“Are you a mod or a rocker?”. While both looks have their supporters, this is not the occasion to start a debate, this is about style. The essentials of cafe racer culture originated in 1950s and they’re still around today. These items show us a glimpse of the style surrounding Ace Cafe in London back in the days.
First and foremost, a leather jacket is the staple item of a cafe racer’s wardrobe, and picking a well-fitted jacket requires some trial and error. In general Asians have a slimmer body type and it may be slightly difficult to get a perfectly fit leather jacket from European or American brands. Uglybros from South Korea specifically based its designs for the Asian fit and the Rockers LT jacket is made of 100% lambskin with a slim, straight fit silhouette, making sure the length, width as well as the positions of protectors are what they should be. The best thing about this jacket is that the Powertector shoulder and elbow protectors are not just CE approved for the guaranteed protection and shock absorption, they are also detachable and offer you a stylish look for your non riding moments.
Uglybros Rockers LT leather jacket HK$ 6,950
Again the slim straight cut pants from Uglybros are specially fit for the Asian market. The 12 oz stretched denim is lined with Kevlar below the knees, on the sides of the hip and at the back of hip and thighs. Kevlar is a lightweight yet durable material which is five times stronger than steel and used in bulletproof and knifeproof vests. CE certified Powertector removable protectors are included for knees and hips for the necessary protection. The elastic shirring knee and waist-lower back panels allow for better movement and extra comfort while keeping the silhouette tight. With the protection pads taken out, the casual style makes the pants good for daily wear too.
Uglybros Kevlar Moto pants HK$2,320-$2,880
The revival of Norton in recent years has brought a huge amount of excitement to cafe racer enthusiasts. Together with Triumph and Royal Enfield, these British motorcycles frequent the Isle of Man TT even though the roads are extremely tricky, dangerous and not infrequently fatal. Two styles are available for this Norton and Jeffery West collaboration: the first features the shoemaker’s signature diamond brogue punching and seven eyelets with laces, while the other one has a buckle on the side and gussets for easier slipping on. Both styles feature the must-have gear change patch as well as beautiful red leather lining with digitally printed logos of the two brands.
Norton x Jeffery West boots HK$ 4,600
While Marlon Brando just rocks his signature biker cap in The Wild One, in real life a helmet is necessary for both safety and legal reasons. The only decision left for us is to choose between wearing an open face or a full face. The Hedonist open face helmet is made of composite fibre carbon fibre shell, trimmed and lined in calf leather with 360-degree cushion padding. The glossy copper finish is hand brushed and hand foiled, meaning every single helmet is a unique piece. Nannini’s Hot Rod goggles use soft plastic for better flexibility and durability, while the padding is hand-sewn and covered in leather for a soft and comfortable fit.
Hedon Hedonist open face helmet HK$ 5,700
Nannini Hot Rod goggles HK$ 1,140
If you would like to go for a more authentic retro look, then put air flow and ventilation after style when prioritising and opt for a full face helmet. The one from Biltwell has the standard shock-absorbing EPS inner shell and an extra internal chin pad for a better fit. The visor from Equilibrialist is custom designed specifically for Gringo helmets, hence it fits precisely and blocks out wind, debris and unwanted road noise, letting you stay focused on your ride. The leather-clad visor just adds an extra coolness to the helmet.
Biltwell Gringo full face helmet HK$ 1,529
Equilibrialist Knox visor HK $1,300
Taking care of the post-helmet wearing quiff is a universal concern unless you have your hair close-cropped. While you can always revitalise flat looking hair with hair products after removing the helmet, putting a cap right back on is probably the easiest solution. Helmet maker Biltwell has the issue tackled with this basic and all round fitted cap made with premium wool blend. Last but not least, the look is not complete without a pair of equally stylish gloves from Grifter. The combination of denim and leather gives it a unique look and a nice colour contrast, at the same time the grip is not affected by keeping the leather on the palm side.
Biltwell B Premium cap HK$ 230
Grifter Selvedge Denim Ranger gloves HK$ 600
PAM Co. Ltd.
Rm 3-5, Po Hong Centre, 2 Wang Tung Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
(Entrance @ Sheung Yee Road)
