Opinions on goat cafe racer fit

[Mainspring]

I've never owned a goatskin jacket before and wanted to get some opinions on fit (i.e. "is this normal"?). This was a made-to-measure jacket by Magnoli. I used two other jackets I have for measurement references and like a neat fit, but am still a bit surprised at how restrictive the jacket is with regard to arm movement. Perhaps this is typical of a medium weight hide? Perhaps it will stretch somewhat? Or if you think I should have increased a specific measurement or two, please advise which! Thank you.

Appears to be a perfect fit for this style jacket when relaxed...

Raising the arms brings the collar up noticeably and creates some effects and outward pull in the shoulder and under the armpit. Again, perhaps this is normal. I typically wear sheepskin (please set your stones back on the ground...) which isn't as dramatic, movement-wise, as this goat jacket

Moving arms forward creates noticeable "squeaky" tension on the upper arm

Here's a better view of the arm/back tension

Raising the arm while the jacket's unzipped pulls the bottom up and to the side significantly

Thanks everybody!

 

[Will Zach]

Looks like small armholes are restricting movement, but I will let experts here opine. As someone here mentioned, making a cafe racer with simple back that does not restrict movement is no simple matter.

 

[Mainspring]

Looks like small armholes are restricting movement, but I will let experts here opine. As someone here mentioned, making a cafe racer with simple back that does not restrict movement is no simple matter.

It sounds like your theory is that I should have tweaked the armhole and high arm width measurements to be a tad more accommodating, as well as looked for a design with articulated shoulders. Thank you for chiming in.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks normal to me. Many jackets distort totally when you raise your arms. It may settle down in 6-8 months of regular wear. Some of the better designed bike jackets may not do this but it's a common thing.

 

[Cheshire Symposium]

Fit looks ok to me. I would give it 6 months and some of your notes issues may settle down.

 

[Mainspring]

Thanks guys. Would you recommend any water soaking techniques or anything?

 

[Psant25]

I am not patient and i will dunk most of my new jackets. I probably should just wear them, but i have my little routine for a new jacket and it is part of the fun for me

 

[navetsea]

I think it looks normal, however if you plan to use the jacket to drive or ride a lot then the sleeve should be rotated forward a little but if done too extremely that might result in the back of collar hitting the back of your neck on normal position with your arm down,
other thing the sleeve might be set more spreading to the side like shirt sleeve instead of dropping down like coat/ suit jacket sleeve, but that will result in extra material and a bit sloppy looking at the armpit when you rest your arm down.

 

[Mainspring]

I think it looks normal, however if you plan to use the jacket to drive or ride a lot then the sleeve should be rotated forward a little but if done too extremely that might result in the back of collar hitting the back of your neck on normal position with your arm down,
other thing the sleeve might be set more spreading to the side like shirt sleeve instead of dropping down like coat/ suit jacket sleeve, but that will result in extra material and a bit sloppy looking at the armpit when you rest your arm down.

Thanks but I don’t think alterations are in the books for this one. Interesting points though!

 

[navetsea]

just wet and wear it to dry

 

[Mainspring]

just wet and wear it to dry

Will try this. Thank you!

 

[Powerband]

Jacket looks normal in these pictures—it will break in. I had a FQ Horsehide from Schott a while back and when I raised my arms I nearly decapitated myself.


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[Mainspring]

Jacket looks normal in these pictures—it will break in. I had a FQ Horsehide from Schott a while back and when I raised my arms I nearly decapitated myself.


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Haha I hear you. This goat is fairly supple, nothing like the FQ horsehide I had back in the day. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Monitor]

Looks good to me.

 

[handymike]

Only soak goat in cold water- NOT HOT

 

[Roll2me]

I think sleeve is too short but the other thing that you worry about is normal for leather jacket. I was surprised with how restrictive it is when I got my first leather jacket. But it gets better as the leather soften.

It will never be like cotton or other material but when I use cotton jacket now, I miss the weight and armour like feel of leather jacket


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[Mainspring]

I think sleeve is too short but the other thing that you worry about is normal for leather jacket. I was surprised with how restrictive it is when I got my first leather jacket. But it gets better as the leather soften.

It will never be like cotton or other material but when I use cotton jacket now, I miss the weight and armour like feel of leather jacket


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Well put. Thank you.

 

[Bfd70]

I’d say it’s a nice trim fit. It may snug up in some of those movements, but how often do you really flap both arms to the side? If mobility is a concern the fault is not in the hide but rather the design.

 

[breezer]

I think sleeve is too short

look at the first picture - no way should they be any longer.....

 

[willyto]

Only soak goat in cold water- NOT HOT

There’s zero need to soak. Just spray water over it and it doesn’t matter if it’s warm or cold.

Also I’ve read in the first comments that the armholes are too small. It’s actually the opposite. If they were higher and smaller the fit would be a lot better for movement.