AERO or ALEXANDERS?

[the loco]

I have a Alexander Roadster, would say it runs true to size. My suits are 40, the Roadster is 42. I have heard the Highwayman runs big around 2 sizes. The leather (CXL steer) is better then the leather of my Schott PER2 (steer), both are made equally good, Schott has a better Talon zipper.

The Schott 689H is a very neat design, if you are fan of one piece back jackets.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Few other similar jackets for the OP to consider, all of equal quality:

Vanson Enfield

Are you sure this is a Vanson 'Enfield'.
I have one several years old and have never seen one with a larger snap down collar or zippered handwarmer pockets.
HD

 

[Monitor]

lol It was the prettiest picture on Google image search. I think it's an Enfield? They don't offer any other jacket that's similar to this. Maybe it's a mod or a Japanese version?

 

[Fanch]

My Enfield is a size 42. Normally I wear a size 40 in most jackets.

HD that makes sense as I normally wear a size 42 in most jackets and had to zip up that size 42 Enfield with my lungs fully exhaled. :eeek:

 

[4444Design]

THX for the numerous replies!

will update you guys as soon as i have decided for which direction i'll go

Thomas

 

[tropicalbob]

Whatever it is, I love that jacket.

 

[Monitor]

THX for the comparsion respectively pointing towards some alternatives

the Schott 689 as well as the "Johnson Leather" are my favs.

Happy to help. Johnson Leathers is another TFL favorite you really can't go wrong with. They'll mod the jacket in any way you'd like, and in any kind of leather you want, Horween included. Schott 689h is my favorite of their designs, after the Perfecto of course. It's a top quality jacket really, albeit a bit pricey, especially in Europe.

There's also Lost Worlds Suburban for you to consider: http://www.lostworldsinc.com/Motorcycle_Jacket_Leather_Horsehide_Suburban.htm

Very similar to the Highwayman and I'm sure Stu would agree to delete the sleeve zippers if you don't want this feature. Also included with this jacket is an instant solid masculinity.

 

[Mickey Bowtie]

I only wished more classic motorcycle jackets were offered with modern armour.

 

[Edward]

I only wished more classic motorcycle jackets were offered with modern armour.

Always surprises me that there isn't more of that sort of thing on the market, as classic / vintage motorcyclists do seem much more keen to dress the part than, say, the vintage car crowd (I grew up around that scene in Northern Ireland, where it's surprisingly big. In twenty odd years that I was regularly taken on family runs, I only once remember a couple dressing to match their car, a little 1920s Fiat.... It was red and yellow, and they were dressed as Noddy and Big Ears.....). The Vanson enflied would surely be a good bet for that sort of thing.

On the matter of fit, if you're looking for a neat/snug jacket, as others have said, don't look to a regular Highwayman or any copy thereof, as that's a jacket which is by design boxy. The Original 59er Highwayman is a much snugger design, similar to the likes of a Mascot Black Rock or a Lewis Dominator / Corsair / Plainsman. If you want something with that neat, clean and snug look, that's the one to look at.

As regards comments on sizing, there's a frequent line of 'received wisdom' that has cropped up really just within the last year or two suggesting that the Aero Highwayman (regular model) is "two sizes large". I find this to be completely inaccurate myself; if you downsize by two full sizes, I should think you'd end up with a jacket that is not comfortable and looks really rather odd. You could, I suppose, go down one size for a snugger fit, but again I lean to the view that you're trying to make it something it's not, and should be looking at the 59er version instead. FWIW, I wear a standard size 42 in a Highwayman, and it is very slightly more generous in cut than the size 42 I wear in any of the patterns based on an Aero 50s Halfbelt, such as the Aero Bootlegger. In the neater, pre-war patterns such as a 30s Halfbelt or the Dustbowl, I wear a 44. By comparison to other brands, my Johnson D pocket is a 42. If I was to buy a Schott 118, I'd need a 44, while the Schott 618 I own is a snug fit at a size 46 (Schott appear to base their sizing on the measurement of the jacket rather than the size of the person for which it is intended). I've got no idea where this erroneous notion that the Aero Highwayman is drastically oversized comes from, though perhaps it's based on an assumption that an AL.... whatever they call their take on the Highwayman... is "correctly" sized, as those are known to map exactly onto the Aero Highwayman pattern that is numerically two sizes up. The reality, of course, is that there really is no such thing as one, objective "true to size". The only real way to get a properly sized jacket is to try them on in person, or to send measurments either of yourself or a jacket that fits well, with photos, to the company from which you wish to purchase and seek their advice on the appropriate sized jacket in a particular model which will fit you the way the design is intended to.

As to which firm I would buy from.... specifically thinking only of the two mentioned in the OP, I would until recently have said that it's really up to you whether you want to pay the price for the Aero, or if the saving going the AL route is fine with you, given that we will each make our own individual calculation based on that with which we are ethically comfortable, given all that has come out in recent months. Until recently, I'd have said that if you're comfortable with AL and they can provide you with a design you like, you'd have to be careful with the hide you select (some of their hides are great, others look very ropey to me), but the quality of workmanship would not be in question, given the ex-Aero presence. However, all other things aside, Carlos's experience of having to have a jacket done three times before it was right, and the shape of some of the new 'trainee' jackets they have recently put on the website, would make me wary that the quality of manufacture isn't the given I'd expect, even at the significant saving to be had (some of those prices in their sale section must be below cost).

Another thing to consider if money is an issue is the used market. Aeros hold their own fairly well on eBay, but nonetheless you can save a chunk of cash against the new price.

 

[ButteMT61]

Edward, I totally agree on the sizing thing. But, I think the reason might be that (and I've had 3-4 just like that) the tags mislead people. I've had jackets up to a tagged size 52. A couple from Aero. For whatever reason, tags are still what people use in general, and I know it took a while to break from that habit and go 100% by the numbers.

Recommending going up a size or two on a bespoke jacket makes no sense. The sizing details should be worked out with the vendors and whether or not a tag is a perfect match, the numbers are all that matters.
That doesn't even count the ones sized S,M,L, etc...

That doesn't mean that some brands don't "run small" or "run large", but the generic "go two up" is bad advice for sure.

 

[Monitor]

As regards comments on sizing, there's a frequent line of 'received wisdom' that has cropped up really just within the last year or two suggesting that the Aero Highwayman (regular model) is "two sizes large". I find this to be completely inaccurate myself; if you downsize by two full sizes, I should think you'd end up with a jacket that is not comfortable and looks really rather odd. You could, I suppose, go down one size for a snugger fit, but again I lean to the view that you're trying to make it something it's not, and should be looking at the 59er version instead. FWIW, I wear a standard size 42 in a Highwayman, and it is very slightly more generous in cut than the size 42 I wear in any of the patterns based on an Aero 50s Halfbelt, such as the Aero Bootlegger. In the neater, pre-war patterns such as a 30s Halfbelt or the Dustbowl, I wear a 44. By comparison to other brands, my Johnson D pocket is a 42. If I was to buy a Schott 118, I'd need a 44, while the Schott 618 I own is a snug fit at a size 46 (Schott appear to base their sizing on the measurement of the jacket rather than the size of the person for which it is intended). I've got no idea where this erroneous notion that the Aero Highwayman is drastically oversized comes from, though perhaps it's based on an assumption that an AL.... whatever they call their take on the Highwayman... is "correctly" sized, as those are known to map exactly onto the Aero Highwayman pattern that is numerically two sizes up. The reality, of course, is that there really is no such thing as one, objective "true to size". The only real way to get a properly sized jacket is to try them on in person, or to send measurments either of yourself or a jacket that fits well, with photos, to the company from which you wish to purchase and seek their advice on the appropriate sized jacket in a particular model which will fit you the way the design is intended to.

Quoted for truth. I simply cannot see the logic behind this prevailing consensus that the Highwayman is a grossly over-sized jacket because, if there was any truth to this notion, it would indicate that there's an actual problem with Aero's sizing and Aero would've taken notice of it and this 'problem' I am sure would've undoubtedly be mended by now. Since the jacket is still tagged the way it is, I'm going to trust Aero on this.
I've had three of these jackets at home at one point, one of the earliest ones, another one from WL era and the newest jacket I've just recieved a few days ago, and I can tell you that the Highwayman actually grew up in size over the years!
My new jacket, tagged 40 which is a size down from what I normally wear, fits me perfectly - or rather, exactly the way I was expecting it to fit. It is a blousy jacket, that's for sure, and in theory I could've ordered a size 36 for a 'tight' fit, but that obviously wouldn't make any sense at all?

 

[Grayland]

I don't own a Highwayman, but the pit to pit measurements that I've seen on sizes 38 and 40 are quite a bit wider than my usual 21-22 inch pit to pit preference which is pretty standard on my size 40 jackets. The quote below is from Thurston Brothers:

The Aero Highwayman runs two sizes too large, so please order this two sizes down from the suit size that you usually wear. For professional sizing, please call us at (206) 550-3545.

 

[ButteMT61]

A suit doesn't fill the same needs as a jacket - which most likely has other items - often cold weather items underneath. They're meant to fit the wearer more tightly - especially modern suits.
If I measure my suits/tux, all of my leather jackets will be two sizes larger. It doesn't say two sizes larger than an Aero (fill in the blank).
I had one, and it was too large for me - but it was tagged a 50. The top was OK, but the torso was too large due to the cut. So if you get even a slightly too-large HWM, it will likely look way too large based on that cut. It's not a tapered, fitted cut.

Hence, the "For professional sizing, please call us at (206) 550-3545."
Tags mean nothing, so unless you're buying an off the rack, any of the favorite vendors here will get your numbers right and build one for you.

 

[handymike]

You might consider a Sheene.
Highwayman-esque but tapered.
A very nice looking jacket. You'll have to Google it because it isn't on the Aero site.

 

[ProteinNerd]

You might consider a Sheene.
Highwayman-esque but tapered.
A very nice looking jacket. You'll have to Google it because it isn't on the Aero site.

I agree with this, either a Sheene or a premier fit Highwayman if you are slim.

 

[Sloan1874]

I've tried on a Highwayman in a 36, and I'm just the wrong shape for it - slim, up-and-down. I'd probably go with the Premier fit.

 

[Peacoat]

I am a 42" chest and a 34" waist. I sent my measurements to Aero and they built me a Hwm. It was tight in the chest and very blousy in the waist. It took me several weeks to stretch the chest out to a comfortable fit. With the waist, I cinched it in as much as it would go and got a good fit.

I agree with the posters above who suggested a Sheene. A slim built jacket that does everything right. If you are in the US, go with Wade and Carrie; they take the guesswork out of sizing questions.

 

[Big J]

I've tried on a Highwayman in a 36, and I'm just the wrong shape for it - slim, up-and-down. I'd probably go with the Premier fit.

Stop showin' off how thin you are. You're putting me off my bacon!

 

[4444Design]

Stop showin' off how thin you are. You're putting me off my bacon!

 

[Sloan1874]

It's no laughing matter. When I was in the States, I was forced to look in the children's department to find t-shirts that fit! :eeek:lol