Does it make sense to have leather jacket sized altered rather then sell and reorder.

[El Marro]

It all comes down to will you keep it? Connolly isn’t used anymore and is rare. If you think it’s a “grail” jacket and will be with you a while, then do it. There’s really no price ya crazy jacket guys have that makes something worth it or not, if you really want it. If you’re on the fence not certain then don’t touch it. Sell it. We always lose money that’s the name of the game. So I would take some time to really think it over. If you think the alterations will make it something you’ll have with you for the next 20 years then do it. Like I said no price stands in the way of things we love. But if you have to ask and are wondering I would say just let it go. Don’t get deep into the cost and then have something you’re just going to sell and lose even more money.

Very well said!
Many of us here are just one click away from buying another leather jacket right at this very minute. I think one argument against altering a jacket is the question of how many other jackets do you already own that fit perfectly well, and how many more might you buy in the near future? In my case, the GW A-2 I had altered fits me like a glove but I only wear it a couple times a year.

 

[navetsea]

unless the jacket has emotional ties to you, it is better to make or buy a new well fitting jacket rather than altering, especially when it comes to shoulder width.

 

[Will Zach]

Shoulder width is super-tricky because of arm hole size, and probably other factors as well. I would ask JL and Dena.

 

[jonbuilder]

I decide not to proceed with resizing my Aero Connolly, I purchased a Lesco perfecto style jacket posted on the finds and deal Jackets tread.

 

[handymike]

Will look forward to the Before/ Afters.
I am contemplating doing this as well with one of my favorite vintage pieces, but haven’t committed to it yet.

 

[Alan@JohnsonLeather]

I call JL today Alan out to Aug Damon said he could do all the alteration I asked about and Alan will review if I email pictures and write the alterations I am looking for. Base lin about $300 to taper sleeves and bring in the shoulders, $400 to also bring in the body while doing the sleeves and shoulders.
So I would be into the jacket for $800, the $375 it cost me shipped and $425 for the alteration. I know if I sell the jacket at some later date I will not recap the $425, the jacket may appeal to a larger audience without the balloon sleeves.
There are Connolly jackets about there to be had in my size for less than $500 but not based on the design that Scott made under the perfecto label and Johny wore in Wild ones. I like the pockets arrangement and hardware on this Aero interpretation of the design. Aero is not a vintage jacket IMO. I consider Aero jackets reproductions and not collectibles so I do not see an Aero jacket as an investment, I would be putting out $400 to have a wearable jacket I feel good about. I think a better use of funds than buying a new jacket only to sell it within 3 months for 50% of cost.

If you decide to go forward with the alteration let me know. You can send me a few photos with the jacket on zipped up front, side and back along with an idea of how much you would like to taper the fit. We have completed this type of alteration quite often without having the customer in the shop. Once I can see the jacket on you I can provide pricing.

Be kind to your neighbor's they know where you live

 

[jonbuilder]

Fit pictures of the Aero Connolly with the balloon sleeves.

The odds of going through with the resize are now close to zero do to this l
Lesco I just purchased for about $200 tax and shipping to my door the fit of the Lesco is what I would wish for the Aero

 

[jonbuilder]

My Connolly jacket has not sold so today I rode to Johnson Leather. They are proceeding with bringing the shoulders in 2 inches and tapering the sleeves. The jacket should be ready in two weeks. I wore the jacket this morning something about the Connolly I decided it is worth the cost/effort to get a jacket I will wear the heck out of. Anway after fit pictures coming

 

[dudewuttheheck]

That's a lot of work to be done. I personally would probably buy a new jacket at that point. The only mods I have done is had the sleeves on two jackets shortened. The only reason I even did that is because they're rare jackets that I couldn't replicate anywhere else and I just had to have them. I would have kept them even if I couldn't get the sleeves shortened.

If Aero can make the jacket still, I would get a new one. If they cannot, then like in my situation, it might be worth going with the modification route.

 

[jonbuilder]

Aero does not have access to Connolly the reason I proceed is my attachment to the Connolly hide. The bottom line I will have a $750 jacket not a lot more than I typically pay for an Aero resale jacket that shows little wear. I know no one is going to buy this jacket from me for $750, no one came forward at $325. The test if it was worth it is do I get my money worth in use this is not a collectible IMO. I believe I will.

 

[Will Zach]

My Connolly jacket has not sold so today I rode to Johnson Leather. They are proceeding with bringing the shoulders in 2 inches and tapering the sleeves. The jacket should be ready in two weeks. I wore the jacket this morning something about the Connolly I decided it is worth the cost/effort to get a jacket I will wear the heck out of. Anway after fit pictures coming

After looking at your Connolly pics I wanted to say that you need 2 inches off the shoulders. I guess I am getting better at these things (thanks to TFL) since that is what Alan will take off. I have a feeling that you will be super-happy with the result. Good luck!

 

[Edward]

TBh, I quite like how the Connolly one fits pre-alteration - it would be a plus for me to have one with the room for a largfe sweater in colder weather. But what's most important is how you're gonig to use it and how it *feels* - I've seen a lot of jackets over the years that look just dandy, but if the wearer isn't happy with how they feel... I've never dealt directly with Johnson, but if the quality of the Johnson D pocket I bought use is any sort of yarsatick for the quality of their work ,you should be very, veyr happy with the end result.

 

[jonbuilder]

TBh, I quite like how the Connolly one fits pre-alteration - it would be a plus for me to have one with the room for a largfe sweater in colder weather. But what's most important is how you're gonig to use it and how it *feels* - I've seen a lot of jackets over the years that look just dandy, but if the wearer isn't happy with how they feel... I've never dealt directly with Johnson, but if the quality of the Johnson D pocket I bought use is any sort of yarsatick for the quality of their work ,you should be very, veyr happy with the end result.

The patrolman's jacket is still going to have room in the body to layer, it not going to be a fitted fit, but I will not feel like the jacket is slipping off my shoulders, the result leaves me feeling sloppy dressed, like young men who wear jeans below their ass and sporting colored underpants.

 

[jonbuilder]

Here are the after alteration pictures. I want to correct an error I made after the alteration the jacket cost me $650. $375 purchase and shipping and $275 for the alteration which was tricking with shoulder gussets. Johnson Leather also used the excess material to reinforce the lining at the cuffs and drained a worn spot on the linning at the helm. I would have been happier if I had the shoulders brought in 1/2 inch less. I now wear the jacket and $650 is not much more than a vintage jacket sells for and I do not buy jackets as investments.
Johnson Leathers has a 49s deerskin long jacket of mine they brought in in the body and tapper the sleeves. I will pick it up when I go in for my Trojan fit.

 

[JMax]

Oh yeah! Much better. Looks excellent. Even the dog noticed. You made the right choice.

 

[TREEMAN]

Yup ... Looks great !! Enjoy !!