Curious about how others size their Aero jackets.

[lina]

About a year ago I got an Aero Maxwell jacket, which I love in every way, except that I keep wondering if I want a size larger. My sense is that it fits pretty well with just a single layer shirt underneath, but as a winter jacket I like to wear more layers and then it gets very tight, especially in the chest and arms.

So anyway, just curious how others around my same height and weight have sized their Aeros. I am 6', about 185 lbs, average build. My Maxwell is a 42. Anyone else around my size want to report back? Or anyone who has a 42 or a 44..?

 

[wdw]

Hi lina, and welcome. I'm 5'11" with a 40 chest and have a 40 Maxwell. If I layer at all, it's usually a t-shirt, thick shirt and a vest/waistcoat, which doesn't make me feel constricted, but that's because of only one set of sleeves underneath. Two sets of sleeves underneath would be too much for me, but I certainly wouldn't want to size up, as that would be too big without a fleece or something underneath.

To me, it's too short for a full-on winter jacket, which is why I don't often need to layer. The simplest answer is to buy a Stockman or similar for winter, which is what I did.

 

[Peacoat]

This is simple and requires no analysis. If the 42 fits with just a shirt underneath, a 44 will give enough room for a sweater or a vest, which as WDW noted above, doesn't add another layer in the sleeve area. So, just get another jacket in a size 44 for those colder days.

BTW, welcome to the Lounge. PC.

 

[Superfluous]

I receive a fit jacket from TB, e-mail photos of me wearing the fit jacket to Carrie, and purchase whatever size she recommends.

 

[Sockeye]

I'm 5'10, 190. My size 40 FQHH highwayman fits with a little room. A size 42 maxwell in Vicenza felt a size too big for me, however I think the type of leather counts. For example, I also have two Aero cafe racers with the exact same measurements. The steer one feels about a 1/2 size smaller than the Vicenza one. So I think that is a consideration.

 

[AeroFan_07]

So I visited Aero's website to research this a little more as I am not familiar with the Maxwell jacket. Turns out this is very close to my 1930's Half-belt with button closure instead of a zipper. Very sharp looking jacket by the way!

My Half-Belt is the slim-fit style, however as I live in Iowa, (read cold and windy winters) I wanted this jacket to have a little more room for layering. I obtained a Size 44 through Carrie at Insurrection and one thing I like about working with them is that they order most of the stock or fit jackets with extra sleeve and body length. I'm typically a 44L suit coat and at 6'1" and 195 lbs, this half-belt fits very well with a heavy shirt or sweater underneath, and is not too bulky with just a tee shirt.

My 4-pocket Café Racer is another story. It's a 42 and with the shoulder gussets, and is a pretty snug fit. I can get a thick button up shirt under it, but no more. Certainly more comfortable with just a tee-shirt. Incentive to drop 10 pounds indeed.

Both of these jackets are heavy Horween Steerhide. for a different leather, you may have some different results. I would consider your layering practices and how much stiffness you can endure, then decide from there.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Six two and 182 pounds - I wear a size 42 or 44 in a 1930's half-belt. The 44 feels better on (less tight and constricting) but doesn't look much different and it isn't baggy.

 

[elmapeter099]

To size you accurately for your coat, simply require a couple of things. While measuring yourself for aero jackets, require your waist measurement taken where your shirt ordinarily wear.
Doctor Who Capaldi Leather Jackets

 

[Fanch]

I am 6'2" and 185 lbs and wear a size 42 Maxwell with a t shirt and dress shirt underneath for a snug fit. For colder weather with layering, I wear my longer size 42 Teamster.

 

[lina]

Thanks guys, all very helpful. Seb Lucas especially is interesting because you can compare a 42 and a 44, and it is good to know that the 44 adds room without seeming overly baggy.

Well, chances are good that I will put my 42 Maxwell up for sale (if anyone is in the market), and just reorder the exact same coat in a 44. It's got a modified, full action back and contrasting stitching. Really a great coat, and I look forward to one that fits me better!

 

[Grayland]

Thanks guys, all very helpful. Seb Lucas especially is interesting because you can compare a 42 and a 44, and it is good to know that the 44 adds room without seeming overly baggy.

Well, chances are good that I will put my 42 Maxwell up for sale (if anyone is in the market), and just reorder the exact same coat in a 44. It's got a modified, full action back and contrasting stitching. Really a great coat, and I look forward to one that fits me better!

Keep in mind the 44 will have longer sleeves unless you specify shorter.

 

[lina]

Keep in mind the 44 will have longer sleeves unless you specify shorter.

Right, I'll specify the sleeve length I want, and will ask, as I did last time, for a bit more room in the sleeves. It was striking to me how tight the sleeves are on Aero jackets..

 

[Sockeye]

Right, I'll specify the sleeve length I want, and will ask, as I did last time, for a bit more room in the sleeves. It was striking to me how tight the sleeves are on Aero jackets..

The 42 may work for you, the leathers tend to loosen up with time. If you do decide to move it, I'm in Northern VA and might possibly be interested!

 

[lina]

The 42 may work for you, the leathers tend to loosen up with time. If you do decide to move it, I'm in Northern VA and might possibly be interested!

Cool, I just "started a conversation" with you - which I take it is perhaps similar to sending a PM..?

 

[Edward]

Yes, "conversations" are the equivalent of pms in this new forum software. So called, one presumes, because they are laid out like a conversation, and you can scroll through responses. Not dissimilar to facebook pms, or a text conversation on a smart field telephone.

As to sizing, I vary in an Aero between a 42 and a 44. Typically a 42 in the bigger-fitting, post-war designs, and a 44 in the neater, prewar styles. As a rule, I wear my leathers as an alternative to a blazer, with just a shirt or shirt and waistcoat underneath, so I size according to that. If I was looking at one for an 'overcoat' rather than a 'jacket', I'd potentially size up one, but it would depend on the pattern. Best always to ask Aero. An altwrnative to layering would be to buy one with a Winter lining, like shearling (an option on any Aero which doesn't already include it, upcharge £100). I would be careful which design you did that with, though, lest it be too short for the real cold, yet too warm for milder weather. Best to stick to the ones designed to be worn as a real Winter coat. Eventually I want a Barnstormer with blanket lining and long hair mouton collar to wear over a suit....

Think about which model you like and how it was designed to be worn originally... An A2, for instance, was dedigned to be worn over just collar and tie; to my eye, it just looks all kinds of wrong sized up and over a sweater (though no doubt somebody has a wartimevphoto of just that....).

Best option is to get your measurements done right, think about ehat you want to wear it with, then speak to Carrie @ Insurrection (if in the US) or Holly @ Aero for advice on different models. For American loungers, the Insurrection fit jacket service would be very helpful here.

Definitely worth thinking this through. Too many of us, myself included, get a bit carried away with the 'vintage fit' notion and in an wffort yo avoid the awful modern oversizing trend, end up going through a jacket that's just a size too small before figuring it out.

 

[Smithy]

Edward's post is bang on the money OP.

I'm currently heartbroken as I have realised that I think I'm going to have to let my Aero Barnstormer go (and I love it to pieces) as I am pretty sure I need to size up. I bulked up a bit on my shoulders last year and I'm thinking it's too snug now. I'm trying to tell myself otherwise but the more I put it on, the more I realise that's the case. I think the old girl and I have outgrown each other

 

[zebedee]

I have a cafe racer that I love. I'd like another inch to the back though, because I have to yank my jeans up quite high- almost risking personal injury, I might add- to feel that it isn't too short. People probably presume that if my jacket isn't too short then my jeans must be. Oh.

 

[tnjyoung]

Be very careful with the height + weight recommendations for sizing. I read all the time on here where people with similar heights and weights to myself, wear much smaller sizes. I have learned, that although I am 6' tall and 190, I am an athletic build that requires (at minimum) the 44 for a comfortable shoulder fit. Torsos also vary greatly from person to person. I like the recommendation of a fit jacket, Carrie, and photos (plus your own experience) option best. My .02

 

[Superfluous]

Be very careful with the height + weight recommendations for sizing. I read all the time on here where people with similar heights and weights to myself, wear much smaller sizes. I have learned, that although I am 6' tall and 190, I am an athletic build that requires (at minimum) the 44 for a comfortable shoulder fit. Torsos also vary greatly from person to person. I like the recommendation of a fit jacket, Carrie, and photos (plus your own experience) option best. My .02

Thats so true. Two people can be the same height and weight, but one person can have a nine inch drop from shoulder to waist, whereas the other can have a four inch drop, thus resulting in very different jacket sizing.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Absolutely..!!