Classic Piece: The Motorcycle Jacket
Introduction
Although we don’t necessarily have an ‘IT’ coat in the same way that womenswear does, menswear tends to lean towards a classic outerwear silhouette each season. Whether it’s the bomber, duffle or in the case of this year, the motorcycle jacket, the style DNA is retained whilst the aesthetic is updated for the current market.
Two big names, Matchless and Belstaff, have been rebranded recently with the aim of making the motorcycle and its history the centrepiece of their brands. Fashion labels have quickly realised that they need to have a strong signature look and take ownership of a timeless piece – in much the same way Burberry has done with the trench coat – in order to thrive in this competitive market.
By focusing on something people are willing to pay a premium for, i.e. the motorcycle jacket, they have the potential to catapult the brand into the big league – but it’s a long and difficult journey.
The Motorcycle Jacket
Form always followers function, and whilst men were discovering the joys of riding a motorcycle in the early 20th century, they required something that not only kept them warm and dry, but also added an element of protection.
It’s important at this point to differentiate the motorcycle jacket from the biker jacket. The latter is more American, cropped and usually found in black leather, whilst the former, and the style to covet this season, is quintessentially British, comes in a longer cut and features breast pockets and a belted waist.
It is a silhouette that resonates with our obsession with all things vintage at the moment. The longer motorcycle jacket also looks much smarter due to its clean lines and refined cut, which ensures it can be worn by a larger cross section of ages.
Key Brand: Belstaff
Belstaff has had the most money thrown at it recently. You may have seen David Beckham, their new ‘face’, opening the flagship store on New Bond Street in September. He was wearing a short, more traditional biker jacket, as the whole street thronged to sound of bikers and their machines.
