Other Types of Leather Jackets

[CiscoKid]

Howdy Friends,

Been a while since I stepped into The Lounge. Mea culpa, mea culpa.
So, I've been perusing the wonderful world of leather jackets for the past year and have a couple of questions:

"Cafe Racers" ...while perhaps not vintage, who can clue me in to the basis for this style and title. The romantic in me wants to think it came from racing motorcycles around Europe, maybe during the 20's or 30's?

And... speaking of vintage, in the film, "Seabiscuit," George Wolf (actor/jockey Gary Stevens) wears a tan colored jacket, big lapels with zipper front. Any comments on what type of jacket this is? Period correctness? Who made it?
After all the "Indy Jacket" opinions, I'm curious about this one.

Many thanks,
Cisco

 

[vonwotan]

Cisco Kid, Thank you for the thread. I am also curious about some other types of leather jackets, I don't think they were first introduced until after the 40s, but still interested.

First and foremost is the old, very heavy, NYC Police officer's leather coat. Growing up in NY I always admired these coats, and once, while in Central Park had one of these wonderful coats draped over my shoulders when we walked to the old Central Park precinct for a tour. What I remember most about that coat was it's weight - a very thick heavy lined coat, but soft from wear. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen!

I also remember some very nice heavy leather coats from the cold war years, and earlier, made in Russia. I have been thinking of these coats recenlty because it finally feels like winter here in Boston, and I realize that I overdid the clothing contributions in our latest move and only have one heavy grey Chesterfield that is not always the most practical winter coat.

 

[CiscoKid]

Yes, there are some interesting styles out there born of function, necessity. Those police motorcycle jackets are pretty cool and yeah, they do look heavy.
Have you checked out classicjackets.com? (I believe that's the website) I was just surfing around the other day and discovered it, They've been making custom motorcycle jackets of that style for a long time.
I'm really more into the flight jackets but there's a big world of leather out there.
Cisco

 

[Scary Mc]

It's not vintage but it is the best leather jacket I've ever seen or owned.http://blackmagicapparel.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page7.html

The jacket has been on my back from here to Guatemala on my motorcycle and then up to B.C. and back and just about everywhere in between. It's almost waterproof, the front zipper will weep a bit in 80mph downpours. Super thick, fine grade leather that is soft out of the box.

All that said, even with all of the abuse and fould weather this jacket has seen it still looks great. It is more than nice enough wear for a nice evening on the town.

I'll get some photos of mine posted.

 

[Fatdutchman]

"George's" jacket is pretty darn sharp. I would assume it is a vintage 30's jacket. The styling certainly looks 30's. "Red's" jacket is a very nice, very typical '30's-'40's "cossack" jacket. I will assume it is horsehide.

By the way, how do you think George kept his hat on while riding a race horse? Staples?

 

[CiscoKid]

Very cool jacket, Scary Mc. So, not vintage but I think anyone here can appreciate excellent workmanship.
I'd like to see yours if you get a chance to send a pic.

Fatdutchman: I agree, George's jacket sure looks vintage 30's. Just wondered if anyone had some extra insight. Red's is also a cool model.

Still, I'm wondering, where did the term and/or style "Cafe Racer" come from?
Any thoughts Scary seeing as you're a bikin' kind of guy?

Thanks fellas,
Cisco

 

[Scary Mc]

Still, I'm wondering, where did the term and/or style "Cafe Racer" come from?
Any thoughts Scary seeing as you're a bikin' kind of guy?

Thanks fellas,
Cisco

Here is a bit on the Cafe Culture...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafe_racer

Most cafe jackets are close fitting, no frill jacketss and generally have what is called a 'mandarin' collar.