jr30
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 91
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm not a native speaker, so please excuse my English - I'll try my best. Thanks!
[ INTRO ]
Yesterday afternoon I made a quick stop in town. It was unusually warm for the winter and I took advantage of the dry evening to walk through the shopping mile. I stopped in front of the window of a nice leather store because I saw an Aero Teamster on the mannequin. I've always wanted to try this model on, I was particularly interested in the length.
So I went in and asked the friendly salesperson to try the Aero Teamsters. With my 5'11 (180cm) and 183lbs (83kg) average stature, the salesman gave me the label size 42 - it was far too big for me, but the weight blew me away so I didn't want to try on the size 40 that was in stock. I felt like “the jacket was carrying me” and not the other way around.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw an indigo blue jacket. From a distance I thought it was a denim jacket, but then I saw it was made of leather. I immediately asked to try on the jacket. The seller mentioned that it comes from Japan. As a watch freak, I was already very familiar with the high craftsmanship of the Japanese (i.e. Grand Seiko), but the Japanese are also known for great leather and jackets.
[ DOUBLE HELIX 1930 ]
In this case - and I am now introducing this jacket to you - it is a Double Helix (42) made of horsehide that feels soft and cuddly right from the start. Of course the jacket didn't 'broken in' but it has none of the stiffness of my FQHH Aero. The leather has an interesting color. It is sold as 'dark indigo'. There was also classic indigo available - it was lighter but too noticeable for my liking and the blue turned into turquoise.
The cut is based on the classic 1930 models with a half belt and side straps to adjust to the hips followed by three pancel back. I know that many leather jacket lovers like to wear short and tightly cut jackets. Nevertheless, I liked the slightly longer model, which also offers space for a thin sweater and enough movement. I was also able to try one label size down (40), but it was far too short on the sleeves and restrictive on the chest.
Inside it is lined with cotton and has an inside pocket. On the outside there are 2 slightly slanted pockets for the hands and an outside pocket with a zip on the chest. The jacket closes with a hookless zipper, which takes some getting used to. I took the jacket with me straight away.
How should I classify the jacket?
Leather:
The leather appears to be of high quality, although it does have one or two artifacts. Since it's a natural product, that's OK for me and makes the jacket a little more lively. Otherwise it would look too much like 'plastic'. The leather is extremely soft, not at the level of a lamb or goat, which is not desirable, but just great for a horse. Unfortunately I don't have a suitable tool to measure the thickness of the leather but think it has enough 'substance'. It seems, this jacket is not stuffed with anything (please find my question #2 below).
Pattern:
Already mentioned, the style is largely based on the 1930s with a half belt, but if you measure the typical key figures of jackets, you can see that the jacket is cut straight from the chest (pit-2-pit) towards the bottom. With the half belt you can tighten the waist, but I would prefer 1 to 1.5 inches smaller at the waist/hem. This is ok for layering, but a little tighter at the bottom would have been good for the cut.
Workmanship:
The workmanship is beyond any doubt, perhaps a tad below the level of my THEDI's (horsehide & buffalo), but certainly on the same level as my two AERO's (horsehide). There are rumors that these jackets may not be entirely made in Japan. My personal opinion: Anyone who has ever worked with leather knows that craftsmanship and strength are required. And these skills appear to have been implemented - so what
Color:
I think the dark indigo color is particularly successful in this model. I already have jackets in brown, black and cognac. I haven't had any blue leather jackets yet. It is an eye-catcher and can certainly be combined well with common fashion. That makes it a bit of a 'fashion product' in my opinion, but in a positive sense.
For online shoppers: I'm always happy when I find photos with the exact measurements of the jacket and the wearer in posts. This can reduce a bad purchase somewhat.
Jacket measurements of my model in the label size 42 (inches):
- Back length (w/o collar) -- 25.60
- Sleeve length -- 25.80
- Pit-to-pit (1/2) -- 22.00
- Shoulder -- 18.00
- Waist/hem -- 22.00
Body Measurements (wearing a T-Shirt and Jeans with belt):
Size / Weight: 5'11 / 183 lbs (180cm / 83kg)
- Back length -- 25.50
- Sleeve length -- 25.75
- Pit-to-pit (1/2) -- 20.50 (41" chest)
- Shoulder -- 19.00
- Waist/hem (1/2) -- 20.40
Images:
The photos show the brand new 'unbroken' jacket. Please note that it is intended for layering and I prefer this model a little longer. Since these are interior images, I would like to say that I used a daylight lamp with around 5300 Kelvin. I think this is worth mentioning with this special indigo blue to get an idea.
=== ===
Help from the leather freaks:
1) Any trick to make the front zipper more slippery?
2) The seller said that he would treat this model with greased leather - which is also used for shoes - right from the start. I have never treated my FQHH Aero. Should I really do this? It seems, this jacket isn't stuffed with anything.
3) The seller says that rain can cause dark 'raindrops' to appear on the leather. He said just wear it again next time it rains. Is that OK?
4) How does this special blue leather age? What can I expect? Do you already have experience?
=== ===
You notice, I'm not an expert like many in this forum. All I want to do is wearing a nice jacket that I'll enjoy when I grab in the morning. Thank you for your attention.
I'm always happy to receive serious feedback!
Best regards
Roman
I'm not a native speaker, so please excuse my English - I'll try my best. Thanks!
[ INTRO ]
Yesterday afternoon I made a quick stop in town. It was unusually warm for the winter and I took advantage of the dry evening to walk through the shopping mile. I stopped in front of the window of a nice leather store because I saw an Aero Teamster on the mannequin. I've always wanted to try this model on, I was particularly interested in the length.
So I went in and asked the friendly salesperson to try the Aero Teamsters. With my 5'11 (180cm) and 183lbs (83kg) average stature, the salesman gave me the label size 42 - it was far too big for me, but the weight blew me away so I didn't want to try on the size 40 that was in stock. I felt like “the jacket was carrying me” and not the other way around.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw an indigo blue jacket. From a distance I thought it was a denim jacket, but then I saw it was made of leather. I immediately asked to try on the jacket. The seller mentioned that it comes from Japan. As a watch freak, I was already very familiar with the high craftsmanship of the Japanese (i.e. Grand Seiko), but the Japanese are also known for great leather and jackets.
[ DOUBLE HELIX 1930 ]
In this case - and I am now introducing this jacket to you - it is a Double Helix (42) made of horsehide that feels soft and cuddly right from the start. Of course the jacket didn't 'broken in' but it has none of the stiffness of my FQHH Aero. The leather has an interesting color. It is sold as 'dark indigo'. There was also classic indigo available - it was lighter but too noticeable for my liking and the blue turned into turquoise.
The cut is based on the classic 1930 models with a half belt and side straps to adjust to the hips followed by three pancel back. I know that many leather jacket lovers like to wear short and tightly cut jackets. Nevertheless, I liked the slightly longer model, which also offers space for a thin sweater and enough movement. I was also able to try one label size down (40), but it was far too short on the sleeves and restrictive on the chest.
Inside it is lined with cotton and has an inside pocket. On the outside there are 2 slightly slanted pockets for the hands and an outside pocket with a zip on the chest. The jacket closes with a hookless zipper, which takes some getting used to. I took the jacket with me straight away.
How should I classify the jacket?
Leather:
The leather appears to be of high quality, although it does have one or two artifacts. Since it's a natural product, that's OK for me and makes the jacket a little more lively. Otherwise it would look too much like 'plastic'. The leather is extremely soft, not at the level of a lamb or goat, which is not desirable, but just great for a horse. Unfortunately I don't have a suitable tool to measure the thickness of the leather but think it has enough 'substance'. It seems, this jacket is not stuffed with anything (please find my question #2 below).
Pattern:
Already mentioned, the style is largely based on the 1930s with a half belt, but if you measure the typical key figures of jackets, you can see that the jacket is cut straight from the chest (pit-2-pit) towards the bottom. With the half belt you can tighten the waist, but I would prefer 1 to 1.5 inches smaller at the waist/hem. This is ok for layering, but a little tighter at the bottom would have been good for the cut.
Workmanship:
The workmanship is beyond any doubt, perhaps a tad below the level of my THEDI's (horsehide & buffalo), but certainly on the same level as my two AERO's (horsehide). There are rumors that these jackets may not be entirely made in Japan. My personal opinion: Anyone who has ever worked with leather knows that craftsmanship and strength are required. And these skills appear to have been implemented - so what
Color:
I think the dark indigo color is particularly successful in this model. I already have jackets in brown, black and cognac. I haven't had any blue leather jackets yet. It is an eye-catcher and can certainly be combined well with common fashion. That makes it a bit of a 'fashion product' in my opinion, but in a positive sense.
For online shoppers: I'm always happy when I find photos with the exact measurements of the jacket and the wearer in posts. This can reduce a bad purchase somewhat.
Jacket measurements of my model in the label size 42 (inches):
- Back length (w/o collar) -- 25.60
- Sleeve length -- 25.80
- Pit-to-pit (1/2) -- 22.00
- Shoulder -- 18.00
- Waist/hem -- 22.00
Body Measurements (wearing a T-Shirt and Jeans with belt):
Size / Weight: 5'11 / 183 lbs (180cm / 83kg)
- Back length -- 25.50
- Sleeve length -- 25.75
- Pit-to-pit (1/2) -- 20.50 (41" chest)
- Shoulder -- 19.00
- Waist/hem (1/2) -- 20.40
Images:
The photos show the brand new 'unbroken' jacket. Please note that it is intended for layering and I prefer this model a little longer. Since these are interior images, I would like to say that I used a daylight lamp with around 5300 Kelvin. I think this is worth mentioning with this special indigo blue to get an idea.
=== ===
Help from the leather freaks:
1) Any trick to make the front zipper more slippery?
2) The seller said that he would treat this model with greased leather - which is also used for shoes - right from the start. I have never treated my FQHH Aero. Should I really do this? It seems, this jacket isn't stuffed with anything.
3) The seller says that rain can cause dark 'raindrops' to appear on the leather. He said just wear it again next time it rains. Is that OK?
4) How does this special blue leather age? What can I expect? Do you already have experience?
=== ===
You notice, I'm not an expert like many in this forum. All I want to do is wearing a nice jacket that I'll enjoy when I grab in the morning. Thank you for your attention.
I'm always happy to receive serious feedback!
Best regards
Roman
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