Tag Archives: clobber

The Speedwear Classic Waxed Cotton Motorcycle Jacket

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A while back I wrote a review of several ‘less expensive waxed cotton jackets‘, less expensive than the two big names in the market, (Belstaff and Barbour) anyway. Looking at my stats, it’s one of the most popular posts on the blog.wax_jacket_front3_1024x1024

Well, I thought it was about time I wrote an update. In doing a little online research, there was one jacket that really stood out –  the Speedwear Classic Wax Cotton Motorcycle Jacket.

Described as “The Classic Belted Classic Style Motorcycle jacket, made in heavy duty twelve ounce black wax cotton.  As used by motorcyclists the world over, made using traditional techniques and Genuine wax cotton oil skin fabric. Contrast studs lined with tartan lining. Storm Cuffs .  Breast Map pocket. Roller buckle throat adjustment. Studded front closure with heavy duty zip and roller buckle belt. This is the original Technical Garment that is a great Classic Fashion item for both on or off your bike.” This jacket is exceptional value for money at just £64.99 (at time of writing). Now, I can’t personally endorse this jacket, not owning one (yet!), but the reviews from those that have bought it seem consistently good.

Find it out on Amazon here:Classic Black Waxed Cotton Motorcycle Jacket (Large)

Or check out the Speedwear website for the full range of gear.

Speedwear are a British company, based in the Wirral. They’ve been in business for 15 years, making garments using the finest British waxed cotton available at a great price.

Update; There must be something in the air about wax cotton jackets… as the nice people at Scooterlab have just done a group test on a bunch of wax cotton jackets… all a bot pricier than the Speedwear however. Check it out here.

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Classic Bomber

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One item of scooterists wear it’s hard to avoid is the classic MA1 flight jacket. This took over from the ubiquitous fishtail parka – sometime in the early eighties I suppose. It’s easy to see why, it’s inexpensive, warm, casual and with enough pockets to easily stash the stuff you need to get access to. It’s also a great platform for stitching all your SC regalia and Paddy Smith run patches onto. Not a lot of crash protection, and not terribly waterproof, so a lot of riders will pack waterproofs, or upgrade to a ‘proper’ motorcycle jacket, or a classic waxed jacket for hardcore riding. For everyday riding, though slinging on a MA1 is quick and easy. Here’s a few I’ve found, with my thoughts.

Entry Level

As with everything in life, you usually want to avoid the cheapest. Quality usually suffers! There are bargains to be had online however… and this jacket has all the features you look for in an MA1 with a bargain basement price. Available in the classic scooterist ‘sage’, ‘petrol’ (my colour of choice) ‘burgundy’, and black. There is also a white one, which I’m sure is a fine fashion colour (if you want to look like an astronaut or a member of East 17) but less than practical for scooter riding.

SageMA1
PetrolMA1
Available on Amazon Here

The Real McCoy

A step up in price is the genuine article, the classic MA1 from the original manufacturers, Alpha Industries. 95% of people won’t notice the subtle differences between this jacket and the ‘entry level’ one posted before, but it’s the 5% that will that matters, right? At the time of writing you can pick one up on Amazon for under (just under!) a £100, so they are not that unaffordable.
AlphaIndMA1-Detail2

AlphaIndMA1-Detail1

AlphaIndMA1
Alpha Industries Olive/Sage MA1 Flight Pilot Bomber Jacket Sizes XS – XXL

A Variation on the theme

As well as the classic MA1, here’s a variant of the jacket that I have owned, and I think I actually prefer. The CWU 45 has spacious patch pockets and a proper collar instead of the knitted one of the MA1. And I think you can get away with one in black without looking like you’re a neo-nazi.
CWU45-Detail

CWU45

Alpha Industries CWU 45 Flight Jacket – Colour Black

They look good in Gunmetal too…
CWU45-Gunmetal
Alpha Industries Alpha CWU 45 Flight Jacket – Gunmetal Size 2XL (46-48)

Have you got a favourite riding jacket? Let me know.

Evolution of a Scooterist Tee…

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From childhood to old agePrint

Damn fine tees, if I must say so myself! All profits (about 50p a shirt) go towards keeping the blog going. Or at least keeping my Lammy on the road!
All designs copyright © Lambrettista blog 2014

Gabicci promo video

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Some nice scoots featuring in this classily shot promo video for Gabicci… another brand keen to make the most of it’s mod heritage.

Personally though, I’d have binned the PX’s. If you’ve got to use V*spa’s in your vid… make sure they’re old. And preferably GS’s.

Wiggo, again.

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Bradley Wiggins Fred Perry shotsBit late posting this, as it appear in the Mail at the end of June, but with Mr Wiggins back at work in the Tour of Poland, I thought I’d take the opportunity to follow up my post on Britain’s favourite cyclist, olympic hero, mod and Lambrettista.

In what later turned out to be some publicity shots for his new range of clobber for Fred Perry, Wiggo was seen “speeding around on his moped” (the Daily Mail’s words not mine) on Southport pier. Apparently, the gold and white SX200 scooter, is a gift from the clothing range after Mr Wiggins worked with the label to create a cycling inspired collection of apparel, footwear and accessories.

wig2 wig4If you follow the link to the Daily Mail article, you’ll find a couple of pics of him scooting down the pier. I’d post them here, but they’re copyright. (I’m sure Fred Perry won’t mind me posting there pics, especially as I’ve linked to their website) But the fact that it was all a bit of a set up for a photoshoot will explain his lack of a crash hat… as he’s been quite outspoken (and rightly so) about wearing a helmet on your bike.

Here’s the original article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350032/Bradley-Wiggins-spotted-cruising-Southport-SCOOTER.html#ixzz2aRT0rX5C

And here’s the Fred Perry Modern British Hero collection: http://www.fredperry.com/men/bradley-wiggins

And Bradley… if you read the blog, let me know mate. I’d love a celebrity endorsement!