes to work with you, and follows you to your next date,
And decides for itself what happens from now on

Do it with style, style, or else it won't be worth it.,
Style brings you to the finish like, no matter where you are or where you're going,
Yeah, style must always be there

Either you have it or you don't
You have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it

It throws a party on your ipod, and pretends to be your roommate
Makes itself at home on your furniture and enthrones itself like a king
Style can't be taught, no, either you have it or you don't
It uses art and charm and manners to make itself popular
It has a billion faces, but only there's only one thing that can be said,
There are unfortunately way too many people with out it

Do it with style, style, or else it won't be worth it.,
Style brings you to the finish line, no matter where you are or where you're going,
Yeah, style must always be there

Either you have it or you don't
You have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it,

It's the way we talk, how we think, how we talk, how we eat
How we move, how we dress, and how we move
Either you have it or you don't, you have it or you don't, sure, you can live without it, but life is beautiful with it,

Either you have it or you don't
Either you have it or you don't
Either you have it or you don't
Sure, you can live without it but life is beautiful with it

Wow is that schwyzerdütsch? I can understand German but this... Not a word.

 

[Marc mndt]

What’s the waiting time for thedi and field?

Thedi three months FL one year +

 

[58panheadfan]

Wow is that schwyzerdütsch? I can understand German but this... Not a word.

LOL, yes and still spoken very clearly without an accent, there are regions in the swiss mountains that speak a dialect that is almost impossible to understand...

 

[Hide'n'seek]

Well. Yes and No. I originally asked for it for one of my Aero jacket in the queue but decided against it because I would actually prefer their other lining over the suiting wool, for the Speedway jacket. However, had I know about it before I ordered my Seven I would have definitely asked for that suiting wool lining instead of of the cotton tartan. I believe the slimmer fit jackets can benefit (feel more premium) from the drapey suiting wool, like the Seven, but the Speedway is a different cut. So I don't actually know if it's available to ROW market, I don't see why it is not.
All premier leather jackets cost about ¥190,000 give or take ¥10k in Japan. Aero included. Xzips are a bit more. And so are Shearlings. That's just how things are priced there. No nail sticking out type thing there. Current RMC is a wierd one, pricing wise but I bet most of their business now comes from the foreign market.

Just jumping in here to clarify that the Holland and Sherry worsted Cashmere lining is exclusive to Aero Japan's Elite range and can only be ordered via Aero Japan.

 

[Mawashi]

Aloysius
I never said I found the HB boring if you read the whole context of the plainsman / half-belt discussion it was about Greg getting into trouble by "plagiarizing" one of Aero's design directly. I just wanted a longer and slim version. Its also about Marc mndt saying why a plainsman isn't it just a longer HB etc etc.

58panheadfan
The jacket is for travel to cooler climates, not for use where I am.

Mich486
Thanks that is an amazing looking jacket and it's a Bill Kelso! I wonder how long the waiting time is but at £950 its a better deal than a Field... Thanks a bunch mate this really helps and it ticks pretty much all the boxes in my check list!!!! The wingman looks awesome too, perhaps I can ask if he can make the wingman a tad longer.

58panheadfan
The issue is about style and yes I can't pull off certain styles lol. Even at 50 I still look like a kid I'm slim to skinny still, 180cm and just 73kg.

I simply don't have the frame to pull of more badass designs like what Thedi have.

Bill Kelso here I come! Now what leather from his list ages the best?

**Hang on what's the deal with BK...???
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/bill-kelso.105615/
Even the Bill Kelso Mfg - Official Affiliate Thread has gone dead
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/bill-kelso-mfg-official-affiliate-thread.73548/

This does not make good reading!