Opinions? Half Belt

[Seb Lucas]

It depends on the jacket. I personally would not go a size up on an Aero Thirties Halfbelt, or similar pattern. Such jacket were designed and cut to be worn neat, and to my eye they look over-sized and 'wrong' when worn big to fit in a sweater. An Aero Fifties halfbelt or something along those lines, with a more generous cut, might work. Personally, for something to go over a sweater, I'd be looking at something that is boxier by design, like a Highwayman.

Another thing to consider... when are you likely to wear this? By the time it is cold enough to require a sweater in addition to the jacket, will you really be all that likely to be reaching for a short leather jacket, or will you always by preference reach for the long, wool overcoat? Versatility is all very well, but if you compromise on something you really want in order to make it more versatile, then never use that flexibility, there seems little point to me. All comes down to what you really want.

I respectfully disagree with that. I don't think jackets look great when they are so tight that you can't fit a few millimetres of fine wool sweater and shirt underneath them. I have sized up my 1930's half belt and I do not regret it. Fit's better/looks better. Not in the slightest baggy. I don't work out ever but I should add that I'm 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds with very little body fat. In other words I did not size up to accommodate a beer gut.

 

[Smithy]

but I will attempt the spot treatment of hot water / low heat hair dryer.

Do NOT use a hair dryer even on the lowest setting on any wet leather item. It is a sure fire way of drying out the natural oils in the leather. If you simply must do the hot water thing I'd just let the jacket dry naturally.

 

[pauleway]

I respectfully disagree with that. I don't think jackets look great when they are so tight that you can't fit a few millimetres of fine wool sweater and shirt underneath them. I have sized up my 1930's half belt and I do not regret it. Fit's better/looks better. Not in the slightest baggy. I don't work out ever but I should add that I'm 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds with very little body fat. In other words I did not size up to accommodate a beer gut.

+1

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Do NOT use a hair dryer even on the lowest setting on any wet leather item. It is a sure fire way of drying out the natural oils in the leather. If you simply must do the hot water thing I'd just let the jacket dry naturally.

+1

 

[Rudie]

It depends on the jacket. I personally would not go a size up on an Aero Thirties Halfbelt, or similar pattern. Such jacket were designed and cut to be worn neat, and to my eye they look over-sized and 'wrong' when worn big to fit in a sweater. An Aero Fifties halfbelt or something along those lines, with a more generous cut, might work. Personally, for something to go over a sweater, I'd be looking at something that is boxier by design, like a Highwayman.

Another thing to consider... when are you likely to wear this? By the time it is cold enough to require a sweater in addition to the jacket, will you really be all that likely to be reaching for a short leather jacket, or will you always by preference reach for the long, wool overcoat? Versatility is all very well, but if you compromise on something you really want in order to make it more versatile, then never use that flexibility, there seems little point to me. All comes down to what you really want.

I don't get this issue many guys here seem to have with fitting a sweater underneath. I am sure those of you who have seen my goatskin half belt agree that it fits neater than most other half belts seen here. Yet I have no problem wearing a chunky sweater underneath. I mean, how thick is an extra layer of wool? Two or three millimeters?

 

[tropicalbob]

This is a mystery to me. The only jacket I have is an Aero LHB, which is, as I understand it, a roomier 1950's jacket than the 20's or 30's ones. It fits me perfectly, and yet if I wear anything bulkier than a cotton sweater or t-shirt under it I feel like a sausage. I can't imagine how tight some of these others must be.