New Jacket Day: Aero Rockafella in Chestnut Badalassi

[Allin216]

I've always had my eye on the Rockafella style, I really like the detailing and complexity. I figured some day I'd place a custom order as the the pattern's fit and sizing seem intimidating to get right. Some of the recent Rockafellas showing up on Aero's stock page has had me thinking about it again, and Wardrobe 19's sale on in-stock Aero jackets was too good to pass up. It helped that my uneducated guess on sizing happened to be the only one left in stock so I figured what the heck, let's give it a try. The timing was sub-optimal, as I had just been in Greece and placed an order for my first Thedi jacket (I'll make a separate post about that experience when I have time). But hey that's life lol.

I think it fits great; shockingly well for it literally being off the rack. A trim fit, no doubt, but still comfortable and should only improve as the leather softens and breaks in. It does not feel restrictive to move while wearing. This will be good for the warmer end of jacket season.

This is also my first jacket made with leather from Badalassi. Wow, it is incredible! Beautiful depth of color and even some graining right out of the box. Medium temper, it feels very luxurious. I don't necessarily love the shine or the squeakiness, but both of those should subside with time and wear.

 

[barnabus]

Looks excellent, well done!

I'm always surprised when people are surprised that otr can fit well. Glad it worked out for you in this case.

 

[Bennarion]

You look great in this jacket
Perfect fit!

 

[jacketjunkie]

I would have gone one size up, but it is a solid fit, no denying that!

I like this style very much, very 70s vibe as worn by many rock idols of the time.. the slightly padded shoulders are a great touch!

 

[Edward]

Nice. The fit is trim on you. You could get away with a size up, but I think equally you can get away with this one just fine too. It's a style that imo shouldn't be too relaxed; this is very much one that should fit like a blazer rather than an overcoat, if you follow me. Great design; I've had my eye on one since they first appeared. One day...

 

[Bfd70]

I think the sizing is just right.

 

[bobjones]

I think the sizing is just right.

Agreed, just seeing the first picture from the front was all I needed to see, it looks as if the jacket was custom. Fits perfectly.

 

[Allin216]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys! I'm looking forward to it cooling off some so I can wear it a bit. If it'd gone the MTO route, I'd be thrilled if it fit me this well. I don't really own any other slim-fitting style leather jackets so I definitely have room in the collection/closet. All of the other Aero jackets I have are more relaxed fitting long half belts and have room for Fall/Spring layers. It's cool that the Rockafella adds a different style/fit to the mix, and in a great leather I haven't experienced yet.

So far I've only really worn it on a couple of days when it's been low 60's F in the morning.

 

[ton312]

This is a perfect fit on this model. They run quite small IMO and yours looks to have just the right amount of room. I had the version Aero made for Levi’s in a 44”. It was a sausage casing when closed. If you were to drop a size it would fit like mine and closing it would put the buttons in serious danger:

A great pattern nevertheless and definitely my fav design from Aero. You nailed it!

 

[Edward]

One of Aero's most undersung models, imo. I've been planning one in lack, but the more I see of these the more I begin to think I "need" a brown one too.

 

[Allin216]

Well, I liked this Rockafella so much that I pulled the trigger on another. This one is in black Vicenza, and made by Adam Wilson; which is somewhat interesting, as I don't think I've seen this model made by anyone other than Julie. Kudos to him, his work on my jacket looks to be just as great from what I can tell.

Owning the same jacket, same size, in two different leathers is about as good of an apples-to-apples of a comparison as you can get. The Vicenza feels more pliable and more comfortable to wear right out of the box. The Badalassi looks, smells, and feels more luxurious. I have not weighed them so I don't know if there's a physical difference, though to my hand the Badalassi feels thicker and more substantial; then again that could also be a function of it having a firmer temper rather than weight. This is more of an observation than a "complaint" per se: the top coat/finish on each is biggest drawback for both leathers. The glossy topcoat used makes the Badalassi very noisy, I hate the squeaks. The matte topcoat on the Vicenza gives it a paper-y feel at first, it just feels somewhat "muted" for lack of a better term.

I know Vicenza is not particularly popular on the forum, but I have to say I do really enjoy it. I like that it Vicenza is struck through as I prefer my black jackets to stay black. This batch is much nicer overall that my LHB in the same leather (to be fair my LHB is a Blue Label, so to be expected). It's grainy and beautiful, and I think shows a bit more character in person than I'm capturing in my quick photos, again probably due to the matte finish.

 

[Jasonindenver]

Well, I liked this Rockafella so much that I pulled the trigger on another. This one is in black Vicenza, and made by Adam Wilson; which is somewhat interesting, as I don't think I've seen this model made by anyone other than Julie. Kudos to him, his work on my jacket looks to be just as great from what I can tell.

Owning the same jacket, same size, in two different leathers is about as good of an apples-to-apples of a comparison as you can get. The Vicenza feels more pliable and more comfortable to wear right out of the box. The Badalassi looks, smells, and feels more luxurious. I have not weighed them so I don't know if there's a physical difference, though to my hand the Badalassi feels thicker and more substantial; then again that could also be a function of it having a firmer temper rather than weight. This is more of an observation than a "complaint" per se: the top coat/finish on each is biggest drawback for both leathers. The glossy topcoat used makes the Badalassi very noisy, I hate the squeaks. The matte topcoat on the Vicenza gives it a paper-y feel at first, it just feels somewhat "muted" for lack of a better term.

I know Vicenza is not particularly popular on the forum, but I have to say I do really enjoy it. I like that it Vicenza is struck through as I prefer my black jackets to stay black. This batch is much nicer overall that my LHB in the same leather (to be fair my LHB is a Blue Label, so to be expected). It's grainy and beautiful, and I think shows a bit more character in person than I'm capturing in my quick photos, again probably due to the matte finish.

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Great fit on this style. I would not be surprised if the Vicenza becomes you favorite after a few weeks of wear.

 

[onstar]

I've always had my eye on the Rockafella style, I really like the detailing and complexity. I figured some day I'd place a custom order as the the pattern's fit and sizing seem intimidating to get right. Some of the recent Rockafellas showing up on Aero's stock page has had me thinking about it again, and Wardrobe 19's sale on in-stock Aero jackets was too good to pass up. It helped that my uneducated guess on sizing happened to be the only one left in stock so I figured what the heck, let's give it a try. The timing was sub-optimal, as I had just been in Greece and placed an order for my first Thedi jacket (I'll make a separate post about that experience when I have time). But hey that's life lol.

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I think it fits great; shockingly well for it literally being off the rack. A trim fit, no doubt, but still comfortable and should only improve as the leather softens and breaks in. It does not feel restrictive to move while wearing. This will be good for the warmer end of jacket season.

This is also my first jacket made with leather from Badalassi. Wow, it is incredible! Beautiful depth of color and even some graining right out of the box. Medium temper, it feels very luxurious. I don't necessarily love the shine or the squeakiness, but both of those should subside with time and wear.

Did you get it throuh thurston?

 

[Allin216]

Great fit on this style. I would not be surprised if the Vicenza becomes you favorite after a few weeks of wear.

It's possible!

Did you get it throuh thurston?

No, I imported both of these myself. The Chestnut Badalassi I bought from Wardrobe 19 (a retail store in Denmark). I ordered the Black Vicenza directly from Aero.

That said, I wouldn't hesitate to work with Thurston. Thurston does a great job by all accounts, and their stellar reputation is well-earned. I check their stock pages regularly, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I actually order something.