A statement piece that instantly transforms any look. What better staple to have in your wardrobe than a leather biker jacket – it’s effortlessly cool and timeless! It’s the ultimate investment piece and no wardrobe is complete without one. You can pair it with skinny ripped jeans and tee or wear it with a floaty summer dress to rock an edgy look. I bow down to the biker jacket because it is one of the most iconic items of clothing ever to exist.
The ‘Perfecto’ Jacket
So who invented the biker jacket? In 1928, Schott NYC (founded by brothers Irving and John Schott) designed the first motorcycle jacket and sold it for $5.50 to Harley Davidson. It aptly became known as the ‘Perfecto’ jacket. Since then it has become the ultra-cool item of clothing with a rebellious edge popularised by Marlon Brando in 1953 in ‘The Wild One’. James Dean was rarely seen without wearing his ‘Perfecto’. During the sixties and seventies more women were wearing biker jackets including non-conformist and rocker Blondie. Today one of my favourite style icons Alexa Chung is a complete pro at rocking a biker jacket, combining it with a stylish hat and skinny jeans for an effortless, classic look.
How to Style a Biker Jacket
I will always love classic black but there are so many labels offering a variety of fabulous colours for S/S 2017 such as green, red and stone. It is always a good idea to invest in genuine leather, however if you choose not to for ethical reasons, then there are plenty of imitation leather jackets on the market to suit your budget. For the best brands and freshest looks, check out Asos. My personal styling of a biker jacket is to pair it with a pretty, ladylike mini skirt and heels to create an edgy look. It also looks great with distressed denim jeans and a graphic, edgy tee.
Great article, thanks Edel. I’ll now be keeping an eye out for a biker jacket to complete my summer wardrobe!