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Definition of a cafe racer jacket? PICS ADDED!

Discussion in 'PUBLIC Vintage Fashion - Ask Questions Get Answers' started by Hattysattic, Dec 2, 2006.

  1. Hattysattic

    Hattysattic VFG Secretary

    I think I am OK to use this as a keyword, but very unhelpfully (is that a word?) I haven't done the pictures yet!

    Definition of a cafe racer style leather jacket? (Cafe racers are street bikes made to look like racing bikes, yes?)

    Oh, and would the jackets be fashionable in the late 70s or more likely early 80s?

    Thanks! And I know it's hard without a photo..
     
  2. Patentleathershoes

    Patentleathershoes VFG Veteran VFG Past President

    they are a short leather jacket and the collar is banded - usually the collar snaps. You are right on the definition but you will see that style jacket on motorcyclists (versus bikers), race car driver types.

    Some styles of the members only jackets mimicked these jackets but not all of them.

    Yes, i would say that would be the timeframe for them.
     
  3. Hattysattic

    Hattysattic VFG Secretary

    Thanks Chris -I have some pics now and will upload one shortly. Last night I imagined it had a banded snap-over collar, but who knows what jacket I was thinking of as it's actually got a collar, so I think it may be a little older? Not so sure about the title now!
     
  4. Hattysattic

    Hattysattic VFG Secretary

    Right, I am thinking more rockstar... keyword help? I suck at menswear!

    [​IMG]
     
  5. hipvintage

    hipvintage Alumni

    I don't think that is a cafe racer style, and I don't see rockstar either.

    NOW what are you going to do???

    Jen of le_robo sold a great blue cafe racer jacket about two months ago - I don't know if you remember it. They are very fitted, kind of the leather jacket equivalent of princess seaming, ya dig? :cool:

    Chocolate Brown Classic Vintage Leather Jacket

    :D

    Janine
     
  6. northstarvintage

    northstarvintage Administrator Staff Member

    I see more 70's rockstar than cafe racer. It's actually a pretty sexy jacket - the right guy would really make it work!

    As for cafe racer jackets - here are two examples (just took the pictures the other day so this is good timing!). They are simple and snugfitting - you don't want a collar flapping around when you're going 80 m.p.h.

    <p><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/howards5.jpg" width="300" height="424"></p>
    <p><img src="http://www.northstarvintage.com/ebay/tancafe5.jpg" width="300" height="461">

    The term Cafe Racer actually came from the U.K. Riders would customize their bikes by lowering the handlebars, putting on "rear sets" (footpegs towards the back of the bike), removing anything not necessary, like turn signals, and souping up the motor, and then they'd race from cafe to cafe.

    Kind of like this

    <img src="http://www.oliepeil.nl/cafe%20racer%201-thumb.jpg">

    I am such a geek about motorcycles!

    Susan
    </p>
     
  7. hipvintage

    hipvintage Alumni

    GOOD HEAVENS!!! :o

    Janine
     
  8. hatfeathers

    hatfeathers VFG Member

    Hey Harry, I see 70s porn star, now THERE's a good keyword!

    There is a market for those 70s disco sorts of jackets, spurring from the Fight Club Brad Pitt jacket craze
     
  9. Hattysattic

    Hattysattic VFG Secretary

    LOL at Jenn! Thanks all - I shoved indie (as in music) in the title and hoped for the best, but maybe I should put disco in there.

    Thank you Susan! I knew you would know - I had the (misfortune :) ) to ask my Dad and receive a potted history of cafe racers (bikes) but no actual help about the coat! I was imagining it did look like your jackets with no collar etc., which it obviously doesn't..
     
  10. thevintagebungalow

    thevintagebungalow VFG Member

    Hello there,
    You're listing looks great. Probably too late to through in my 2 cents but I think you should have motorcycle somewhere in the title. It really does have that look with a bit of a twist.
    Carrie
     
  11. MyVintageCocktail

    MyVintageCocktail VFG Member

    70's disco pimp fight club motorcycle jacket!!!!!! Those disco leather jackets were pretty hot last year, as I remember, but I have no idea if they are this year or not. Yours is great--love the lines.
     
  12. Hattysattic

    Hattysattic VFG Secretary

    Thanks Anne! Well it has one lonely watcher at the moment, so maybe not quite so hot. I still think it's a nice one too and don't mind as long as it gets a new home (i.e. I don't have to store it!)
     

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