Vanson Denver

[Carlos840]

So, this should be interesting...
I am always on the lookout for unusual things, and the old leather pull over racing shirt has been on my list for a while. Unfortunately, other than vintage Taubers that are super rare in my size, and Himel that are super expensive, there are very few companies making these.

When i saw this Vanson i had to give it a go.

It was made in 2001, from black chap leather. It is supposed to be thinner than comp weight, but this thing is thick! It is 2mm thick, super soft and spongy leather, i really like it. Most panels have large scars on them, which i think is very cool.
It is half lined, meaning there is a lining hanging from the neck, that stops halfway down the chest. The arms are lined too.

The sleeves are non gusseted.

There is a cool wind flap that you can either fold in so that it lays flat on the chest inside the shirt, or when in use you can snap it to one of the two snap buttons.

Wind flap:

The fit is very nice too, it is very comfortable, with a classic Vanson easy range of motion, nothing bad to say there.

Now, here comes the interesting part...
My girlfriend, in her infinite snark tells me this is the "Worst thing i have ever bought" (the grizzly has been demoted!)
According to her, this makes me look like i am about to star in a hardcore gay porn version of Robin Hood ( She hesitates between calling it "The adventures of throbbin' Robin" or "Rubbin' wood, Prince of C*ck").

On one hand i can see where she is coming from, with the right leather chaps and cap this could really be a part of a decent BLUF outfit.
On the other hand so could a lot of other jackets we see worn here everyday!

So, what say you TFL? Is this a Friday night at the Blue Oyster kinda shirt? Or is it a racing shirt?

 

[Hh121]

That was the time before Vanson compromised

 

[ton312]

LOL. Best poll ever. I think the key with these is they need to be beat up and worn looking. That said this fits you very well. Personally, I don’t think I could pull it off. I do think your GF and my wife would delight each other with their wonderful sense of humor.

 

[lina]

So, this should be interesting...

So, what say you TFL? Is this a Friday night at the Blue Oyster kinda shirt? Or is it a racing shirt?

Both! Which is the beauty of it..

 

[Monitor]

One of the nicer pieces by Vanson in general that I've seen! This leather is outstanding. I know the type. I've had a cop jacket made from it, exactly how you describe it - very soft, heavy, no plastic-y top coat. And it feels extremely tough, maybe even tougher than their most common comp. weight. It's def. not mid-weight.

As for the fit... I gotta say it isn't nearly as outrageous as I expected it to be. Zipped up cafe racer can look more obscene so I really wouldn't give wearing this a second though. Maybe with a denim jacket over it. . . But I'd say it's perfectly wearable. Noticed the same thing when Terry bought one. I mean, nothing close to leather pants. By the way, Vanson makes a brilliant pair. If you wanna give your gf some ultimate agro, seek out a pair. I'd love to hear more of those brilliant puns.

 

[dubpynchon]

Great poll. I was going to jokingly say Blue Oyster Bar but then I saw Bonneville salt flats... this ain't no laughing matter. Bonneville salt flats.

It fits fine as well. It's still better than what 99.9% of normal people, not us leather, er, aficionados wear.

 

[Monitor]

It fits fine as well. It's still better than what 99.9% of normal people, not us leather, er, aficionados wear.

True. I was just thinking how my Cal is a lot closer to 10 on a 1-10 Tom of Finland scale than this shirt.

 

[jacketjunkie]

This is a racing shirt, a well-fitting and indestructible one too.

I believe the BLUF connotation will go away with wear. From what I understand, the whole BLUF thing is about shiny tight black leather (or at least that's my impression since I researched on Langlitz). This shirt doesn't fit you overly tight, it's a cool and casual fit. The problem here is that it looks too new, too fresh and shiny. Get it dirty and you will go from gay porn star to baddest MF on the street real quick.

 

[ksozay]

I have an old pullover from Cal Leather. I love it. But it’s definitely not a common jacket and people love talking to me about it when I wear it out.

Throbbin Hood, don’t be deterred. It’s hard being an unsung hero to the masses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Carlos840]

True. I was just thinking how my Cal is a lot closer to 10 on a 1-10 Tom of Finland scale than this shirt.

Funny you should say that, here is Tom's room, what do you see on the right?

It even has shoulder epaulettes like yours, which the Langlitz Columbia doens't have i think. The stitch lines in the belt area also look like Cal more than Langlitz.
Is Tom wearing a Cal leather?

On another funny side note, look who comes up well accompanied when you google "langlitz columbia"?

 

[Ayeteael]

Your gf is so punny. This model must have made a cameo in Robin Hood Men in Tights.

 

[navetsea]

I like the minimalist hem and it looks cool from the back...

 

[Monitor]

Funny you should say that, here is Tom's room, what do you see on the right?

It even has shoulder epaulettes like yours, which the Langlitz Columbia doens't have i think. The stitch lines in the belt area also look like Cal more than Langlitz.
Is Tom wearing a Cal leather?

On another funny side note, look who comes up well accompanied when you google "langlitz columbia"?

Jeez, you're right, that might be the same jacket... Even seems to be the version without the belt loops. I think it's literally the exact same model as mine.

He did seem to have at least a couple of Cal jackets, though. Here's another.

 

[oneterrifichog]

Hey Carlos:

If you ride a motorcycle it could be very comfortable in Spring and Fall weather. Vanson makes motorcycle gear if other groups usurp their gear that's their prerogative. No big deal, but for riding I think it's cool.

Wilbur

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I think this.
B

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I think it looks good Carlos. Exceptionally nice fit.
HD

 

[tmitchell59]

Taubers Horsehide Riding Shirt

 

[nick123]

Nice one Carlos. I like these. Something handmade feeling about it with the laces; almost Native American in essence.

 

[El Marro]

Carlos,
You have a very direct, no bullshit, look about you in all of the photos I have seen you post here. That look project a confidence that I think allows you to wear some jackets that might look out of place on another person. I think the Vanson racing shirt looks awesome, both yours and Bowen’s (as well as Terry’s Taubers shirt).
On a sidenote I had never heard of BLUF, although I had a pretty good idea of what you guys were referring to with the Blue Oyster reference. Now that I have googled them I can see that I’m only one pair of leather pants away from being eligible for membership!

 

[dannyk]

Carlos,
You have a very direct, no bullshit, look about you in all of the photos I have seen you post here. That look project a confidence that I think allows you to wear some jackets that might look out of place on another person. I think the Vanson racing shirt looks awesome, both yours and Bowen’s (as well as Terry’s Taubers shirt).
On a sidenote I had never heard of BLUF, although I had a pretty good idea of what you guys were referring to with the Blue Oyster reference. Now that I have googled them I can see that I’m only one pair of leather pants away from being eligible for membership!

I also never heard of BLUF or Tom of Finland. I was reading this thread while at lunch with my buddy. I decided to google these things. Definitely lead to an interesting discussion with my friend while we’re out eating wings and he looks down and sees what I’m looking at haha.