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Winter lining(s) for thick leather cafe racer jackets

Oakbark

Familiar Face
Messages
61
Hi everyone,
I'm considering to buy another vintage cafe racer jacket for the winter season, ( rarely under 32 fahrenheit)
I already on a fidelity cafe racer with winter lining ( that vertical lines padded lining ), the point is that both the leather and the linining itself make the jacket boxy and is noticeable especially on the sleeves. I also went to the tailor to tighten the sleeves since they were even baggy and loose due to the its age, but anyway it's a bulky jacket, so I'm looking for something still warm but less bulky.
I was thinking about a lighter steerhide with quilted lining, but I've not experience with this combo, so I'd like to ask you if the quilted lining is as (fat) as the vertical line padding lining that are famous on Fidelity jackets.

Talking about other winter linings, I like the harris tweed or alpaca wool lining that Areoclothing offer as custom options for their horse and steer hide jackets;
they always look sharper, slim sleeves, nice looking, but anyway as I stated above I was thinking on vintage jackets, not new ones.
However I'd like to ask, if these wool lining keep as warm as the lining of my Fidelity.
With my Fidelity I can wear just a t-shirt under it and a scarf for my neck and I can go on my bike at late evening with 32 fahrenheit with no problem.
Do you think wearing an Aero I would need to layer on something more over the t-shirt for the same climate conditions?

And to underline my first question here: quilted lining on thick leather jackets would make the jacket boxier, slimmer or same than my fidelity?
Thanks
 

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El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,474
Location
California
I can’t help but think that you would probably be served better by another style jacket for winter wear. Café racer jackets look best with a nice trim fit, something that is damn near impossible to get with a thick lining. Also the Mandarin collar does not provide any real protection from wind and cold on your neck
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I have a vintage Beau Breed cafe racer that came with a quilted lining - it's a thing they did - but I don't think it works as a robust Winter jacket. To compensate for the thick lining, the leather is very light - maybe 2.2oz.
 

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up
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4,415
Location
SoFlo
I like the concept of a thin-lined cafe racer under which I can layer a sweater or a hoodie. I don't know if it will keep me warm in 32F; I guess I will find out this winter.
 

Oakbark

Familiar Face
Messages
61
Yes I know is the first kind of jacket u d wear on winter to keep i warm, but you know... when feeling nostalgic of mid seasons and bike I still manage to go out in my Fidelity for short routes and I m definitely fine wearing it as a casual jacket paired with a warm wool scarf even in winter and at me winter temperatures rarely go under 32F.
That said, sometimes I d like to layer up a bit wearing my Fidelity cause it has a cropped cut, but the point is that it s already too bulky and maybe I d need half of size up to layer up easily.
I ve to figure out if:
1) quilted lining let the leather drape a bit more than what I see on fidelity, and if makes the jacket less bulky or not, cause of the quilted lining does the same job of that fidelity lining, well then I don t need another jacket that would give the same issue.
2) if tweed wool lining Aero make for their horse hide jackets would be fine for the above mentioned temperature (with some layers on) (to the need) without making a bulky silhouette.
I m talking in hypothetical terms cause I m not going to buy an Aero.
 

Oakbark

Familiar Face
Messages
61
and what about those detacheable zipped vests that some cafe racer jackets have?
I own some lightweight cafe racer jackets with sateen lining, slim and tight cut, but obviously are not suitable for winter climate, but I'd settle for wearing them on mid seasons when is still not that cold, but at the same time is not that warm to wear them just with a tee undeneath....and are too tight to add some layers.
I'm thinking......if adding somehow those kind of vests ( my jackets do not have the inner zips to get those vests on) maybe with a discreet pin below the collar to safe it there? Something that I'd leave there on the jacket without having to wear any vests as part of my look, (nothing again vests, I even wear them ).
I know it's not the most elegant option, I'm just trying to explore some possible ways



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El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,474
Location
California
I would suggest wearing your current CR with a Filson wool vest under it.
That is what I do with almost all of my jackets when it gets a little colder around here. It makes a great transition layer too since you can keep it on once you warm up too much for the jacket yet still too cold for just a shirt. They also look pretty nice by themselves.
 

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