Ladies Motorcycle Jacket Challenge

[Pegasus jackets]

A few weeks back an illustrious member of this forum launched a challenge to jacket makers to do a ladies vintage style M/C jacket that fits well.

I guess pictures speak a thousand words.

Looking forward to your comments, and Wade and Carrie's orders :

 

[ButteMT61]

Awesome! I had a girlfriend some years back that weighed 95 pounds wet. She got a Langlitz made 'cause its indeed a challenge.
Nicely done and looks great!

 

[Man of Vintage]

Very well done and a superb fit!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Now..that is a great fit...and beautiful ladie's jacket!
HD

 

[Peacoat]

Nice jacket and nice lady.

 

[Cicero]

Nice jacket, great fit, looks superbe!
As if you both were born for eachother.

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Thanks all for your kind words! The nice lady also happens to be my wife

 

[ButteMT61]

Thanks all for your kind words! The nice lady also happens to be my wife

Thank god we kept in line lol

 

[Fireslayer]

Great jacket! Are you making women's jackets now? I'm looking for a high quality jacket for my wife.

 

[Mojo1975]

A few weeks back an illustrious member of this forum launched a challenge to jacket makers to do a ladies vintage style M/C jacket that fits well.

I guess pictures speak a thousand words.

Looking forward to your comments, and Wade and Carrie's orders :

Pegasus--Props!!! I really do like it!!! The fit is great and the styling is awesome. I have to say that I believe that women's jackets are almost 100 times more difficult to make than men's. The fact that you've made a jacket that looks like a classic men's jacket, yet fits a women's curves is a testament to you talent!

I've gotta tell ya, we went through so many manufacturers without any luck in finding a good women's fit. The only solid women's cafe' racer that sold consistently for us was the 1970s Brimaco, and prices were going through the roof due to demand. Therefore, we finally just decided to recreate it. Yet, you've taken it one step further and made your own women's design with great fit, style, and form.

So, now down to the details, is that horsehide? I'm guessing that it is. We finally settled on using 1.3-1.4mm Brazilian cowhide (race suit stuff), as it drapes very well and has very, very high abrasion resistance. We had tried using goat, but could never find a reliable source for it, as Langlitz has. I guess it was our logic that a leather that drapes will fit a women's curves better. Also, what are the zippers on that jacket?

Again, looks incredible.

Sincerely,

Wade
AKA "an illustrious member of this forum"

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Great jacket! Are you making women's jackets now? I'm looking for a high quality jacket for my wife.

Hi Firelslayer,

Yes I am. The model you see is called a D-pocket "S" in ladies.

Kevin

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Pegasus--Props!!! I really do like it!!! The fit is great and the styling is awesome. I have to say that I believe that women's jackets are almost 100 times more difficult to make than men's. The fact that you've made a jacket that looks like a classic men's jacket, yet fits a women's curves is a testament to you talent!

I've gotta tell ya, we went through so many manufacturers without any luck in finding a good women's fit. The only solid women's cafe' racer that sold consistently for us was the 1970s Brimaco, and prices were going through the roof due to demand. Therefore, we finally just decided to recreate it. Yet, you've taken it one step further and made your own women's design with great fit, style, and form.

So, now down to the details, is that horsehide? I'm guessing that it is. We finally settled on using 1.3-1.4mm Brazilian cowhide (race suit stuff), as it drapes very well and has very, very high abrasion resistance. We had tried using goat, but could never find a reliable source for it, as Langlitz has. I guess it was our logic that a leather that drapes will fit a women's curves better. Also, what are the zippers on that jacket?

Again, looks incredible.

Sincerely,

Wade
AKA "an illustrious member of this forum"

Hi Wade / Mr. Illustrious,

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, indeed it is difficult to get the curves just right on a woman's jacket. Fully agree that leather has to be relatively soft to make sure it drapes, not only for fit but because I believe women don't care for stiff leather jackets (this was an important criteria for my wife).

Details:

Leather: For this jacket I used 1.2mm tumbled cowhide. Very soft and supple yet thick enough for a M/C jacket. I can also get high quality goatskin without a problem. I currently offer it as an option on my men's jackets. However I figured the goat would be too grainy and rugged for women. What do you think?

Zippers: The zippers are the same Ideal USA (Conmar) brand zippers I use on all my jackets. The finish is antique brass and I also have antique nickel. The front zipper is #8 gauge (heavy) and the pocket and sleeve zips are #5.

Let me know your thoughts.

Kevin

 

[Cooperson]

Great work, very nice jacket!

 

[Mojo1975]

Hi Wade / Mr. Illustrious,

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, indeed it is difficult to get the curves just right on a woman's jacket. Fully agree that leather has to be relatively soft to make sure it drapes, not only for fit but because I believe women don't care for stiff leather jackets (this was an important criteria for my wife).

Details:

Leather: For this jacket I used 1.2mm tumbled cowhide. Very soft and supple yet thick enough for a M/C jacket. I can also get high quality goatskin without a problem. I currently offer it as an option on my men's jackets. However I figured the goat would be too grainy and rugged for women. What do you think?

Zippers: The zippers are the same Ideal USA (Conmar) brand zippers I use on all my jackets. The finish is antique brass and I also have antique nickel. The front zipper is #8 gauge (heavy) and the pocket and sleeve zips are #5.

Let me know your thoughts.

Kevin

Kevin,

I totally agree about women not liking the pebbeled look of goat (or some cowhides for that matter too). They want the leather smooth and soft, something that's very different from what a lot of men want when looking for high quality horse, goat, and cowhide jackets. The draping function, to accentuate a women's natural curves, is essential and it seems like your wife's input was spot on here. We also found that most women don't care very much about zipper brand. Therefore, we use YKK because of the strength of the zippers. Yet, I doubt the zippers you're using are any weaker. I like the brass touch on the zippers! The #8s work well as main zippers because they don't overwhelm what is a smaller jacket.

 

[Tony B]

Very good jacket overall but it is certain details that really stand out, the double scallop back with expansion pleats, the underarm grommets that go all the way through to the inside so they work well and the colour of the sleeve lining to make a perfect contrast with the body lining. Very nice

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Very good jacket overall but it is certain details that really stand out, the double scallop back with expansion pleats, the underarm grommets that go all the way through to the inside so they work well and the colour of the sleeve lining to make a perfect contrast with the body lining. Very nice

You've certainly got ane eye for detail Tony! What you've pointed our are the same "functional" details I've incorporated in the men's jackets I make. The only thing that I left out of the the Woman's version is the inside pocket as it could interfere with....eum...lets say certain "curved equipment" specific to women

Kevin

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Kevin,

I totally agree about women not liking the pebbeled look of goat (or some cowhides for that matter too). They want the leather smooth and soft, something that's very different from what a lot of men want when looking for high quality horse, goat, and cowhide jackets. The draping function, to accentuate a women's natural curves, is essential and it seems like your wife's input was spot on here. We also found that most women don't care very much about zipper brand. Therefore, we use YKK because of the strength of the zippers. Yet, I doubt the zippers you're using are any weaker. I like the brass touch on the zippers! The #8s work well as main zippers because they don't overwhelm what is a smaller jacket.

Wade,

Completely true about women and hardware. They could care less about the brand of zippers. My wife even mentioned that she preferred the zippers to be more "shiny" (yuck! go figure). Regardless, I will not be doing "shiny" finishes though. Have to draw the line somewhere . The Ideals are actually very good zips. They are robust and work smoothly. Their service and follow up is first rate. The pullers I use are the vintage "Conmar" style (Conmar was acquired by Ideal) so it adds a correct vintage touch. Also, the Ideals are "genuine" and not repro knockoffs of another brand's zippers. Yes, the #8 guage is chunky but not too much even for this jacket. Its much better suited IMHO as a front zip than the #5 most seem to offer even on men's jackets (which I find too flimsy as a main zip). The bigger puller is also easy to grab to avoid fumbling around while on a bike.

Could'nt agree more on the leather criteria. My wife would never consider Horsehide for herself. She's always wondering why I would wear such "heavy and stiff" leather. Yes, the cowhide is very soft and drapes well, as does the goat that I use. The goat is actually a very nice veg tanned russet brown. I think I will be offering both options if some women don't mind the "grain" and want a different look.

BTW, what does Carrie say about all this? Its always good to get a woman's opinion.

Kevin

 

[Tony B]

If you want to sell jackets to girlies get RIRIs fitted they are drawn to them like wasps to a picnic.....they remind them of the zips on expensive handbags.

 

[Pegasus jackets]

That's a very macho remark Tony! I guess this is a vintage forum after all

Don't like the looks of those Riri's much myself. You are right that certain ones have that bling-bling effect (which I'm trying to stay FAR away from).

 

[Tony B]

Not really I have just bought a stache or riris to put on anything I make and replace some zips on older jackets they really are far nicer than anything else out there.

No question of being big and butch I like because they are pretty as well as being far superior in terms of closure...for pocket zips for instance you can feel the edges of a ykk when you stick your hand in you pocket on RIRIs the edges are all polished smooth which is just nicer....there you go I think that has just destoyed any butch credentials I had.

Seriously , girls like tactile stuff which is probably why they prefer softer leather on a jacket so if you stick some nicely finished zip on it they would probably appreciate that finess more that the average bloke would....and if you shop around you would be supprised at what price you can get them for, they are more expensive than most others but they are not as bad as most people imagine.