Aero Cafe Racer fit

[Tidus89]

Hello friends,

today I got my first real leather jacket, an Aero Cafe Racer in brown CXFQHH.

Overall I think it fits me well, but I wanted to hear what you guys think since there is so much expertise here.

The body length came out on the shorter side of the tolerance. 23.75 Inch was the target, I measured 23.20 on the jacket. It is a bit short as the belt is visible, but what's your opinion?

Shoulders are good, but the back looks a bit loose. A common thing with Aero Cafe Racers as I heard. However, when I stretch out my arms forward I need the extra fabric.

 

[Justhandguns]

It looks like the jacket is of a very 'V' shape. The front looks good, but the back looks a bid tight when zipped up on the waist? Are you comfortable with that?

 

[Seank]

personally...I prefer a longer front. I want my jackets to fit over my belt but just so that I can still put my hands into my jeans pockets. Back looks fine.
You’ll get many opinions here and more than likely you won’t get any resolution to your dilemma, ultimately it will come down to if it bugs you or not. I recently sold an Aero jacket for this very reason. It fit good everywhere else, but not enough drop in the front to cover my belt. Annoyed the hell out of me. To each their own.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I also prefer them to cover my belt too. upper body loose a little on the loose side. I would send it back...

 

[Tidus89]

The front looks good, but the back looks a bid tight when zipped up on the waist? Are you comfortable with that?

I have no problem with that. Yes, I have gained a few pounds in lockdown, but it still feels comfortable. And I intend to get back in shape soon with a new training routine.

personally...I prefer a longer front. I want my jackets to fit over my belt but just so that I can still put my hands into my jeans pockets. Back looks fine.

Thanks. Right now I feel it is still ok, although not perfect. I am a shorter dude and proportionally a shorter jacket and higher pants compliment well with that. Or at least that's what I tell myself to ease the mind.

 

[Tidus89]

I also prefer them to cover my belt too. upper body loose a little on the loose side. I would send it back...

Unfortunately that's not an option. At least that's what Aero told me, as it is made for me specifically. Only option would be to sell it.

 

[handymike]

Sorry to hear you can’t return it. The best option is for you to wear and enjoy it for awhile. The resale price won’t be affected much by some “gentle wear.”

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Some of that looseness on the back will settle some since it's FQHH CXL. Basically your jacket will look the worst it's going to look on day 1. It's a hair short, but not end of the world. You're probably going to lose several hundred dollars on resale so like mike suggested, give it some wears next couple weeks. You've got some good before pics now and see how it evolves. If it keeps you up thinking about it, then sell it and note the adjustments for next time. There's quite a few CRs that are offered here on classifieds, so hopefully you can pick up something used and offset the loss. Not sure if you need some sort of special sizing though.

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ I agree with this, just keep breaking it in, you may really come to love it. Sorry that you are not able to return it as is.

 

[MrProper]

the "problem" with the CR is that it has no front drop. You have to get longer at the back to get over the belt at the front. When you sit on the motorcycle, it fits well in short.

 

[TREEMAN]

IMO it's the way the back panel sits on the hips that's causing the issues.

 

[Tidus89]

After wearing it all day yesterday I can say that I don't mind the shortness too much and the back has straightened up a bit.
As some have suggested I will wear it a while and see how the fit develops.

I do have another question for you. This is not meant to be a complaint, but to educate myself. I noticed that one shoulder is slightly wider than the other. I measured 16,2 cm from seam to seam on one side and 17 cm on the other.
I also measured a small difference in the width of the shoulder pleats on the back, roughly 0,7 cm. The difference is noticeable with eyeballs.

Aero mentioned half an Inch tolerance which would be over 1 cm, but I presume that is only applicable on overall length. I also understand that it is not possible to achieve perfect results with such a thick leather.

I do not like to be nitpicky with handmade stuff, but I would like to know if these differences are expected and meet the standards of Aero or any other maker. That way I know what to expect and how to properly assess the work.

 

[Tidus89]

Alright, after reading the two threads "Ever think some jackets are overhyped" and "My Himel experience v2" I consider my nitpicks with tolerances to be just that. People have shown that jackets from all makers have smaller or bigger faults and that it isn't the exception but the norm. Perfection is not achievable with hand made work.

Looking at the details of my jacket I actually now think that it is made very well. I have straight and consistent stitching with only minor imperfections, as good as I've ever seen on handmade leather stuff and leagues above my 5*. Panel matching is perfect. The leather is spectacular. It already begins to melt to my body and show nice creases in some places.

 

[Tom71]

I think you chose well to use and get used to your jacket. It looks perfectly fine to my eyes. We tend to get a little overobsessed with details in this little bubble of ours...

 

[Marc mndt]

Looking at the details of my jacket I actually now think that it is made very well.

I agree, judging by the above pics this looks like a very well made jacket. I've seen more expensive jackets that looked much less neat.

 

[breezer]

sleeve length good!