Motorcycle Jackets-Following the cool fashion trend
Bike riders did not always wear leather jackets. The first motorcycle jacket resembled the jackets worn by aviators or those in the military that buttoned up front and had short mandarin collars. They were made of goatskin or horsehide and worn by the Army Air Corp before World War II. It was only in the 1920s that the first motorcycle jackets that are similar to the ones today began to be produced and in 1928, the Schott Brothers produced the first motorcycle leather jacket. With World War II, the first bomber jackets came. After the war, cult movies began to feature leather jackets worn by movie idols and began to represent rock and roll, fast cars and young America and such was its popularity and influence that it was banned in schools in the US. As a symbol of coolness, the leather motorcycle jacket is supreme. Leather motorcycle jackets have unfortunately become associated with “rebels without a cause” or young men with problems with authority, mostly because of those self-same cult movies. However, leather jackets are part and parcel of the protective clothing mandated by law in many countries.
Because bike riders are especially vulnerable to the elements, leather jackets offer water and wind protection to the rider. It is recommended that jackets for bike riding be made of Kevlar, leather or nylon, which are sturdy enough to provide some protection in case of accidents. In terms of maintenance and weatherproofing, however, leather may not be the best material. Artificial textiles dry faster and are lighter and more comfortable. It also comes in bright colors that make bikers more visible, decreasing the chances of being hit by accident.
Motorcycle leather jackets can also be quite expensive, but depending on the style and brand, it can be had for a reasonable price. The classic black leather biker jacket for men with crossover front zipper, epaulets and beeswing action back plus the requisite three front pockets, and inside pocket can go for as low $109.99 online. It has the true 1950s look and all that is missing is the slicked back hair and the attitude. Ditto for the mechanic’s jacket, much simpler and cleaner in line, cut to give a closer fit.
The bomber jacket uses buttons instead of the heavy-duty zipper and it can even come with a world map in the fleece (synthetic) lining, just like the original jackets. The look is clean and the collar looks great with office wear. Ultimately, a well-fitting, good quality leather jacket looks good and you do not even have to have a motorcycle to wear it.