Schott NYC Perfecto
You know, I've been lusting over getting a nice sheepskin bomber jacket before the winter comes, but looking over sellers in Canada, I keep coming across this style of biker jacket. It's been ubiquitous as long as I've been alive, but where did it come from...? I didn't know, so I had to waste some time and do a little research. Here's what I found... The black leather biker jacket — the one with wide lapels, an asymmetric front zipper, and a belt — originated in New York City in 1928, created by Irving Schott of the company Schott NYC. He designed it for Harley-Davidson and called it the Perfecto, after his favorite cigar brand. It was the first motorcycle jacket made from horsehide leather with a zippered front, which was a big innovation at the time (most jackets still used buttons). The design had practical reasons: the asymmetric zipper kept the wind out while riding, the wide lapels could be snapped down or folded over to protect the chest, the belted waist ...