Aero CXL FQHH and CXL SH owners, please post pictures here

[Prodigal_Jess]

I would like to see your Aero CXL FQHH and CXL SH jacket pictures here. Did you buy them new? How was the break-in process for them? Do you still have them?

Interested to hear from folks who purchased from Thurston Brothers and the fit process. I've heard good things about it so far.

Also interested to hear from anyone with jackets of these materials from Florida (like me) and how you like them? I have a Schott 613 steer hide that I've been happy wearing in Florida when it's cool enough. Bonus points if anyone also owns a similar Schott and can offer comparisons regarding weight, flexibility in different weather and comfort level/break in.

I'm considering a Sheene in one of these leathers. I'm very curious about horsehide as I've never owned it before and I like the way it shows patina in time. It seems Aero and TB like to fit them rather close. My Schotts have always had a little room for layering up or growing (I hit the gym several times a week but haven't gotten substantially larger the last few years. If anything, I've trimmed down in the middle).

I really like the look/back profile of the Sheene and think it would suit my body as I continue to train. Looking for any feedback or tips on fit that would make the break-in process more successful or reduce the likelihood of giving up (especially on FQHH) as some have due to comfort issues. This will be my alternate (with the Schott) jacket and maybe will eventually replace it altogether (the Schott is about a size big I think), so I don't want to undersize my fit. I know Carrie and the team will be able to help with this, but I want to solicit real-world feedback too.

I'm 5'9", 185 lbs with a 41.5" chest (approx).

So yeah. Looking for eye candy and fitment tips.

I'll try to upload some pictures of me in my Schott later in the thread. Thanks, guys. God bless.

 

[Prodigal_Jess]

Here’s some pictures of me in my Schott 613. It’s a 44, but I probably should be in a 42.

 

[AeroFan_07]

@Prodigal_Jess - Welcome to the Fedora Lounge. I have worked quite a bit with Carrie & Thurston Brothers and have had good results. Important to get the fit down (and determine what fit you want) as well.

Regarding pictures Steer & Horse - you will find a lot on these links:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/highwayman-zip-sleeve-highwayman-database.99955/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-ridley-j106-repository-thread.101995/

And here is a good thread for an overwhelming amount of ordering advice -

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...mer-self-about-ordering-a-custom-aero.102605/


I just want to say that I met Carrie and was in their brick & mortar shop that they no longer have long before joining the Fedora Lounge. So, my experiences are a little different that many others here. That said, I no longer own any Aero jackets, which is also a long story, chronicled to some extent in these pages.

 

[Prodigal_Jess]

@Prodigal_Jess - Welcome to the Fedora Lounge. I have worked quite a bit with Carrie & Thurston Brothers and have had good results. Important to get the fit down (and determine what fit you want) as well.

Regarding pictures Steer & Horse - you will find a lot on these links:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/highwayman-zip-sleeve-highwayman-database.99955/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-ridley-j106-repository-thread.101995/

And here is a good thread for an overwhelming amount of ordering advice -

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...mer-self-about-ordering-a-custom-aero.102605/


I just want to say that I met Carrie and was in their brick & mortar shop that they no longer have long before joining the Fedora Lounge. So, my experiences are a little different that many others here. That said, I no longer own any Aero jackets, which is also a long story, chronicled to some extent in these pages.

Thank you. I'd be interested why you no longer have any Aeros. Feel free to PM me.

 

[LordOfLeather]

There’s a lot to answer here and I’ll return to share more of my experience when I have time. For now, here’s my Schott P613S in CXL steerhide. Not an Aero, but CXL is CXL.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Thank you. I'd be interested why you no longer have any Aeros. Feel free to PM me.

Sure thing, tonight I'm short on time but in the next few days.

 

[MrProper]

Post in thread 'Help with custom Aero Jacket sizing and cxl Horsehide vs Steerhide?'
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...xl-horsehide-vs-steerhide.121735/post-3236770

 

[Prodigal_Jess]

Post in thread 'Help with custom Aero Jacket sizing and cxl Horsehide vs Steerhide?'
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...xl-horsehide-vs-steerhide.121735/post-3236770

Thanks for the tip!

 

[LordOfLeather]

I have no doubt all the information you seek can likely be found elsewhere, as others have linked existing threads for your perusal, but I'll share my own experiences as well.

I currently have two CXL Steer jackets -- the Schott posted above, and an Aero Board Racer shown here:

I bought the Schott new in 2019 and have worn it extensively, though not as much as I would have if I owned less jackets. I just bought the BR last year, pre-owned but in good condition. I have only owned CXL FQHH for a brief time, but the jacket didn't fit well so I moved it along (I have other HH jackets though).

The break-in period for CXL can be a bit more challenging than some other leathers. Occasionally you hear people say their jacket is ** years old and still not broken in. I think this is nonsense (unless it has truly been hanging in a closet all that time). I think, instead, that their expectations of broken in are unrealistic. Different leathers wear and feel differently from one another. Some leathers, CXL being one of them, will just never feel like other leathers. To some, this means it will never be as comfortable as some other leathers, but to many around here, the thick, somewhat unwieldy armor feeling is exactly what comforts them -- like a weighted blanket.

As far as break-in goes, just wear the damn thing. Wear it particularly while doing activities that require movement -- shoveling snow, raking leaves... Oh, wait, you're in Florida... Fishing? Yardwork? I don't know your lifestyle. Don't bother sleeping in it or any of that nonsense. Just wear it and perhaps roll and kneed the leather to loosen it up a bit.

Once broken in, I do find my CXL jackets comfortable. HOWEVER, this can depend on the day. Some days I put one on and immediately know I don't want to feel trapped in it, and then I reach for a different jacket. For this reason, I suggest not having a CXL jacket be your only jacket. It's a unique, characterful leather that ought to be in someone's collection (if they like the characteristics), but I think having other leather jacket options is wise.

As far as Aero goes, I currently own three. I like them all, but I will probably never buy another Aero. Their zippers are just too insubstantial for the leather weight, and I have had to replace the main zipper on every single Aero I've owned. They have beefier zippers now and I'm happy, but Aero refuses to put "better" (my opinion) zippers on them during production, and I just can't justify investing in more jackets that will need an expensive repair.

 

[LordOfLeather]

I've had overall positive experiences with Thurston Bros' custom ordering process, but have learned some things along the way.

Firstly, Carrie has always been very helpful and provided great customer service. I have no complaints whatsoever on that front. However, my first custom jacket did not fit as I expected it to, which was nobody's fault but my own. I first ordered a stock Thedi Phenix, but found the fit too short and roomier in the torso than I wanted. I decided to go custom and requested a size smaller be sent as a fit jacket. This one fit perfectly but needed extra length in the arms and body. We talked through leather options and I placed the order.

When it arrived, I was disappointed to find it fit much smaller than expected. The length in the arms and body were perfect, but the overall fit was much tighter than the fit jacket, despite being the same size. I still don't know where the breakdown occurred. Perhaps Theodoros had begun making that style more of a slim fit since the fit jacket was produced... Perhaps it was the natural variance that occurs with handmade items... Perhaps the "relicing" process shrunk the jacket more than expected... Whatever the case, I should have specified precise measurements for the pit-to-pit and bottom hem, instead of just ordering a specific size with added length.

I don't know if the measuring/ordering process is different when purchasing an Aero through TB instead of a Thedi, but it's worth mentioning so you don't make the same mistake I made.

For what it's worth, I stretched the jacket by soaking it in water, stuffing it with blankets and letting it dry for a few days. It's a slim fit but definitely wearable, so all was not lost.

The other mistake I made was not asking enough questions about the leather. I went with goatskin because I liked the color and grain, but I didn't realize at the time that goat doesn't age or patina as quickly or easily as many other leathers. This should be a good thing, but I wanted a leather that would show more obvious development without waiting many years. Ask lots of questions and Carrie will answer them; but if you don't know what to ask, details like this can be missed.

I hope this helps.

 

[3.14nche]

Here are some pics for you.
No experience with Thurston as I got them straight from Aero and SB.
SH feels heavier and softer (all things considered, it's still CXL). Having said that I'm not confident I could tell SH to HH apart in a blind test.
To echo @LordOfLeather I don't find the break in process to be such a hassle. I have pre owned jackets still stiffer than these (LW and Vanson, both HH).
From left to right
black SH > #8 SH > midnight blue HH > natural HH > tumbled brown HH

new

4yo

new

little over 1 yo

 

[3.14nche]

new

3 1/2 yo

new

2 1/2 yo

 

[3.14nche]

new

6 yo

 

[Prodigal_Jess]

Here are some pics for you.
No experience with Thurston as I got them straight from Aero and SB.
SH feels heavier and softer (all things considered, it's still CXL). Having said that I'm not confident I could tell SH to HH apart in a blind test.
To echo @LordOfLeather I don't find the break in process to be such a hassle. I have pre owned jackets still stiffer than these (LW and Vanson, both HH).
From left to right
black SH > #8 SH > midnight blue HH > natural HH > tumbled brown HH
View attachment 770803
new
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View attachment 770809
4yo
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new
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little over 1 yo
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View attachment 770804

Thank you. These pictures are really helpful. By the way, what are those jeans in the last picture? Never seen a style quite like that before. Pretty cool.

Your pictures lead me into the next part of my ongoing debate: black, brown, or Cordovan? I happen to like the look of all of them, and I’m pretty much guaranteed to like black cause I’ve had black leather jackets for years. Thus, really tempted to try brown or Cordovan. Brown would be more versatile I suppose.

At this point, I’m seriously considering a trip to Seattle to visit the store. Then I can try on a bunch of different patterns and leather types and see how they feel and also see how I look in different colors and styles. I’m leaning pretty strongly toward a Sheene or racer type, but who knows, maybe a 30s half belt is my jam. Just want something a little different than the Schott rock ‘n’ roll styles that I’ve been wearing for years…something a little more modern.

Thanks again for the pictures, brother.

 

[Prodigal_Jess]

new
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3 1/2 yo
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new
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2 1/2 yo
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But…black…

Natural looks good too, not gonna lie.

 

[LordOfLeather]

new
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3 1/2 yo
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new
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2 1/2 yo
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Love the Wayfarer. Mine is battered tan HH but this natural looks great too.

 

[3.14nche]

Thank you. These pictures are really helpful. By the way, what are those jeans in the last picture? Never seen a style quite like that before. Pretty cool.

Your pictures lead me into the next part of my ongoing debate: black, brown, or Cordovan? I happen to like the look of all of them, and I’m pretty much guaranteed to like black cause I’ve had black leather jackets for years. Thus, really tempted to try brown or Cordovan. Brown would be more versatile I suppose.

At this point, I’m seriously considering a trip to Seattle to visit the store. Then I can try on a bunch of different patterns and leather types and see how they feel and also see how I look in different colors and styles. I’m leaning pretty strongly toward a Sheene or racer type, but who knows, maybe a 30s half belt is my jam. Just want something a little different than the Schott rock ‘n’ roll styles that I’ve been wearing for years…something a little more modern.

Thanks again for the pictures, brother.

You're welcome, jeans are chopper from Pike brothers.
I find cordovan a pretty versatile color as well.
If you have the chance to check these in person it's always best of course.

 

[3.14nche]

Love the Wayfarer. Mine is battered tan HH but this natural looks great too.

It's a looker though it's not my favorite pattern.
I find it very roomy around the stomach and if I tighten the cinches it sits a bit weird.

 

[LordOfLeather]

It's a looker though it's not my favorite pattern.
I find it very roomy around the stomach and if I tighten the cinches it sits a bit weird.

I’ll second that. Works for those evening when I plan to overeat, or for some of my shirts that don’t fit as slim as others, as the fabric won’t bunch up around the waist

 

[Leo_Giannelli]

Love the Wayfarer. Mine is battered tan HH but this natural looks great too.

Beautiful Wayrarer