Planning my next jacket: Aero Cafe Racer vs Indian Ranger..

[Wallman]

Hello folks !

I´m pondering and pondering about whether I want to go for an Aero Cafe Racer or Indian Ranger/Motorcyle jacket for my next jacket.. (black cxl fqhh, brass zips and a cotton sateen wine lining/ black and red check tartan).

The two styles of motorcyle jackets are equally cool, but I´m worried that they might be a bit too bikerish in terms of looks. Thinking that I might not be comfortable wearing the jacket as much as I would like..

The Cafe Racer is appealing as it is the model that I think would be the best fit for my frame, but I think that the looks might be a bit too simple for my taste..
The ultimate model would probably be a cross-zip Cafe Racer..

(And no, I can´t afford one of each style)

Anyone had to go through a similar situation, and what model did you choose in the end?

Two pics that shows respectively why I love the two styles.. prime examples of proper wear and patina.. (cannot remember where I got the pictures from).

 

[sweetfights]

Versatility, wearability —-hands down Cafe Racer.......elegant. Classic. Not too biker. In my opinion far from basic looking.

 

[dubpynchon]

Buy a Vanson Chopper, that's a cross zip with a cafe racer collar. Both those Aero jackets look cool, if you order one you'll just end up ordering the other eventually, it's inevitable. Welcome to the pit...

 

[ton312]

For wear-a-bility in almost any situation it has to be the CR. For total badass-ery, then it's the IR for the win.

 

[VestCoast]

I'd go for the CR as your first/only jacket. I grab my Sheene (CR with a dress collar) more than any other jacket when the weather permits. It's black FQHH and really goes with anything. I actually have the wine sateen liner as well and it's really great for warmer weather, and makes the closer fit of the CR easy to slip on. A slight word of warning about the liner though--if you plan on wearing the jacket zipped a lot with jeans I would get something a little more durable than the sateen. Aero doesn't skive their seams and the intersection of the side seams and bottom hem creates a thick seam end which can rub against your belt or belt loop. My liner formed a tiny hole at this point so I'm being a little more careful about wearing it zipped with mid-rise jeans. This might be a relatively unique problem because my jacket fits pretty closely throughout, and the length makes the seam interact with my belt. Just a heads up!

 

[El Marro]

I’ve got to agree with everyone who posted above that the cafe racer is going to be a more versatile style, particularly since you mentioned you are worried about looking too “bikerish”.
The Indian Racer is an awesome jacket, but any jacket with a belt at the bottom always makes me think of motorcycles or rock ‘n’ roll bands. There is nothing wrong with that, but I thinks it makes the jacket less appropriate in some settings.
Obviously the opinions expressed above are purely my own, and I’m sure others will think differently. I have a number of crosszips and I enjoy wearing them almost anywhere, all of them are beltless I might add.
As dubpynchon said above, you are probably going to end up with both jackets anyway so just start with the one that feels right at this moment. Good luck!

 

[zebedee]

Get the Cafe Racer. Ask for an extra inch in the body- maybe 1.5 inches extra. The front curves up...

 

[Wallman]

You have all made some very valid points, thanks! The Cafe Racer does seem to have a slight lead over the Indian Ranger. I do agree with the point about its versatility....But I do also very much indeed enjoy the thought of IR-badass-ery...

For wear-a-bility in almost any situation it has to be the CR. For total badass-ery, then it's the IR for the win.

 

[Edward]

The irony is that, for ll people worry about the cross-zip style being "too biker", the cafe racer design is far, far closer to what 99% of people I see actually riding motorcycles wear these days. That said, while my choice of the two would be far and away the Indian Ranger, I agree with the herd that the cafe racer is probably the more flexible design.

Another thought: if you want tog try a cross-zip but don't want anything that screams Brando or Ramone, then how about a Bootlegger? I've found my Bootlegger wearable anywhere that any other halfbelt is; indeed, it's long been my most flexible jacket of all, whether worn with selvedge or slacks, collar and tie, or anything in between.

 

[Wallman]

I suppose it is a matter of definition, when I refer to biker/bikerish, I do mainly think of the Ghost Rider 2007 (featuring Nicolas Cage) style of biker... I guess it is the association I have with cross-zipped motorcycle jackets and the rockstar image (nothing wrong with that). Just worried I might feel like I have put on a style of clothing, and an image, that makes me feel.. fake? I think that there can hardly be a cooler looking jacket, but that it comes with a heavy burden of association.. just my 5c!

I have thought of the Bootlegger, but it feels rather similar to my 50s Half Belt Deluxe, apart from the cross-zip. Lots of similar details etc! Otherwise a killer design as well!

 

[Robbie79]

When I was reading your thread I was just thinking about this very cool black horsehide cross zip from Thedi
https://www.picbon.com/media/1959692598492715263_1514053197#media-2

 

[Monitor]

^ Yeah, that's a good idea for a cross zipper cafe racer. There's also Vanson Chopper, Langlitz Cascade, Schott Cafecto which is really neat and of course Lewis Leathers Monza!

That said, I'd go with IR, too.

 

[Edward]

I have thought of the Bootlegger, but it feels rather similar to my 50s Half Belt Deluxe, apart from the cross-zip. Lots of similar details etc! Otherwise a killer design as well!

Well, the standard Bootlegger *is* the 50s HB pattern with a different front. Mine islessobviously so as I had it made with button cuffs. Maybe the Moonshiner?

 

[Superfluous]

As others have already observed, the decision comes down to a versatile CR with clean lines vs. a bolder, more distinctive and brazen IR. I prefer the look of the IR style jacket . . . on other people. It is much more interesting and complex. That said, I own four CRs and not one IR style jacket. At the end of the day, the CR hits the right balance for me in terms of style and attitude, while maintaining clean lines and versatility. A CR indisputably projects a biker look, but it also transcends the biker look. A CR is equally comfortable on a bike, at a concert, or in a business meeting. It is part bad ass and part semi-conservative. An IR style jacket is more of a pure bad ass jacket, with less ability to blend into all circumstances. Again, I absolutely love the style on everyone else but myself, and I find myself much more likely to notice a good IR style jacket as opposed to a CR. Nevertheless, I buy CRs for myself . . . at least for the time being.

 

[lina]

If you are not wedded to Aero, another interesting option is Lost Worlds' cafe racer called a "Buco rider" (pic below). It has the shape of a traditional CR, and no collar, but that chest-level D pocket makes it a bit more interesting than a plain CR. I think it's a good look, though pretty distinctive and maybe not for everyone.

 

[Carlos840]

^ Yeah, that's a good idea for a cross zipper cafe racer. There's also Vanson Chopper, Langlitz Cascade, Schott Cafecto which is really neat and of course Lewis Leathers Monza!

That said, I'd go with IR, too.

Are you telling me i just reached max level? This literally shows the evolution of my wardrobe!

I vote Indian Ranger, it's a cool cross zip, they do a very nice accurate reproduction of it, it is IMO a much more interesting jacket than a standard cafe racer.

It sizes big though, i am usually a size 42 in most brands, i wear a size 40 Bootlegger and Grizzly, but when i tried a 40 Indian Ranger it was too big for me. I would have liked a 38 with extra length.

 

[navetsea]

^ more like you choose to play insane difficulty, make sure you bring many coins

 

[navetsea]

^ Yeah, that's a good idea for a cross zipper cafe racer. There's also Vanson Chopper, Langlitz Cascade, Schott Cafecto which is really neat and of course Lewis Leathers Monza!

That said, I'd go with IR, too.

cool pixelart man

 

[navetsea]

I vote for CR with a pair of slant chest pockets, with exposed zip metal teeth on both pockets, and if they allow it a pair of snaps on the upper chest to anchor the collar down like lapels.

 

[Monitor]

Are you telling me i just reached max level? This literally shows the evolution of my wardrobe!

There's one more difficulty - leather trench coat - but nobody dares go there. Nobody.

cool pixelart man

Thanks!