The Battle of the Two Lightweights, Eastman Vs Aero Lightweight Irvin’s

[London Cabbie]

Here you go me in an original early Irvin which shows the typical fleece density even after 70/80 years...

Man, that’s wearable art.

 

[B-Man2]

Top Review. Congratulations.

I add the pictures of my Aero Coastal Command. Maybe someone will be interested.
I think mine has the same fleece as the one you described.
View attachment 71053View attachment 71054View attachment 71055View attachment 71056View attachment 71057View attachment 71058View attachment 71059

I really like this Coastal command Aero jacket . I may have to sell my lightweight Aero Irvin for one of these .

 

[ausreenactor]

That ELC jacket is amazing.

 

[daw]

Thanks John and Burt for the thorough write up! Two great looking jackets. Both relatively trim, not too puffy/bloated looking like the Eastman in the photo on page 1 of this thread.

My wife is bound to disapprove if I buy yet-another sheepskin jacket, so must give the Irvin a pass...

Dennis

 

[Micawber]

What I conclude from this is the ELC is being marketed as a lighter weight whereas the Aero standard version [ie not their Merino] is a similar lighter weight.

 

[Falcon_52]

John and Burt - thanks for taking the time to put together that review. It's interesting to see the details of each side-by-side and to get your thoughts as well.

Noel

 

[Sideslip]

Really appreciate this review, thank you both. I am picking up an Aero merino tomorrow…

 

[bseal]

“SEAM TAPES
John:
The seam tapes are quite narrow and sewn with tight tiny stitches. Contrary to some comments they do have a colour mottled finish and don't look brand new.”

Even though I don’t see it, enjoy and thanks for sharing your nicely done review.

 

[John Lever]

It a very brave thing to try to do a vintage finish, none of them really work. I like the jacket but as I have said before Thedi are the masters here, they hand buff and create wonderful colour variations. Levis did something similar years ago using washed goat skin and newspaper.

 

[J.R.303]

The Aero Merino has a sort of dry look to it from new. It is lovely and supple and gives a worn in look quite quickly.
Now, I have been toying with the idea of giving it some Pecards but was worried about how dark it might go.
A couple of glasses of wine in on Friday night I did the small panels under the arms and then Saturday morning did the whole jacket with a very soft Redwing boots brush.
Wow, it has darkened a little and imo looks even better.
If the colour was a deal breaker then feeding this jacket really improves the look.

 

[entertainment]

The Aero Merino has a sort of dry look to it from new. It is lovely and supple and gives a worn in look quite quickly.
Now, I have been toying with the idea of giving it some Pecards but was worried about how dark it might go.
A couple of glasses of wine in on Friday night I did the small panels under the arms and then Saturday morning did the whole jacket with a very soft Redwing boots brush.
Wow, it has darkened a little and imo looks even better.
If the colour was a deal breaker then feeding this jacket really improves the look. View attachment 71231View attachment 71231View attachment 71232View attachment 71233View attachment 71234View attachment 71235

Looks great with the Pecards, imho.

 

[J.R.303]

Looks great with the Pecards, imho.

It looks better in person and looked better again straight after it was done.
I was nervous about it but am glad I did it. It has brought the grain out more.
I might do another light coat in a couple of weeks.

 

[blackrat2]

This is the russet Irvin, does anyone have one in seal they could post up..better still one side by side of anyone is fortunate to have one in each colour…Mr Lever, Micawber, would you guys be able to oblige

 

[J.R.303]

I don't think they do the merino in seal.

 

[Micawber]

This is the russet Irvin, does anyone have one in seal they could post up..better still one side by side of anyone is fortunate to have one in each colour…Mr Lever, Micawber, would you guys be able to oblige

Currently I only have an early ELC Irvin with the Fenland Fleece and one of Aero's black fleece Irvin's that I bought new. The black one was a very light russet when it arrived but has subsequently had a re-dye by yours truly so no longer representative of a fresh off the sewing machine model.

Lovely as it is but as I am regaining condition the ELC is getting a bit restrictive so I am interested in current offerings too.

 

[John Lever]

This is the russet Irvin, does anyone have one in seal they could post up..better still one side by side of anyone is fortunate to have one in each colour…Mr Lever, Micawber, would you guys be able to oblige

I have samples of both 5 min...

 

[John Lever]

Not good in artificial light

 

[busdrivermike]

Great reviews of the jackets, I know for myself I much more prefer the finish
On the aero jackets, that finish on the elc just looks horrible to my eyes
And that costal command of @MrProper is awesome

 

[Micawber]

The Aero Merino has a sort of dry look to it from new. It is lovely and supple and gives a worn in look quite quickly.
Now, I have been toying with the idea of giving it some Pecards but was worried about how dark it might go.
A couple of glasses of wine in on Friday night I did the small panels under the arms and then Saturday morning did the whole jacket with a very soft Redwing boots brush.
Wow, it has darkened a little and imo looks even better.
If the colour was a deal breaker then feeding this jacket really improves the look. View attachment 71231View attachment 71231View attachment 71232View attachment 71233View attachment 71234View attachment 71235

Can you measure the fleece depth of that one please?

 

[Micawber]

I have been thinking about these jackets.

Putting aside the other detain differences of both examples I understand the ELC is branded as the "Fly Weight" which explains that the fleece is not so deep as some other reproduction and original jackets.

What I seek clarity on is the fleece on Burt's example an example of Aero's current "standard" offering? I ask as I do not see a mention of a "standard" or "lighter weight" version on Aero's website. Is their Merino fleece longer / heavier?