WHY DO MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WEAR LEATHER JACKETS OR SUITS? IS IT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAST?
Motorcycle riders wear leather jackets or suits primarily for protection and safety reasons. Leather is a durable material that provides a layer of protection against abrasions, cuts, and impacts in case of accidents or falls. Additionally, leather jackets often come with built-in armor on critical areas like the shoulders, elbows, and back to provide extra protection. While the association of leather jackets with motorcycle culture may have historical roots, their popularity among riders today is primarily driven by their practicality and safety features.
THE PAST
Compared to the fashion uses it is now known for, the leather jacket's original purpose was much more practical. German fighter pilots used the iconic military leather jacket during World War I; it was this design that, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, came to be known as a bomber WWII leather jacket. These bomber jackets were heavily insulated and prized for their warmth.
Irving Schott introduced the leather jacket as a civilian fashion garment. Instead of using buttons like the military issued jackets, Schott used a zipper for the front closure. Even though bikers began wearing leather jackets in 1928, the 1950s saw a considerable rise in their popularity. When Marlon Brando wore the original Perfecto as the leader of a motorbike gang in the 1953 film The Wild One, the black leather jacket gained notoriety thanks to the silver screen.
In the 1970s and 1980s, women started wearing leather jackets as fashion. It became fashionable for women all over the world to add the iconic item to their own wardrobes thanks to well-known female musicians like Blondie and Joan Jett.
The variety of men's leather jackets worn by boy bands like Backstreet Boys and NSYNC in the late 1990s and into the 2000s demonstrate how pervasive leather jackets had become in fashion and popular culture by the 1990s. Leather jackets undoubtedly still had a place in the angst-filled grunge era of the 1990s, despite losing their exclusive association with defiant rebellion.
The evolution and revolutions in culture over the past century have shaped the history of leather jackets. Leather jackets have remained a classic part of the narrative throughout, and we're proud to contribute to continuing the tradition with our line of men's leather jackets with vintage inspiration.
THE CONCLUSION
The tradition of bikers wearing leather jackets and suits has a rich history and serves multiple purposes.
- PROTECTION:
One of the main reasons why bikers choose to wear leather is for its excellent protection capabilities. Leather is a durable material that provides a layer of protection against abrasions, cuts, and impacts in case of accidents or falls.
- SYMBOL:
Additionally, leather jackets and suits have become synonymous with the biker subculture and are often seen as a symbol of style and rebellion. The iconic image of a biker clad in leather has been popularized through movies, music, and pop culture, further cementing its association with the biking community.
- COMFORT AND USES:
Another practical reason for wearing leather is its ability to shield riders from external elements such as wind, rain, and cold weather. Leather jackets are typically designed with features like zippers, snaps, and adjustable cuffs to provide a snug fit that helps keep the rider comfortable during their journeys.
In SUMMARY, bikers wear leather jackets and suits due to their historical significance within the subculture, their stylish appeal, as well as the protective qualities they offer against potential injuries on the road.
