Figure 1.--Here I am in my imitation leather jacket (figure 1). This jacket lasted nearly 2 years. In the photo it is nearly new – the fingertips are only just showing. It did not really pretend to be leather.
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Figure 1.--Here I am in my imitation leather jacket (figure 1). This jacket lasted nearly 2 years. In the photo it is nearly new – the fingertips are only just showing. It did not really pretend to be leather. |
We have noticed various styles of leather jackets. In the early 20th century leather jackets might be rather long, well below the waist. Perhaps influenced by the "bomber jackets" worn by World War II aviators, by the 1940s leather jackets were much shorter waist-length styles with military epaulets. These were especially popular with boys. After the War leather motor-cycle jackers with zippers became very popular with teenagers--in part because of their edgy look, no doubt influenced by the James Dean film, "Rebel Without a Cause". Suede jackets became popular in the 1950s and 60s in the United States and other countries. I recall suede jackets being very popular when I was in highschool during the 1950s. There were also less expensive imitation leather jackets. A British reader recalls the imitation leather jacket that he wore in the 1960s.
In the early 20th century leather jackets might be rather long, well below the waist.
Perhaps influenced by the "bomber jackets" worn by World War II aviators, by the 1940s leather jackets were much shorter waist-length styles with military epaulets. These were especially popular with boys.
After the War leather motor-cycle jackers with zippers became very popular with teenagers--in part because of their edgy look, no doubt influenced by the James Dean film, "Rebel Without a Cause". Yjey were always done in black.
Suede jackets became popular in the 1950s and 60s in the United States and other countries. I recall suede jackets being very popular when I was in highschool during the 1950s.
There were also less expensive imitation leather jackets. A British reader recalls the imitation leather jacket that he wore in the 1980s. He writes, "Here I am in my imitation leather jacket (figure 1). This jacket lasted nearly 2 years. In the photo it is nearly new – the fingertips are only just showing. It did not really pretend to be leather--perhaps the American term “pleather” meaning “plastic leather” is very appropriate for this type. [HBC note: This is not a term I recall hearing in America."] It eventually met its end in the second winter when an attempt to do it up over several layers of clothing resulted in irreparable damage to the zip. In the meanwhile it was a constant companion being allowed for school, Cubs, play or simply going about. It was an intermediate form between the classic “windcheater” with its turn-up collar and the “bomber” with its small or non-existent collar. It had elasticated cuffs and waist and two secure zip-up pockets. It was easy to wash clean - unlike real leather that needs expensive professional cleaning--and was only a tenth of the price of a real leather jacket. It came from a local chain store, for only a few pounds, where they had a rack of them on display. They must have sold hundreds of these jackets over the years they were in stock. It had a comfortable lining to stop it sticking to you when it got warm. Best of all it was shiny black and well decorated with embossed red piping. A real boy’s jacket!"
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