 |
 |
|
|
Motorcycle leather jacketsA motorcycle leather jacket is a piece of clothing that is used either for fashionable purposes or for protective purposes. The jacket usually has a brown, dark grey or black colour with black being the most popular by far. Motorcycle leather jackets are of various styles and designs and different versions have been associated with different cultures over time. Cowhide is the leather most commonly used to make these jackets because of its strength and durability. Kangaroo leather is also becoming popular because of its suppleness, light weight and strength compared to cowhide.
The first jackets used for motorcycle riding were very similar to aviator / military style jackets which were very popular during the 1920s. These jackets were made out of thick horsehide which was supplied in abundance by farmers and Army Cavalry. A majority of the early motorcycle leather jackets were adapted from tank corps gear following World War I.
In 1928, Irving Schott of Schott Bros designed a jacket called the Perfecto which was a first of its kind double styled jacket. Schott Bros can be credited for being the company which pioneered motorcycle leather jacket manufacturing. Later on they designed a jacket similar to the Perfecto for the Beck Label called the Beck 333 Northeaster. In the late 1940s, Schott Bros introduced a new design called the 613 which was based on their previous two designs. The 613 became popular as the One Star as it had a star on each shoulder epaulette. A few years later, Schott Bros introduced the 618 which was identical to the 613 except for the stars.
The motorcycle leather jacket reached iconic status when Marol Brando wore the 618 in his portrayal of Johnny Strabler's character in the 1953 movie "The Wild One". Based on Frank Rooney's short story, "The Cyclist's Raid", The Wild One became a smashing hit due to Brando's excellent portrayal of Johnny Strabler, a juvenile delinquent gang leader who wore a 618 and drove a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T.
The movie?s success ushered in an era where the motorcycle and the leather jacket began to be identified with the rebellious youth especially amongst the Americans. Following the movie, the motorcycle leather jacket evolved into the rocker jacket which was popularized by the rockers and greasers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The rocker jacket went beyond the realm of motorcycle riders and began to be associated not only with the bikers but also groups like rockers, punk rockers and metal heads.
The other notable name in the history of motorcycle lather jacket is that of Harley Davidson. They started manufacturing leather jackets in the early 20th century to go with their motorcycles. In the 1940s their jackets - Cycle Champ for men and Cycle Queen for women became the epitomes of style and class. In the 1960s Harley Davidson's jackets became popular once again with their Sears Oakbrook model.
Though we now mainly see motorcycle leather jackets as being fashionable, they are used for protective purposes as well. Leather jackets designed for protective use form a part of the safety equipment for bikers. These jackets are much thicker and heavier than the fashionable version and are meant to protect the wearer from any serious injury. They typically include heavy padding on the elbow, spine and shoulder regions. Often these jackets are equipped with armor making them of great practical use regardless of the fashion statement they make.
Currently there are two major styles of motorcycle leather jackets, the tight fitting ones which are sometimes colourful and the loser fitting ones which are mostly black in colour and come with matching pants. Accessories have become a very important part of the modern motorcycle leather jacket. The jackets which are most popular these days are the ones that are decorated with numerous metal studs, zippers and other accessories. Motorcycle leather jackets continue to be used as fashionable apparel as well as protective gear.
Other Articles
|
