Why did you sell your nearly new aero leather jacket(s)?

[Aloysius]

True. I was referring to the design and construction. It looks like they tried to copy a 5* lol.

Yeah that was an accidental quote, haha.

Honestly I prefer Mysteryo’s 5* copy of his Buco.

 

[Monitor]

Cars, food, fashion…i’ll choose Italian every time vs English.

I don’t even know where to begin. I am sorry but 99.9% of the world will agree with me. Italians are on top in regards to fashion, style and constructing a garment.

99% of the world agrees with a lot of things until one person proves them wrong.

 

[Windward]

I don't know Pinnacle. Of the other two, it depends on what you want to do with it. CXL is robust and like a rain jacket. I like it, at least my steer, which is not the heaviest jacket. My Vicenza is a little more comfortable to wear, but it's not ideal in the rain.
I think Vicenza is a bit more suitable for everyday wear for city dwellers.

Have a chestnut Badalassi Windward - what about Badalassi wearing in rain??

 

[MrProper]

Have a chestnut Badalassi Windward - what about Badalassi wearing in rain??

I have already worn my chestnut Badalassi in the rain (like all my jackets). It is not spared. But the water comes through more quickly than with CXL. CXL is almost a rain jacket, whereas the veg tanned leather is only water-repellent due to the top coat (I think)

 

[Edward]

You think Aeros CXL Steer is softer than CXL HH or about the same?

The Steer is softer from the off, but also thicker. Aero advise against it for certainly styles, like the pleated back on the Dustbowl, because it doesn't allow the movements that requires the same. I was shown one at the factory like that - looked nice, but the hide didn't meake the most of the eay thed bakc is designed to move.

Jeez... I seem to be the devil's advocate guy on the leather side of the house. I swear I'm not like this on the hat side of the house, but damn you guys are really running down a product that sounds to me to be perfect for the area where it is produced.

If you've never been to Scotland, you have no idea how cold and damp it is almost all year round. Even in the summer. The CXL you guys are describing sounds like exactly what I would want in that environment.

So for me, the short answer to this thread seems to be, "Because I don't live in bloody Scotland."

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the jacket is miserable in Scotland as well. But from what I've seen from @Feliksas, if you want a rugged jacket to wear all year round because you live in a cold, damp environment and spend a lot of time outdoors - then Aero is the right fit.

If that's not you, then you might want to look at other options.

But that doesn't make it a bad product.

Very much horses for courses.

I always laugh when people talk about how "grey and rainy" it is in England, being Irish and having spent a lot of time in Scotland (both wetter, cooler climates than England. Which is no bad thing: the weather - especially the vile, hot Summer is very much *not* what drew me to London and keeps me here. If climate was all that mattered, I'd have upped sticks to Glasgow long ago).

Of all the jackets I've owned and worn over the last thirty plus years, once (in my experience very quickly) broken in, the CXL FQHHs have been the hardest wearing, the ones I've never been afraid of getting cut or damaged by brushing against a wall or whatever. They're not a hide for everyone - in much the same way as no one brand will be very everyone - but there's nothing qualitatively wrong with them for sure - quite the opposite.

With regards to the specific question / topic:
Similar to what others have mentioned I feel the main reasons are:
- Custom jacket didn't work out, can't return, have to sell. Perhaps customer didn't specify the right measurements. Maybe the measurements are right on paper but the pattern just didn't work out. So fit issues.
- Want's to try CXL / heavy leather for the first time. After some wearing realizes that it's just not for him/her. Sell.
- Too many jackets already, hard to place into rotation, especially if comfort is compromised. Has not returned in time. Sell.
- Catch and release situation (especially in relation to the mentioned huge supply) - the measurements could potentially work, but eventually don't. Sell.


My experience with Aero:

I wear one of 2 jackets 90% of the time : Vanson E or Aero Hooch Hauler.
I've had the Aero Hooch Hauler since 2023 Sep, so about one year. I've worn it a lot.

CXL:
Mine is made out of CXLFQHH. It's great. No regrets. Would take the same leather again without a doubt. I don't understand all the "cardboard" name calling and hate it gets from time to time. Yes the sprayed on stain/dye rubs off rather easily and the thin aniline top coat doesn't help with that either. Yes you need to be patient and break it in. But that's the compromise you accept if you want the undeniable and unrivaled (in my opinion) beauty of CXL. A great option was "thin" CXL that was available by accident for some time and was highly praised by Canuck Panda. Easier break-in, more give, more comfort, better drape, same beauty.
But I would like to try CXLSH just for comparison, so that would be my choice if I'd ever lock in another Aero order. Likely won't because of the several price increases since my purchase.
Maybe I'm clueless but I haven't noticed a strong stiffening of the leather either, even though I've worn it around freezing temperatures a lot.
Surely my Hooch Hauler would be a bit more comfortable and would have a bit more mobility if it was made out of a different (thinner / more stretchy) leather, but I happily wear 25oz denim daily (feel free to make fun) so I'm not bothered by a bit of restriction. Similar to the 25oz denim, the cut/pattern/size plays a much bigger role in comfort than the fabric (specially once broken in). As for the Aero pattern/cut..

Pattern/cut:
This is where Aero doesn't shine. According to countless comments I've seen on TFL and based on my own experience as well. The neck thing being the main culprit.
The way it fits fully zipped up is also rather silly, maybe they just assumed no one would wear it fully zipped up when designing the jacket/pattern?
Otherwise the Hooch Hauler fits lovely, but the mobility is rather mediocre. I'm sure it would be much better if the jacket had some proper shoulder gussets or bi-swing / action back. Or just more volume in the upper back. But it's a slim fitting, more dressy/fancy of the two jackets that I use, so the mobility is good enough. Better neck cut + move volume in the upper back and I'd be 100% happy with the fit/mobility.
The pattern/cut/mobility especially pales in comparison to the Vanson E, but let's be honest, it's very hard to compete with Vanson patterns, especially seen in dedicated riding jacket like the model E.

Hardware:
The silly and stubborn insistence on the #5 zippers, especially on CXL jackets... I know we have allies fighting a battle from the inside to convince the decision makers to allow giving customers an option for a beefier zip, but I think it's a loosing battle.

Customer support:
This is not specific to Aero, but I hate the fact that you can't get a clear set of stock measurements for a given model/size. They will vaguely give you some and will actually agree to do adjustments other than length. For example I've asked for extra width in the shoulders and extra taper in the waist and both were accommodated very nicely. My jacket was even remade without question because the first one had narrower shoulders than I requested, even though they never guaranteed the shoulder width that I wanted.
In terms of communication calling is great (and expensive in my case, lost 50eu that way...). In terms of emails you're lucky if you get Danny, not so lucky otherwise in my experience.

Overall the Hooch Hauler is a shorter, slimmer (upper body and upper arms) moleskin lined Aviator jacket with button cuffs. Works best in the 5c to 15c range, does not work very well with layering, but it's doable to some extent, feeling fine at 0c in certain weather conditions. My Vanson E is a longer, roomier (upper body and upper arms) quilted lined moto cross zip jacket with zip sleeves. Works best in the -10c to 10c range due to better layering options, zipped sleeves keeping wind out and being able to comfortably fully zip it up.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Brown CXL in all it's glory for some visuals to relax after all the text
View attachment 652266
View attachment 652267

Nice back on the HH - custom order Sunburst back?

 

[Windward]

I have already worn my chestnut Badalassi in the rain (like all my jackets). It is not spared. But the water comes through more quickly than with CXL. CXL is almost a rain jacket, whereas the veg tanned leather is only water-repellent due to the top coat (I think)

Thanks MrProper - good to know but it will soften up extremely I think. My Jerky seal HH was in rain and after that it felt like gloves - very nice and super soft after that event. BR

 

[TartuWolf]

Nice back on the HH - custom order Sunburst back?

Nope, that's the stock Hooch Hauler back, but thank you for the compliment, sure does add some uniqueness to the jacket. Notice the V shaped to of the half belt as well, the sunburst back does not have that.

 

[El Marro]

I was looking for a CHP in super heavy HH (aero or LW), but the Vanson Enfield came up and I wanted to see how it fits me and more importantly how heavy it is. If it’s less than 6lb I won’t keep it.

It’s my bug - my mind associate thickness and weight with… well masculinity?!

Or just call it my human stupidity

If you spend long enough here (and try enough heavy jackets as well) I suspect your views on this may evolve over time, mine certainly did. While there is something very reassuring about heavy leather, there are also real drawbacks when it comes to comfort and mobility. I started out wanting nothing but the heaviest leather jackets and I have gotten to a point where now my ideal jacket is probably more like three or four pounds.
When your Enfield arrives I would advise you to evaluate it on fit and condition before you even bring out the scale. Also, unless the leather is truly dry, I would avoid applying (or stuffing) it with conditioners or leather feeds.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

If you spend long enough here (and try enough heavy jackets as well) I suspect your views on this may evolve over time, mine certainly did. While there is something very reassuring about heavy leather, there are also real drawbacks when it comes to comfort and mobility. I started out wanting nothing but the heaviest leather jackets and I have gotten to a point where now my ideal jacket is probably more like three or four pounds.
When your Enfield arrives I would advise you to evaluate it on fit and condition before you even bring out the scale. Also, unless the leather is truly dry, I would avoid applying (or stuffing) it with conditioners or leather feeds.

Thank you that’s sound advice for the Vanson Enfield!

Do I recall you have a super heavy and tough CHP? Can’t remember if it’s aero or LW. Well if you ever want to move it on - PM me!

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Actually no - your size is 46 - if I do bench presss 5 times a week in 10 years I could hit 44 but 46 is unreachable lol

 

[El Marro]

Do I recall you have a super heavy and tough CHP? Can’t remember if it’s aero or LW. Well if you ever want to move it on - PM me!

Actually no - your size is 46 - if I do bench presss 5 times a week in 10 years I could hit 44 but 46 is unreachable lol

Good memory Namo, it is a size 46 from LW. And ironically, that was the exact jacket I was thinking of when I typed my message to you above. That CHP is absolutely armor! I once were it out walking in a rain storm and after 45 minutes of steady rain my shirt was still dry underneath. I love that jacket and yet I rarely wear it anymore, it’s just too damn heavy.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Good memory Namo, it is a size 46 from LW. And ironically, that was the exact jacket I was thinking of when I typed my message to you above. That CHP is absolutely armor! I once were it out walking in a rain storm and after 45 minutes of steady rain my shirt was still dry underneath. I love that jacket and yet I rarely wear it anymore, it’s just too damn heavy.

Quote me a price if you really don’t want to keep it! I could just get it altered!

 

[Edward]

Nope, that's the stock Hooch Hauler back, but thank you for the compliment, sure does add some uniqueness to the jacket. Notice the V shaped to of the half belt as well, the sunburst back does not have that.

Ah! Yes, I see it now. Nice to see one of these in the wild! It's a model I very much have my eye on, though first my beloved Cordovan Bootlegger is going to have to bed cloned in a size up, as although I've shifted the midriff that took me out of it, I've spread over the shoulders since 2010 (a mid thirties / turned 50 thing) and it just doesn't fit any more. I'm gonig to more or less re spec it the same (button cuffs), though I'll only add one inside pocket this time. Added two back in the day, but only really one is needed - that big chest pocket on the Bootlegger covers everything else. The Hooch eventually will be in brown....

 

[El Marro]

Quote me a price if you really don’t want to keep it! I could just get it altered!

That’s tempting but you never know when you might need some leather armor, I’m going to keep it.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

That’s tempting but you never know when you might need some leather armor, I’m going to keep it.

That’s wise decision!! I always look at the ‘replace-ability’ of a jacket - which is why I didn’t think twice of selling my HWM - I could always, always easily buy another HWM in the future if I want to. But a custom 5oz weight LW HH jacket? No way I’m going to sell it if it fits me. It would be so expensive to replace it plus may not get the same thick HH.

I actually emailed two well known alteration specialist in UK for a quote to take in a size 46 to 42. I think the CHP sleeves may be trickiest as they are zipped. My email started ‘before you question my sanity note I’m asking for altering a Lost Worlds jacket in 4-5oz HH that would cost me £2-3K to order new and import into UK…’ I expect the quote to be £500 for that money I can easily find another really well made second hand jacket. Hence it would be a bad idea!!

Just to show I have such a soft spot for thick and heavy! I heard in the olden days aero made some 10lb jackets?! When are they going to surface in Classified here?

 

[KBlake]

It's simply fact.

Look at the late Gianni Agnelli for instance. His style was essentially modelled on the Duke of Windsor, with some nods to British business practice.

A country flannel look, with a DB configuration much like that favoured by the DoW.
View attachment 652534

Likewise nice heavy tweeds for cool weather.

View attachment 652535

This is the stiff stuff, not the Shetlands that have become more popular recently. Also notice that he favours the most English three button jacket configuration.

His protege Luca di Monezemolo hews even more strongly to the English influence, favouring the City look of dark ties with polka dots.

View attachment 652536
View attachment 652537

I shouldn't get involved here, but you are showing an italian man who is dressed well, as proof that Italians don't have style. It seems you are talking past each other. One person is talking about where the most fashionable people are from, and the other is talking about which indigenous style is preferable. All major fashion designers are Italian. There's no question that Italian culture has produced excellent design. You cited the fact that Italians use British materials. So? If Ducati uses steel from somewhere else, what does that have to do with their penchant for design?

 

[Aloysius]

I shouldn't get involved here, but you are showing an italian man who is dressed well, as proof that Italians don't have style. It seems you are talking past each other. One person is talking about where the most fashionable people are from, and the other is talking about which indigenous style is preferable. All major fashion designers are Italian. There's no question that Italian culture has produced excellent design. You cited the fact that Italians use British materials. So? If Ducati uses steel from somewhere else, what does that have to do with their penchant for design?

No I’m not suggesting Italians can’t be stylish. I said that well dressed Italians have always pulled most strongly from a British influence (since the 1700s) in response to the suggestion that there’s no British style. Even Sicilian village wear came from this British influence.

What I did say is that the average Italian is pretty badly dressed, as is the average Frenchman, Englishman, or American. Because the other guy’s suggestion was “Italians know best therefore lamb skin is best”—when the reality is everyone except TFL types primarily has lamb skin. (I’m not even anti lamb skin!)

The “Made in Italy” (itself a marketing term) stuff is largely fraudulent anyway. It’s usually either made outside and gets an Italy label stitched on in final packaging there or it’s made in giant workshops of Chinese laborers, while the brands peddle an image of their local craft and so on.

“All major fashion designers are Italian” is has never been the case. Even as couture goes it’s been mainly a French endeavor. Yes, Italians got more involved since the 60s but not more so than the Americans or the English or in more recent years the Japanese.

The comparison of fabric to steel is doesn’t land. Fabric isn’t a raw material; it essentially tells you what the garment is and how it’ll drape. Half the art of tailoring is the selection of fabric, iron work, etc. And I gave you other examples as well of how Italian menswear directly grew out of British menswear.

 

[Aloysius]

To TFLize my example, if you saw a bunch of Japanese guys in Schott Perfectos, that would be an example of American style even though the guys are Japanese. In fact the Japanese themselves call it ametora and amekaji.

Likewise, French menswear has a deep influence from its British roots which is why many famous French firms have fake British-sounding names like J.M. Weston. They call it l'anglomanie. I can provide you sources in French for this as well if you like. I could for Italian too but they'll take longer because it takes me longer to read through Italian (I studied French and Latin, not Italian itself.)

 

[El Marro]

That’s wise decision!! I always look at the ‘replace-ability’ of a jacket - which is why I didn’t think twice of selling my HWM - I could always, always easily buy another HWM in the future if I want to. But a custom 5oz weight LW HH jacket? No way I’m going to sell it if it fits me. It would be so expensive to replace it plus may not get the same thick HH.

I actually emailed two well known alteration specialist in UK for a quote to take in a size 46 to 42. I think the CHP sleeves may be trickiest as they are zipped. My email started ‘before you question my sanity note I’m asking for altering a Lost Worlds jacket in 4-5oz HH that would cost me £2-3K to order new and import into UK…’ I expect the quote to be £500 for that money I can easily find another really well made second hand jacket. Hence it would be a bad idea!!

Just to show I have such a soft spot for thick and heavy! I heard in the olden days aero made some 10lb jackets?! When are they going to surface in Classified here?

If you can be patient I’m sure that a CHP from Aero or LW will appear in your size sooner or later. I remember when I was on the hunt for mine a couple of Aero CHP’s were sold here on the lounge and they were both just a bit too small for me, probably about perfect for you.
And yes, there is no way that I would ever get another LW CHP if I sold this one. I’m not a tight wad, but I would have a hard time paying what the jacket cost now considering what I paid for it only five years ago.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

No I’m not suggesting Italians can’t be stylish. I said that well dressed Italians have always pulled most strongly from a British influence (since the 1700s) in response to the suggestion that there’s no British style. Even Sicilian village wear came from this British influence.

What I did say is that the average Italian is pretty badly dressed, as is the average Frenchman, Englishman, or American. Because the other guy’s suggestion was “Italians know best therefore lamb skin is best”—when the reality is everyone except TFL types primarily has lamb skin. (I’m not even anti lamb skin!)

The “Made in Italy” (itself a marketing term) stuff is largely fraudulent anyway. It’s usually either made outside and gets an Italy label stitched on in final packaging there or it’s made in giant workshops of Chinese laborers, while the brands peddle an image of their local craft and so on.

“All major fashion designers are Italian” is has never been the case. Even as couture goes it’s been mainly a French endeavor. Yes, Italians got more involved since the 60s but not more so than the Americans or the English or in more recent years the Japanese.

The comparison of fabric to steel is doesn’t land. Fabric isn’t a raw material; it essentially tells you what the garment is and how it’ll drape. Half the art of tailoring is the selection of fabric, iron work, etc. And I gave you other examples as well of how Italian menswear directly grew out of British menswear.

Wow, this is an awful lot of historical ambiguity. What era are you discussing and how far back to you care to trace the origins of fashion? I lived for a number of years in Italy and my impression was always that Italian fashion is distinctly different from British fashion.

The claim that "Sicilian village wear came from this British influence..." is incredible to me. I'm not even sure what it means. There is significant Italian folk fashion traditions in most areas of Italy and they have absolutely nothing to do with the UK. I'm so surprised anyone would make such a claim that I have to suspect I don't understand what exactly is being said.

As for "the average Italian is pretty badly dressed..." that's totally subjective.

I don't know much about high fashion but certainly a LOT of the major fashion brands are Italian. A disproportionate number and enough to lend validity to it as a counter-argument to your position, which seems to be something like "Italians don't know anything about fashion and stole all their ideas from the Brits." Sorry if that's not your position but that's what it sounds like.

You have always struck me as far more reasonable than this, so I'm hoping to get some clarity from you because these remarks just don't hold water imo.