When Marlon Brando was synonymous with rebellion in motorcycle movie ‘The Wild One’, with his roughen up rugged look in leather jackets, none could have imagined the future fashion cartridges of leather jackets. In this blog post I discuss moments in leather jackets’ history, some famous models, and analyze how they continue to be relevant.
Popularizing the leather jackets Among the people
Leather jackets were more famously used in the early part of the twentieth century by military pilots. While these were actually bomber jackets worn by aviators to keep them warm during high altitude flights, they had a very raw appeal inherent in their practical design which perfectly fitted the burgeoning motorcycling culture in the 1920s and early 1930.
It wasn’t until 1928 that Irving Schott designed the first motorcycle leather jacket called the “Perfecto”, solely for bikers. The wide lapels, asymmetrical zipper and League style caused the Perfecto jacket to become fashionable and functional for the rider. This basic design would later on become synonymous with subculture and hip in popular media.
1950s: The Birth of the Rebel Image
It was the dawn of the 1950s for leather jackets to embrace the culture of being embraced by Hollywood. Marlon Brando le jean wearing Johnny Strabler in the wild one 1953 sealed the black biker jacket’s rebel image. And while the Perfecto jacket with a white T-shirt, jeans, and cap he wore were definitely on-top-of-the-line, the thing that popularised his style contribution was the bad boy image associated with rock and roll.
In much the same year also, James Dean further glamourized the leather jacket in Rebel Without a Cause. That sensibility, and Dean’s uniquely memorable red leather jacket, are still definitive of leather to this day.
These portrayals placed a social status, freedom and especially for the men the rebellious spirit onto the leather jackets.
1960s and 70s: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Connection
The usage of leather jackets was initiated from the big screen to the music stage in the early 60s but became popular in the 70s. They have remained a popular fashion wear by musicians especially those in the rock era which partly elaborated a connection with the rock ‘n’ roll.
The most famous rock and roll image has to be Elvis Presley wearing black leather in his 1968 ‘Comeback Special’. His snappy, fitted black leather piece of wear perfectly depicted the versatility of the garment as it combines the rough looks and the elegance.
However the decade of the seventies saw leather jackets reach the ultimate form of rebellion, punk rock. The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols bands wore black biker jackets with stuffing, graffiti, studs, and patches. These jackets depicted defiance of social order and…… a do it yourself mentality that punk culture was all about.
1950s: The Birth of the Rebel Image
It was the dawn of the 1950s for leather jackets to embrace the culture of being embraced by Hollywood. Marlon Brando le jean wearing Johnny Strabler in the wild one 1953 sealed the black biker jacket’s rebel image. And while the Perfecto jacket with a white T-shirt, jeans, and cap he wore were definitely on-top-of-the-line, the thing that popularised his style contribution was the bad boy image associated with rock and roll.
In much the same year also, James Dean further glamourized the leather jacket in Rebel Without a Cause. That sensibility, and Dean’s uniquely memorable red leather jacket, are still definitive of leather to this day.
These portrayals placed a social status, freedom and especially for the men the rebellious spirit onto the leather jackets.
1960s and 70s: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Connection
The usage of leather jackets was initiated from the big screen to the music stage in the early 60s but became popular in the 70s. They have remained a popular fashion wear by musicians especially those in the rock era which partly elaborated a connection with the rock ‘n’ roll.
The most famous rock and roll image has to be Elvis Presley wearing black leather in his 1968 ‘Comeback Special’. His snappy, fitted black leather piece of wear perfectly depicted the versatility of the garment as it combines the rough looks and the elegance.
However the decade of the seventies saw leather jackets reach the ultimate form of rebellion, punk rock. The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols bands wore black biker jackets with stuffing, graffiti, studs, and patches. These jackets depicted defiance of social order and…… a do it yourself mentality that punk culture was all about.
2010s: Tending Toward Yesterday and Tomorrow
In the costume of the 2010s, there are the thought mostly remained in the thought from the decade fashion aspects of the leather jackets. With pants still cropped, stiletto ankle boots and sharp shoulders, these vulgar pieces marked the jacket’s heritage by cropped leather moto jackets to fringed designs.
Sustainability was also occurring in the mid 2000s in regards to the leather jacket industry. As people became more conscientious of the environment, most brands have shifted towards using better materials such as pineapple leather and recycled plastics for vegan leather.
Social media and the habitual sharing of various styles took this garment to even higher levels, providing thousand looks on how versatile the leather jacket is: from punk rock to business form formal occasion.
2020s: Leather Jackets Today
Nowadays there is a large variety of leather jackets presented in the stores containing mixed εξ thoughtful designs evolving traditions of a post-Victorian period and tendencies of the modern epoch. Recent advancements incorporate large shapes, strict hues including red and emerald green the texture finish which is crocodile or quilted.
Sustainability continues to play an important role, as more companies adhere to natural colors and patterns and use vegan leather. Other types of jackets in fashion currently are leather jackets with special prints and cuts giving the wearer a chance to express their personalities.
Culture has not disappointed today as concerns leather jacket fashion. Starting from Stranger Things series and up to the action movie John Wick Leather jackets are still a sign of power, mystery and timelessness.
Why leather jackets never went out of style?
In other words, leather jackets are still in the fashion because they can be worn with anything and represent something. They blend into every age and subculture and simultaneously still be unique and subversive. Worn by a Hollywood star, a rock legend, or an ordinary lover of streetwear, leather jackets are special because they can appeal to people in both a cultural and an emotional sense.
Trends That Brid Brunner Leather Jackets Are Based On
Rebel Like Brando: A black biker jacket looks great tucked with an ordinary white T-shirt jeans, and leather boots for a chic appearance.
Channel the 80s: Go for crazed, sharp and daring fashion with the looks of the Thriller jacket Michael Jackson wore.
Go Punk: Add studs, patches or graffiti to your jacket and give it a punk look by designing it on your own.
Sleek and Modern: Select clean-shaven lines and suede and pebbled leather to make the outfit lookcyberpunk, a la The Matrix.
Final Thoughts
A brief history of fashion and appearances is incomplete without analyzing leather jackets, which for decades have left their mark on the society. And as leather jackets came since the rebellion symbol of bike racers, it has smoothly evolved in the course of years into fashion statement and definitely accentuation on a new image.
When you go for this simple and timeless attire remember to look back at that historic period associated with it. Whether you want to look like a real rebel girl, like Marianne from the 1950s, or prefer an oversized piece in distressed leather right now, leather jackets will always stay iconic.
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