Classic Americana: The Leather Jacket
There is something about the look and feel that drives people wild. It has a very specific and almost intoxicating aroma. The black leather jacket has been an American icon for over 90 years. It is the classic symbol of the rebel and the cool. Although a leather jacket is no longer considered inappropriate and "hood" attire, there is still a sense of adventure surrounding it. Leather jackets have become edgy dress apparel by being worn over a suit or blazer. Styles range drastically now from trench to waist cut and different tailoring for men and women. Jackets now range of colors including white, brown, and red with black remaining the most popular.
First created in 1928 by Irving Schott, this simple idea has lasted almost a century. Scott's original design, the Perfecto, was first manufactured for the Harley Davidson Company specifically for motorcycle drivers. This automatically created an association between the jacket and danger. Back in the '20's, the Perfecto sold for $5.50, now the model sells on average for around $500. The Schott Brothers had such a reputation for quality that they received a military contract during WWII. The company designed wool pea coats for shipmen and the leather bomber jacket for the fly boys. The bomber jacket became the second most highly recognizable style next to the Perfecto. It's a much bulkier style, designed for warmth rather than speed.
The media industries have kept the correlation between leather and the rebel going by keeping the bad guys and bad ass characters in leather jackets. It all began with Marlon Brando in 1953 and continued with icons like James Dean and Steve McQueen. The "James Dean" look spawned characters like "the Fonz" from Happy Days "Cry-Baby Walker" from Cry-Baby, and "Chad" from All Shook Up (also based on Elvis.) The style of jackets in media did change with the times. Bands in the '70's and '80's used leather jackets to create a hard core image to go with the harder music that was becoming popular and the modern full-length black leather trench coat has been forever marked by The Matrix series for the 21st Century.
The leather jacket has an appeal for everyone, which is why it has remained so popular since 1928. It's functional and stylish no matter what kind of statement someone is trying to make. The look is in such high demand that manufacturers created "pleather" a cheaper and more animal friendly alternative to natural leather. However, I think that once you've owned a real leather jacket you'll find that there is no acceptable substitute.