Rebel Without A Cause

Leather jackets were first seen on aviators, who wore brown ones in the 1900’s as a practical solution to adverse weather conditions. The classic black biker jacket was pioneered in the 1920’s, for motorcyclists who needed a more ergonomic design for traveling. It wasn’t until the later half of the 20th century that the garment was popularised, beyond the utilitarian look. Biker gangs and punk rockers started wearing them as a symbol of rebellion. Seen on actors like Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen, it quickly became a Hollywood staple that now graces the covers of glossy, high-fashion magazines.

You may be a rebel without a cause, but don’t be a rebel without a biker jacket. Trawl through the history of the biker jacket to figure out which decade house is your rebellious spirit animal.

1940s: Biker Gangs

With the rise of biker gang culture, leather jackets were pushed to the forefront of the media, and established as a mark of danger.

1950s: Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando wore a skull-and-bones-embossed Perfecto in the 1953 movie “The Wild One.” He secured the jacket’s reputation as the closet staple of a bad boy.

1960s: Steve McQueen

1963 photos of this style icon riding through the Mojave Desert wearing a biker jacket highlighted the popularity of this garment.

1970s: Punk Rock

The surge of punk rock rebellion flowed out from the underground music scene in downtown Manhattan. It hit the big stage with artists like The Sex Pistols sporting the jackets.

1980’s: Michael Jackson

The King of Pop further popularised the garment with his iconic red Thriller and buckled Bad jackets.

Today: Staple

Modern-day fashion sees the leather biker jacket as a wardrobe must-have. Celebrities wear them, runways feature them and all recognise that the biker jacket is a legendary everyday staple.

Whether you’re old-school rock n’ roll or more of a 21st-century bad-boy, discover your rebellious alter-ego with a biker jacket.

Feel dangerous in one of these bad boys.

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