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" - lololol

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 exaggerated caricature pic is a 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.

 

[BB1239]

Timely thread! I was just thinking about this myself. My taste and interest has completely changed. When I started collecting years ago, I was primarily interested in styles and leathers related to my passion for my motorcycles and so riding gear was my primary interest. Since I no longer ride or even own a bike, I no longer want to wear anything related to motorcycling. While the jackets themselves are often times very much perfect for foul weather conditions, I cannot escape the feeling of being a poser wearing one with no bike to back it up. I have let go of all my biker jackets and wouldn't dare buy another before I get another bike.

There's just no escaping or breaking the bond between certain styles and the intended purpose. Others don't mind but for me, at this point, there is just no way. Could be an age thing. I only own one finished side leather jacket at this point, everything else is suede, roughout of a combo of some sort.

I went through a period of purchasing 40's-50's repros that was ultimately boring and never really felt like me. Played designer with junk from Pakistan during Covid and that was fun but fruitless. All the while finding a bit more joy in unique vintage second hand pieces. Always liked wools and denims. Now I feel the most comfortable with what I own. The pieces are the unique and I don't see others (which is something I like) and they feel easy and natural to wear.

I still ride, and just now venturing into cross zips to try them for functionality. In fact my first attempt at it will be your old Model E when it arrives from Australia. Just in time for cold weather! I can see the correlation with the societal stereotypes on a cross zip. I'm going to be using it for a function so I guess I won't care too much, but I do feel aware of how that style seems to be seen in that way. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'll get used to it and wear it off the bike, who knows.

I also tried some Pakistani leather from FMC, and although some of their designs seemed functional on paper, for me the leather was either too thin, or thick and sponge like. That's when I came to this forum and it was all down hill from there lol.

 

[JMax]

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.

I used to always look around for a bike or wonder what they ride when I saw someone wearing a MC jacket. It was a “uniform” and as you say, ingrained with purpose. Much less nowadays.

 

[theeprimitivesound]

Theres so many styles that ive never seen or theyve just passed me by, but i see something almost daily where i think, thatll look good.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Mine hasn't really changed in over 50 years,,my vanson E is a style I adored at 15 and still love it today,,1st jacket i ever bought was a crosszip mascot, size 34,,,I've not changed much, just wear a 44 now

 

[Eagledog]

When I see someone in a biker jacket and they also have a depression in the top of the left boot I ask about their bike. If the footwear has never

touched a shift lever it's obvious they don't ride. Unless the depression is on the right boot because they ride a Harley Davidson 250 Sprint from the 1960s. Brake and shift were on the opposite side. My taste in jackets hasn't changed. I always go for function and features 1st. Unrestricted range of motion is my top priority. That means really long sleeves to match my long arms.

 

[JackBroChill]

Once @Marc mndt convinced me that you can safely wash suede, a whole new world opened up.

Wait what? Like in a washing machine??

 

[Cortexas]

What a great question/thread.

Being relatively new to leather jackets, my journey started about 2 years ago with Thursday boots leather jacket. I now realize they are an entry level jacket but it certainly got me hooked. When I decided to get my first big boy jacket I didn't know what I liked. I just started buying shit to see what I liked. I tried heavy, horse hide, Steer hide, cross zips, collared jackets and cafe racers. I'm sure my tastes will continue to evolve but I realized the following:

As cool as I think cross zips are, I can't seem to feel like myself in them.
I like heavy leathers for their weight but don't care for a years long break in. I used to love the idea of a long break in period and fighting through a jacket until it succumbs to me but I just don't have the patience for it after trying it a couple times.
I have long arms and most off the rack jackets don't fit me super well so I stopped wasting my time and money on jackets that aren't custom because I likely won't be happy with it.
Cafe racers seem to be my jam at least for the time being.

I'm constantly asking myself does this jacket make me feel like a rockstar or an imposter?
Does this jacket fulfill a functional need or is it just a "piece" in the collection?

I tend to be pretty minimalist so if I'm honest with myself and recognize I probably won't choose jacket B over jacket A, then jacket B has to go.

 

[Eagledog]

I see quite a few people who are attracted to a style and then buy an accessory to fit in with that crowd. Think of the guy who buys a motorcycle but never rides. However his wardrobe would convey the idea that he practically lives on the bike.
The guy with an airplane that never leaves the ground. But it gets him access to hang out at the hangar with other folks. And of course dressing the part in aviator fashion.
Closets are full of things we love but are afraid to wear. Maybe we have a love of cowboy boots but are afraid to wear them outside because we don't live on a ranch. Crosszip collection and no motorcycle makes some feel silly.
So easy to love something and be afraid of it at the same time.
Makes it easy for off the rack size people to get an amazing wardrobe of new old things.
I don't think it's so much that tastes are wildly different over the years. Maybe we get better at choosing things we will actually wear. Just because we love something doesn't mean that it will ever be worn. Sometimes the item of lesser quality gets all the love because it actually fits and doesn't just look good in pictures.
I've had a motorcycle for almost 50 years. Someone without a bike wearing a cross zip or cafe racer doesn't bother me. I'm also a commercial pilot. Aviator jacket wearing non pilots don't bother me either. Its the person with a closet full of this or that style that they dont wear, that is what baffles me.