Aero A2 With The Neatest Cut?

[theundeadkennedy]

I'm leaning towards an A2 after initially ordering up an A1 fit jacket through Thurston Bros that I found too "blousey" or "boxey". My A1 fit jacket was a size 40, it fit well in the shoulders and across the chest, but was loose in the body for my tastes.

I have a 43" chest measurement and a 33" waist, less than 32" where I wear my jeans. I'm wanting a slim profile and am hoping to find out which Aero A2 will best suit my needs.

I am under the impression that the 38 contract is my best bet, but welcome any opinions on the subject.

Thank you!

-UDK

 

[theundeadkennedy]

Fit shot of the A1

 

[Carlos840]

You seem to suffer from the same condition i do, a very V frame, wide shoulders and thin waist.

I have a 42" chest and 32" waist, 20" shoulders, and most jackets that fit me in the chest and shoulder area are very baggy at the waist.

Apparently the A2 has little to no tapering from armpit to waist, so if your chest needs 25" pit to pit or so, your bottom hem will be around the same.
Which i know for a fact being the same waist as you, will be extremely baggy!
When i asked aero if they could modifie a pattern to suite my body type they refused.
I sent an email to bill Kelso and they accepted to change a pattern,widen the shoulders and taper the waist a couple inches for a small extra charge.

Now, i still haven't received the jacket so i can't really tell you it went well yet.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, you'd want Aero's 38 contract. Actually, I really like your A-1, that's the first owned one that's appeared here. Your dog doesn't look so impressed though...

 

[Justhandguns]

Yes, you'd want Aero's 38 contract. Actually, I really like your A-1, that's the first owned one that's appeared here. Your dog doesn't look so impressed though...

Try Bronco as well, it may give a smarter and slim profile than the 'tubular' 38 contract.

P.S. I guess the dog is not so impressed because it does not see the vivid blue jacket like we do!!

 

[HighandDry]

I had the same concerns as you when I was buying an A2. I'm a 40" chest and 31" waist.

I went with a Goodwear Aero 1938. Turned out pretty well, but in retrospect, I think I would have gotten a Bronco. The 1938 armholes are pretty high and a bit uncomfortable.

 

[Capesofwrath]

I had a 38 pattern from Aero a couple of years ago and it was like it was made for a chimp. Tight under the arms with very high armholes. It had to go back. That pattern only works if you're like a rangy thirties kid with high shoulders and fairly narrow upper torso.

 

[Sloan1874]

I certainly prefer the Aero 45 contract, it's a bit more forgiving on the armpits.

 

[Carlos840]

I had the same concerns as you when I was buying an A2. I'm a 40" chest and 31" waist.

I went with a Goodwear Aero 1938. Turned out pretty well, but in retrospect, I think I would have gotten a Bronco. The 1938 armholes are pretty high and a bit uncomfortable.

really nice jacket and fit!

Perfect sleeve length IMO, I always see people on this forum with super long sleeves for some reason, i really hope my future A2 fits me like yours fits you!

 

[ButteMT61]

Early contracts were the slimmest. You should deal with a guy like JC that knows how to do the "VEE".
I'm 48" down to a 38" waist. JC knew how to deal with that and I'm super happy.
Now, others may be able to do it as well, but I can speak from my experiences and so far, that's the best-fitting jacket I own.
I dig the A-1 too - want to see that after it gets beat up for a while. Still "too blue" for me, but maybe that will change over time. I think it fits great myself.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

Thanks for all the help so far guys. And thanks for the compliments on the A1, it is just a fit jacket though and will be going back today. I do like the blue color, but not for my first Aero jacket, maybe on a Sonoma Cafe Racer at some point down the road. And yeah, my dog is not much impressed with anything if she's left out the activity

That's what I've read about the Bronco, but thought there may be some sort of vacation depending on manufacturer. On the Aero website the Bronco really doesn't look to be trim fit, but searching through threads here I've only fond a couple of examples of Aero's Bronco to go off of. Maybe a few others will chime in, but it seems the consensus that the Bronco is the "neater" and more athletic of the two jackets. Which is weird because Aero's description of the 38 says it has a tapered body and makes no mention on the Bronco page of the jacket's slim cut.

I do realty like the fit of our Goodwear on you High and Dry, you wear it well.

Butte, I wish that Goodwear was an option for me on this, but I know from experience that if I get a jacket in the $1500 range it will not get the wear it deserves and I want this A2 to be a beater, something I can wear and care for without worry. If I do get a Goodwear, I think it would be a black Ventura. For me that would be a non beater jacket and wouldn't feel weird babying it.

 

[ButteMT61]

I babied the Ventura at first. Partly 'cause it was new, partly 'cause the hide is a new one to me. Well, I got over that and I treat it pretty much like a sweatshirt now and it looks way better. I think I've gained 10lbs over this winter period, so I have to get back to my regimen before it looks like a sausage lol
Blue is a tough one. The A-1 looks great, but I need to see some of the newer waaaay dark blues before I could do that.
As to the A-2, the early cuts are trim fitting. My Bronco is a wider cut jacket, but I love it. The '38 series to me are the trimmest in the stable, but if you get someone to understand your drop, and emphasize that, it should be OK.

Whatever you go with, good luck!

 

[Gromulus]

Bronco contract..............good to know. Thanks guys.

I have gone through a few moderate priced A-2 jackets and none of them really fit well, they are all baggy in the waist area and usually too long as well. I am 5'7"/210# with a 47" chest, 34" waist (32-33 pants) and have resigned myself to purchase/order a custom A-2 in 2014. While "only" 55 years old, I would like a quality jacket to last me into my golden years. Any feedback re. makers who cater to custom sizing (Goodwear, Bill Kelso, etc.)?

Thanks!

 

[EmergencyIan]

Bronco contract..............good to know. Thanks guys.

I have gone through a few moderate priced A-2 jackets and none of them really fit well, they are all baggy in the waist area and usually too long as well. I am 5'7"/210# with a 47" chest, 34" waist (32-33 pants) and have resigned myself to purchase/order a custom A-2 in 2014. While "only" 55 years old, I would like a quality jacket to last me into my golden years. Any feedback re. makers who cater to custom sizing (Goodwear, Bill Kelso, etc.)?

Thanks!

I don't have any experience with Aero's version of the Bronco A-2, but I do own a Goodwear Bronco A-2. I have 38" chest and a 30" waist. It is not trim in the midsection. It's a bit roomy, for sure.

- Ian

 

[Justhandguns]

I don't have any experience with Aero's version of the Bronco A-2, but I do own a Goodwear Bronco A-2. I have 38" chest and a 30" waist. It is not trim in the midsection. It's a bit roomy, for sure.

- Ian

What size is your GW Bronco? 38 or 40? And what are the measurements?

 

[EmergencyIan]

What size is your GW Bronco? 38 or 40? And what are the measurements?

My Bronco is a size 40, but, at the time, John said that he was labeling it a size 40 because a size 40 (at least in A-2's) from that era would fit like todays size 38.

- Ian

 

[ButteMT61]

Yeah, I am not sure why Bronco is being called trim-fitting. I've not seen one that is really, unless the wearer is a beefier fella.
Like I said, the early contracts are slimmer.

 

[HighandDry]

Ian, your jacket looks great, but I see what you mean that's it's not trim in the midsection.

Here's Jan with an off the shelf Aero Bronco. Looks a bit trimmer.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...w-it-looks-on-me-PICS&highlight=bronco+gaucho

 

[Gromulus]

It's certainly hard to tell from some of the pictures which contracts are truly neater fitting. For example, all of the models that John Chapman (?) models on the Goodwear site look the same to me. I would like to see someone with an extreme "V" model one to get a better idea. Maybe A-2's aren't really meant for this type of physique since the supposed "trim" ones seem to be modeled by slim/skinny guys.

 

[theundeadkennedy]

Great conversation, I feel more lost on which would suit me better between the 38 and the Bronco, but I feel I've learned a bit for sure.

I was hoping to get some suggestions on lengths. I'm going to go with Brown FQHH, OD stitching, olive knits. Wade let me know that if I get the sleeves longer they might tunnel and cover the knits, which I don't want, because the olive knits look boss. I'm still left wondering that if the sleeves crease up and raise they might not be long enough, I'm not sure how much raise to anticipate with the FQHH. The body length could definitely be longer, which is strange because I have another bomber that's shorter but covers way belt area. Would an inch in a half be too much to add to the body??

Also, I am wearing a sweater underneath and it makes my very trim citing black jacket far too trim fitting. I didn't feel like changing. I would like the fit of the A2 to be in the middle zone of the two jackets shown, is that an impractical wish?