Friday, November 25, 2011

Four Legendary Leather Jackets in Film

By James Moore


Leather jackets have been a significant aspect of American style for many years and with a regular presence in films that have become extremely popular, it's no wonder why. Having grown from great military conflicts, leather jackets have been worn by some of the bravest men across the world. In addition, the risk-taking nature of World War II veterans who used these jackets and also the motorcycle to pursue adventure appeared to produce a good deal of context for filmmakers ever since. Understandably, the leather jacket has not only been showcased in a remarkable quantity of films, but has also leapt to the leading edge of American fashion as a cornerstone piece for the wardrobes of men and women alike. However not all films featuring such a jacket have been as impactful as others, so let's look at four films that have quite possibly done the most to popularize the leather motorcycle jacket.

Rebel Without a Cause: A Vintage Movie

Anybody aware of vintage films of the 1950s would probably accept that the star power and youthful angst of rising star James Dean rocketed the classic leather motorcycle jacket into the American consciousness. The story of a young man estranged from familial love, this quintessential coming of age drama connected with millions of kids around the world who related to character Jim Stark and wanted to be like him. Although better known for looks that included a bright red jacket, in addition to the T-shirt and blue jeans that sent countless teenagers to their neighborhood clothing stores, Rebel Without a Cause set the popularity of the leather jacket on fire after Marlon Brando's The Wild One set. Not surprisingly, this is arguably the beginning of the leather jacket's rise in popular culture.

Easy Rider: 1960s Cool

Nobody can completely asses the movies most influential in the rise of the leather jacket without considering 1969's Easy Rider. Featuring Peter Fonda as Wyatt, this movie connected with the late 1960s counterculture movement as it observed Wyatt and his friend Billy on a cross country trip to Mardi Gras. Addressing many of the social concerns of the day, the film became extremely successful and in many ways defined the fashion of the period. Fresh and new, Wyatt's jacket was a distinctive black moto jacket with red, white and blue rally-style stripes including a buttoned tab collar. Paired with a handsome Peter Fonda, this leather jacket provided a feeling of style different than that seen before and demonstrated to movie goers that leather jackets can vary in style. Easy Rider certainly provided a big boost to the leather motorcycle jacket.

Beat It: The King of Pop's Video Masterpiece

Presenting the leather jacket to the 80s, very few films had more effect than Michael Jackson's video Beat It. Although the video may not be the duration of a feature film, this video had a extraordinary influence on both the entertainment and music scenes, let alone fashion. Among the first to use mass choreography, the story of the video centered on a struggle between two gangs whose street battle is split up by Jackson wearing an appealing red leather jacket. Dealing with the topic of mindless street violence, Beat It grew to be exceptionally popular and the decorated read leather jacket or ones like it soon became ubiquitous throughout the country. There's no doubt that Beat It brought the leather jacket into the 1980s and 90s.

The Matrix: Full Length Leather

1999's The Matrix was another example of a very popular movie that introduced the public to a lesser known form of leather jacket, the duster. Typically found in a variety of old western movies, this type of jacket paired well with this modern psychological thriller that captured the imagination of millions across the globe. Starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, the story centers on Neo's investigation of his concept of reality while the movie offers break though special effects that transfixed people everywhere. In addition, the dark sinister tone taken on by the movie seemed to impart these qualities on Neo's distinctive leather jacket. So stepping into the new century, a fresh set of consumers became interested in locating the black leather duster from The Matrix.

Even though there have been numerous films that have popularized the leather jacket, Rebel Without a Cause, Easy Rider, Michael Jackson's Beat It and The Matrix are definitely amongst the most impactful.

About the Author

James Moore is a style writer and has worked as a style buyer devoted to leather products including outerwear like leather leather motorcycle jackets http://www.wilsonsleather.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3510385 . Working with fashion conscious customers who would like to look nice, James evaluates a range of coats including leather motorcycle jackets for men http://www.wilsonsleather.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3510385, leather motos and hipster jackets to find the ideal styles at the right price.




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1 comments:

leathercollections said...

Leather is cool and plus even the season is perfect for the leather. I as well am trying to find some pantalones de cuero hombre.

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