A2 fit

[bn1966]

I think the A-2 is an absolute classic design and spawned generations of casual jackets. Some view the A-2 as unflattering and giving a ‘sack of spuds’ look to the wearer. I think an A-2 looks great on if it fits properly, you are in reasonable shape & the jacket itself is well made in decent hide. It’s a practical & comfortable jacket, I have two and they are a mainstay in my wardrobe & both from Eastmans. The A-2 was a learning curve in that the first attempt was a size too small in reality & whilst looking good unzipped, zipped I felt like a sausage. Sized up one & the result is perfect for me. A good resource is Charles ‘measurement’s’ of the various contracts covered by ELC on the History Preservation website. Below is my 50 Cal HH, which some think is a nod to the Aero company contract with the red knits.

 

[NABodie]

In watching the Masters of the Air mini series as well as reviewing WWII photos featuring A2's I'm hard pressed to find images of anything but somewhat loose fitting A2's. Pilots wore their uniform, and flight suit under the jackets and needed some extra room to move in them. I ordered the pictured jacket a size larger than my suit size so that I could wear a seater or hoody under it comfortably. It might be a touch long in the back but it's comfortable and roomy.

 

[Canuck Panda]

There is no right or wrong fit with A2 jackets imo. You can wear them relaxed or tight. I even wear them with shorts, and I've seen more people wearing A2/G1 flight jackets than any other leather jackets. Very versatile.

With the modern fits, it's always a bit longer and the shoulders are quite a bit wider, \ / shape at the shoulder armhole seams. With the vintage fits, it's always a bit shorter (riding length) and the shoulder are narrower, I I shape at the shoulder armhole seams.

It is a sack with elastics on the ends, but it also works. Classics never die.

Modern slim fit, size 42, (19" shoulder 22.5" P2P)

Modern regular fit, size 44 (19.75" shoulder, 23.25" P2P)

Vintage regular fit, size 44, (18.5" shoulder, 23" P2P), Roughwear contract repro

 

[bn1966]

50 Cal ELC on

 

[Jon Crow]

There is no right or wrong fit with A2 jackets imo. You can wear them relaxed or tight. I even wear them with shorts, and I've seen more people wearing A2/G1 flight jackets than any other leather jackets. Very versatile.

With the modern fits, it's always a bit longer and the shoulders are quite a bit wider, \ / shape at the shoulder armhole seams. With the vintage fits, it's always a bit shorter (riding length) and the shoulder are narrower, I I shape at the shoulder armhole seams.

It is a sack with elastics on the ends, but it also works. Classics never die.

Modern slim fit, size 42, (19" shoulder 22.5" P2P)
View attachment 680882

Modern regular fit, size 44 (19.75" shoulder, 23.25" P2P)
View attachment 680883

Vintage regular fit, size 44, (18.5" shoulder, 23" P2P), Roughwear contract repro
View attachment 680884

Totally agree, my 40s civilian A2 is a tighter fit, but the 50s Hercules HH A2 I have, I like it's looser so I can get a light sweater or hoody under it

 

[Jon Crow]

In watching the Masters of the Air mini series as well as reviewing WWII photos featuring A2's I'm hard pressed to find images of anything but somewhat loose fitting A2's. Pilots wore their uniform, and flight suit under the jackets and needed some extra room to move in them. I ordered the pictured jacket a size larger than my suit size so that I could wear a seater or hoody under it comfortably. It might be a touch long in the back but it's comfortable and roomy. View attachment 680874

That fit is similar to my 50s Hercules A2

 

[TLW '90]

 

[TLW '90]

 

[TLW '90]

 

[Edgar Laurel]

A2's are straight up classic.
A gentleman can do no wrong with an A2.

 

[TLW '90]

I just finished watching the 1998 movie Black Dog.
In this movie Patrick Swayze wore an A2, I think he wore it well and was a good example of an A2 as the universal leather jacket.

You can see the jacket here in this interview, well at least the top anyways.
Maybe the rounded corners of the collar are a giveaway to somebody here as to the identity of the jacket ?

 

[LeatherHunter]

I used to be in the “no knits” camp but slowly warmed to the idea and then the full blown I gotta have one camp. Over the last few years I probably cycled through 5-6 different makers trying to find the one. A few examples I am posting, Avirex in distressed lamb, fit ok but very billowy and I don’t care for lamb. Finally found the Schott 184 in cowhide I was searching for but it never fit correctly, always rode up in the back and stayed in my closet. I just sold my last one recently and bought a US Wings Adventurer Indy jacket. Someone said the Indy jacket is basically an A-2 without knits and epaulets , makes sense now that I have one. Photo 1- Avirex Photo 2- Schott Photo 3- US Wings. I prefer the Indy and will probably be a keeper.
p.s. I am in the husky build category. All these pictured are size 52 or **L.

 

[Vectrex]

I used to be in the “no knits” camp but slowly warmed to the idea and then the full blown I gotta have one camp. Over the last few years I probably cycled through 5-6 different makers trying to find the one. A few examples I am posting, Avirex in distressed lamb, fit ok but very billowy and I don’t care for lamb. Finally found the Schott 184 in cowhide I was searching for but it never fit correctly, always rode up in the back and stayed in my closet. I just sold my last one recently and bought a US Wings Adventurer Indy jacket. Someone said the Indy jacket is basically an A-2 without knits and epaulets , makes sense now that I have one. Photo 1- Avirex Photo 2- Schott Photo 3- US Wings. I prefer the Indy and will probably be a keeper.
p.s. I am in the husky build category. All these pictured are size 52 or **L.
View attachment 686318 View attachment 686319 View attachment 686320

I actually prefer the jacket from photo 1 and 2 on you. They look like bomber jackets where as the jacket on photo 3 looks a bit well...dull to me. But i have an affection for 80's looks and also for statement pieces if it comes to clothing, so don't my opinion. If you feel good in Jacket 3, wear it!

 

[Fifty150]

I've heard of more athletic types having trouble with certain dimensions

A2's not looking good on anybody or not fitting well...

A really trim fit in this jacket often means that you can’t move around freely.

I am that guy with the wide shoulders, back, and chest. My waistline is significantly smaller than my chest measurement. I have more of a v shaped torso. When I buy generic size clothes, it is either an XL or **L,. My suits have to be tailored because I need a size 50 jacket, with a size 36 waist. I actually measure at 34", but I like the extra 2" because I don't want pants that tight.


No A2, or any other off-the-rack jacket will ever fit properly. I can't buy or wear anything that doesn't close around my thick neck, or I can't move my arms in. My arms have to have full range of motion. That means that every jacket I own will be baggy in the middle, since I don't have a 50 inch belly to fill it out. Even with Motorcycle jackets that have the laces at the side.


Some people are fortunate that they are slim, and they can fit most off the rack clothes. Us fat guys have to just get whatever and know that we will never fit clothes the same way.

 

[Fifty150]

I don't know about the original A2's or any exacting repro's, some say they fit the best but opinions on A2's are as all over the place as the body types of people buying jackets are.

Murdoch didn't seem to care about the slim fit of the jacket.

 

[tnjyoung]

I have been thinking about this recently after seeing multiple comments about A2's not looking good on anybody or not fitting well...etc.

The way I see it an A2 is not a cafe racer or a trim fitting Cross zip.
People don't care if their hoodie or rain jacket has a trim fitting flattering fit do they ?
I feel that an A2 just needs to look like it's your size, it just needs to be good fitting for an A2 for the most part.
I think the A2 has kind of gotten a bad reputation from cheap mall jackets and 80's action movie goons.
Most people here in the US probably have a dad or uncle who has a cheap poorly fitting A2 that they wear on Christmas.

I see pics of WW2 pilots in their original A2's, and this is about how they fit.
View attachment 675824
Is it a flattering trim fit that makes me look like a badass Rockstar?
No absolutely not ( nothing could do that ), but to the average person I probably look like I'm wearing the right size jacket and they won't give me a 2nd look.

Scrawny guys like me are probably a bit fortunate in this regard, average to more athletic types may get lucky , and I can definitely understand why some more husky guys would steer clear of A2's.
The USGI coopers seem to unintentionally hit the mark in the smaller sizes, but I've heard of more athletic types having trouble with certain dimensions, and it seems they just didn't care that the larger sizes often look like a windbreaker.

I don't know about the original A2's or any exacting repro's, some say they fit the best but opinions on A2's are as all over the place as the body types of people buying jackets are.


Ultimately I just think too many people misunderstand the A2 ,or those people simply want things out of a jacket that the A2 isn't about.
The A2 is comfortable, it's ubiquitous enough to not draw attention, and I feel an A2 looks just fine as long as it's the right size of A2.
If it looks like you're wearing a jacket that's generally the right size, nobody is going to think you're going for that awful hip hop style.
For a lot of people the issues with A2 fit just may be in their head.



If anybody more knowledgeable cares to correct me and better detail the issues people have with A2 fit I'd love to hear it.

Great write up. Here is a (new to me) Aero A2 Bronco contract and I really like the way it fits. I’m not sure if the forum will agree, but here are a few photos offered up for opinion.

 

[TLW '90]

I'd have to see a tucked in shirt with it, but I personally would be happy with that fit.
Maybe it's just because this jacket looks to have a stouter leather that kind of holds a shape a little more than a typical goatskin A2.
I like the goatskin for comfort, but examples like this that hold their shape look better.

 

[tnjyoung]

I'd have to see a tucked in shirt with it, but I personally would be happy with that fit.
Maybe it's just because this jacket looks to have a stouter leather that kind of holds a shape a little more than a typical goatskin A2.
I like the goatskin for comfort, but examples like this that hold their shape look better.

Shirt tucked in version-as requested (sorry about the bare feet)

 

[TLW '90]

Shirt tucked in version-as requested (sorry about the bare feet)

Looks like a perfect fit to me, and as said before that firmer leather seems to slightly reduce some of the things people dislike about A2's.
I'm not an expert, but I don't see anybody complaining about this fit unless they just dislike A2's.

 

[tnjyoung]

Looks like a perfect fit to me, and as said before that firmer leather seems to slightly reduce some of the things people dislike about A2's.
I'm not an expert, but I don't see anybody complaining about this fit unless they just dislike A2's.

Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback! Have a great evening!