Got my first A-2, is it too big???

[Fletch]

It seems the A2 is the nemesis of everyone looking for the perfect fit. Thank god I haven't fallen for one (yet). That said, I think yours looks fine, except for the sleeves. I would get them shortened right away and never look back.

Re the japanese: I've been flicking though an occasional japanese magazine (Lightning etc.) and also see it on japanese tourists quite often: it seems they have an entirely different understanding of fit. May be it's all about the brands, regardless of the individual garment's fit? And may be they think the same of us caucasians? Where are the cultural context research lab people when you need them?

The language barrier, and the trade barrier created by upscale Japanese wanting exclusive goods, seems to be damn near insurmountable.

There's also the primitive state of cultural studies regarding men's clothing, which is still pretty much the privilege of academic gender-bender theory.

I don't think there even is a cultural studies movement in Japan as we know it in the west. They're considered a monoculture, so they may be totally tone-deaf to such things. Their focus on physical details would certainly argue that.

 

[kojax]

i got my father a a-2 horsehide from gibson barnes size 36 fits him preety good. there jackets run big if anybody is looking, they make a nice jacket there leather is very nice.

 

[Oktobr]

Hi Oktobr,

Can you kindly meassure the back length of this jacket from the collar seam to the end of waist band for me? I am with same height/weight, I think the length of your jacket is fine for me, but aero's A-2 is 24inch back length in size 36, I guess is shorter than yours.

Many thanks,

Michael

Hey, from the top of the collar seam to the bottom of the waistband is exactly 25 inches. Cheers.

 

[derleicaman]

Hey Oktobr, here's a suggestion for you and I'm surprised no one has pointed this out. You are travelling through several countries known to have quite a bit of regular rainfall. Take a walk in the rain while wearing the A-2. Kepp the jacket on as long as you can when you come inside and keep flexing your arms. The jacket will actually mold itself to your physique. Let the jacket dry normally, don't put it over a radiator or in the dryer. This will speed up the break-in process tremendously and is very similar to the conditions a lot of original A-2 jackets were in back during WWII. Looking at your pics, this will also improve the drape of the leather on your shoulders, back and torso as well. I bet the sleeves shorten up about 1/2" to 3/4" just by doing this.

If you want to shorten the arms a little more drastically, run hot water over them for a few minutes until the leather darkens. Put the jacket on and follow the procedure above. You could put the jacket in the dryer for 5-10 minutes to shorten them more.

Do a search for "hot water treatment" for more tips. I've never gone so far as to take a shower in my jackets, but selectively applying hot water will do wonders. I have done this with several jackets with great results. You will also get more grain or "character" in the leather which is highly desired by A-2 afficianados. Much better than the artificial aging process some makers offer and cheaper too!

 

[michael.jtf]

Anyone in this forum have a size 36 or 38 Aero A-2?
I need help on double confirm the Pit-Pit measurement for one of these 2 jackets
I just placed an order at Aero, my chest measerment is 35/36 inch, so I thought an A-2 with sized 36 fit me.
for 38-1711-P, Aero suggested me go with size 38.
All the information I have from the email communication and from this forum, the measurements on pit-pit are 23.5@size42, 22.5@size40, 21.5@size38 and 20.5@size36... I could see every size step has 1inch deffernce, but it's very interesting, Aero's A-2 have 19.5 in size36 and 20.5 in size38, but from another thread in this forum, a size 40 have 22.5inch pit-pit, seems there is a gap between Aero 38 and 40. I was confussed and have no idea for what size fit me best . I'm looking for a slim fit but not too short A-2

 

[Daze]

Hey, If We'e talking about an item that was originally issued? why the hell does anyon expect it to fit 'poerfectly'?

wear it in the rain a few times, wear it on the hottest day of the year , wear it until your wife says 'that Jacket smells like crap' , and by then, it's gonna fit you perfectly

you can take shortcuts , such as wetting the arms and steaming them over a kettle , but the fact is , a real A2 is just as unlikely to fit properly anyway , if you get it shortened to fit exactly , in a years time it's gonna be too short

you got it, wear it, enjoy it , it's got cuffs, so who cares , too long by an inch? no worries, too short by half an inch? you will give up wearing it and eventually sell it at a loss 8(

 

[Oktobr]

I sent my jacket back to US Authentic and asked them to take the sleeves up 1 inch. Hopefully, I'll get it back in a week or so. In the mean time, here's some shots of me in the jacket from my trip to the UK (Both pics were in Ireland though).

At the Cliffs of Moher

At the Poulnabrone

 

[Justhandguns]

I sent my jacket back to US Authentic and asked them to take the sleeves up 1 inch. Hopefully, I'll get it back in a week or so. In the mean time, here's some shots of me in the jacket from my trip to the UK (Both pics were in Ireland though).

At the Cliffs of Moher



At the Poulnabrone

That's cool! We shall see your 'very fit' jacket soon.

 

[Republic_Flier]

I'm around your size Oktobr so it helps to see a visual reference once in awhile. The jacket looks great on you man. Hope it turns out nice

 

[Zaxxon]

With the slightly shortened sleeves, the jacket will be perfect. You did the right thing.

Zaxxon

 

[hyptul]

I understand that this is an old thread. But it said about design problems of A-2 jacket and to correct them as an option offered G&B Skyliner jacket. Today I received the Skyliner. This jacket is really solves most A-2's "problems." I really like the its cut. It is shaped to the body and tapers towards the bottom. There is a slight exaggeration in the direction of video game and cartoon characters.