The Origins of the Leather Jacket

So where has the cultural and iconic status associated with leather jackets originated from?

Some believe Cowboys in the old west of the Americas were among the first to popularize leather garments because of its durable as well as practical qualities.

However the beginning of the 20th century saw the era of daredevil motorcycle racing. These adrenaline junkies recognized and regarded leather as the best way to protect themselves in one of the most dangerous sports of that epoch. Indeed today high quality motor biker jackets are made of very durable cow-hide leather and have kevlar panels inserted for added hardened protection.

The military's use of leather jackets during the First and Second World War is well documented and commonly thought to be the origin of the ‘modern day' leather jacket. Brown leather flight jackets (aka flying jackets), or bomber jackets, were lined with sheepskin and worn by pilots and aviators as part of an overall uniform to protect these air acrobats from the hazardous elements encountered at such high altitudes in which they operated.

Full-length leather coats were also very orthodox amongst Russian Bolsheviks and other Russian revolutionaries in the early 20th century. The ruthless winters of Russia were uninhabitable without such attire and it's easy to see why these garments were so immensely cherished for their warmth comfort and durability.  So much so, that still to this day Russia, Scandanavian, Canada and Alaska are the highest consumers of jackets and coats made from leather skins and animal pelts due to the ongoing and undersandable requirement from its inhabitants to protect and sheild them selfs from the cold and harsh winter weather.

Interestingly man's love of leather, sheepskins and fur still continues today and man made immitations may have the characteristic resemblance from a distance but cannot by any stretch replicate the fantastic shielding and insulating qualities that leather and sheepskin offer, nor the comfort and longevity associated with good quality leather and sheepskin jackets and coats. So it is no surprise that both men and women covet leather and sheepskin jackets, coats and gilets just as much as ever!