Lit Up
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 175
- Location
- London, UK
Following my trip up to Aero, I'm now in the process of finalising my first Aero jacket. I'm going with the "slim fit bike" pattern, aka Ridley to Thurston customers. I've got some questions for those of you who have bought before.
I don't ride a motorbike, and I'm looking for a slim fit jacket which fits as good as this Lewis.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEveCbH9i4/
For the Aero, I thought I'd go with black CXL horse - Denny said this is akin to their signature leather. Will this leather be too hard to break in, particularly on a slim fit jacket? On second thoughts, maybe I should go Vicenza or Jerky. I have samples of all - the latter two certainly softer.
I also need to decide on the back. I'm trying to 'pare down' this jacket in terms of features, and I think the plain back looks better in terms of a "clean" design - as opposed to shoulder gussets or action back - but I'm concerned about being restricted in my movement, on a slim fitting jacket with tough leather. Full AB would probably be more comfy; whilst I don't ride a motorbike, sometimes I ride a bicycle, and I don't like to feel like I'm in a straitjacket. But again I don't really like the look of a Full AB or shoulder gussets.
Plain:
Full AB:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...ull-action-back-fit-check.98515/#post-2596973
In terms of the D pocket - are there any difficulties with having the zip away from your left hand? I'm guessing it's hard to unzip it and get your right hand in, if the jacket isn't already fully zipped up and providing some resistance to your efforts? Instead, a 'Daytona' style D pocket with 'handwarmer?' pocket near your left hand is, I presume, easier to access?
Finally, what are your thoughts on the ticket pocket? I'm struggling to think of what I would use it for. I don't smoke, so no zippo for me. When I first started wearing biker jackets in the mid 00s, phones were small enough to fit in them, and that's what I used them for. Now I think they look a little too much on a jacket that as I say, I am trying to 'pare down' in terms of features for a cleaner look... I think I'm swaying a bit more towards the Elvis pocket.
Size wise, there was no "slim fit bike"/Ridley in my size to try on, but Denny gave me Hooch Haulers: Natural CXL in 40, Cordovan in 42. I can see that the 40 needs space added to the waist so I will ask for an extra 2 inches. I'm also thinking half an inch to each shoulder to help me move, but not sure whether that will make much of a difference - in fact it might make the jacket look bigger which isn't really what I want.
https://imgur.com/OYym3UM
The 42 was a custom order about to be sent out (perhaps one of yours?!) - length added to the jacket and sleeves. Perhaps it's a better overall fit, but unfortunately seems to lose the special "bang on" fit of that Lewis above. Maybe the 42 is better for a larger-fitting jacket with more layering. In fact, I'm thinking that perhaps the heavier leathers (FQHH etc) are better suited to non-slim fitting jackets.
https://imgur.com/4GhHuxc
Thoughts from all you experienced gents greatly appreciated!
I don't ride a motorbike, and I'm looking for a slim fit jacket which fits as good as this Lewis.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEveCbH9i4/
For the Aero, I thought I'd go with black CXL horse - Denny said this is akin to their signature leather. Will this leather be too hard to break in, particularly on a slim fit jacket? On second thoughts, maybe I should go Vicenza or Jerky. I have samples of all - the latter two certainly softer.
I also need to decide on the back. I'm trying to 'pare down' this jacket in terms of features, and I think the plain back looks better in terms of a "clean" design - as opposed to shoulder gussets or action back - but I'm concerned about being restricted in my movement, on a slim fitting jacket with tough leather. Full AB would probably be more comfy; whilst I don't ride a motorbike, sometimes I ride a bicycle, and I don't like to feel like I'm in a straitjacket. But again I don't really like the look of a Full AB or shoulder gussets.
Plain:
Full AB:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...ull-action-back-fit-check.98515/#post-2596973
In terms of the D pocket - are there any difficulties with having the zip away from your left hand? I'm guessing it's hard to unzip it and get your right hand in, if the jacket isn't already fully zipped up and providing some resistance to your efforts? Instead, a 'Daytona' style D pocket with 'handwarmer?' pocket near your left hand is, I presume, easier to access?
Finally, what are your thoughts on the ticket pocket? I'm struggling to think of what I would use it for. I don't smoke, so no zippo for me. When I first started wearing biker jackets in the mid 00s, phones were small enough to fit in them, and that's what I used them for. Now I think they look a little too much on a jacket that as I say, I am trying to 'pare down' in terms of features for a cleaner look... I think I'm swaying a bit more towards the Elvis pocket.
Size wise, there was no "slim fit bike"/Ridley in my size to try on, but Denny gave me Hooch Haulers: Natural CXL in 40, Cordovan in 42. I can see that the 40 needs space added to the waist so I will ask for an extra 2 inches. I'm also thinking half an inch to each shoulder to help me move, but not sure whether that will make much of a difference - in fact it might make the jacket look bigger which isn't really what I want.
https://imgur.com/OYym3UM
The 42 was a custom order about to be sent out (perhaps one of yours?!) - length added to the jacket and sleeves. Perhaps it's a better overall fit, but unfortunately seems to lose the special "bang on" fit of that Lewis above. Maybe the 42 is better for a larger-fitting jacket with more layering. In fact, I'm thinking that perhaps the heavier leathers (FQHH etc) are better suited to non-slim fitting jackets.
https://imgur.com/4GhHuxc
Thoughts from all you experienced gents greatly appreciated!
If I would order again, I would shorten the sleeves 0.5 inches. However, since this jacket also serves as a motorcycle jacket it's quite useful. 
