Celebrating the black leather jacket

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Michaelson »

http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/ ... acket?lite" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! Michaelson
Obi Sean Kenobi
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 119
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 1:25 pm
Contact:

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Obi Sean Kenobi »

Cool article. If I lived closer to Wisconsin, I would love to see this!

Its funny, in our modern era, to read that Elvis bought an iconic jacket at JC Penney of all places!
User avatar
Tennessee Smith
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10582
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:47 pm
Location: Everything we need is right here.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Tennessee Smith »

That was the first style leather jacket I ever had. I got it in high school and it's still hanging in my closet. It's also the first one I ever did the "Dark Arts" to.

Image

Of course it's now 21 years old but the distressing was done when it was new and I was 16.
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Cool, thanks for sharing. I've never been much a fan of the Perfecto style myself, but there's no denying it's historical significance.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Hollowpond
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3834
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:52 pm

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Hollowpond »

Kinda with Jeff here. Never really been a fan, but there is no denying its place in the history of leather jackets and Americana in general!

Great article! :TOH:
User avatar
Hollowpond
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3834
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:52 pm

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Hollowpond »

Oh...and Mark7 and Dude, cool jackets!
CM
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2592
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:43 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by CM »

It's interesting. In the 1980's everyone around here was wearing one of those D-pocket black jobbies or an Indy style/A2 jacket. People tended to belong to one camp. I was in the Indy camp, however I always though the Indy was a faded black jacket. I like the simplicity of an Indy jacket while those bike jackets are all zips and angles. :TOH:
User avatar
Oildale Jones
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 774
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:58 pm
Location: In my Backyard of Doom

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Oildale Jones »

I had no opinion (or probably awareness) of the classic Brando leather jacket until Mad Max came out, and then I had to have one. (The MM jackets were a variation on the style, but custom and also made of vinyl.) The actual leather jackets were out of my teenage price range but I found a cloth one at Chess King.

Several years later (early/mid 80s) I bought a real one, just like The Dude's, and I think I had it about 20 years before I was finally too big to wear it. By the time I donated it I had painted a Nine Inch Nails logo, a yin-yang symbol, and other band logos on it. I never did get around to putting my blood chit on the back. (That I still have.) I hope someone is still enjoying it, somewhere. The Indy jacket is more my style now anyway. I mean, assuming I actually have a style.
User avatar
Tennessee Smith
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10582
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:47 pm
Location: Everything we need is right here.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Tennessee Smith »

Yeah, I knew a few guys that painted a few things on their jackets like Black Flag and The Cramps. Others put studs all over them, they all looked good but I just decided to leave mine plain albeit beat up, I was a more traditional Ramones guy. ;) :lol:
User avatar
lantzn
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1622
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:29 pm
Location: Washington State
Contact:

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by lantzn »

Awesome they will be in Seattle this fall! I just signed up to be reminded.

"After leaving Milwaukee, "Worn to be Wild" will move to Seattle’s EMP Museum, home of some of the music and science-fiction artifacts included in the show, and will run from October 2012 through February 2013."
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

The Dude wrote:Yeah, I knew a few guys that painted a few things on their jackets like Black Flag and The Cramps. Others put studs all over them, they all looked good but I just decided to leave mine plain albeit beat up, I was a more traditional Ramones guy. ;) :lol:
Well, I never did get around to putting The Cramps or the Black Flag bars on mine, but, I do have all their albums :lol:
Image
Image

My first love. Bought for me by my father with the express purpose of angering his ex-wife (my mom). Kind of fitting now that I think about it, what with the whole troubled youth/teen angst theme and all. :-k
No "Dark Arts" here, it's all naturally distressed. I lived in it, slept in it, and on a few occasions I even.....uh :oops:
The rivets seen here or there around the jacket are not decorative, but, are actually holding the thing together and there is barely enough of the liner left to support the inside pocket!
I'd still be wearing this jacket today had I not grown out of it (By "it" I mean the jacket, not the troubled youth/teen angst thing. Still working on that).

Then, this beauty came into my life.....
Image
Image
Hey, check out that SA slim yoke panel and misaligned sleeve seams. :lol:
Still not quite sure who made it or what model it is as the label has been removed, but, I know it's from the mid to late 50's from the zipper.
I've seen similar jackets made by both Monarch and Irwin Foster, but, never one just like it.
It has a quilted, insulated liner and hidden A-2 style knit cuffs and I think it may be horsehide.

Unfortunately, this jacket also "shrank" and no longer fits me, so it may end up in the Cairo Bazaar or on the Bay to help fund a "Bruno" from FilmJackets.com
I wonder if they'd do one in black? :-k
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

kwad,

First off, your jackets are awesome, especially that second one. I'll be keeping an eye on the Bazaar.

Secondly, the Bruno does come in black. I have one on order now in black buffalo hide.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

Jeff,

If I do decide to put it up, I'll let you know first.

So, the Bruno does come in black? Hmmmm.....very tempting.
However, while cruising their site, I ran across a jacket called the Road Master that is also VERY tempting.

Decisions, decisions.. ;)
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

:tup: ;)

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

This thread got me wanting a new black biker jacket really bad.
Look what you guys made me do! :lol:
Image
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

A TNO?! Where'd you pick that up?


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

Jeff,

I took a little trip down to Tony's shop over the weekend and it just ended up following me home. :lol:
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Michaelson »

Don't cha just HATE when that happens. :-s

:lol: ;)
User avatar
Hollowpond
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 3834
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:52 pm

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Hollowpond »

Seriously ...they're worse than puppies! :lol:
User avatar
Oildale Jones
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 774
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:58 pm
Location: In my Backyard of Doom

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Oildale Jones »

It was more like that Spider-Man/Venom space organism. It crawled up his arm and conformed to his body, and he was helpless to resist. And it looked surprisingly good with a fedora, too.

This one tried the same trick with me, but I was able to wrestle it into submission.

Image

Universal Designs, Ltd. "Mutant" (and kwad's elbow at right)
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

kwad wrote:Jeff,

I took a little trip down to Tony's shop over the weekend and it just ended up following me home. :lol:

"I promise I'll take good care of it and love it and feed it and everything! Can I keep it? Can I? Can I? Please? Can I? Pleeeeeeease?!" :D

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Indiana Bugs
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 829
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:24 pm

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Bugs »

I didn't own a BLJ until I got my first motorcycle 30 years ago.. Before that, I had a brown Cooper bomber jacket.

My first BLJ was a Schott, my second was an Excelled. Both are the Brando style.

Now that I've dropped 15 lbs recently, and am back to the weight I was 30 years ago, I will have to try them on, as they should fit me. That'd be a hoot!
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

Indiana Jeff wrote:
"I promise I'll take good care of it and love it and feed it and everything! Can I keep it? Can I? Can I? Please? Can I? Pleeeeeeease?!" :D

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Jeff,

That's pretty much how the discussion went with the wife when I got home! :lol:
Gettin' real close to selling that vintage jacket. If you are interested, shoot me a PM.

-Kevin
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Pulling this one back to the top.

Here is the jacket a fore mentioned by kwad and purchased by me. :)

A new liner and main zipper (Thanks again, The Dude :TOH: ) and now this baby will see years more of happy service. I love, love, love this jacket.

Image


Image

It's getting a coating of Pecard's tonight.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Tennessee Smith
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10582
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:47 pm
Location: Everything we need is right here.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Tennessee Smith »

Looks great Jeff!!! I'm glad the new liner worked for you. I had mine reclined also (the pic above, way above) in a burgundy color. It looks great too. I'm sure it'll be my son's in a few years when he can fit into it. He's been pining over it since I got it out of storage :lol:
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

Jeff,

That jacket looks great on you!
I'm glad it went to a good home. :TOH:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

:TOH:


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Another one to show off. A filmjackets Bruno in black buffalo.

Image

Image

Image

This will be my dress black jacket to complement my distressed black jacket.


NOTE: leather type edit per Rick's message below.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
rick5150
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1258
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 7:09 am
Location: NH
Contact:

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by rick5150 »

Indiana Jeff wrote:Another one to show off. A filmjackets Bruno in black bison.
By "bison" Indiana Jeff means buffalo. We do not use American bison :TOH:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Oops, thanks for the reminder, Rick. I changed things over at FJ, but forgot to here. Have now done so.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
rick5150
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1258
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 7:09 am
Location: NH
Contact:

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by rick5150 »

No problem. You created an amazing version of our Bruno jacket that looks fantastic on you. I just do not want people to arrive at the assumption that I misled you to believe we used (American) bison instead of buffalo. ;)
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Michaelson »

Dang! There goes my mental image of Rick sitting on top of a bluff with his Sharps buffalo rifle, waiting to fill a custom jacket order.... #-o

:Plymouth:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Rick, I hardly 'created' anything. I picked a leather, largely based on your recommendation of how nice the leather was. You are the guy that made this jacket happen. :TOH:

Michaelson, you should see the picture he did post at FJ showing the length he goes to to inspect the leather. :shock: :-0 ;) :lol:

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Michaelson »

Knowing how thorough Rick is about details, maybe it's just as well I didn't..... =; ;)

Regards! M
User avatar
kwad
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1016
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:26 pm
Location: Hiding under your bed at night.

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by kwad »

Indiana Jeff wrote:Another one to show off. A filmjackets Bruno in black buffalo.

Image

Image

Image

This will be my dress black jacket to complement my distressed black jacket.


NOTE: leather type edit per Rick's message below.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
That jacket absolutely ROCKS! :notworthy:
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Thank you kindly. :TOH:


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
CRB
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
Posts: 332
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:26 pm
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by CRB »

I'm celebrating my black Indy BK Relic Hunter !

Image
User avatar
Indiana Strones
Museum Curator
Museum Curator
Posts: 1760
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:48 pm
Location: Roma, Italy

Re: Celebrating the black leather jacket

Post by Indiana Strones »

Nice jacket!
Post Reply