Aerial Star A2 Leather Jackets

[tge7]

Hi all -

I just wanted to put in a plug for the amazing service, exceptional workmanship, great prices, and very generous shipping/return policies for A-2 style leather jackets from Aerial Star (http://www.aerialstar.com/). Chris and the jacket are so great I just felt I had to write a review to that effect, even though I ended up returning my jacket. Chris has an amazing business, fantastic products, and exceptional customer service. Anyone looking for A-2 type jackets should check them out, in my opinion their quality is on par with or better than much more expensive brands like Aero and the service and shipping/return policy can't be beat.


The owner Chris helped answer countless questions from my on my jacket. I have kind of strange body proportions, I ended up ordering a 42R. Aerial Star has the amazingly generous policy of shipping jackets on no charge and only charging you once you receive it and decide to keep it. And even then they charge in 3 monthly installments, which is incredible. It came recently and is beautifully made and the russet leather is amazing. Unfortunately I am returning mine because my weird body doesn't quite fit it, which I hate to do since it is so great. The jacket is sized perfectly for normal folks and it isn't an issue of their sizing, only of the difficulty finding jackets that fit my unusual body type.

I just had to put out a glowing review of Chris and Aerial Star. They get an A+ and deserve huge success (as many other reviewers here have noted). I can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[Damo]

Very interesting concept. I wonder if anybody has attempted similar methods of payment and shipping in the past.

I do like the shipping policy, I've never liked if the jacket doesn't fit properly or even some companies having to send a fit jacket to get the process of having a custom jacket made when I know I'm going to pay for return shipping to send the fit jacket back. Just seems wrong to me.

 

[Seb Lucas]

What an odd review. No photos and no jacket but great service? Ok. When you say unusual body type… what do you mean? Large? Being a bit clearer may actually help others who wish to order, otherwise you have left us with a great mystery.

 

[Fanch]

Well said Seb; I couldn't have expressed it better myself.

 

[aswatland]

This is actually old news and has been discussed before.

 

[nick123]

I think it's simply a matter of wanting a new maker to do well. I'd want to, and I have, publicized my positive experience with AS.

 

[Seb Lucas]

This is actually old news and has been discussed before.

Well it's not old news to everyone. I'm very familiar with Aerial Star but not this particular narrative.

 

[aswatland]

Well it's not old news to everyone. I'm very familiar with Aerial Star but not this particular narrative.

True, however the quality of the jackets, flexible payment method and the excellent customer service mentioned by the OP has been discussed before. A photo review of the jacket in question would be much appreciated as pictures can speak volumes.

 

[tge7]

Hi folks,

I took some pictures attached here, hope that helps. It's correct that I basically just want to show appreciation for Chris's customer service and nice product; even though I am returning that jacket I think Aerial Star deserves success. These pages have additional reviews and more/better pictures:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...t-Cut-I-Love-It!&highlight=aerial+star+review

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ew-and-pictures!&highlight=aerial+star+review

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...-Amazing-Jacket!&highlight=aerial+star+review

Here are the pictures. On me I think the torso is a little too short and wide, but others might like that length, seems like a lot is personal preference. Partly I think I have a relatively long torso and relatively narrow waist compared to my shoulders. I'm a little between sizes - a 42 long would have 2" longer body and sleeves. I think with that I would like the torso length but the sleeves would be too long. I'm about 6'1", 190 lbs, 32" waist, athletic build. Unfortunately I won't be able to post any more pictures because I have to get this shipped back.

 

[rocketeer]

Looks ok if you want a jacket at a reasonable price and dont wish to pay the top prices. You can get the feel of an A2 so to speak, can you appreciate the pocket positioning or the knit cuffs and waist? If not then you wont have lost a packet if you decide it is not for you.

This is actually old news and has been discussed before.

So it is old news, but so is how good are Goodwear jackets? Do we need reminders of excellent Goodwear jackets are if a review has already been posted? More photo's and more owners gushing about their Aero, Eastman, Good wear and whatever? Of course we do.
Aerial Star may not yet be in the Big League but you never know as all the top makers have had a go at introducing new comers to jackets market so good luck
Ok so the poster maybe a newby here, should we preview all we post considering what 'experts' think? Are hard core collectors the prime targets of our posts and did they(the experts) come here armed and dangerous with a mind full of posts that will be interesting to everyone. Maybe his/her next post may be a little more enlightening. Some prices would be appreciated

Oh, and I quite like the slash pocket civvy style, but maybe I think I am a bit old for this style now.

 

[Azog]

I think it would be pretty handy if Aerial Star could mix sleeve and body lengths. Like regular sleeves on a long body. It would solve a lot of the sizing issues people may have.
The measurements of the stock sizes is stopping me from getting one due to fit.

 

[nick123]

I talked to Chris on the phone a few times. He was pretty adamant he wanted to sell regulars and longs only after a certain time period. He did mine custom, but I don't think he wanted to make it a habit. I can sympathize with anyone who asks "why cant you simply have a long sleeve and a reg body length if you're doing long sizes anyway?" but maybe his approach best suits him. I know I sound hypocritical after getting a custom one done, but I'd never ask again, knowing that he doesn't want to go custom.

 

[Azog]

Yes, he's probably only set up to do it that way. Although, a lot of customers do look for basic body and sleeve length alterations especially us loungers. He might get a lot more sales if it was possible to do so. Even if he made them non-returnable.
Just some customer or potential customer feedback and I've seen a couple of people with the problem . Won't bring it up again.

 

[nick123]

Yes, he's probably only set up to do it that way. Although, a lot of customers do look for basic body and sleeve length alterations especially us loungers. He might get a lot more sales if it was possible to do so. Even if he made them non-returnable.
Just some customer or potential customer feedback and I've seen a couple of people with the problem . Won't bring it up again.

The ball is in his court with this, and I'm sure he probably reads the posts. Whatever he decides to do, I/we wish him success. There's a half belt style coming soon I think I'm looking forward to seeing.

 

[aswatland]

Looks ok if you want a jacket at a reasonable price and dont wish to pay the top prices. You can get the feel of an A2 so to speak, can you appreciate the pocket positioning or the knit cuffs and waist? If not then you wont have lost a packet if you decide it is not for you.



So it is old news, but so is how good are Goodwear jackets? Do we need reminders of excellent Goodwear jackets are if a review has already been posted? More photo's and more owners gushing about their Aero, Eastman, Good wear and whatever? Of course we do.
Aerial Star may not yet be in the Big League but you never know as all the top makers have had a go at introducing new comers to jackets market so good luck
Ok so the poster maybe a newby here, should we preview all we post considering what 'experts' think? Are hard core collectors the prime targets of our posts and did they(the experts) come here armed and dangerous with a mind full of posts that will be interesting to everyone. Maybe his/her next post may be a little more enlightening. Some prices would be appreciated

Oh, and I quite like the slash pocket civvy style, but maybe I think I am a bit old for this style now.

The original post read like an advert for Aerial Star and the initial lack of pictures was disappointing. It was old news in the that there were features in the post which have been written before about the Aerial Star and these I have mentioned already. Most owners who gush about their new repro A2s usually post pictures and the shear variety of jackets means this "old news" really does not seem old at all!

BTW. The OP's A2 is not the best advert for Aerial Star in terms of fit and hopefully his next jacket will not disappoint.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Thanks tge7 for finally posting photos of what I agree looks to be a terrible fit (to my eyes). That's certainly helpful because I am close to your size six feet two and 33 inch waist. I agree longer waist with reg sleeves would work better.

I'm very interested in what their half-belt might be like. There really is a market for one of these by a new and less expensive maker.

 

[regius]

where is Aerialstar now?

 

[Seb Lucas]

They closed down - they either didn't sell enough jackets or they had other priorities or they had an inadequate business model. Or all three.

 

[nick123]

I think he's stopped. Which saddens me. 100% a shill for them if that means wishing they'd start again...

Chris was/is one of the good guys in the world. He had a nice thing going but I gather that it must be f'n hard to start a successful jacket company. All the best to Chris and his future projects/well being. The guy loved them just as much if not more than we all do! The one I had is safely with Butte's son now. But I miss it!

 

[Justhandguns]

Excellent jackets and very good price point, but probably started up at the wrong time with fierce competitions.