leather jacket fit

[Nimbus]

Hi guys, in preparation for my finally passing my test..

I'm looking at getting a leather jacket to replace the one I've borrowed.

The one I'm using now is a comfortable fit, I'd say just a bit tighter than my 'normal' jacket.
When trying a few on at a big shop, the assistant was adamant that I needed a much smaller and tighter fit, in fact so tight that I reckon if I put on a more than a few pounds it will be a serious squeeze
! I mean, the size was just about ok, but theres not much scope for 'expansion' !

What do you think, are they right, or will the next size up be fine ?

They were explaining this to me on the basis of not wanting the armor or my body to move about in the jacket if I came off.. which does make sense.. but at the same time I don't want to look like the fat bloke whose squeezed into his leathers !!

[dern]

I went for a really tight fit and was a bit nervous about it but they do give a bit and now it feels like a second skin. Admitedly if I put on any weight I'm fooked. I have a textile jacket under which I can wear winter warmers so that wasn't a consideration this time. Already switched to it for the morning commute as it's getting nippy with just a t-shirt and a leather jacket.

[Chilli]

Toby,
Doubt its of any interest, but I have brand new jacket in the garage, never worn. It's a chest size..... I'd say 41in, but is a tad too tight for me. It's not a big expensive make (cost me £80 I think) but you can have it if it would help?

Cheers.

[Nimbus]

Chilli said:

Toby,
Doubt its of any interest, but I have brand new jacket in the garage, never worn. It's a chest size..... I'd say 41in, but is a tad too tight for me. It's not a big expensive make (cost me £80 I think) but you can have it if it would help?

Cheers.

Thanks for the kind offer Chilli, much appreciated

I'm quite a bit bigger than that tho

I think ideally I'm looking for a matching jacket to go with my trousers from Heine Garrick, but just want to be sure I'm getting the right size and not just a jacket they are trying to 'shift'...

[Rawwr]

If leathers are baggy, you risk the 'pinch effect' when you hit the tarmac whereby folds in the fabric grip the flesh and tear it off the body. Apparently it's quite common.

[Nimbus]

Rawwr said:

If leathers are baggy, you risk the 'pinch effect' when you hit the tarmac whereby folds in the fabric grip the flesh and tear it off the body. Apparently it's quite common.

Ouch !

tight jacket it is then !

[D1 MAD]

You want it snug fitting, but make sure it is comfortable when you are in the 'sat on your bike' position. Some leather jackets have a twin zip at the front so the jacket is snug with just a 'T' shirt under in summer, but the second zip gives a snug fit with winter layers on underneath. Then if you put a few pounds on it will still fit.

[Rawwr]

And remember that new leather always feels like cardboard and will always give a little after the first couple of weeks use.

[rsv gone!]

Rawwr said:

And remember that new leather always feels like cardboard and will always give a little after the first couple of weeks use.

I know it's true but I can never quite believe it in the shops. I always end up thinking I couldn't stand that and 'there's a bit more life in that old jacket yet!'

[Steve11]

When I bought my Jacket I asked the shop assistant what he thought... left the shop with a jacket 2 sizes smaller than what I originally had. As said try the jacket on while sitting on your bike or similar.

If you're getting a back protector obviously work this into the equation.

[A1ec]

rsv gone! said:

Rawwr said:

And remember that new leather always feels like cardboard and will always give a little after the first couple of weeks use.

I know it's true but I can never quite believe it in the shops. I always end up thinking I couldn't stand that and 'there's a bit more life in that old jacket yet!'

I know what you mean as my leather jacket looks really good now, after 12 years of constant wear, and it's only been down the road once which was in Poland 7 years ago.

It's a bit looser now, which could be because I lost just over 5 stone a couple of years ago, but I can't see myself replacing it in the near future. The space around my body is very cooling in the summer and it then allows for a couple of extra layers in the middle of winter for warmth.

[Busa_Rush]

When I bought my leathers a few months ago I could hardly get into then, seriously they were so tight I was really considering taking them back. I could just about squeeze into the jacket but no room for more than a thin EDZ layer and certainly no back protector. When all zipped together I couldn't stand up and my balls were in my stomach.

Rode for a while and they gave maybe at least half a size, are now still snug, almost tight, but I can just fit a back protector in and wear a thin sweatshirt in addition to EDZ if I need to. They will still give a little bit more.

Also get yourself an EDZ base layer, fantastic, read they blurb, they do what they say on the tin, never wear my leathers without it.

[Nimbus]

cheers guys,

been back to the shop now, and now have a decent and tight fitting jacket, had a sit on a bike in it and it feels fine, so once its worn in a little it should be perfect

Now I just need to pass my test and a bike !

[Davel]

Good cos you'll look a right tw@ without a bike!