Back when I was at University, a portion of my course was
spent studying in an institution abroad. I made my decision to study in the
United States, hopefully going to either Pittsburgh, New Jersey or Chicago.
When I was thinking about my choices, this involved a lot of research so I
could give some reasoning as to why I should go to those places. As part of
this, I looked at the history of the country and it got me thinking what sorts
of things typify America. I thought about McDonalds and Nike, Ford and Apple
but also took some time to think about the clothes that have always been in
line with American culture. I then came across one of the most universally famous
garments in the world, which can be argued as popularized by the United States;
the leather jacket.
It first came about in the early 1900s and was used to
protect aviators in the harsh conditions experienced at altitude. They were made
bulky for warmth, durability and protection. By the time of WWI and WWII every
pilot was issued a sheepskin flying jacket and from then on its iconic status
was born. It was the outerwear worn by the early pioneers of the sky and considered
heroes by many for their efforts during the war.
It then went on to being popularized by the pop culture of
the time with the Perfecto style
being born. It wasn’t long before the leather jacket, and the perfecto style in
particular, was immortalized via Hollywood’s influence. Marlon Brando’s
perfecto from ‘The Wild One’ became the ultimate symbol of bad-boy notoriety.
Then as time went on we went through the Greaser subculture and then it became
a symbol for that of the Grunge movement. But as time went on it never really
faded into the back of the wardrobe, rather it has been timeless and I don’t
believe it will ever lose its appeal and will likely remain a cornerstone of
the fashion world.
