The black leather jacket - a mark of respectability

[hpalapdog]

It's interesting how the black leather jacket image has changed through decades.

The clean-cut pipe and tie look with slippers worn at home...

More hardcore...check out that Vincent

 

[AeroFan_07]

Very neat ads both of them. Funny but I have a modern example of both of the black jackets featured. Many folks have no idea what any of them represent.

 

[devilish]

I know, right? Not very rock 'n' roll.

 

[Worf]

It's interesting how the black leather jacket image has changed through decades.

The clean-cut pipe and tie look with slippers worn at home...

More hardcore...check out that Vincent

Yeah... the Bothers out West, after the War, rode hard and fast!

Worf

 

[nick123]

In this day age age, wearing nice clothes and looking snazzy under an asymmetrical jacket is VERY rock n' roll.

 

[handymike]

My next jacket is gonna be black, and 100% badass!

 

[Superfluous]

My next jacket is gonna be black, and 100% badass!

And made by you?

 

[handymike]

Not just yet. I've got a lot to learn, but
I do plan on making my first one black too!

 

[Superfluous]

Let me know when you start taking orders.

 

[eugenesque]

I have this predispose notion that black leather jackets are less formal than brown leather jackets. I suppose it's just me.

 

[rocketeer]

"He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cycle that took off like a gun
That was the terror of Highway 101"
I think those are the words from memory.
Try this:-
probably the most unlikely biker chick ever

 

[navetsea]

I think black as a color itself is more formal than brown, however brown is warmer and earthly and in a big proportion as a jacket or coat won't make as much statement as black.
and also black has to be immaculate to look formal, whereas brown is much more forgiving in its condition. only my opinion

 

[tmitchell59]

I go this two in the mail today

The Black Penney Horsehide pictured here is the only Black leather I have seen in this classic Windward Style. I have two Browns in this style and seen other Browns, but never Black. That is why I bought it. Way to small for me, but way too cool to pass. If it had been brown I would have been much less interested.

The Oakbrooks in this style are predominantly Black. I have one in Brown and maybe seen a couple of others.

I'll do more/better shots of the Black Workcoat

 

[bn1966]

Black is the new brown I predominantly own brown leathers these days, though dug out my old ELC Luftwaffe (in black) and have connected with it again...looking to have a CR / BR made in black in the summer...great photos by the way Guys....thanks for posting.

 

[handymike]

Wow!!!
That Penneys is a perfect example of design cross-over between the big stores back in the day. It's a black Windward Nice!

Love, love, love the Workcoat!

 

[resortes805]

Any truth to the reason why they put Fonzy in a BROWN leather jacket on "Happy Days?"

 

[Rabbit]

Grain leather jackets became acceptable for wear in public as part of a normal outfit for outdoor activities (not for flying, racing etc.) sometime during the 20s. I don't know when exactly, but early 30s catalogues are already full of leather jackets. Suede jackets had a different status throughout, they were very expensve and considered a fine jacket.
So, there was actually a time before the 30s when grain leather jackets were indeed not considered quite respectable, if you want to use that word.

Some more catalogue pics -

1933 Spiegel:

1942 Spiegel:

 

[tmitchell59]

Wow!!!
That Penneys is a perfect example of design cross-over between the big stores back in the day. It's a black Windward Nice!

Love, love, love the Workcoat!

Yes, another Video. Who made these jackets is always of interest to me. I have few answers. I do think that Applachian leather made the Penneys, jacket pictured here. I have another Penney's HH from this era that is very similar leather also other Appalachian labeled jackets that are very similar and Identical to Sears Fieldmasters/Oakbrooks.

 

[tmitchell59]

Grain leather jackets became acceptable for wear in public as part of a normal outfit for outdoor activities (not for flying, racing etc.) sometime during the 20s. I don't know when exactly, but early 30s catalogues are already full of leather jackets. Suede jackets had a different status throughout, they were very expensve and considered a fine jacket.
So, there was actually a time before the 30s when grain leather jackets were indeed not considered quite respectable, if you want to use that word.

Some more catalogue pics -

1933 Spiegel:

1942 Spiegel:

Thanks for posting these shots. Interesting the Semi A2 jacket in the 33 Spiegal catalog, with no knits on the sleeves, but the correct looking pockets.

 

[Benproof]

Black box work jacket stands out for me. The mall jackets have overly complicated mall features. I wonder what you thought of the Penney horsehide. For such a vintage era, the patina looked a little tired, or maybe it has potential?

The styles of these classic ads are great. The simplified cartoon forms and classy gentlemen in plausible human positions work far better than contemporary adverts of digital closeups of scantily clad men with low IQs and high incomes wearing some flimsy leather jacket with a label twice the size compared to the jacket, half the model size, pouting behind thick layers of make up.