For almost as long as time, college students have sported leather jackets. When I finally made it to college myself, I was shocked to see so many students wearing leather jackets on campus, despite knowing how popular they are. Often bought from thrift stores, such as Goodwill and Thredup, or online resale apps such as Poshmark and Depop, the leather jacket is a staple in modern-day fashion and many college students’ closets. Due to the rise in sustainable and cruelty-free fashion, thrift stores and resellers are seen as more ethical ways to consume clothing, specifically leather jackets. Participating in more environmentally sustainable shopping while also staying on trend, people thrifting in person will often check the jackets’ labels to research what kind of a company they are supporting when wearing the leather jacket and confirm if it is genuine leather. Consumers have moved away from fake leather (which can be harmful to the environment to produce) to vintage genuine leather pieces that they keep from being thrown in a landfill while discouraging harming more animals for fashion.
A quick history of leather jackets:
Some of the first modern leather jackets were worn by the military and fighter pilots during the 1910s. These were often in the bomber jacket style. Having produced some military jackets, a man named Irving Scott created the first motorcycle leather jacket with zippers in 1928 called the “Perfecto.” These leather jackets had zippers, making them more appealing to customers. To add to the hype, Marlon Brando played a rebellious anti-hero in the movie The Wild One, bringing attention to the leather jacket and introducing the importance of rebellion in a leather jacket. The leather jacket expanded by being a staple in many subcultures, such as punk and goth. Because of these subcultures’ use of the leather jacket, it became associated with anti-establishment and anti-status quo. Additionally, the leather jacket was used by the Black Panthers as part of their party’s uniform. The garment was seen as masculine even though it was worn by every gender. Later on, leather jackets were raised to a more androgynous status in the 1990s. The leather jacket was a staple in the model-off-duty look that rose in popularity during the time.
So, why is the leather jacket so popular? First, it automatically makes an outfit edgier. Having always been an integral part of youth culture, it is not surprising that many college students wear leather jackets. People feel confident and comfortable in them. They feel a certain amount of protection wearing strong and durable material garments. Also, if they spend time looking through thrift stores for the perfect leather jacket, they might have an emotional connection to the piece. Another way they could have acquired the leather jacket is if they had it handed down to them by a relative because of the long-lasting popularity of the article of clothing. No matter the age, many people might have a leather jacket to hand down in their closet because of their popularity throughout time. The leather jacket’s extraordinary long-lasting coolness and popularity ensure that this piece of clothing can last forever.