Aero cafe racer shirt too slim?

[ton312]

Gents,

Recently picked up this cafe racer jacket as I wanted a sleek clean example I could wear out to dinner etc.
Size 42" and all the typical measures checked out. So done. What shocked me, and I don't know if it's standard on this model or not is how skinny the sleeves are, particularly at the forearm/wrist. 5 & 1/8" at the cuff. Can this be spec'd?never even considered this measurement. Seems really small and I can't zip the cuff closed. I've gone over it w/ a magnifying glass and see no evidence of alteration or slimming. It's easy to put on but I have to dance a bit to get it off. Anybody experienced this? Suggested fix? I know I could remove the gusset but I don't want a bell bottom sleeve. Don't really want to send it over the pond to be altered either. I've attached some crumby pics to illustrate. Bit of a shame b/c I like the fit otherwise. Borderline sausage casing but OK w/ a t-shirt. Suggestions appreciated!

 

[navetsea]

to me it fits great in those picture, including sleeves.

 

[ton312]

Thx Nave. I just don't like wrestling my way out of it. Another 1" is sleeve diameter and I think it'd be perfect.

 

[navetsea]

wearing long sleeve shirt underneath to me makes it easier to wear close fitting jacket sleeve.
hopefully when you size up the sleeve, it won't mess up with the already great sleek fit around the body.

 

[ton312]

wearing long sleeve shirt underneath to me makes it easier to wear close fitting jacket sleeve.
hopefully when you size up the sleeve, it won't mess up with the already great sleek fit around the body.

Exactly, I wouldn't want to go all the way up the sleeve b/c that could ruin the overall appearance... I was hoping someone may know a way to cheat it...like stretch it a bit somehow, esp at the cuff...If anything I think even if I just opened the sleeve gusset by 1/2" it'd be much easier to get off.

 

[navetsea]

gusset-less cuff

 

[ton312]

gusset-less cuff

That was my first thought too! I just worry about creating a bell-bottom sleeve!

 

[navetsea]

you can try to saturate the triangular gusset with leather conditioner, and then slightly force it onto a shampoo bottle or some round container and leave it overnight until the leather stretches permanently, but 1/5 - 1" is an impossible goal, probably over that gusset you might gain 5mm once stretched.

 

[zebedee]

My Cafe Racer is similar- the cuffs are tight-ish, even when unzipped. They got looser over time, and now I don't notice it as much.

 

[eugenesque]

I think the fit looks really good on you. I understand what you mean with the tight sleeves. I was afraid of tearing the lining when I get in and out of my racer. But as zebedee said, after a while it will be fine.

 

[Carlos840]

I also agree, it looks great on you!

Since you already have a few jackets you could keep this one as a summer T Shirt only jacket, not all of them need to be big enough for layering!
My ELMC Californian is also on the tighter side, but i wear it in summer with a T shirt and wear my larger ones if i need to layer underneath.

 

[ButteMT61]

I've successfully used the wet sleeve + (glass) bottle method to stretch out sleeves on both goat and HH.
I measured them and then went to BevMo and found a few drink bottles suitably larger and proceeded. Worked great.
And FWIW, I know some will say it's too small, I like it. As @Carlos840 said, use it for t-shirt time.

 

[ton312]

I also agree, it looks great on you!

Since you already have a few jackets you could keep this one as a summer T Shirt only jacket, not all of them need to be big enough for layering!
My ELMC Californian is also on the tighter side, but i wear it in summer with a T shirt and wear my larger ones if i need to layer underneath.

Yeah, I think if I keep it that's about what it'll have be...I've been through so many cafe jackets and just can't seem to get it just the way I want...I'm either swimming in it or wrapped up like a pig in a blanket...

 

[ton312]

I've successfully used the wet sleeve + (glass) bottle method to stretch out sleeves on both goat and HH.
I measured them and then went to BevMo and found a few drink bottles suitably larger and proceeded. Worked great.
And FWIW, I know some will say it's too small, I like it. As @Carlos840 said, use it for t-shirt time.

Thanks Butte! That's what I'm talking about! I'll try that for sure! Great idea

 

[Monitor]

Ton312, it's perfect!

 

[mr_lits]

Keep that sucker, fit is awesome. Even if it ends up just being a teeshirt jacket.

 

[ton312]

you can try to saturate the triangular gusset with leather conditioner, and then slightly force it onto a shampoo bottle or some round container and leave it overnight until the leather stretches permanently, but 1/5 - 1" is an impossible goal, probably over that gusset you might gain 5mm once stretched.

This is a fantastic idea. I'm doing it!

 

[ProteinNerd]

I wouldn't have noticed the sleeves being tight if you didn't highlight it, it's a great fit other wise.
I'd say it's worth giving buttes idea a try.
The upper sleeve on this model is usually pretty baggy, have they been slimmed down too? Hard to tell from the angle of the pics.

 

[Guppy]

Looks great. But it sounds like it's just very tight and not the fit you were looking for. I don't think there's a fix, other than to look for a new jacket. If you bought it new, exchange it for one made to your measurements.

 

[ton312]

Looks great. But it sounds like it's just very tight and not the fit you were looking for. I don't think there's a fix, other than to look for a new jacket. If you bought it new, exchange it for one made to your measurements.

Npt new... just new to me. The cuff measurement is one I've never thought to ask for...especially from an aero jacket. In my experience the sleeves have always been about the same. That's based on different styles though