Fit advice for new member

[moktabe]

I had the same issue with an Aero Sheene which, in reality is a Cafe Racer with a collar.

The chest and shoulders fit perfectly however, the hem was way to large. I could wear it and had some great comments on it. Unfortunately, probably like yourself, I was very conscious of the hem width!

Off it went back to Aero for alteration. Now it fits perfectly and in my eyes I can't see any evidence of it being done.

The fit of the rest of the jacket made it a no-brainer to get it sorted.

 

[Damon141]

I had the same issue with an Aero Sheene which, in reality is a Cafe Racer with a collar.

The chest and shoulders fit perfectly however, the hem was way to large. I could wear it and had some great comments on it. Unfortunately, probably like yourself, I was very conscious of the hem width!

Off it went back to Aero for alteration. Now it fits perfectly and in my eyes I can't see any evidence of it being done.

The fit of the rest of the jacket made it a no-brainer to get it sorted.

So in your eyes does the rest of the areas of fit look okay?

I wish the sleeves were a little shorter but that’s too complicated abs this is my first Horsehide jacket and many say the sleeves shorten due to creasing. They even look a little baggy (compared to many modeling pictures) but in the real world if leather is to tight you can’t move.

I appreciate everyone’s opinions so far.

 

[Brandrea33]

Depending on where you live, it sounds like a personal visit with the jacket, to the tailor is required to nail the exact fit you are looking for.

 

[Damon141]

I’ve successfully and unsuccessfully altered a number of jackets. Here’s my thoughts on the matter with your jacket.
Don’t do it.
It’s a valuable piece. It will sell. Use those funds to start over. If the alteration does not go as planned, the jacket will be much harder if not impossible to sell or move along. This is a standard size 44”? That’s a popular size, right in the meaty part of the size range so I suspect you’ll have plenty of interest.
I’m certainly not saying JL wouldn’t do a great job. I’m sure they could. But what if it still doesn’t work the way you intended or hoped for?

I am 100% noting your experience since you have done this. I do have it for sale on eBay and a link in the classified section. Ideally it will sell to a person it will fit perfectly. I am in no rush since winter here in Florida is essentially over but what I don’t want is to sit on this jacket for a year. I hope someone sees the value in getting a new Himel jacket for not much more than an Aero.

I’ve seen some fit pictures of Johnson Leathers custom jackets and I realize now that a good fit is more important than a high end brand.

 

[Damon141]

Depending on where you live, it sounds like a personal visit with the jacket, to the tailor is required to nail the exact fit you are looking for.

Ideally that would be best but if and that’s a big if, I decided to tailor I would go through any necessary steps including going to a local tailor for professional measurements that I can write down and even have my wife take pictures. Because the only one I can see doing this is Johnson leathers based in California and I’m in Florida.

 

[Damon141]

Finally a little better pictures

 

[Damon141]

A few more

 

[Canuck Panda]

Looking at the photos, I think it's wearable for now, until you get a buyer for it.
The J100 racing shirt like the Kensinton is really a straight down body with a bit of curve in the middle like a half belt. With the V taper you got, the Cafe Racer or any CHP shaped jackets are going to work much better. There are plenty of other high end brands that do the V taper styles. I think Himel does a few too, just not the Kensinton.

 

[MrProper]

A few more

To be honest...I don't think it's "your" jacket.
It's too long for my taste and the pointed shoulders don't fit your stature.
Tapering it won't make it better either.
I would sell it and look for something more suited to your stature. An Aero CR in a soft leather or a CR from Vanson, Johnson leather or FiveStar made to your own measurements should fit better. With FiveStar, I order "round" shoulders. I.e. The angle shoulder line / sleeve is very flat. The shape then falls more like a raglan shoulder.

 

[Damon141]

I get the shoulders are not round but wearing it will fix that because keep in mind this is new Shinki horsehide which needs to break in. Funny thing is that I have better pictures of the back and sides it doesn’t look as bad as I thought. Obviously could be better just not as bad as I thought. Arms could be tighter but I’m smaller than normal right now which would fill out the shoulders even more. I’m about 10 lbs under my average weight.

You know loved the little details this jacket had that others didn’t but these are the best pictures I could find after a quick search for the Kensington and none of them look great compared to some other brands or pictures shared by many of you members in this thread.

Last picture #4 is another brand recommendation in a cafe racer style with an excellent v taper

 

[Brandrea33]

Well for what it’s worth, think it looks pretty fantastic in you …

that said, I’m not you and I get that fit and feel are two very different things.

 

[handymike]

Sell it and don’t look back!
You work too hard, and that expensive jacket looks frumpy on you. Tailoring it will only cost more...@ton312 is right, use the $$ for another jacket.

 

[ton312]

I would double down on selling it. As @handymike said, you put far too much effort into your physique to mask it with this jacket. There are far better alternatives out there.

 

[Damon141]

Yeah I have it on all the market place sites including: grailed, classifieds here and eBay. I’ll try to control restrain myself from jumping the gun and altering it, hopefully somebody will see that this is an amazing deal and transfer them to save $1000 if it fits him of course call me but one thing I won’t do is sell it for nothing, I’d rather just leave it in my closet in that case

In the meantime since it takes a while for a custom fit and winter here in Florida is a long way off I am going to make inquiries about a custom fitted jacket from one of the makers you guys recommended to me

 

[Rugby]

Sweet christ rugby… the epitome of a TFL hulkster. Love it. You can be my back up anytime. Keep me outta trouble. Or help me start it, whatever.

Hahaha, nah. Just think though that my son is 6'7"+ and has got the leather jacket bug. I promised him that next year at his 21st birthday he'll have a horsehide car coat. He likes car coats. I am saving already.

 

[JMax]

Hahaha, nah. Just think though that my son is 6'7"+ and has got the leather jacket bug. I promised him that next year at his 21st birthday he'll have a horsehide car coat. He likes car coats. I am saving already.

My three roommates my first year in college were bball players. Shortest one was 6’5”. Tallest was 6’9”. I felt like a potted plant hanging out with them. A car coat will fit your boy like a vintage MC jacket.

 

[Damon141]

To anyone that has been following this thread I ended up selling the jacket for a wash, a basically brand new Himel Kensington for $1,200 minus shipping and fees. So the resale are not as high as Japanese brands like The Real McCoy j100 which sell for $1,900 and sell routinely for $1,300-1,600 in well used shape so why they charge $2,650 I will never know.

Even after that fiasco I was still considering a bespoke Himel Kensington but after them ignoring my email about alterations I would never choose that brand. I got lucky on mine which had pretty straight stitching but after browsing pictures there are plenty on here with bad stitching and even uneven chest pockets, a member here repeatedly posts theirs with contrasting white stitching and the pockets are the first thing I notice.

Johnson leathers we’re very responsive and helpful when discussing alterations before the sale but I really want a period correct J100 or Cafe Racer with vintage type hardware and that doesn’t seem to be their thing.

First on my list is Fields Leather because of the great stitching and fit options of a mock up jacket.

I contacted John Chapman with goodwear leather 2 weeks ago (no response) to ask if the wait time on the website was correct 14 months I think, because I have read posts that people have waited 4 years. That’s ridiculous as anything can happen in that time frame and he isn’t the youngest guy either.

I considered lost worlds but I see mixed reviews.

I like some of Thedi leathers cafe racers which are unique but not at his price after the exchange rate.

Are their any other high end makers with bespoke jackets that I have missed?

I truly think a 44 in the Rmc j100 would fit chest wise but worry about the sleeve length and body width. It really is such a nice jacket. Some online companies have a return policy but it’s not my style to buy online and return, I just feel bad especially with something that pricey.
.

 

[morrison2951]

Vanson, Vanson, Vanson

 

[Damon141]

I’ve looked and when fitted correctly they seem amazing but do they do periodic correct zippers and hardware?

Don’t blame me it’s every one here’s fault that I have become a jacket snob. This coming from a guy who has only had mall brands like Coach, Rag & Bone, and Schott.

Now I have become obsessed with talon and whizzer zippers and Shinki leather.

 

[morrison2951]

In that case you'll likely need to find a vintage HH Vanson with talon zippers.

Kind of a tough find.