Is my vintage CHP Cal-Leather jacket too short?

[Doomstein]

Treat yourself to some SJC denim!
They have a higher rise (like vintage ones), would look great with that jacket, and will be on sale coming up in a couple of days!

I'll definitely look into that!

 

[Doctor Damage]

This jacket is too short too, so you're not alone Doomstein.

 

[Doomstein]

This jacket is too short too, so you're not alone Doomstein.

If only I were that good looking.

 

[Doomstein]

I had a 42" long that hit me in about the same spot. 27" sleeve length and 26" back length w/ the dipped kidney panel. It's shorter in front so you can move without constraint when it's fully zipped. View attachment 39956

Nice jacket, man. It still looks nice and stiff. I was kind of hoping It'd be more solid and substancial feeling, But mine is so broken in to the extreme and worn it feels like lambskin, and hangs like it.

 

[Doomstein]

Obligatory Doomstein-less jacket photos:

 

[ton312]

Nice jacket, man. It still looks nice and stiff. I was kind of hoping It'd be more solid and substancial feeling, But mine is so broken in to the extreme and worn it feels like lambskin, and hangs like it.

This was easily the nicest of this style I've ever owned. I sold it because it became too small for me to really wear but it was a thing of beauty! Weighed 8lbs without the belt and the hide felt like LW horsehide, just super stiff and ageless...like it would never break-in!

 

[ton312]

My personal favorite and in my opinion best wearing jacket of this type is the Vanson Model. The original Highwayman. It's cut longer, is heavy as Hell and has the same ability to cinch in the waist. If you keep your eyes open you might find one on ebay for a reasonable price!

 

[bn1966]

Just browsed through the Pike Bros website...plenty of high-rise vintage repro work-wear..thinking of trying a pair myself

www.pikebrothers.net

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Great fit ton312.
Nice jacket for riding.
That's about how I've worn them for decades.
A jacket sized like that can be worn with practically anything.
HD

 

[dan_t]

Nice jacket, must say though that I'm not digging the double buckle look in your picture.
With your t-shirt tucked in, the jacket riding above the jeans belt line, done up and buckled, the jacket buckle looks identical to your belt buckle immediately underneath it.
I'd say play around with a few different looks, t-shirt untucked, jacket open, belt in & out of the jacket etc.

 

[Doctor Damage]

These are supposedly Sacramento cops in the 1940s, which shows how short these vintage jackets were, as Dinerman observed. (click for full size image)

 

[Doomstein]

Well, that pretty much hits the nail on the head. It fits as intended. So the answer to my original question is "no, the pants are too low."

I may also save up 350-400 for a used Vanson CHP on ebay, and see if it fits for a more casual look.

Thanks guys.!

 

[Frenchcancan]

I'm a big fan of cal leather. I own 3 of them, vintage. If you talk to them, they will tell you your jacket is fine. There is one good raison for that, they are made to wear on a bike, not casual. Their leather is so stiff when you sit, the jacket will push on your face. I'm 6'2 and they recommend 21-22' long in front. In the back the kidney panne had 3-4 inch. And ton312, your jacket is fantastic, did you buy it used? Looks like tailer for you

 

[Frenchcancan]

And domstein, your mystery chp police is à cal too. Cal have supply the lapd police since the Early year. One raison why as you see in vintage picture, jacket is very short, with lot of police équipement on the belt and high waist pants.

 

[l0fielectronic]

For me I've learnt if I find I have the thought 'Is this jacket too short' then it probably is, at least for me to be comfortable. I've seen people wear jackets that I wouldn't wear and they look good in them, but its all what works and feels comfortable for each person I think.

 

[Frenchcancan]

Yes how you feel inside is important, but this design is purely fonctional for riding. Nothing wrong per say about it.

 

[ton312]

I'm a big fan of cal leather. I own 3 of them, vintage. If you talk to them, they will tell you your jacket is fine. There is one good raison for that, they are made to wear on a bike, not casual. Their leather is so stiff when you sit, the jacket will push on your face. I'm 6'2 and they recommend 21-22' long in front. In the back the kidney panne had 3-4 inch. And ton312, your jacket is fantastic, did you buy it used? Looks like tailer for you

Actually bought the cal of a guy in my neighborhood for a very reasonable price. So yes it was a used jacket...not made for me. The Vanson I purchased off the rack, new.

 

[Frenchcancan]

Well you have a good neightborhood. It goes for 1500$ us New now

 

[ButteMT61]

Well you have a good neightborhood. It goes for 1500$ us New now

My wife found "an old bed" on the side of the curb by our house about 12 years ago. Turned out to be a Monterey bed and worth about $3k. You never know!

 

[handymike]

I'm gonna go dumpster diving in your 'hood Butte!
Welcome FCC!