History Of Leather Jackets: Their Impact On The Fashion Industry
The leather jackets have been through a very intriguing journey. Breaking trail from the gore and blood in the field of battle to the glitz and glamour of the ramp. Throughout the time, this reasonable yet chic outerwear has kept its wearers warm and stylish.
Many trendy dressers have made this garment one of their signature looks, throughout history. On the contrary, many people avoided it because it was too mainstream. Although there is one thing that you must keep in mind whether you are all about this look, or tend to avoid it, this versatile and classic garment is not going anywhere for the predictable future.
Do you know that different types of leather can evoke nostalgia in fashion enthusiasts and indicate a specific era? But how? Read below to find out!
Have you ever thought about how these timeless pieces of leather jackets have come into popularity? Well, if yes, then read on as we have discussed in detail everything you need to know about their emergence, history, as well as interesting trends.
The Interesting History Of Leather Jackets:
Tracing The Origin – 1900s

These remarkable Leather Jackets were initially tailored for the military men in World War I. Since then they have gained so much popularity, that it refuses to go away. During the war, the planes had no insulation, so the pilots and the soldiers required military gear to keep them protected and warm. As a result, these jackets were produced.
During the 1900s, no common man knew the impact this outerwear was going to have on the fashion industry. Till then, these jackets only served the aviation sector and kept them well-protected. Moreover, they also served the military men who had to witness severe cold at higher altitudes by keeping them warm.
A Knock In The Fashion World – The Mid-1920s

After serving the aviators for many years, these jackets made their way into the fashion world. Irvin Schott, an inspiration to many designers, first laid out the idea that these garments could be worn by the common man too. He designed the OG leather jacket that is worn even today by fashion enthusiasts.
This influential designer challenged the norms and introduced a front-zipped closure, rather than a buttoned one. This way, he made sure that this garment was versatile as well as an ultimate fashion icon. He named this jacket after his favorite cigar brand – The Perfecto. This is how these military gears stepped into the fashion world and became a sensation among bike riders and models altogether.
A Step Into The Hollywood – 1950s

These Sheepskin Leather Jackets made their way to the silver screen in the 1950s. Read below to see how these garments have made their debut on the big screens and gained popularity.
- The Wild One (1953): Marlon Brando was the first celebrity who wore this iconic garment in his movie The Wild One. He styled Schott’s original design as he played the character of a dashing hell-raiser. This way, these protective gears were seen as an icon of rebellion. And thus, many schools banned this garment, and more specifically “The Brando Look”
- Rebel Without A Cause (1955): In 1955, the famous heartthrob James Dean further elaborated on the relationship between leather jackets and teen rebellion. As he portrayed a bad boy in his movie Rebel Without A Cause and donned leather outerwear to complement his look.
The Pop Culture Integration In The 1960s

Soon after its emergence into Hollywood, the Beetles also incorporated these jackets into their look. So, this fashion wear transited as a pop icon. Moreover, rock stars like Steve McQueen (The King of Cool) also adopted this look and made it synonymous with rock and roll. These Leather jackets became a new sensation among pop music fans.
Women Entering The Game – 1970s To 1980s

At the peak of love, peace, and rock and roll, the feminists also advocated equality and began to wear these leather staples on an international scale. These Bomber Jackets took off as women’s fashion wear in the ‘70s as well as the ‘80s. Many female musicians including Joan Jett and Blondie were among the first ladies to slay a leather jacket. Thus, making this garment a fashion statement for women around the world too.
Was it possible for women to jump on the bandwagon without giving this trend a touch of chic and style? Absolutely no! So these fashionistas adorned their ensembles with pins, buttons, and studs, to make an already chic style even more tasteful.
These jackets became iconic pieces for women to have in their wardrobes, as their popularity continued to grow. “The Fonz” from the famous TV show Happy Days tried its best to take the edge off the “bad boy” image in two ticks. Whereas, remarkable brands such as The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and Duran Duran left no stone unturned to maintain the leather jacket’s rebellious edge.
1990s To 2000s:

Since the 1900s, this outerwear has only increased in its acclamation. By being worn by the iconic NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys these jackets were highly sought after by everyone in the late ‘90s and beyond. Even though their association with teen angst had come to rest, they undoubtedly still have their mark on the angsty ‘90s grunge period.
The ramp was not the only place these fashion models were seen flexing this perfect outerwear. Celebrities including the super gorgeous Kate Moss, and Demi Lovato started donning this garment in their off-duty looks, thus making it a common street style.
Moreover, the widespread fashion of wearing them for casual events gained more popularity. Rosie Huntingtin Whiteley can be seen donning this garment in a more feminine version as compared to Sheryl Crow, who wears it with an edge.
Leather Jackets In Modern Fashion

These jackets are still a collector’s item in today’s day and age. Even with the fast-changing world of fashion, these garments have maintained their position due to them being versatile and stylish. From edgy to grunge studded leather wear to bold and vibrantly colored fashion jackets, to minimalistic and contemporary designs, these jackets are a perfect fit for any modern occasion.
Not only have they gained enough popularity, with time, but they are becoming more versatile as they are now available in many different types of leather. For instance, you can now get your hands on a nubuck, sheepskin, calfskin, faux, suede, and whatnot. So, in modern times, you can see men as well as women flaunting not just the regular leather jackets, but the biker, bomber, as well as faux fur ones too.
Summing It All Up
The history of this leather outerwear is still continuing. We have discussed in detail the old days of these jackets from various aspects. Starting from its origin as military gear, to its popularity on the street as well as on the big screen. Moreover, we further discussed how these garments which were initially tailored for men in the cockpit, later paved their way into women’s closets. This is how different types of leather outerwear, not only indicate a specific era but also hits the fashion enthusiast’s memory with an element of nostalgia.