How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[KimNelson]

My Aero Sheene finally arrived, so I can post my follow up pics, etc., for my two new jackets.

First the Sheene: sadly the jacket didn't fit me, which is part of the learning curve, so I figure I got a head start having it happen with my first buy . It was the size I would have ordered even if I'd bought it new, because my understanding was that with the Aero Highwayman I should go down two sizes—from my regular 40, to a 36—but since the Sheene has a slim fit due to its being based on a cafe racer, I should aim at a 38, which is indeed the size of this FANTASTIC Aero Sheene that Fonzie sold me. I love this coat.

I'm 5'8", 172 lbs, have a 40" chest, and a 31" waist, and this is how the jacket fits me:

I can get it on easily enough, and with enough confidence...thanks to the strength of CXL Horsehide...I can even zip it all the way up. But it is not a comfortable or easy breathing adventure.

Interestingly, my son is roughly the same size as me: 5'8", 166 lbs, w/ 40" chest and 31" waist, so I had him try it on, and the jacket fits him nicely:

I'm confident I can shed the six pounds that separate us, but I don't believe that's the entire story. Me and my boy have different builds: I have narrow, sloped shoulders, and a low slung chest (it's always been my natural build...not an age-thing), and I am deeper than I am broad. My son is high chested and broad shouldered, and is more imposing than me. Then there is the age factor: even with a 9" drop, I'm not V-shaped anymore, whereas my boy is. It goes to show that the variables for fit extend beyond dimensions and weight. I should be at his weight by Fall, so hopefully the jacket will fit me better by then—even though my son hopes that it doesn't, because he senses he might have just come into a very cool new jacket, lol!

 

[KimNelson]

Here are the pics and fit for my Vanson Oxford from Thurston Brothers. This jacket is in the Bainbridge Cedar leather, which is beautiful and substantial, but is a significantly lighter piece than the Aero Sheene. This Jacket is a size 40, but Thurston Brothers customized it with a slim-fit, a double zipper, and an interior pocket, as well as the Bainbridge leather. I was hopeful regarding the fit, because while I've read that Vanson's can be on the blocky side, the slim-fit would make it more fitted, but I was concerned it might be too slim. Given my normal sleeve length of 24", Carrie was also concerned the sleeves might be too long, but I went ahead with the sale with the understanding it might well end up becoming a fit jacket for a future order. Happily, my second leather jacket purchase fit how I wanted it to:

My son posed for shots in this jacket as well, but I figure you've probably seen enough. If you would like to see this jacket on a different frame, let me know and I'll post those pics as well.

Other observations on these two jackets: the hardware on the Vanson is much more substantial and therefore easier to use, but this also makes it a more visible component in the jacket's aesthetics. The bi swing back on the Vanson...as well as the center back seam, possibly...makes the Vanson's back hang more naturally. The Sheene is a shorter jacket, which I prefer, and surprisingly it has roomier arm holes; while the Oxford isn't uncomfortable, the fit through its armpits is more snug than the Sheene's. Both of these jackets have larger collars than I'd imagined, but the Oxford's comes across as larger than the Sheene's in person. This might be because of the thinner leather, but more likely it's because the neck opening is larger. The Oxford is easier to move around in (my son confirmed this, so it's not a matter of fit) which is surely influenced by the bi swing back and the lighter leather, but I think it's also because these makers pursue different DNA in their jackets. Aero has a strong attachment to historical references, and Vanson has a focus on functional motorcycle wear. I'm really excited about owning both of these jackets; they both have a lot to offer. I sure hope I don't have to pass the Sheene off to my son before I get the chance to enjoy wearing it for a few years!

 

[TartuWolf]

Thanks for the thorough initial impressions / review and very well done photos for illustration!
That's a good example of contributing to the TFL knowledge base!

My thoughts:
- Sheene : seems to fit you rather well in the upper body (shoulders, chest, upper back), but is too tight in the lower body (mainly waist, but likely bottom hem as well). It's also too short in my opinion but that's exaggerated by the tight lower body fit. Any longer and you couldn't wear it at all in that width though! Sleeve length is fantastic.
Fits your son a lot better in the mid-lower body. Personally I would straight up pass it to your son if he likes it.
Also interesting note that the folds/bends stay in place even when unzipped - meaning the previous owner likely wore this jacket despite it being too tight for him in the mid-lower back.
- Oxford : Firstly it's interesting that you went with the slanted chest pocket - one of the main reasons I prefer the Oxford over the Enfield is the straight chest pocket. But I guess Thurston specs their "slimfit Oxford" with an Enfield pocket. Ordering a custom I would also definitely have removed the middle back stitch as well if that's possible.
In terms of the fit - looks fantastic on you! I wouldn't like it any shorter personally. I love higher armholes but I understand how it might make things uncomfortable for some, especially when layering.

Vanson will always be lightyears ahead of Aero in terms of patterning and comfort, but, like you said, the companies focus on different things. I'd always pick beefier hardware over aesthetics for a leather jacket, especially when talking about thick leather like CXL. I think the Aero #5 would be okay for the bainbridge, but even for that I'd like a #8. CXL demands at least #8 and ideally a #10. But it will be fine if you're careful enough with it.
The small neck openings on Aero have been mentioned countless times and can range from slightly uncomfortable to a completely deal breaker.

Congratulations Kim, couldn't ask for a better pair of leather jackets. And lucky you to have a son of similar size. My son is only 3 so a long way away from being able to try my leather jackets haha.

 

[Herrvallmo]

My Aero Sheene finally arrived, so I can post my follow up pics, etc., for my two new jackets.

First the Sheene: sadly the jacket didn't fit me, which is part of the learning curve, so I figure I got a head start having it happen with my first buy . It was the size I would have ordered even if I'd bought it new, because my understanding was that with the Aero Highwayman I should go down two sizes—from my regular 40, to a 36—but since the Sheene has a slim fit due to its being based on a cafe racer, I should aim at a 38, which is indeed the size of this FANTASTIC Aero Sheene that Fonzie sold me. I love this coat.

I'm 5'8", 172 lbs, have a 40" chest, and a 31" waist, and this is how the jacket fits me:
View attachment 713612
I can get it on easily enough, and with enough confidence...thanks to the strength of CXL Horsehide...I can even zip it all the way up. But it is not a comfortable or easy breathing adventure.

Interestingly, my son is roughly the same size as me: 5'8", 166 lbs, w/ 40" chest and 31" waist, so I had him try it on, and the jacket fits him nicely:
View attachment 713613
I'm confident I can shed the six pounds that separate us, but I don't believe that's the entire story. Me and my boy have different builds: I have narrow, sloped shoulders, and a low slung chest (it's always been my natural build...not an age-thing), and I am deeper than I am broad. My son is high chested and broad shouldered, and is more imposing than me. Then there is the age factor: even with a 9" drop, I'm not V-shaped anymore, whereas my boy is. It goes to show that the variables for fit extend beyond dimensions and weight. I should be at his weight by Fall, so hopefully the jacket will fit me better by then—even though my son hopes that it doesn't, because he senses he might have just come into a very cool new jacket, lol!

That jacket looks like it was made custom for your son mate! if I were in his shoes you would not see that jacket again(I wish my father had this great of a taste in clothing for me to "borrow"), just a amazing piece of leather

The Vanson looks amazing as well! very nice.


Cheers!

 

[Herrvallmo]

I have this suede sports jacket on the way, I bought it without knowing the exact measurements but hopefully it'll fit.

I've been eyeing the Aero Majestic but the price of that beaut is a bit to high for me right now so I had to compromise, and this one ticked most of the boxes I've had in my head

 

[Zoro]

I'm confident I can shed the six pounds that separate us, but I don't believe that's the entire story. [...] I should be at his weight by Fall, so hopefully the jacket will fit me better by then—even though my son hopes that it doesn't, because he senses he might have just come into a very cool new jacket, lol!

If I was your son, I would be extra nice regularly bringing your favorite sweets

 

[KimNelson]

Thanks for the thorough initial impressions / review and very well done photos for illustration!
That's a good example of contributing to the TFL knowledge base!

My thoughts:
- Sheene : seems to fit you rather well in the upper body (shoulders, chest, upper back), but is too tight in the lower body (mainly waist, but likely bottom hem as well). It's also too short in my opinion but that's exaggerated by the tight lower body fit. Any longer and you couldn't wear it at all in that width though! Sleeve length is fantastic.
Fits your son a lot better in the mid-lower body. Personally I would straight up pass it to your son if he likes it.
Also interesting note that the folds/bends stay in place even when unzipped - meaning the previous owner likely wore this jacket despite it being too tight for him in the mid-lower back.
- Oxford : Firstly it's interesting that you went with the slanted chest pocket - one of the main reasons I prefer the Oxford over the Enfield is the straight chest pocket. But I guess Thurston specs their "slimfit Oxford" with an Enfield pocket. Ordering a custom I would also definitely have removed the middle back stitch as well if that's possible.
In terms of the fit - looks fantastic on you! I wouldn't like it any shorter personally. I love higher armholes but I understand how it might make things uncomfortable for some, especially when layering.

Vanson will always be lightyears ahead of Aero in terms of patterning and comfort, but, like you said, the companies focus on different things. I'd always pick beefier hardware over aesthetics for a leather jacket, especially when talking about thick leather like CXL. I think the Aero #5 would be okay for the bainbridge, but even for that I'd like a #8. CXL demands at least #8 and ideally a #10. But it will be fine if you're careful enough with it.
The small neck openings on Aero have been mentioned countless times and can range from slightly uncomfortable to a completely deal breaker.

Congratulations Kim, couldn't ask for a better pair of leather jackets. And lucky you to have a son of similar size. My son is only 3 so a long way away from being able to try my leather jackets haha.

Thanks so much for your reply! You gave valuable insights and corroboration: The hem IS too small for me...particularly wearing a belt, because this jacket sits right at belt-level, and my large neck and sloping shoulders (back in my gym days, my workout partners used to joke that my trapezius muscles just sprouted arms) don't help, since they are forcing the jacket up and back. Also, my low chest breaks just above the hand warmers, which isn't a great look in a jacket this close-fitting. After reading your reply, I tried the jacket again without a belt, and pulled it all the way down and forward before zipping it up, and it was a lot easier. It was still too small, but not nearly as strange a fit as before.

I hadn't even thought about the angle on the chest pocket on the Oxford until I saw the straight one on the Sheene. If I were to order the jacket from the beginning, I would have probably preferred either a straight pocket...or no pocket since I don't think I'll use it much. But this jacket was part of Thurston Bros' stock, so it was what it was. It is an amazing jacket; it's surprising how different the effects of these two coats are given how "similar" their overall styling is.

I'm jealous: three years old is a fantastic age. Take tons of pics and videos, because no matter how much you document these years with him, it won't be enough.

 

[KimNelson]

If I was your son, I would be extra nice regularly bringing your favorite sweets

We went to the movies together tonight, and he was very curious what folks here on FL thought of how he looked in the jacket

 

[KimNelson]

That jacket looks like it was made custom for your son mate! if I were in his shoes you would not see that jacket again(I wish my father had this great of a taste in clothing for me to "borrow"), just a amazing piece of leather

The Vanson looks amazing as well! very nice.


Cheers!

Thanks! We swap a fair amount of stuff already, since he still lives with me and we're the same size in most things, but I do think the fact that I really can't wear this jacket...at least as of yet...does increase it's appeal..

 

[KimNelson]

I have this suede sports jacket on the way, I bought it without knowing the exact measurements but hopefully it'll fit.

I've been eyeing the Aero Majestic but the price of that beaut is a bit to high for me right now so I had to compromise, and this one ticked most of the boxes I've had in my head


View attachment 713631
View attachment 713632

I like the lines and color of this a lot, and I'm also a fan of suede. I'm not in love with elbow patches...but as a professor, I try to avoid anything with those on it, lol. Where's it coming from?

 

[Herrvallmo]

I like the lines and color of this a lot, and I'm also a fan of suede. I'm not in love with elbow patches...but as a professor, I try to avoid anything with those on it, lol. Where's it coming from?

I agree 100% with the elbow patches, I rather not have any but they are kind of hard to see anyway so I can live with it hehe.

The jacket is from a brand called Mango(pretty sure it's a brand from Spain but I'm not 100%) and I found it on a Swedish vintage site

Cheers!

 

[Zoro]

The jacket is from a brand called Mango(pretty sure it's a brand from Spain but I'm not 100%) and I found it on a Swedish vintage site

Yep, it's a Spanish brand, their founder died early this year I believe.

Careful now, mall jacket territory I've always found Mango in the same echelon as Zara or H&M (in general, never really checked their leather clothes). It should still last a lifetime, but you can see the different panels (even the sleeves are done in two parts) and such.

 

[ton312]

Had to have this green jacket. Even if the lapels cost me an eye. Leather looks decent.

Have to swap the couch buttons with some elk horn or something cool.

 

[Pandemic]

If I was your son, I would be extra nice regularly bringing your favorite sweets

My son is nearly my height now and I’d love to pass some cool jackets and clothes down to him, but he lives in hoodies and sweatpants.

 

[IrishStu]

Picked this up on eBay, should land in the next week or so. I've seen some nice Pioneer wear on TFL members and thought it's time to pull the trigger.

Fingers crossed it fits.

 

[jchance]

I finally bought something from the Classifieds, which almost nothing has ever shown up in my size. It’s also a blessing, because I have no temptations from all these good deals and good looking leather jackets.

On the way from the UK is High Large’s Oklahoma City model, type I trucker pattern in natural HH (Fine Creek currently carries it as the Richmond model). I’ll be scratching that itch of owning a natural leather jacket and working on tanning it. Hopefully it’ll look like this in a year.

 

[torfjord]

Got this Vanson on the way!

 

[Bonasera]

50s Lewis Leathers Bronx just arrived.
All zippers are lightning.

 

[semolina_pilchard]

50s Lewis Leathers Bronx just arrived.
All zippers are lightning.


View attachment 714458

Amazing! That is a great find.

 

[Will Zach]

Amazing! That is a great find.

.... as are all his jackets..