Figure 1.--This American boy wears a long leather jacket with white long stockings and I believe a sailor cap. The image is undated, but we would estimate that it was taken about 1915.
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Figure 1.--This American boy wears a long leather jacket with white long stockings and I believe a sailor cap. The image is undated, but we would estimate that it was taken about 1915. |
We have noticed various styles of leather jackets. They were popular, but were relatively expensive so many boys did not have them. I am not sure when they were first made. We only notice them beginning in the early 20th century. In the early 20th century leather jackers 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. There were also less expensive imitation leather jackets.
were relatively expensive so many boys did not have them. I am not sure when they were first made. We only notice them beginning in the early 20th century.
We have noticed various styles of leather jackets. In the early 20th century leather jackers 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.
Leather jackets were popular, but were relatively expensive so many boys did not have them.
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