Aero Sonoma Cafe Racer Fit Questions...

[pawineguy]

I was under the impression that the "standard" Sonoma was based off the regular Aero Cafe Racer pattern which has lower arm holes than one based off the Board Racer. At least thats definitely the case in my situation, although my BR is a 40 and my CR is a 42. I'm pretty surprised to hear that its the arm holes that are pinching.

As for length, its something that most of us seem to battle with sooner or later... I've seen jackets that look really great on others, yet when mine hits the same spot on me length wise, it bugs the hell out of me for being too short. The pic you linked too looks great on that guy, yet I've sold on 2 jackets that hit half to an inch below the belt for being too short and his is above the belt! Its whatever you feel comfortable enough to wear.

Correct, the Sonoma does not have the high armholes. I think what he's experiencing is not tight armholes, but rather a broad back which might be a little constricting. Wait, how did a thread on TFL go this long without someone demanding fit pics?

 

[tnjyoung]

Correct, the Sonoma does not have the high armholes. I think what he's experiencing is not tight armholes, but rather a broad back which might be a little constricting. Wait, how did a thread on TFL go this long without someone demanding fit pics?

LOL! I'll get some fit pics up later this week. Then we can really do some critiquing.

 

[tnjyoung]

I was under the impression that the "standard" Sonoma was based off the regular Aero Cafe Racer pattern which has lower arm holes than one based off the Board Racer. At least thats definitely the case in my situation, although my BR is a 40 and my CR is a 42. I'm pretty surprised to hear that its the arm holes that are pinching.

As for length, its something that most of us seem to battle with sooner or later... I've seen jackets that look really great on others, yet when mine hits the same spot on me length wise, it bugs the hell out of me for being too short. The pic you linked too looks great on that guy, yet I've sold on 2 jackets that hit half to an inch below the belt for being too short and his is above the belt! Its whatever you feel comfortable enough to wear.

Feeling comfortable is one thing, having fellow fedora loungers walking around out in public talking about how ill-fitting my jacket is would kill me. I just wanted to know what the "accepted" fit was.

 

[pawineguy]

Feeling comfortable is one thing, having fellow fedora loungers walking around out in public talking about how ill-fitting my jacket is would kill me. I just wanted to know what the "accepted" fit was.

Welcome to the Lounge, it's what we do. Your best bet is to wear some cool boots or denim with the jacket. We're very easily distracted and the thread will become about your boots instead.

 

[handymike]

or your crocs!

 

[ProteinNerd]

Or just wear your shirt untucked

 

[pawineguy]

Or just wear your shirt untucked

Haha, you got nailed for that one!

 

[nick123]

Feeling comfortable is one thing, having fellow fedora loungers walking around out in public talking about how ill-fitting my jacket is would kill me. I just wanted to know what the "accepted" fit was.

To be honest, as much validation as praise here brings, enjoying a new jacket without regard to fellow Lounger's input might be the way to go. I say this because we've all become pretty picky here regarding fit, and if someone here remarks one thing is off fit wise, it stays in our head. If we hadn't posted our acquisition, it would have never been an issue otherwise!
Besides, the public truly has no concept of fit. A 46 is the new 40! I know this because my first jacket was a Cockpit HH A-2 in a size 46 (don't ask) and I'm a 40 chest. Several different groups of people complimented me! We're probably the only people in the world who really care, so you'll still look good to everyone else. When I first got into this whole scene I actually thought everyone here wore their jackets too short compared to what I deemed acceptable. I can appreciate it now though.

 

[ProteinNerd]

And we have a pretty diverse range of gents here that have very different ideas on how something should fit, especially length. You get to know who wears their jackets like you do and to listen to their opinions, and respectfully ignore the opinions of the other gents that just have different thoughts on fit.

 

[theeggcarton]

Hi again tnjyoung....I'm definitely saying that jacket stretched or conformed in some way to my pits. Again, I have had it a week and first two days I was concerned a bit, but knew it would mold to my body. Now it is not even something I feel. I definitely do NOT have the classic Cafe Racer build, and am short and a some would call "stocky".......5'8" and currently 180lbs. However, the size 40 fits (in my opinion) as it should, and was probably helped by wearing several layers underneath for the last week (because of cold). I'll be posting pics shortly in another thread (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?80596-Aero-Highwayman)

 

[tnjyoung]

Okay, here are the fit pics, as promised. I think I have decided the jacket is too small for me. Maybe it's the cut or maybe its the fit, but I will (sadly) be listing this for sale in the classified section

 

[Surferbruce]

Hmmm....looks pretty good to me.

 

[tnjyoung]

Hmmm....looks pretty good to me.

Thanks. I'm so confused. It just feels too short to me. I keep thinking this is the "new", not broken in length, too. It is bound to shrink even more in length with wear, right?

 

[ProteinNerd]

Its a cropped style for sure but I think it looks great, a really nice fit!

Have a look at the Thurston Bros gallery and you will see the majority of their moto's are as short if not a bit shorter. Nobody is going to look twice and think that its too short for that style of jacket, they are designed to be that length for riding a motorcycle and not bunch up when seated.

You definitely look trim enough to get away with it, quite often its the gents with a bit of a belly that need a longer jacket to cover it.

but length is a personal thing, if its too short for your comfort then its too short for you.

 

[Sloan1874]

I agree with PN. While it is a shorter style, it's down to whether you feel comfortable with it. FWIW, it looks fine to me as it covers your belt buckle and the back and shoulders seem okay, though it would help to see it zipped up to get a more complete impression.

 

[Edward]

Looks fine to me too. [huh] This particular style is cut to be worn neat; are you just used to much looser fitting jackets, maybe? Aero's jackets do tend to be a little shorter than modern equivalents, sometimes (vintage nature of the designs), though I don't know in this case (Thurston often add length when they order, given their custom isn't all from those of us who want a truer vintage look). It does'nt look at all wrong or too short with those low rise jeans of yours, though the obvious answer is to also look into some higher-waisted denim...

 

[Plumbline]

It's as much to do with personal pref. as it is to do with style.

To me it looks an inch or two short .... I certainly wouldn't want to be on a bike with something that length. Sleeves look fine but the body and back would irk me somewhat

A number of members on here tend to wear their jackets what I would call "short and tight" ( " if it covers your belt that's perfect" " if you can zip it up and still breathe then that's perfect" ) ... I tend to like my jackets mid front pocket on my jeans ( so that it slightly impinges when I put my hands in my pockets ... incidentally I'm a normal rise jeans guy - ED47's or 501's - not a high waister )

It looks great in the shoulders and chest ....

just a little short.

Just MHO ...

 

[tnjyoung]

It's as much to do with personal pref. as it is to do with style.

To me it looks an inch or two short .... I certainly wouldn't want to be on a bike with something that length. Sleeves look fine but the body and back would irk me somewhat

A number of members on here tend to wear their jackets what I would call "short and tight" ( " if it covers your belt that's perfect" " if you can zip it up and still breathe then that's perfect" ) ... I tend to like my jackets mid front pocket on my jeans ( so that it slightly impinges when I put my hands in my pockets ... incidentally I'm a normal rise jeans guy - ED47's or 501's - not a high waister )

It looks great in the shoulders and chest ....

just a little short.

Just MHO ...

Thanks to everyone for their supporting comments. Plumbline sums up how I feel, too. Just a couple of inches short for my taste.

 

[handymike]

We've all been there Tnjyoung.
If you aren't happy now, you'll always be self conscious in it.
Best to move it on and get one you love.

 

[ykurtz]

What's the size and measurements of the jacket?