Quit the bike if you like, but don’t loose the jacket.
Motorcycle jackets and vests carry an aura of rebellion from bygone eras, but transcend time to keep you in style no matter where you go or what you wear them with.
“Motorcycle jackets give a rock-and-roll style to any outfit from jeans to evening wear," says Jim Searle, of Toronto’s Hoax Couture design duo. "The options out there with a bit of bling in the zippers and snaps, or even better in a punchy colour, can really put an edge on your outfit and give you a downtown vibe that will get you to the front of the line and through the velvet rope."
While purists prefer leather, the latest round of manmade faux fabrications lack little in the way of style.
Smooth and polished finishes remain popular, but distressed and vintage looks created by sand blasting and enzyme wash techniques create fashionably shaded and faded effects.
Stamped, crackled and patent leather effects are also possible.
Colour adds a novel twist with a repertoire that stretches past black to include violet, charcoal, brown, rust, burgundy, green and tan.
Rib knit details are a big deal as seen in stretchy knit waistbands, cuffs and collar treatments. Faux fur trim and detachable hoods jazz up some styles.
Other collar treatments range from large asymmetrical collars with pointy wings to those with minimalist band collars.
Large zippers and decorative asymmetric zippers give jackets and vests novel appeal. Decorative domes, snaps and strategically placed studs uncork a distinctive ‘80s vibe.
Motorcycle style jackets always look right with jeans, they can hang out over tunics and slouchy sweaters paired with leggings and boots. Toss them on to update dresses, button front shirts and mini skirts.
The sun goes down, but there’s no reason to hang up your jacket. Wear it out for cocktails and to take the edge off convention at dressy functions atop silk and floral print dresses as recommended by designers such as Stella McCartney and Peter Som.
“For evening, I see the motorcycle jacket with a feminine silk cocktail dress, a great shoe and a heavier, less feminine necklace," says designer Katrina Tuttle. "I like the idea of a very soft feminine dress fused with the heavier more masculine style of the jacket.”
