How has your taste in leather jackets changed over the years?

[Doctor Death]

Jeff Goldblum looks very cool in his m/c jacket. Is that a Schott Perfecto? Looks like it.

Yeah, I couldn't give a crap what anyone thinks. I wear what I like. I don't think about it.

 

[newtojackets]

Jeff Goldblum looks very cool in his m/c jacket. Is that a Schott Perfecto? Looks like it.

Yeah, I couldn't give a crap what anyone thinks. I wear what I like. I don't think about it.

Think it's a saint laurent

 

[Doctor Death]

Even if you don't ride, a cross zip is extremely comfortable and warm in cold windy weather. It does exactly what it's designed to do: block out the wind.

 

[ton312]

That's interesting, I have never been asked about my motorcycle when wearing a mc jacket.

Imo mc jackets have merged with fashion. I mean, I see pretty much each and every girl wear a mc jacket style here in Amsterdam, I'm certain very few of them actually own a motorcycle.

MC jackets are fashion items, you see them on the runway and on red carpet events. Do you think anyone asked Jeff Goldblum about his motorcycle?

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Oh I don’t disagree and certainly crosszips have very much become a mainstream fashion item, but that’s just not how I came to them. I didn’t seek them out as a fashion piece and in my teens through my 20’s, I never wore them away from my bike. I didn’t start doing that until much later in life. It’s just not a comfortable, natural pairing for me if I don’t have a bike to back it up. When I did, I didn’t think twice about it.

 

[Doctor Death]

Think it's a saint laurent

Ah, okay, a fashion jacket! That's why the sleeves are a little wrinkled, I see. Must be a little on the thin side. Still looks good though.

 

[Doctor Death]

Oh I don’t disagree and certainly crosszips have very much become a mainstream fashion item, but that’s just not how I came to them. I didn’t seek them out as a fashion piece and in my teens through my 20’s, I never wore them away from my bike. I didn’t start doing that until much later in life. It’s just not a comfortable, natural pairing for me if I don’t have a bike to back it up. When I did, I didn’t think twice about it.

That's interesting that you feel that way. But hey, everybody is different!

 

[ton312]

Even if you don't ride, a cross zip is extremely comfortable and warm in cold windy weather. It does exactly what it's designed to do: block out the wind.

It does and I did acknowledge that in my first post. I do think the design is inherently good for foul weather. For myself, there are better options that don’t nag back to my past or other stereotypes. And believe me I’m sure an equal number of folks here would be uninclined to walk around like I do in bell bottoms and collars that practically require a pilots license.

 

[Doctor Death]

Never did like bell bottoms, for some reason! But I do like the A2 and other flight jackets. It was sure tempting to get a flight jacket from cockpit usa or legendary usa when they were doing so many sales lately. But I managed to hold off on pulling the trigger. For now, at least.

 

[BB1239]

My leather jacket style has actually stayed the same since 1989

Black, collared straight zipped jackets, wearable to work even with zipper sleeves

I have had ( and still have some)

Eastman Luftwaffe

Aero Highwayman

Simmons Bilt Nebraska

And a plethora more have come and gone, all straight zipped and collared.

I started with a red leather 2 piece suit when racing motorcycles.

40+ years and 22kg ago haha...

There is something to be said about style versatility.
"Black, collared straight zipped jackets, wearable to work even with zipper sleeves"
For me, I've found the most functional riding jackets that I have are the ones I find least fashionable off the bike.
As the exploration continues I hope to find a few that fit the niche / need perfectly and narrow it down to maybe 3 or 4. One warm weather riding jacket with perforated leather, one cross zip for cold weather riding, and 2 for off the bike: collared black and collared brown straight zips. Maybe lol.

 

[BB1239]

Initially, I didn't have that much of a taste for leather jackets, I just wanted to look cool. Also, what primarily ignited my interest in leather (jackets) was so that I could fight back against getting scammed by fast fashion.

Didn't take long until I realized how much fun fashion is, once I stepped out of my comfort zone and began experimenting with clothes. However, catching up for all the lost time, I would switch between look too quickly to ever complete one so I never did set on a style.
That's why I admire those guys who fully leaned into that pseudo-50's look.

Eventually, though, it became apparent to me that I was using clothes, especially leather clothes, as a crutch and how much influence it hold over how I felt & thus who I was. It all became too burdensome. So I no longer wear it. but the love still remains, of course.

Fast fashion really is so prevalent, even in leather it seems (Thursday comes to mind). And so little BIFL items made anymore in this world. Partly what attracted me to good leather and this forum.

The ideas and posts on this forum have helped me step out of my comfort zone and enjoy wearing garments or colors I wouldn't have tried before. I honestly used to view fashion as a superficial, vain and shallow pursuit. One day the light came on. When you feel like you look good, you feel good. And there's nothing wrong with enjoying that for any of us.

That's a really reflective answer with a lot of wisdom, @Monitor This (leather) journey we are on can take many paths it seems.

 

[BB1239]

My tastes have definitely changed over the years since I wandered into this den of iniquity!

1. I started out wanting and loving A2's, then A1's.
2. Next leather car coats and other jacket styles.
3. Woolens and various Filson brand chore coats
4. Shearling jackets and coats for these cold Northeastern winters.

Now I don't buy much of anything anymore. Got all I need and all I've room for. Still I'd be a bit richer if I'd never met you hoarding hooligans!

Worf

"den of iniquity" "hoarding hooligans" -

Regarding #3, I'd love to learn more about, and find, shorter wool full zips and maybe a peacoat. These rabbit holes never end lol.

 

[BB1239]

I don’t think there’s quite the same cultural connection. I mean the number of times I was asked about my bike, even when wearing non biker styles like my bootlegger, was surprisingly frequent. I think the style is just burnt into people’s brains with an M/C.

There’s also this vibe, which I also feel creeps into the style. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but it’s just not me.
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Most guys here don’t feel this way and I salute them but for me the black biker jackets, really most cross zips in general, make a statement I can’t back up or allude to a community I’m not a part of. The same way an A-2 would make me feel quite frankly.

No one has asked where I parked my horse in suede. At least not yet!

That pic is hilarious way to reference the idea! I literally just bought your old Model E from an FL member. I'm going to draw this on the liner.