Biker jackets if you don't ride ... poseur?

Style_Deficit · Dec 25, 2007

Sorry lads, but I gotta ask this before I commit.

BR in Japan currently have (IMHO) a gorgeous antiqued (note spelling) brown bike jacket with a single beige'ish coloured stripe on one arm. No other markings.

Tried it on tonight and it fits like a glove. Personally, I think it suits me and complements my physique ... but .... I don't ride a bike... therefore, I'm kinda wondering if this is really posing like? I mean, are people gonna look at me and think ... you know ... no helmet, no bike, poseur? Or am I thinking too deeply?

BTW: I get 30% off at BR Japan atm, which makes the asking price of 63000 yen a bit more attractive...

So, is it OK to wear a biker jacket if you aint a biker, or is it just totally not cool?

PS: I suspect the fact that I'm even asking this question proviedes the answer ...

jkennett · Dec 25, 2007

I feel like biker jackets are so popular right now that noone really thinks you "ride" unless it has some motorcycle company logo emblazoned on it. So.... Don't wear a bmw or ducati leather coat unless you own one of their bikes... otherwise I think you're alright. Buy the coat if you like it.

gamelan · Dec 25, 2007

personally, i would feel like a poseur wearing a biker jacket and not actually ride.

but then again, i have no problem wearing a peacoat and i've never served in the Navy so go figure.

-Jeff

caleb3221 · Dec 25, 2007

I think it depends largely on the jacket. I have a biker-style leather jacket from Reiss which fits me wonderfully and looks great, but no one has ever asked me if I ride and I do not feel like I look like an actual biker. I have, however, tried on another motocycle jacket which looked, to me, like something that is built to be a functional motorcycle jacket. So, I think that as long as you do not look like you just got off a motorcycle in the jacket, wearing a biker style jacket is fine. I would not buy an actual motorcycle jacket from a motorcycle jacket company, though, becuase I think I would feel like a poseur then.

SoCal2NYC · Dec 25, 2007

As long as you don't have a Ducati or Hell's Angels patch you should be fine.

Garage/Surf Rock · Dec 25, 2007

I personally wouldn't do it 'cause I'm self-conscious of stuff like that. But lots of articles of clothing have come to be worn in a way that is far from their original purpose. If you think about it, most clothing is this way.

Ace Rimmer · Dec 25, 2007

I have held a class M license since 1995.

If I see someone with a biker jacket I would assume that they ride but I would not look negatively upon anyone who did not. Reason is that I agree with jkennett that biker jackets are rather ubiquitous these days. Same thing with bomber jackets ... I don't assume that anyone wearing a A2 flight jacket was aboard a B17 sixty years ago ....

So if you like it, buy it!

underwearer · Dec 25, 2007

Originally Posted by Ace Rimmer

Same thing with bomber jackets ... I don't assume that anyone wearing a A2 flight jacket was aboard a B17 sixty years ago ....

So if you like it, buy it!

+1

Ironically I see more dudes on bikes wearing bomber jackets than actual 'motorcycle' jackets, the ones with no collar and are tight fitting. I think the ducati jacket with the stripes on the arms is a little too biker for me but if you can rock one then go for it.

kiya · Dec 25, 2007

You see people that wear jeans yet they're not coal mining..
You see people wearing L2-B or M-1 jackets but they're not about to fly a jet bomber...
You see people wearing Dunks or Chucks and they couldn't hit a free throw to save their lives...
You see people wearing Red Wing Boots but they're not about to go fix a power line...
See where i'm going with this?

Jbreen1 · Dec 25, 2007

I ride motorcycles myself, and I don't think people are posers when they wear motorycle jackets. I mean it's just a piece of clothing. But if you try to act like your a biker, which I've seen, that makes me mad.

Maharlika · Dec 26, 2007

I think it's fine. I wear a pair of motorcyle boots even when I don't ride one.

A Harris · Dec 26, 2007

I don't ride anymore due to injury, but have absolutely no issue with wearing my bike jackets casually. Nor do I feel the need to ask guys in motorcycle jackets whether or not they ride.

Style_Deficit · Dec 26, 2007

Thanks very much for the replies, guys.

Guess I've started "overthinking" some things since finding this place.

babygreenspots · Dec 26, 2007

If you're going to wear one, I think you should probably at least ride a bicycle, just to make sure no one thinks you're being pretentious.

roguetheory · Dec 26, 2007

Do you really care that much what other people think about you?

Lots of people wear Army and another Army style shirts with Epaulettes, without actually serving! How many people who wear RL Polo shirts, actually play Polo? Lots of people wear ankle length Black Leather jackets, who don't slay Vampires in their spare time! Get the picture?

P.S If you're that worried, buy a Moped!

Biker jackets if you don't ride ... poseur?

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Active Member

Fashion Hayzus

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Brand Representative

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Streetwear Featured products

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: