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Alterations of Aero jackets, aftermarket

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,357
Location
Europe
I asked Aero about a alteration on a older jacket, but they told
me, thats not a good idea. And I think that's true. Because the likelihood of having an unusable jacket afterwards is relatively high. I tried it a few years ago. Negative experience. It's different with non leather jackets.
Since I have an incompatible body for off the rack, I can only buy made to measure. And this works fine.
 

Wardo1974

A-List Customer
Messages
330
This has all convinced me to abandon the idea. I will just have to watch for jackets that might work.

I never thought an athletic build would be too rare either but most things off the rack don't fit. I'm not a giant, just worked the upper body, so everything up there is too tight usually unless the belly is a hefty bag.
 

Wardo1974

A-List Customer
Messages
330
Just ate half a pizza. 217, 6'1", 33 waist today. Not a competitor, just want a badass jacket.
 

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navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,870
Location
East Java
Probably jacket with full action back would fit you better. Average people probably have a lot less developed back. Action pleats might give extra room for the total measurement around chest circumference.
 

VestCoast

A-List Customer
Messages
307
Location
Maine
I have almost the same drop (44"-->32") and my Sheene fits fine with a standard back. My Sheene is just a regular size 40, no drop sizing or anything like that. I'd look for anything in Aero's cafe racer pattern, it should fit you fine with no alteration.
 

breezer

Practically Family
Messages
806
Location
Scotland
I have almost the same drop (44"-->32") and my Sheene fits fine with a standard back. My Sheene is just a regular size 40, no drop sizing or anything like that. I'd look for anything in Aero's cafe racer pattern, it should fit you fine with no alteration.

stop coming here and talking common sense!
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
Just ate half a pizza. 217, 6'1", 33 waist today. Not a competitor, just want a badass jacket.

Ok...... I think I have the answer here........ What is this "HALF A PIZZA" baloney!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?

What you need to do is stop with all the weightlifting brother!!!! Those things are damn HEAVY!!!! What is this "EXERCISE" stuff you speak of???????o_O

Anyway, 1.) You stop with the weights and 2.) You eat A WHOLE PIZZA. Like....regularly. Stop with this HALF business...... Stick to these two simple lifestyle hacks and you'll have little to no drop from your chest measurement to your waist thereby making your jacket search much easier.

Seriously though, I second and third the Johnson Leathers recommendations. They do really good custom work for less than most of the more famous brands we all revere and with a generally more palatable wait time. They just lack the mainstream fanfare. Give them a call. If you are going to pay for leather tailoring/customizing-----which is specialized and costly, do it from the jump. Other than sleeve shortening, zipper replacement and re-lining none of which come cheap, leather alterations/tailoring have never worked out for me. Best of Luck.
 

Wardo1974

A-List Customer
Messages
330
Ok...... I think I have the answer here........ What is this "HALF A PIZZA" baloney!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?

What you need to do is stop with all the weightlifting brother!!!! Those things are damn HEAVY!!!! What is this "EXERCISE" stuff you speak of???????o_O

Anyway, 1.) You stop with the weights and 2.) You eat A WHOLE PIZZA. Like....regularly. Stop with this HALF business...... Stick to these two simple lifestyle hacks and you'll have little to no drop from your chest measurement to your waist thereby making your jacket search much easier.

Seriously though, I second and third the Johnson Leathers recommendations. They do really good custom work for less than most of the more famous brands we all revere and with a generally more palatable wait time. They just lack the mainstream fanfare. Give them a call. If you are going to pay for leather tailoring/customizing-----which is specialized and costly, do it from the jump. Other than sleeve shortening, zipper replacement and re-lining none of which come cheap, leather alterations/tailoring have never worked out for me. Best of Luck.

Ha ha. Well, I mentioned the pizza to explain my gut puffing out.

Everyone here has convinced me to not alter a jacket - I am now targeting a Sheene or Bootlegger in my size.

Call me a snob but it matters to me that it says Aero on it. Also, all the glorious interweb pics of amazing marbled brown hides is too good to resist. Know what I mean? Stupid I guess but that's where I sit.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
Ha ha. Well, I mentioned the pizza to explain my gut puffing out.

Everyone here has convinced me to not alter a jacket - I am now targeting a Sheene or Bootlegger in my size.

Call me a snob but it matters to me that it says Aero on it. Also, all the glorious interweb pics of amazing marbled brown hides is too good to resist. Know what I mean? Stupid I guess but that's where I sit.

I hear ya man. No snobbery at all in wanting an Aero. I love their jackets too. Almost every level of world class hide can be had with Aero. Bootleggers are KILLER!!! There was a size 44 or 46 in the last couple of months on eBay that went for a fair price as I recall. I mainly look at used ones and have not yet entertained a custom order. Some day maybe. I also LOVE fellow Lounger Boyo's recent custom GoodWear Hercules Highwayman--semi boxy fit and all. https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/good-wear-hercules.99385/ Utterly drool inducing.....:oops:

I have much added respect for Aero after reading the postings here in the Lounge about the whole UK Court Case---when the guy who took over the company from the owners copied/stole the Aero patterns to take to a new company he was trying to start called Alexander Leathers that later became the current Simmons Bilt. This forced the original owners to have to come back to run the place (at least for a period of time). The official story is posted here somewhere from years back (2015?) and the whole affair stirs up quite a plume of negativity around the Lounge (rightfully so IMO). A treacherous tale for sure. If I ever get over to Scotland, I'd like to visit some distilleries AND THE AERO FACTORY.

I personally have an affinity for vintage stuff but I too marvel at the Aeros, GoodWears, Eastmans and all of the repro makers keeping these old classic designs in production on jacket at at time. True artisan type of work.

Keep us up on your quest bro!
 

Wardo1974

A-List Customer
Messages
330
Oh, it's a quest. I am looking every day on here and eBay. Hoping used right now for cost reasons.

I'd never heard of the Aero court case before seeing it here. Brutal story. Makes me respect the marque even more.

I hope I can get a nice jacket before summer hits. It would be nice to actually wear it!
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I'd bet that if you contacted either Aero or Thurston Bros. it would give you the drive to start saving for that perfect jacket. Back in 2011 I started looking around for a good leather jacket that would last me and really couldn't find anything that was exactly right, so when I found out about Aero and spoke with them I just measured myself and went ahead and ordered a brown CXL HH Long Halfbelt. I now have six or seven jackets that I've since gotten on the secondary market, a few of which I wear regularly, but by far my favorite is the Aero LHB. It was made for me (perfectly, btw, by Julie Leitch) and it was exactly what I wanted. It's been almost ten years now, but when I think of how much money I would have spent on jackets over that time anyway, the cost balances itself out plus I have a truly fantastic jacket.
 

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