Aero board racer - fit pics

silver002 · Jan 24, 2022

Hi, new here but very thankful for everyone's contributions to the forum.

I received a fit jacket from Carrie for a board racer size 40 in black Vicenza. I know the sleeves are too short and the waist a bit too large (excess material near my lower back). Was hoping others could chime in with their feedback on how the jacket fits. The shoulders look ok but feel pretty tight (I can feel the lower armhole pressing against the top of my inner bicep). Not sure if that will change much after breaking in the jacket. For context, I plan on wearing this during the spring and fall, with just a t-shirt or button down underneath. This is more of a casual jacket for me, not something I'd ride with.

Any thoughts or feedback would be very much appreciated.

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silver002 · Jan 24, 2022

Also, not sure if this matters much, but the camera was angled slightly upwards, so kind of makes everything at the top look smaller and the bottom bigger. More noticeable in the 1st and 5th pics.

jglf · Jan 24, 2022

As you said, arms are too short. I don’t think the waist is too large. Jacket looks pretty tight in the chest and mid section while zipped.

You are always going to have excess material in the lower back because the one large panel back. Just picture the human anatomy of a persons back and try to mold 1 large piece of leather around it. The Japanese do the best patterning with 1 piece backs but it will never be as form fitting as multi panels.

dudewuttheheck · Jan 24, 2022

Arms are a little short and chest seems a little snug, but it depends on how you feel about these things. As you said, the camera is low and it's not super flattering so it's sort of tough to judge the fit. Some people really care about sleeves being short, but others don't. The chest doesn't look bad to me. It's more about how you feel about it.

silver002 · Jan 24, 2022

Thanks for the responses. Regarding the back, not sure if it's worth adding a vertical seam, or if it's possible to get a closer fit just by taking in the waist (what Carrie initially mentioned).

For context, I'm probably in the worst shape of my life right now (not kidding at all), from a combination of excessive eating/drinking over the holidays, quitting smoking on Jan 1st, and just not working out regularly like I used to pre-COVID. So I'm rocking a beer belly and generally have less muscle than normal. That will change over the next few months.

I've heard Vicenza doesn't really stretch, so the tightness in the upper arms / shoulders might be a real issue. My arms are only going to get bigger from here (not by a crazy amount), offset by a slightly smaller chest (fat replaced by muscle, so less overall volume, I think). The chest feels fine and I can move my arms around ok. But I just don't like the feel of the lower part of the armholes digging into my arm constantly. Feels like my arms have a wedgie.

I saw this post from a few years ago that really has me thinking I might need a bigger size (or perhaps switch to CR).

"I had a 40 BR that was tight across the shoulders. I fought that thing for about 18 months hoping it would stretch and mould to my body but it never did. I ended up selling it and I’m much happier in a 42 now that doesn’t restrict my movement."

I'm going to retake pics from a better angle and post them here.

Bennarion · Jan 24, 2022

My Aero Cafe Racer. It fits me perfectly comfortable in the chest, shoulders and sleeve, but I don't like the front length is too short. Regarding your jacket, I think it is small in the shoulders and it will always cause discomfort especially when the jacket is buttoned up. Sleeves as they said already here, someone likes a short sleeve so that the watch is visible, I like a long sleeve

jglf · Jan 24, 2022

I live the CR v-taper silhouette a lot better than the BR. You have to be built like gumby to have a good fit in the BR.

Shine · Jan 24, 2022

Here is my size 40 Board Racer. Based on the pictures you posted, I would suggest going up a size. The Board Racer pattern has higher armholes with more of the upper back weight distributed around the neck, a size too tight can be very uncomfortable.

Edward · Jan 24, 2022

This is a funny one for me. About twenty years ago I bought a cafe racer type for wearing to work on more casual days, having decided a Perfecto-style was just a bit too... statement... for the office. I had it for a couple of years, but sold it on again because I was never happy that the mandarin collar looked 'right' with the collared shirts I typically wore. Now I have several t-shirts I wear regularly again for the first time in a decade or so, I'm finding myself increasingly tempted by the minimalism of the style. I particularly like the two chest pockets / no handwarmers vibe.

The one in the OP looks a little short in the sleeves to me - which is of course to personal taste. The body length is about what I'd consider ideal. I think whether there's too much volume at the back is very much a personal choice. I wouldn't necessarily say it is, but as @jglf notes, a neater fit could be achieved there by going for the original Boardracer design with a seam and two panels. Worth noting that Aero's own listing for this design on their website states the following:

"The back has a double kidney panel and is cut to fit close to the torso, to achieve this we've had to use a centre back seam, quadruple stitched for extra strength, which follows the contours of the wearers backbone. We are aware that a centre back seam isn't to everyone's liking so we are offering the option of a one piece upper back but one should be aware that this will compromise the close fit of the jacket."

If you really don't want a centre seam, it may be worth looking into the standard Aero Cafe Racer on the basis that it has been designed around having the one-piece back rather than a centre-seam, so may be easier to get the desired fit in.

Rich22 · Jan 24, 2022

I always wondered if the centre back seam dug into the spine when sitting in a car? I agree that something needs doing to tailor in the lower back for OP, as that isn't a flattering look.

By the way, if you lift weights the circumference around the chest will likely increase a few inches, leaving you bigger than you are now.

Rich22 · Jan 24, 2022

I believe Aero can taper the jacket by taking out a couple of inches at the waist? Might be more flattering.

Canuck Panda · Jan 24, 2022

I would wait until you get back to your normal shape first before making fit decisions, especially on a very tailored piece that cost more than a grand. What will be perfect fit now will not be a few months from now. And you're right about vicenza or any good horsehide, they have very dense fibers and do not stretch. If your current fit jacket is already tight in the shoulder it won't work once you get back in shape. To me, shoulder fit is the most important. The torso can always be taken in but the shoulders ("A") cannot be stretched out.

AeroFan_07 · Jan 24, 2022

I think getting into correct (or your preffered) shape is the best choice here.

Major congratualtions on quitting smoking! I've never smoked, but I understand it is incredibly difficult to do. Keep the "quitting" up and you'll feel a lot better - I lost an aunt to this a year back - she died very painfully and much too young.

I've personally never found the Board Racer to be a correct fit for me. The 4-pocket CR is a much easier pattern to work with, and while I have generally had good luck with "42" (6' 1" tall, 195 lbs) I am finding with the weightlifting, cardo and stretching work I am doing these days a 44 is a better less "skin tight" fit for me.

silver002 · Jan 24, 2022

Thanks everyone for all the incredibly helpful input!! And AeroFan_07, sorry to hear about your aunt. I’ve lost someone to cancer (not smoking related) so can relate a bit to how you’re feeling.

I’ve decided to go with goatskin (Carrie said it’s more stretchy/flexible). Hopefully that alleviates most of the tightness issue. Also hoping that taking in the waist will help w the excess material in the back, as well as the goatskin naturally molding to my body over time.

From the feedback here, I’ve decided to try the cafe racer for my next jacket (brown, prob Vicenza or seal), which will prob serve as more of a colder weather jacket (roomier so I can fit a sweater).

But def a big thank you to everyone for your thoughts / responses.

silver002 · Jan 24, 2022

jglf said:
I live the CR v-taper silhouette a lot better than the BR. You have to be built like gumby to have a good fit in the BR.

Is there a way to make the CR slim fitting? Seems like the BR is usually recommended for slim fits, and the CR for v tapered fits, but why can’t you have both for the CR? Like they shouldn’t be mutually exclusive right

AeroFan_07 · Jan 24, 2022

silver002 said:
Is there a way to make the CR slim fitting? Seems like the BR is usually recommended for slim fits, and the CR for v tapered fits, but why can’t you have both for the CR? Like they shouldn’t be mutually exclusive right

I think you can. I have a "size 42" 4-pocket CR that is pretty trim fitting. It's actually for sale if you want to check one out, not sure if the size would work for you but it's here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-4-pocket-cafe-racer-steerhide-42.106623/

MrProper · Jan 24, 2022

silver002 said:
Is there a way to make the CR slim fitting? Seems like the BR is usually recommended for slim fits, and the CR for v tapered fits, but why can’t you have both for the CR? Like they shouldn’t be mutually exclusive right

Here's a slim fitting cafe racer... ok, with a collar, so a Sheene.

silver002 · Jan 25, 2022

MrProper said:
Here's a slim fitting cafe racer... ok, with a collar, so a Sheene.
View attachment 397715 View attachment 397714

Wow that's a really nice fit. The shoulder gussets look insanely nice and clean too.

I guess it helps to be in peak physical shape

Edward · Jan 25, 2022

Canuck Panda said:
I would wait until you get back to your normal shape first before making fit decisions, especially on a very tailored piece that cost more than a grand. What will be perfect fit now will not be a few months from now. And you're right about vicenza or any good horsehide, they have very dense fibers and do not stretch. If your current fit jacket is already tight in the shoulder it won't work once you get back in shape. To me, shoulder fit is the most important. The torso can always be taken in but the shoulders ("A") cannot be stretched out.
View attachment 397651

Agreed. I'm in between sizes myself at the minute as losing weight; my chest is likely to drop a size or in some things two (I'm working on taking several sizes off my waist, primarily). My shoulders, though, won't be going anywhere so I have to remember not to expect to get into anything that they would have to be smaller for... I have shirts in particular that fit me ok now, will still fit the same over the shoulder, but I am looking forward to being less tight on the gut!

AeroFan_07 said:
I've personally never found the Board Racer to be a correct fit for me. The 4-pocket CR is a much easier pattern to work with, and while I have generally had good luck with "42" (6' 1" tall, 195 lbs) I am finding with the weightlifting, cardo and stretching work I am doing these days a 44 is a better less "skin tight" fit for me.

Like a lot of folks, when I first got into this game I went for jackets that were probably far too tight; I've learned from experience to go for something that's not "nineties oversized" but nor is it "Luftwaffe sausageskin". My wife as long as I've known her has always said to me "just because you can make something fasten doesn't mean it fits", which is a good point indeed.

silver002 said:
I’ve decided to go with goatskin (Carrie said it’s more stretchy/flexible). Hopefully that alleviates most of the tightness issue. Also hoping that taking in the waist will help w the excess material in the back, as well as the goatskin naturally molding to my body over time.

Aero's goatskin is a great hide. I've had a couple of military styles in that, now very keen to get a halfbelt in goat. Wonderful mix of real toughness but also easy drape. I also like that it retains its colour: I like to wear my leathers with a collar and tie often, and too much "patina" doesn't really 'work' for me in that context.

MrProper said:
Here's a slim fitting cafe racer... ok, with a collar, so a Sheene.
View attachment 397715 View attachment 397714

Nice fit - slim, but looks comfortably so, not like you'd halve your lung capacity by zipping up.

MrProper · Jan 25, 2022

silver002 said:
Wow that's a really nice fit. The shoulder gussets look insanely nice and clean too.

I guess it helps to be in peak physical shape

Edward said:
Nice fit - slim, but looks comfortably so, not like you'd halve your lung capacity by zipping up

Thank you. Yes, the jacket is slim, but goes well to wear. But mostly I wear them open anyway. Due to the bright color, it is rather something for sunny warm days and there it fits then also with only a shirt underneath.
Without the Gussets but I would take a number larger.
I think also a boardracer can fit so. But since I like the side panels in the CR well, my choice was just not on the Boardracer.

Aero board racer - fit pics

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