10/25 Fox: Black Leather Jacket

There’s something about a black leather jacket that makes the person wearing it a whole lot more attractive. It is a simple addition to an outfit that makes a bold statement. The jacket gives off that the individual is mysterious, unique, and confident. It grabs your attention and triggers your curiosity. It does the talking for you.

The original leather jacket was not black, but brown. The jacket was made to keep flyers protected and warm during World War II. The brown jacket represented fighting for the country and adhering respect. The black jacket came after the war where motorcyclists adopted them into their attire. The black resembled rebellious youth, going against conformity, and acting wild.

The black leather jacket was designed in 1928 by Irving Schott, however did not become popular until the 1950’s. In 1953, Malon Brando stars in the “The Wild One” wearing a Schott NYC Perfecto. He starred as the leader of his motorcycle gang, acting rebellious, intimidating, and violent. This movie was first to examine the problems of motorcycle gang violence in America. If you rode a motorcycle and wore a black leather jacket, you were not messed with. 

In 1955, the black leather jacket became a sexy staple to your wardrobe thanks to James Dean. It was a rare occasion to see him without his Perfecto on. After his casting in “Rebel Without a Cause”, James Dean became the American icon for rebellion. James Dean plays the character, Jim Stark, a troublesome teenager new to the neighborhood hoping to find love. His character is rebellious with dangerous behaviors such as knife fights and driving his car toward a cliff. This movie gave Dean the reputation of being dangerous and restless.

Black leather jackets became popular within the rock n roll culture. In the 1980s, it was very common to see many musicians wearing this piece of clothing with confidence. The black leather jacket symbolized their lack of caring for what others thought. This is the era in which the jacket evolved from motorcyclists to rocker. Musicians and full bands started to wear them, adding studs and other accessories to the jacket. Some famous artists that wore black leather jackets include Joan Jett, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and Billy Idol. Rock n Roll culture involved danger, rebellion, sex, and drugs. 

When you put on a black leather jacket, it automatically makes you more badass than you were without it. The jacket is more than a good-looking addition to your wardrobe or keeping you warm in the winter. The jacket holds a history of World War II, motorcycle gangs, and rock n roll behavior.