Two-tone leather jackets

[Cheech]

Howdy, folks. With Aero's new website, including the withdrawal of VAT charges for non-EU countries and the current 10% discount, coinciding with historically prosperous conversion rates for the US dollar, I'm eyeing a new Aero. Until recently, I shied away from two-tone jackets, but this past year, I've bought two on the used market and am hooked. I wanted to take this opportunity to post these, with the not-so-selfless view of gaining inspiration from other members' jackets. I'm curious: What do others gravitate toward with regard to this look? Any regrets or things you would have done differently?

Below is the first two-tone jacket that I picked up, a Joe McCoy 30's Aviator. I loved the subtlety of the tones on this one, and the fit was as good as I could hope for on an off-the-rack jacket. However, I have a weird hang-up with halfbelts and moved this one on. I have this nagging idea that my future, more mature self will regret this.

My second two-tone is this Field Leather one-off that I also picked up used, although it's in like-new condition. The measurements looked good, and it fits as if it were made for me. Also, the leather and construction are as nice as advertised. The indoor lighting makes the russet appear brighter than it is in person. Still, it goes without saying that this is a bold piece. I'm not certain I'll hang on to this one.

As for what I'm considering from Aero, I'd like to get another cross-zip. I'm leaning toward the Ridley/slim-fit J-106, although I also really like the KOTR. I'm just a bit concerned that the KOTR would be a bit too baggy on me--I'm tall, relatively thin (for a middle-aged guy), and fairly athletically built. I love Aero's Badalassi offering and would prefer to get the jacket made in that, probably opting for black and tobacco.

All of that said, I love the look of this black and white J-24. Talk about bold--this is one of those jackets that I might prefer to look at versus actually wearing. Still, I'm seriously thinking of getting Aero to make this. My one hang-up is that I couldn't have it made exclusively of Badalassi, at least not in this color scheme. I've never handled Vicenza and wouldn't knock it without doing so--I just love the Badalassi that I have handled. Part of me is thinking of commissioning a black Badalassi/cream Vicenza Ridley (bring back the storse!).

Anyway, these are just the midday ramblings of a leather-addled jacket junkie. Post your two-tones!

 

[Craig from Craigslist]

Here's a two-tone trucker by Beams with what I feel is a beautiful brown two-tone color-way. Based on my brief experience with two-tone, I think it's a great look but going subtle feels best, especially if you plan to wear it walking around town. The black and white J-24 looks good in that picture and I'm sure some people would look great in it, but I personally would feel like I'm doing Nic Cage cosplay.

 

[Salmosalar]

Here is my two-tone Everyman - russet and seal vicenza, though the former has darkened considerably over time (for the better imo)….couple of years old now…

 

[Canuck Panda]

Two tone jackets are real nice to look at. But harder to wear. It’s my go to method for collecting the variety of leathers out there. In my mind, the worst case down the road is that I just dye/paint them one color.
The small deduction in VAT and the extra 10 percent and the weak Pounds really favors ROW customers right now. I too have been trying to cross a lot of jackets off my Aero list without getting carried away too much.
Aero has slim fit pattern block of which you can custom build your KOTR on. I’ve seen even an Indian Ranger built on the slim fit pattern now. I‘ve never done it myself and still am trying to figure out the different Aero fit blocks.
You’ve already got the Shinki jackets, they’d be very similar to the Vicenza. Badalassi is really out of this world in its hand and grain and finish. And given all the discount now it make sense to swing for the Badalassi now and save the other leather options for later. It’s squeaky and seems to get squeakier as I play with it. But other than the squeak it’s almost perfect.
Can‘t wait to see a two toned KOTR in Badalassi!

 

[JMax]

I love two-tone jackets- the vest is still in the rotation. I sold the JL.

 

[JMax]

I love this GM by Wolf and the Edgo (Wolf).

 

[JMax]

@Carlos840 let’s see that beastly 2-tone LW. You too @red devil I see you guys.

 

[Cheech]

I love this GM by Wolf and the Edgo (Wolf).

That black and white Edgo is just so classy! I’m telling you all, if there was a cream Badalassi, I would have already pulled the trigger.

 

[JMax]

LWs

 

[Carlos840]

Here is mine:

And my Johnson:

 

[red devil]

Here is my first two tone

I generally do not like mixing black and brown, but there are exceptions that work for me

JL two tone this time

 

[Edward]

I love two-tone jackets- the vest is still in the rotation. I sold the JL.
View attachment 447588

Absolutely love this vest. Got an all-black canvas/ leather mix Helstons one in more of a trad waistcoat/vest style, keen on more. I have my eye on an Aero Shackleton, but for a very different look I've always admired this one. It's a tricky design to put together, based on all those I've seen online, for it to look like a vest rather than a jacket with the sleeves ripped off, but this one just gets it bang on right.

I like a lot of two-tones, though I've not yet owned one. A black and white D pocket type, or maybe a J106, kept fairly simple without too much white would appeal. I'm sure I remember Captain Sensible sporting one around 78; pretty sure Johnny Thunders did too (unless it was another Doll / Heartbreaker). Recently spotted this one on eBay, from Japan (still on there, I believe):

Subtle, more piped than two-tone, really, but I think it looks great.

Ton (I think) has or had a great looking two-tone cafe racer type, with a blue body, white sleeves with slim blue hoops on the biceps. Would but one of those in a heartbeat at the right price.

My late maternal grandmother had a cousin who grew up in London and met a guy in the RCAF. After the war they went back to Canada and lived in Toronto, where he was a pro hockey player. I can't find any record of him on google, but if ever I can figure out what his team was (he must have been relatively well known; he went back to Canada first to sort out a house and such; when she flew out there, the press turned up to photograph him meeting her at the airport), I really rather fancy having one of the Aero ice hockey jackets made up to match it.

 

[Cheech]

I should have added my Grizzly to the lineup. This is in russet Badalassi.

I really do like the way the black and cordovan go together in the above jackets. That black and white Lost Worlds, though! That is fire!!

 

[JMax]

Absolutely love this vest. Got an all-black canvas/ leather mix Helstons one in more of a trad waistcoat/vest style, keen on more. I have my eye on an Aero Shackleton, but for a very different look I've always admired this one. It's a tricky design to put together, based on all those I've seen online, for it to look like a vest rather than a jacket with the sleeves ripped off, but this one just gets it bang on right.

I like a lot of two-tones, though I've not yet owned one. A black and white D pocket type, or maybe a J106, kept fairly simple without too much white would appeal. I'm sure I remember Captain Sensible sporting one around 78; pretty sure Johnny Thunders did too (unless it was another Doll / Heartbreaker). Recently spotted this one on eBay, from Japan (still on there, I believe):

View attachment 447644 View attachment 447643

Subtle, more piped than two-tone, really, but I think it looks great.

Ton (I think) has or had a great looking two-tone cafe racer type, with a blue body, white sleeves with slim blue hoops on the biceps. Would but one of those in a heartbeat at the right price.

My late maternal grandmother had a cousin who grew up in London and met a guy in the RCAF. After the war they went back to Canada and lived in Toronto, where he was a pro hockey player. I can't find any record of him on google, but if ever I can figure out what his team was (he must have been relatively well known; he went back to Canada first to sort out a house and such; when she flew out there, the press turned up to photograph him meeting her at the airport), I really rather fancy having one of the Aero ice hockey jackets made up to match it.

Thanks. I worked with Constantine to get it done. It was a fun project. They did use a Thunderbird pattern to start it all off.

I too am eyeing the Shackleton. And more of a CR type vest.

 

[Edward]

Thanks. I worked with Constantine to get it done. It was a fun project. They did use a Thunderbird pattern to start it all off.

I too am eyeing the Shackleton. And more of a CR type vest.

Something like a Board Racer style but with no collar would be pretty cool, imo. The first vest I experimented with has a cafe-style Mandarin collar. It's practical enough, but I think I'd prefer one without the collar at all, easier to let a shirt collar sit out over it then. The Helstons will get some use in the Spring, hopefully: it's a bit more 'pockety', cut like a traditional V neck waistcoat, but fits more like a sleeveless jacket, zip with studded stormflap front and plenty of pockets, the intention being that it will get a lot of use when travelling in heat that's too much for a jacket. The first vest was a cheaper experiment to that end that proved the concept's worth... The Helstons was a more expensive, and better laid out, realisation based on experience. I do love a workwear style waistcoat. I've seen a lot of Bronson ones online that look great, though they all seem to stop just a size below what would fit me.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Storse - Badalassi Black Steer with Cream Vicenza horse accents (welt pockets and belts) ...

If I really think about it, is it really that bad mixing two animal skins into one jacket? Most Grizzly jackets are made with at least two animals skins right. Either Sheeporse or Sheepow. Would a Storse jacket really be that bad?

The Cream Vicenza has a veg tan skin color base, so once the pigment wears down, it will be skin color showing through.

Black and white is classic combo.

 

[Cheech]

I saw this beauty on Grailed and really dig it. I like how the D pocket is all white and the collar black. Choices!

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I had ambitions of a two-tone Hooch Hauler a while back, but my wife nixed that with an "Oh hell no," so that's been put on the back burner indefinitely. (Settled for a brown 30s HB instead.) Was thinking light and dark brown combination or black and cherry CXL. Seeing @red devil's JL sharkskin trucker kind of gets that itch going again.

Here's a brown tonal suede trucker:

 

[58panheadfan]

Here is mine:

And my Johnson:

Fantastic!

 

[Cheech]

@Canuck Panda, I asked Holly about building a slim-fit KOTR. I'm afraid it's a no-go. So, two-tone J-106 it is. I think I'll go ahead and submit an order today and sort out the color scheme down the road.