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Best way in Southern California to try before I buy (A2s, B3s, G1s, etc.)?

B

BigBrother

Member
Hey all! New member here, was clued into this site from The Fedora Lounge and US Militaria. Had no idea it existed but am elated to see that it does!

I’m based in Southern California and have done some light shopping around for flight jackets (repros), though mostly in NYC. I’m very particular with my clothes with these military flight jackets being no exception (in fact more so as the finishes vary so widely, not to mention the fits)). Buying online and returning if it isn’t what I’m after seems like a major chore. So I’m curious if you have any tips at all, stores, etc. that might give me an avenue to try before I buy. NYC, for example, has a few stores like Schott and Cockpit USA’s HQ (though they were closed last year when I was back there). I know LA has a Schott store but that’s the extent of my knowledge.

Any advice? I’m looking for repro, though I suppose would be open to vintage but doubt I could find something in the condition I’d want. Not yet sure on price as I’m just getting into this and don’t know if I’ll be spending $200 or $1000 :).

Thanks so much all!
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
BigBrother said:
Hey all! New member here, was clued into this site from The Fedora Lounge and US Militaria. Had no idea it existed but am elated to see that it does!

I’m based in Southern California and have done some light shopping around for flight jackets (repros), though mostly in NYC. I’m very particular with my clothes with these military flight jackets being no exception (in fact more so as the finishes vary so widely, not to mention the fits)). Buying online and returning if it isn’t what I’m after seems like a major chore. So I’m curious if you have any tips at all, stores, etc. that might give me an avenue to try before I buy. NYC, for example, has a few stores like Schott and Cockpit USA’s HQ (though they were closed last year when I was back there). I know LA has a Schott store but that’s the extent of my knowledge.

Any advice? I’m looking for repro, though I suppose would be open to vintage but doubt I could find something in the condition I’d want. Not yet sure on price as I’m just getting into this and don’t know if I’ll be spending $200 or $1000 :).

Thanks so much all!
Click to expand...
Well to VLJ !
One of the first things that you need to do that will help you immensely, is to learn what your personal measurements are. So if you have a jacket that fits you well and is something close to the cut of an A2 jacket, take a measuring tape , and look up the instructions on how to measure jackets , and measure your jacket .
The important measurements are :
Lay the jacket flat on a table and measure,
Rear shoulder seam to rear shoulder seam across the upper back.
Shoulder seam down the arm to the end of the cuff.
Armpit seam across the chest to opposite armpit seam.
And the rear collar seam down the center of the back to the bottom of the jacket .
These measurements will close to the measurements of most jackets that will fit you well . Others will be along to help out with other tips . Keep checking our buy sell thread as there are jackets being posted daily .
Cheers
 
B

BigBrother

Member
Question about that, as a I figured that would be suggested- I’ve found that hasn’t worked for me in the past. For example, I just completed an arduous trek down pea coat lane. Per measurements, what I should have gotten to fit and what actually did were different. And even the size that was “too small”- which in reality fit right in the chest -still hung too far open when unbuttoned, which is something no measurement could have predicted. With A2s, you add in the component of elastic and, in my experience, it complicates things even further. I think I’m just way pickier than most with this stuff and as a result shopping without trying on is significantly less successful for me.
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
What size suit jacket do you wear?
Let’s start there as suit jacket sizes are measured by chest sizes 42.44, 46 etc
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Happy to help. I would suggest you start with a size 40, A2 jacket . You can go up or down from there depending on how you like them to fit . Once you find one that fits the way you want it to fit , take the measurements of that jacket . Trust me it will all work out for you . We all started out the same way as you are, so don’t get frustrated . It’s a process :)
Edit : The reason I suggested a size 40 is that WWII repro jackets fit smaller than current day sizes . So a 40 in today’s sizing will fit more like a size 38 as they are trimmer .
 
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B

BigBrother

Member
B-Man2 said:
Happy to help. I would suggest you start with a size 40, A2 jacket . You can go up or down from there depending on how you like them to fit . Once you find one that fits the way you want it to fit , take the measurements of that jacket . Trust me it will all work out for you . We all started out the same way as you are, so don’t get frustrated . It’s a process :)
Edit : The reason I suggested a size 40 is that WWII repro jackets fit smaller than current day sizes . So a 40 in today’s sizing will fit more like a size 38 as they are trimmer .
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Still though, if possible, I'd love some way to try on locally before buying (finishes, for example, you can't measure for! :).) Or am I really SOOL in this case?
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
BigBrother said:
Sounds good. Still though, if possible, I'd love some way to try on locally before buying (finishes, for example, you can't measure for! :).) Or am I really SOOL in this case?
Click to expand...
I suggest you hang out here for a while before buying any jackets . You’ll learn more about finishes and leathers and fit , all of which will help you out immensely before you waste money buying something that you may not like. Patience is the key to success in this hobby . ;)
 
B

BigBrother

Member
Makes plenty of sense. Maybe you can help me get started? I'll describe in general what I've liked and not liked, and perhaps you can help me narrow things down (assuming it's not too much trouble, of course)? I'll go with A2s...

Fit:
- Length. I prefer ones whose elastic "scrunches" on the shorter side, around the waistline (modern waistline, not traditional). Think James Dean's rebel red jacket. And dislike ones that go any lower than this.
- Fit. Definitely prefer more fitted to looser. I'd like it to fit closer to a suit jacket than a billowy windbreaker.
- So, basically, bad:





Better (not great, but good):


Damn near perfect:


Finish/material:
- Now here's where I imagine I'll quickly be learning a lot, starting from zero here. (Goats? Horses? Lambs? Russet potatoes? Sounds delicious! :))
- I really dislike two finishes: very flat and very shiny/waxy.

Flat:


Shiny/waxy:




So what do I like? Somewhere in between. I bet this interplays with the whole wear/distressing leather experiences (or you can purchase), I don't know. But in any case, here's what I like:

Same link (hell maybe I should just buy this one ;))


https://image.sportsmansguide.com/adimgs/l/7/712493_ts.jpg


(I like the grain on that last one, but not sure how heavy I want to go on that aggressive graining.)

Distressing:
- Not sure here. Do I want pre-distressed? No clue.

Color:
- I definitely lean toward the darker browns. All the examples above that lean orange are a no-go. The ones I've posted whose finish or fit I've liked also tend to be the colors I like.

Last point: when I went to the Schott NYC showroom, most of what I tried on (A2s, B3s) fit so-so. But this one jacket was an absurdly good fit:

www.schottnyc.com

Naked Buffalo Bomber Jacket 594

www.schottnyc.com www.schottnyc.com

For whatever that's worth!

Thanks all!
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Well ..... you sort of took the shotgun approach here . You’ve listed about 7 different jackets, each one with its own different fit, style and look. So let me caution you that the method you’re using here , the “trial and error” method for finding a jacket that fits, looks good on you and most importantly, that you will keep for a while ... is going to be a costly process . Each time you buy a jacket and aren’t satisfied with the result , you then have to sell it, loose money and start the process over again . That’s why I suggest you wait and hang around here for a while , learn a bit and narrow your choices down to one or two makers and contracts of jackets . Believe me, this hobby can get expensive . If there’s no absolute rush to own a jacket immediately... then don’t rush. You will learn more here in a couple of weeks than by trying to scan the websites on your own .
But the choice is yours ... so good luck with it.
Cheers
 
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B

BigBrother

Member
Oh, what I meant was, perhaps by seeing those references (and they were intended just as references, not candidates), you might be able to steer me toward certain mfrs/contracts and away from others. For example, "such and such typewriter company's contracts were tighter fitting, you may want to focus on those" or "X repro company leans shinier" or "goatskin will be looser ergo a more billowy fit" etc. This was more to aid/jump start, not replace, the prescribed hanging out here to learn, which I absolutely intend to do. But either way, thanks!
 
Micawber

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Welcome to VLJ.

My suggestion is to spend some time browsing the various sections of this forum where I am sure you will come to appreciste that you are among some very knowledgeable and 'picky people. Being in the UK I have no idea of the situation regarding establishments local to you where you can try on the range of flight repro jackets you mention, the majority of people here will arm themselves with their own measurements and shop online accordingly. I suggest you get yourself to somewhere, or to someone, that can measure you properly.
You need to consider is how accurate (true to an original) do you want your reproduction jacket to be?
Originals can be had especially in smaller sizes. Original G-1's are available for reasonable cost compared to say A-2's.
 
bazzer

bazzer

Well-Known Member
Micawber said:
Welcome to VLJ.

My suggestion is to spend some time browsing the various sections of this forum where I am sure you will come to appreciste that you are among some very knowledgeable and 'picky people. Being in the UK I have no idea of the situation regarding establishments local to you where you can try on the range of flight repro jackets you mention, the majority of people here will arm themselves with their own measurements and shop online accordingly. I suggest you get yourself to somewhere, or to someone, that can measure you properly.
You need to consider is how accurate (true to an original) do you want your reproduction jacket to be?
Originals can be had especially in smaller sizes. Original G-1's are available for reasonable cost compared to say A-2's.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice
 
Greg Gale

Greg Gale

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forums!

I think first of all you'll need to figure out what jacket you want. Warmer sheepskin ones, like a B-3 or a lighter, more typical 'leather jacket'.

If it's the latter, the question is: G-1 or A-2. The former is a goatskin NAVY flying jacket the latter is usually made of horsehide, but goatskin is not uncommon.

G-1:
A-2:

G-1s are usually dark seal brown, what you're after, A-2s vary from dark seal to russet.

G-1s have bi-swing backs, so even a trimmer fit -which they are - won't restrict your movement. If you go for an A-2 you need extra room to be able to move. They also have a bit of a roomy torso compared to other jackets, but this is accurate WW2 fit. Modern day A-2s that are "made" to look slim completely ruin the entire point of the jacket IMO.

As for trying a jacket: measure any jacket you have and start from those measurements. Like a denim jacket. Also, if you post your body measurements you can find someone with similar parameters who can in turn help you with fit pictures of different leather jackets.

Bottom line: wait, hang around, check all possibilities, and do not go for an overpriced, inaccurate 'mall' repro. There are accurate repros at reasonable prices, if you know what you're looking for.
 
entertainment

entertainment

Well-Known Member
Have you been to The Stronghold store in Venice (CA)? I don't see any flight jackets, but they do sell some decent leather jackets by Lewis Leathers that you could at least try on.
 
Nickb123

Nickb123

Well-Known Member
You’re welcome to meet up with me. I have some Goodwears, Eastmans, Aeros, etc. you can see in the flesh. They’re all larger than a 38 but you’re welcome to try them on.

judging by the jackets you’ve posted a great candidate would be:
www.thurston-bros.com

Aero 1950s Flight Jacket – Thurston Bros Rough Wear LLC

This jacket style evolved in the 1950s, inspired by the historic exploits of US air crews in their A-2 Jackets. The A-2 patch pocket was replaced with a corded border four-pocket design, which is a feature that is typically of "Bomber" jackets or "Fly Boys" jackets. Aero's design uses the same...
www.thurston-bros.com www.thurston-bros.com

You may be able to order it with an attached mouton collar. Since it’s a 1950s cut you’ll possibly want to size down a size. And order it in Vicenza horsehide (or better yet, the new jerky horsehide). You can order through Thurston Bros which should ease fit concerns. And nothing wrong with that Schott you tried on either.

However, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised and set your eyes on a traditional A-2 or something you hadn’t thought you’d liked before.
 
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