First Classics Leather Motorcycle Jackets
I'm deep into reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which is not only blowing my mind (who knew philosophy was so cool?!) but inspiring my fall wardrobe. I'll be tapping into my inner Hell's Angel as soon as cooler weather rolls around, thanks to the uber-chic motorcycle jacket...but I'm definitely not the first to discover classic black leather's sex appeal. Check out our brief, chic history of fall's must-have outerwear item, after the jump.
1928: Irving Schott designs the first motorcycle jacket and sells it for $5.50 at the Harley Davidson store in New York. He names it after his favorite cigar, The Perfecto.
UNKNOWN: Actor Marlon Brando is seen in this undated photo for the movie The Wild One. Brando's attorney announced July 2, 2004 that the 80 year-old actor died in a Los Angeles, California hospital. (Photo by Getty Images)
PHOTO: Getty Images
1953: The Wild One starred a sexy Marlon Brando in a classic leather bomber. Schools around the country banned their students from wearing the jackets, which they thought symbolized a rough and rebellious youth culture.
1955: Two years later, James Dean's motorcycle jacket practically became his second skin-which definitely helped its rebel reputation. Is there anything more masculine than the 1950s heartthrob on his bike with a cigarette dangling from his lips?
Actor Steve McQueen smoking, putting on helmet during 500-mi. motorbike race across Mojave Desert. (Photo by John Dominis//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
PHOTO: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
1963: Okay, so maybe Steve McQueen has him beat. The actor is an absolute fashion icon-the men's Audrey Hepburn, if you will-thanks to the classic image of him riding across the Mojave Desert in a perfectly fitted motorcycle jacket.
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970: Photo of Blondie Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970: Photo of Ramones Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1974: When The Ramones hit the stage at CBGB (also wearing the Schott Perfecto), Punk magazine founder Legs McNeil described them like this: "They were all wearing these black leather jackets…They looked so striking. These guys were not hippies. This was something completely new."
2009: Celebrities like Ashley Olsen and Kate Moss help usher in a new era of the motorcycle jacket. * Project Runway* alum and Schott creative director Joe Faris redesigns the original Perfecto, and runways from Rick Owens to Hermes boasted updated takes on the classic leather look.
Shop for some of our favorite motorcycle jackets at every price point now:
What do you dolls think of this trend? Will you get on board with it? Do you already own an old motorcycle jacket? Do any of you actually ride a bike? Share!
