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Great point. It is interesting how style survives history.I've always thought how all these asymmetrical style jackets that are now being associated almost entirely with biker/rock/whatever scene, look quite dressy, so I wasn't surprised to learn that back in the days these jackets were meant to be worn in a manner depicted above. I wish it stayed that way because I dislike being labeled as a metalhead or a rocker or a biker, just because I truly enjoy wearing this style of jacket.
It's refreshing to see a conservatively dressed model wearing these things. Hardly the edgy image they're associated with today!
I've always thought how all these asymmetrical style jackets that are now being associated almost entirely with biker/rock/whatever scene, look quite dressy, so I wasn't surprised to learn that back in the days these jackets were meant to be worn in a manner depicted above. I wish it stayed that way because I dislike being labeled as a metalhead or a rocker or a biker, just because I truly enjoy wearing this style of jacket.
I'm sure 40 years ago, the biker who owned it didn't know he was also cutting a thousand bucks off the value.
Do you know if the colouring in that picture is accurate to how the actual jackets were? The belt buckle looks like it might be black - perhaps leatrher covered (as Lewis did with their Bronx jacket when it was introduced in '56, to avoid it scratching the tank). Most of the zips look copper-toned, with the one pocket on the jacket's right (viewer's left) seems chrome... I know some of the old Indian Ranger type jackets (that's the Aero model name, though I think it's based on an original?) had a mix of chrome and brass. The coppoer tone would be unusual, but nice...
Interesting, isn't it? But then you're dealing with an era when a motorcycle was cheap and economical transport, available often to those who couldn't stretch to a car. Clearly the jackets have stayed "motorcycle jackets", their image changing to the extent that motorcycling has become more of a lifestyle choice than regular transport by now... [huh] I quite like seeing them like this, as well as with denims and boots... The jacket is what's stayed constant with the motorcycle, while what's typically underneath has casualised.
It was always a motorcycle jacket, though - ironically, the rock / metal / punk associations that these jackets sometimes have now are the only associations that have come close to being strong enough that the immediate connotation is not motorcyclist. [huh]
Ha.... if all owners had looked after them the way we'd have liked, there'd be thousands of them available on the vintage market now, and we'd be buying them for buttons....
Wow, with a different collar (less 70s) this would make a great modern jacket!
It was always a motorcycle jacket, though - ironically, the rock / metal / punk associations that these jackets sometimes have now are the only associations that have come close to being strong enough that the immediate connotation is not motorcyclist. [huh]