The Leather Jacket – Defining Cool
The men’s leather jacket is one of the most iconic items of clothing of all time. From the “greasers†style of the 1950’s to the Fonz obsession in the 1970’s and 80’s. Worn by all sorts of people today from bikers, to rock stars, to police officers, and even women. Most people who wear leather jackets today do it because they have an acute understanding of the word cool. So what makes these leather pieces of clothing so cool?
Most leather jackets come in one of two colors black and brown, there are exceptions to the rule, but this is the norm. Leather clothing is usually heavy, and can sometimes produce an “intimidating†look. Most people are not aware of the difference between biker jackets and normal leather coats. There are some differences in the leather jackets worn for fashion and the ones worn for motorcycle riding. The leather jackets used in motorcycle riding are often specially made and equipped with armor for practical purposes.
Another piece of men’s leather clothing almost as iconic is the trench coat. A trench coat is a coat worn for its rainproof properties, and is often made of cotton, wool, or in this case leather. The trench coat was first created as a replacement jacket for British and French soldiers during the First World War. During the Second World War United Kingdom soldiers continued to use them as rain jackets. Eventually other nations adopted the trench coat as an optional article of clothing for soldiers.
In modern times mens leather coats and mens trench coats continue to make a fashion statement, and are extremely popular. The reason the items seem so cool is maybe not because of the jackets themselves, but who wore them. Seen in popular films such as The Terminator, The Matrix, and The Crow, the leather jacket worn by The Fonz these coats ooze coolness. The trench coats worn by perpetrators of the columbine massacre, Nazi officers, Biker gangs like Hells Angels, and the mobsters of the 1920’s trough 1940’s. These articles of clothing continue to make a statement on the backs of the rock stars and metal heads of today. The use of these items in pop culture, and history make them the definition of cool.