Bering Lady Davis Plus size jacket in plum

 

The other problem we sometimes find is that when companies create garments in larger sizes they tend to put their efforts into the fit, and not a lot into the styling. But we're happy to report that this doesn't seem to be the case with the Lady Davis. This is a good-looking jacket that, whilst designed very much with motorcycling in mind, will look just like a coat that you might pick up on the high street for when you're not on the bike.

 

The outer material is a softshell fabric. Softshell always makes for a comfortable garment, but in a jacket like this its probably even more important because it will mould to the body. We are all sized differently, and the forgiving nature of its stretch component will make this jacket so much more flattering.

 

Now, technically, this is a waterproof jacket; and it is; it is fitted with a fixed, waterproof membrane. But not all waterproof garments are born equal, and one potential issue with the outer fabric on this jacket is that 'softshell' as a material tends to absorb the rain more easily than some other materials. In many situations when it's raining the membrane may keep you totally dry, but the rain that has been absorbed by the jacket itself may after a while cause you to feel cold. And when this happens, you will also tend to feel wet, even if technically you are not. As ever in life, everything is a compromise. Here you get higher levels of comfort, but as a result of the stretchy material you won't get the highest levels of waterproofing. For an hour or two, depending on the severity of the downpour, you will probably be fine. But after three hours there's a good chance that the jacket will have become 'wet out'. But there is a solution at hand. A waterproof over-jacket; something like a Scott. You won't need it often perhaps, but if straying far from home, the additional assistance might be welcome.

 

In most other respects you get the features you might expect on any premium-quality jacket. So we're talking about a removable, thermal liner that can be worn as a 'destination' jacket, two external, zip pockets, more pockets on the inside, vents in the shoulders, an exhaust vent on the back, adjusters on the biceps, zips at the ends of the sleeves, and so on.

 

The jacket comes with soft, Level 1 armour in the elbows and shoulders. There's a pocket that will take a D3O back protector. The jacket passes the EN 17092 standard for abrasion resistance at the A level, which is what one would expect.

 

There's a removable, fleecy hood on the jacket. We're not big fans of hoods on motorcycle jackets, but at least it can be unzipped, so you can choose when you want to wear it, and when you don't.

 

Before we come on to talk about the sizing in more detail, it is perhaps worthwhile summing up the Lady Davis jacket, and what kind of riding it is suited to. Basically, it's a casual, weekend jacket. No two ways about it, it looks great, and we figure that many people who have never managed to find themselves a comfortable and stylish motorcycle jacket will find that the Lady Davis fulfills both of those requirements. 

 

The Lady Davis is a jacket, it has no matching pant. You could wear it with anything, but many people will wear it over a pair of jeans. As such, this is is not a jacket that would be appropriate for a long-distance commute. You probably also wouldn't embark on a long tour in it. The jacket has some venting, but in hot weather this is not the jacket you want to be wearing. As we have said, the Lady Davis is more suited to the casual, weekend rider, but undoubtedly a waterproof over jacket will increase its use ability.

 

Here in the shop we see people of all shapes and sizes, and we do get embarassed by the fact that we often have to turn away both ladies and gents because we have nothing that will work on them. In fact, we do often have gear that will work on these people. But some of this stuff sometimes doesn’t look great. And so we are very pleased to be able to add the Lady Davis to our portfolio. We think it will make a lot of people very happy.

 

In terms of sizing the jacket goes from a UK 16 through to a UK 26 size.