The Flathead Rider Jacket (Last Ever?)

[Arizor]

Appreciate the feedback mate; I just need to calm down and enjoy the fit I think...!

 

[Edward]

The only cash I carry around these days is £1 coin for the shopping cart, that’s it really everything else can be paid by card in London.
It’s so convenient not having to worry about withdrawing cash all the times.

Maks it too damn easy to spend money, though! I embrace the convenience of cards (though for security reasons I refuse to have a card with so-called contactless in it, and I've threatened to change bank over that before; eventually I'll have no other option, so then I'll have to find out where the contactless chips is and drill it out), but I do dream of being organised enough to manage myself with cash instead. I've stopped using credit cards altogether - they only exist for emergencies and to boost my credit rating now.

@Edward, yes, I think you're right. The Japanese system has inadvertently 'caught up' with the future; I was just reading a couple of days ago about San Francisco banning cashless stores.

Cashless stores haven't really hit London yet apart from a couple of hipster pizza places, but yeah, it's odd. I don't like the idea of no choice. I particularly resent the idea of being pushed not to use cash for workmen.... a government minister (at the time) here a few years ago insisted all labourers should be paid by cheque or card, not cash, so that there was a record of the payment in the system, the implication being that all self-employed labourers are feckless tax-evaders, which I found rather crossed a line. If I know someone is a tax dodger, then maybe I have a moral decision to make, but to assume they must be because they take cash is a bit guilty til proven innocent without the opportunity to do so.

When it comes to the whole privacy thing, people who say that they don't mind because they've got nothing to hide are kind of like people who don't mind losing their free speech because they've 'got nothing to say'.

Ha, quite.

But perhaps that's the nature of any expensive leather jacket (or indeed any expensive item), where you just get neurotic.

DING DING DING DIIIINNNNNGGGG!
We have a winner!

Srsly, I do think in these parts we often obsess far too much over these things; there does come a point whre you have to decide "I like this, I think it looks good, therefore it does" and get on with it. Enjoy it, it's a great jacket!

 

[Rich22]

Yeah the Flat Head have notoriously large shoulder measurements; the standard folk tale is that it's based on the founder's unusual shoulder to chest ratio.

What are folks thoughts on the latest fit pic? The shoulders are softening and creasing which might look cool really worn in, and the chest is comfy, not too tight when zipped, and the sleeve length feels good. Just those shoulders, sometimes I really like the look, other times I worry. But perhaps that's the nature of any expensive leather jacket (or indeed any expensive item), where you just get neurotic.

I think the jacket looks really cool, especially as you wear it in and it drapes more naturally.

Out of curiosity, what are the chest and shoulder measurements for this jacket? I’m a very similar size to you, and it suits you well regardless of the unusual shoulders.

 

[Rich22]

On the subject of cashless payments- it’s the way of the future. Aside from foreign holidays I’ve not withdrawn cash from an ATM for two years! Nor do I use my credit or debit card in stores. Here in China practically everything is paid for using mobile phones and QR codes- and it’s not just me, it’s everyone. Spend a few pennies to a street seller and they can receive payment on their mobile! (Cell phone, for the Americans here). Of course this does give the government access to every tiny detail, which is a tad creepy. If I was making any ‘dodgy’ purchases I wouldn’t be keen to use mobile payments as I do. As cash dies off criminals will need a whole new currency....

 

[ProteinNerd]

As cash dies off criminals will need a whole new currency....

Cough Bitcoin cough...

 

[Imuricecreamman]

Pretty much a perfect fit in my eyes. Seems like the armholes are quite tight and high, which makes the need for the wider shoulder for a comfortable fit. In my experience this creates the best look after the jacket is broken in. Just need a few more weeks.

Interesting discussion. Rakuten also works well for me, on the rare occasion I use it, but yes the average Japanese commerce site (at least for Heritage menswear) seems quite far behind.

For those wondering on length etc., more balanced fit pic of me wearing in natural light at a neutral angle:

 

[Arizor]

Thanks all, appreciate the decades of combined leather jacket wisdom; it feels great and the only doubts I get are from staring at the shoulders in the mirror for 5 minutes. It’s the same effect as staring at one word for minutes until it ceases to make sense, and a completely quixotic exercise in looking for something that doesn’t exist.

I think the jacket looks really cool, especially as you wear it in and it drapes more naturally.

Out of curiosity, what are the chest and shoulder measurements for this jacket? I’m a very similar size to you, and it suits you well regardless of the unusual shoulders.

Thanks mate. Chest is 22.4”, shoulder is 20.8”.

 

[Edward]

On the subject of cashless payments- it’s the way of the future.

It is if we let it be.

Aside from foreign holidays I’ve not withdrawn cash from an ATM for two years! Nor do I use my credit or debit card in stores. Here in China practically everything is paid for using mobile phones and QR codes- and it’s not just me, it’s everyone. Spend a few pennies to a street seller and they can receive payment on their mobile! (Cell phone, for the Americans here).

I've noticed that out there - Beijing has, since I first experienced it in 2006, gone from being a cash-based place to cash and mobile phone. Phones for locals, at least: I have a work issued phone out ther,e but I've never figured out how to use it that way, and we're probably not encouraged to anyhow as we have to claim all our expenses with receipts.

Of course this does give the government access to every tiny detail, which is a tad creepy.

That, of course, is entirely why it is encouraged.

If I was making any ‘dodgy’ purchases I wouldn’t be keen to use mobile payments as I do. As cash dies off criminals will need a whole new currency....

THey'll find away. As usual, we'll all lose our privacy, but those whom that state of affairs is claimed to thwart will be able to work around it.

 

[Rich22]

Thanks mate. Chest is 22.4”, shoulder is 20.8”.

Compare that to a size 44 Aero Board racer: Chest 24, shoulder 18.25. Link. My favourite jacket is about 24.5/19. You're lucky you fit this one so nicely

 

[dudewuttheheck]

The more I look at this jacket, the more I think it probably fits fine and the angles of the pictures are just throwing me off. It's a brilliant jacket either way. I'm a huge Flat Head fan.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'm a huge Flat Head fan.

Yeah I'm so glad I bit the bullet and bought one of their Cafe Racers, even more so now they are closing down....it is the jacket I get the most compliments on and with the Teacore Shinki looks the most like an actual vintage piece out of all the jackets I have.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Yeah I'm so glad I bit the bullet and bought one of their Cafe Racers, even more so now they are closing down....it is the jacket I get the most compliments on and with the Teacore Shinki looks the most like an actual vintage piece out of all the jackets I have.

That's a killer jacket. I would have gotten one too if it had fit me. Glad you love yours.

 

[Arizor]

The more I look at this jacket, the more I think it probably fits fine and the angles of the pictures are just throwing me off. It's a brilliant jacket either way. I'm a huge Flat Head fan.

Appreciate it Dude, looking at pics of you in your Freewheelers' Caboose convinced me the slightly oversized shoulders look cool, if anything.

edit: Also digging your podcast! Loved the latest one on leather, got me through an hour of chasing my 2-year old around a playground.

double edit: Also, looking at a Freewheelers' Caboose in size 44, the shoulder and p2p measurements are almost *exactly* the same as this Flathead. Interesting.

Yeah I'm so glad I bit the bullet and bought one of their Cafe Racers, even more so now they are closing down....it is the jacket I get the most compliments on and with the Teacore Shinki looks the most like an actual vintage piece out of all the jackets I have.

Have you got pics anywhere? Would love to see the fit.

 

[El Marro]

On the subject of cashless payments- it’s the way of the future.

It is if we let it be.

This is exactly how I feel about cash. I almost always have a couple hundred dollars in my wallet because I prefer to pay in cash. I agree that it makes it easier to keep track of how much money you’re spending and it seems much more real to me then holding your phone in front of a scanner just right to complete a transaction.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Have you got pics anywhere? Would love to see the fit.

 

[Arizor]

Hell yes, love the fit (those arm stacks!), and that tea core is really coming through!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Appreciate it Dude, looking at pics of you in your Freewheelers' Caboose convinced me the slightly oversized shoulders look cool, if anything.

edit: Also digging your podcast! Loved the latest one on leather, got me through an hour of chasing my 2-year old around a playground.

double edit: Also, looking at a Freewheelers' Caboose in size 44, the shoulder and p2p measurements are almost *exactly* the same as this Flathead. Interesting.

Yeah I do like the slightly wide shoulders. I think that and the angle your photos make your jacket look too big, when in reality it probably fits great if the pics were taken further away and straight on

Yes, the Caboose is especially slim. Owning 3 size 42 Freewheelers jackets, it definitely fits the slimmest out of the 3.

So glad you're enjoying the podcast! We're having a lot of fun making it and we have some really cool plans in the works for it.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

That looks so damn good dude!!

 

[Arizor]

Hey folks,

Apologies for awful pic quality, but it occurs to me looking back at those other images, due to my partner being on the steps taking the pic, the length is exaggerated. Here's a selfie at a level-ish angle:

 

[Arizor]

Just a quick update on this folks, 2 more weeks hard wear in rainy Melbourne and the shoulders have collapsed nicely, I think. Really enjoying the fit now.