The black leather jacket

The black leather jacket

Without any further description, these words conjure up images of rebellion and rock ’n’ roll. Even variations on the classic form exude a tough “don’t mess with me” attitude. But where did it all begin, and how did a simple garment become so culturally charged?

This summer, the Harley-Davidson Museum® will explore these and other questions in the special exhibition Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket. The exhibit traces the functional and design history of the biker jacket along with the evolution of the garment from clothing to cultural shorthand.

More than 50 jackets will be on display, ranging from rare historical examples pulled from both the Harley-Davidson Archives and private collections to those worn by superstars of the stage and screen. Season after season, black leather jackets are a staple in the wardrobes of many. And bikers around the world still love them.

Why? Because some styles go beyond fashion to the timelessness of legend.