Aero Leather - Scottish manufacturer of leather jackets

If you didn’t know what you were looking for, it would be easy to drive past Aero Leather. Situated in a former mill on the side of a narrow road in Galashiels, this is the unassuming Scottish manufacturer of classic cut leather jackets. We arrive on dreich grey morning; delighted to find a warm team of vintage leather enthusiasts inside.

Since the 1980’s, Aero have been manufacturing reproductions of classic jackets in house. The showroom is an archive of classic workwear and vintage clothing. A collection of authentic RAF and USAA flying jackets sit in a library of vintage reference books, magazines and posters. The backdrop is a rail of Aero pieces that have either been traded-in or are awaiting repair. Many of these are collectors items, and the company have a distinctive EBay following. The showroom also stocks original Levis, Bluebell Wrangler, Lee and a selection of 1940’s reproduced Harris knitwear. Aero are all about original quality and longevity in what we wear; and they know what they are talking about.

Set up by Ken Calder, who journeyed to London from Thurso in the 1960’s as a footballer, turned guitarist and then MOD designer. He returned to Scotland after getting fed up with designing over the top leather pieces for Glam-rockers and started developing reproductions of classic cut leathers based on designs from the 1930’s to 1960’s instead.

When you ask, each jacket tells a story. You can find out when it was made, what pattern inspired it. Icons such as Daniel Craig, Hugh Lawrie, Dave Grohl, Johnny Depp, P Diddy and George Clooney all have Aero jackets - but you won’t see glossy newspaper cutouts of these around the workshop. Instead the main workshop space is filled with the sound of heavy-duty overheads whirring away, and piles of sheepskins, patterns and offcuts.

The collective knowledge, expertise and experience of the machinists are outstanding. Many of the new machinists being trained are apprentice fashion graduates from Heriot Watt, who are learning a skill to compliment their studies. There is a tag of the individual machinist that has made each piece. There are tips for breaking your jacket in. Most of the jackets come in standard sizes, but can adjusted to fit individuals.

The company use materials such as American front quarter horsehide. This has a more robust and dense fibre structure, as oppose to the cowhides used in most high street products. The jackets are lined with Lochcarron tartan, which is woven in Selkirk, and finished at Schofields round the corner. The transparency in how these materials are sourced is a refreshing one. With a following in Japan, Germany and America, Aero must be doing something right, as they really are internationally renowned especially with leather connoisseurs.

Yes, these jackets are expensive and a luxury. However, in recent years where so many commercial brands feed into a trend of ‘craftsmanship’ without any real substance; Aero is by contrast a small family run company where genuine craftsmanship is not only integral to the production process of each item, but is being taught to future generations. Straightforward, original and made to last, we wear our Aero’s with pride! 

For more information on Aero Leather check out their full listing