New Aero B3 - not sure what to do..

[BloodEagle]

I’m not sure what to do about this as Ive never dealt with them before, but here is my quandry. For years I’ve wanted a really good quality B3 jacket, and after endless online research into the best bang for buck and a returned cafe racer I put in my order at the end of August for an Aero B3 with redskin finish.
In the meantime jackets have come and gone, I got given and had to swiftly and discretely move on an Aero D1 given to me as a gift as I waited patiently for the main event, my much lusted after Aero B3. All credit to everyone at Aero for putting up with my questions and small requests over that period etc with such patience, they have been very helpful and gracious.
Anyway, fast forward approximately 3 months and it arrived today and it was..well, very obviously a superbly made and very very nice jacket but, sadly it just does not fit, not even by the most forgiving of standards. The waist is massive and hangs loosely out at the front, and though I did explain I’m fairly tall and would need a bit of extra body length to accommodate this, it looks just too short on me.
Can anyone advise what the protocol is for getting this sorted out - I’ve fired off a couple of emails with the fit pics (embarrassing though they are) showing the issue to Aero but have had no response yet - is this normal? Should I just send it back with the returns slip explaining the problem? Apologies for the rookie questions but I’m a bit anxious about making online purchases at the best of times, and having spent that amount of money on something which is - to someone with my shape and size at least - completely unwearable, fills me with horror!

 

[Psant25]

I would wait until you hear from them and NOT send it back on your own. Should be able to work something out with them.

 

[Carlos840]

Don't worry too much, terms and conditions are very clear, you can send it back for a refund in case of a standard jacket, or for an exchange if it was custom made. Either way you are covered.

Don't send it back before you have heard from them, take pictures of yourself wearing the jacket as they will most likely want to see pictures.

 

[Bfd70]

If you are in the US then utilize Thurstons fit jacket option in the future. Size #s mean different things to different cuts.

 

[BloodEagle]

Thanks for the help guys - is there anybody from Aero who's on this forum that I could contact? I'm UK based so it was ordered direct from Aero.

In happier news I did also get a chance to pickup one of Aero's J100 pattern jackets from their stock pages at the same time I knew my order was ready and its lovely - I'm really thrilled with it - uses their stellar Vincenza hh, smells lovely, and I think fits great - what do you think -

 

[Dav]

Both cloudylemonade and hide n seek are from Aero, the owners children, but I suspect they will be off over the weekend. Aero also shuts on Friday pm so possibly why they haven't got back to you yet.

 

[BloodEagle]

Ah I didn't realise they were shut Fri afternoon haha

 

[El Marro]

BloodEagle,
Sorry that the jacket did not fit but you are in good hands with Aero. I would advise you to be calm and patient in your correspondence with them, easier said then done I know.
I speak from experience, I have received a couple jackets that did not fit so well myself and was quick to shoot off some melodramatic angry emails that I later regretted and apologized for.
The J100 looks great and I see you have some nice guitars in the rack there!

 

[seres]

The B-3 is constructed of heavy sheepskin and cut boxy, which gives it a much different feel than a tighter pattern like the J100. Look at some actual vintage pictures of crew members wearing the B-3 in WW2.

Why don’t you take some good pics of you wearing the B-3 and post them in this thread, so the folks here can assess the fit and comment. I think this may be helpful when you talk with Aero next week.

 

[BloodEagle]

I understand entirely that the J100 and B3 are completly different in terms of look and fit. I will post some fit pics of the B3 tomorrow, trust me - it is not right, and I dont want to meet the guy who this jacket would fit in a dark alley

 

[dudewuttheheck]

You should be able to get an exchange no problem. The J-100 looks like a great fit though!

 

[AeroFan_07]

That J100 is great and fits you perfectly. Nice guitars there too as others have stated. Yes, be patient, they will be in touch with you...sorry it did not work out this try.

 

[dubpynchon]

Show us some pictures of the B3!

 

[BloodEagle]

Ive thought about it and I'm not sure its really fair on Aero for me to post up pics withouth having corresponded with them about it - I would like to make clear that they have been very helpful and courteous to me right the way through my dealings with them, so I do think its fair that I return that courtesy to them. Plus, of course, I look stupid in them so Im not in any hurry to show them around - I'd much sooner post pics of a B3 which fits and looks great.

 

[dubpynchon]

Did you go with your normal jacket size? B3s are meant to fit big so you can layer under them, but ultimately of course your opinion is the only one that matters.

 

[BloodEagle]

OK - Ive spoken to Aero about this and theyve asked for some more shots, so feel happier putting some photos up. On both of these shots the side adjusters are pulled in as far as possible and there is still a considerable gap at the bottom - without them mucked with it is crazy. Here's some photos of the fit - any opinions very welcome. Excuse the mess (its my mancave so no excuses) and let me know what you think please - personaly I think it looks dreadful . View attachment 197489 View attachment 197490

 

[ton312]

I’m no expert on these jackets but it does look too large to me.

 

[El Marro]

The jacket does look too big at the bottom, but it doesn’t appear as terrible as I was imagining from your earlier description. The B-3 almost always looks oversized to me, and I think that is by design. Have you considered the B-6? I have one from Eastman and it is quite trim and flattering.

 

[BloodEagle]

This is with the side adjuster fully tightened - heres a shot without it tightened.

 

[Carlos840]

I agree with @ton312 , you probably need 1 size smaller with extra length and maybe taper to the hem if they offer that on a B3