Visiting Aero Leathers

[rocketeer]

I had a trip around the factory when I did my jacket swap. Brilliant place and all friendly staff. Anyone planning a trip, don't forget there are some nice shops around the area between Berwick and Galashiels, Kelso is particularly nice and has an RM Williams stockist at this link :- A Hume
Salmon fishing and shooting are also big in this area so there are a lot of field sport shops in the district selling some really good quality tweeds etc.

 

[Mysteryo]

Thank You CArlos, this is an "invitation au voyage". I hope I can come and visit them one day. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Carlos840]

Thank You CArlos, this is an "invitation au voyage". I hope I can come and visit them one day. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you! The first jacket was directly inspired by yours! I hope it turns out as good as i think it will...

 

[Phil4]

I bought a Highwayman some time ago and asked them to shorten the sleeves. For a little extra money the did a very good job. You can't see that the sleeves were shortened. They asked me before if i want to keep the storm-cuffs or want them removed.
If that is also possible on sleeves with zippers i don't know. But ask them they are really kind and it was always a pleasure to deal with Aero.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was wondering about. My local tailor won't touch heavy leather. I figure Aero would be the best bet, and even with an upcharge would still be cheaper than ordering custom. Awesome, thanks!

 

[AeroFan_07]

Thanks for letting us all know about this, great detailed descriptions there. Hope I can get over there some day!

 

[Edward]

I visited myself in 2014, in order to be measured up for my Dustbowl. It's a great place - if I lived local to it, I'd be there all the time. Next time I'm up, the temptation is strong to go looking for a stock jacket of some variety, just for the thrill of walking out of the factory with an instant purchase! I've recently developed a thing for a brown Highwayman; maybe if they take on some more apprentices and turn out some of the AM series jackets I might just jump on one... Be interesting to see what turns up in the sale (though as I recall, the jackets that were recovered were all from a fairly narrow size-range, much smaller than I wear).

Newjackets mentione3d in the OP sound great! I see they now have four women's styles, too.... Considering one of those for Herself when comes the time. I have other things to pour money into this year, but by next I'm hoping to order acouple of new jackets...

 

[Fanch]

Edward, if I lived even as close as you in London, I probably would have made a trip to Galashiels long before now. Come to think of it, I think the OP is also from London. Speaking of which, your fair city has perhaps the nicest, most efficient subway system I have ever seen.

 

[Carlos840]

Edward, if I lived even as close as you in London, I probably would have made a trip to Galashiels long before now. Come to think of it< I think the OP is also from London. Speaking of which, your fair city has perhaps the nicest, most efficient subway system I have ever seen.

I am in London, it took around six and a half hours to drive to Aero, and then another hour from Galashiels to Edinburgh, coming back from Edinburgh is a bit faster and took six and a half hours.
We left London Thursday morning and left Edinburgh Saturday morning . This gave us Friday to walk around Edinburgh, visit the castle, etc...
In retrospect it might have been nice to leave Sunday and have a second day in Edinburgh, but we had stuff to do on Sunday.

It's actually a very nice drive once you leave the south... The more north you go, the less traffic, roadworks and speed cameras you get, and the nicer the views get too.
I wouldn't recommend doing this on your own, unless you really love long distance driving ( saying that, for some americans a 6 hour drive is what you do every time you need to go buy milk! ), but if you can share the drive it's an easy trip.

And Fanch, you are damn right! But we still love to moan about how crap it is!

 

[Gav]

Speaking of which, your fair city has perhaps the nicest, most efficient subway system I have ever seen.

Ha!
My train this morning was stuck in the station for over 20 minutes.... The reason? "Disruptive passengers" - yes it would probably run better without us...

 

[Fanch]

Ha!
My train this morning was stuck in the station for over 20 minutes.... The reason? "Disruptive passengers" - yes it would probably run better without us...

Disruptive passenger(s) can also ground an airplane as well. While we were in London last summer, we were able to avoid the strikes that I understand can be a problem. It is truly amazing the number of passengers that are processed through on a given day and think that the Tube is perhaps as efficient as could be considering the sheer volume of people. Now the NYC subway is another matter.

 

[Gav]

Yeah like Carlos said, we will always moan about it... However, the Tokyo subway is a whole different level of efficiency, cleanliness and quality.

Back to aero though, I'm about an hour north of central London so a shorter journey time for me. I might do the trip this summer if I can put some cash together.

 

[hpalapdog]

Morning all,
Last week, i did something most of us dream of... I visited the Aero factory.

Denny was a great host, he showed us everything, the differences between all their leathers, the hangers full of "storse" jackets, the jacket from the "shrinking jacket incident".....

Ah yes the shrinking jacket comedy. That video reminded me of Nigel Tufnel in Spinal Tap for some reason...

 

[Sloan1874]

"Ken! Denny! It's still shrinking! And changed colour too! What? Why are you laughing?"

 

[Carlos840]

Come on guys, let's not screw this up please...

 

[Monitor]

lol! I wish I could find the Schitzoland picture.

 

[hpalapdog]

Such was the rate of shrinkage Aero have apparently had to mount it on a microscope slide for viewing...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128545033@N03/16014106361/

 

[HoosierDaddy]

This shrinking scam still gets me. Just look at him jutting his hands out to make the sleeves look shorter...with the jacket and collar pulled up higher on his neck to make it appear shrunk up in length as well. An obvious Al/SB fan & sympathizer con trying to fool their rival's customers. He actually thought he was quite clever....

 

[Seb Lucas]

Was it that partisan HD? I thought he was just a smarty pants whose only loyalty was to himself.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I am in London, it took around six and a half hours to drive to Aero, and then another hour from Galashiels to Edinburgh, coming back from Edinburgh is a bit faster and took six and a half hours.
I wouldn't recommend doing this on your own, unless you really love long distance driving ( saying that, for some americans a 6 hour drive is what you do every time you need to go buy milk! ), but if you can share the drive it's an easy trip.

And Fanch, you are damn right! But we still love to moan about how crap it is!

A 6.5 hour drive is a day trip down here. Every time I drive to Sydney its 9-10 hours.

 

[rocketeer]

I took the train from Essex to Bewrick and the bus to Galashiels, the bus is full of characters and you get to see some beautiful countryside. The hotel next to Berwick station has gorgeous view and the landlady a typical but friendly eccentric Scot(I think, as Berwick is right on the border). She even bought a box of cornflakes especially for me (Sorry but I can't remember the hotel name)