Leather Motorcycle Jackets 101

The primary purpose of the motorcycle jacket is protecting the rider. The most common motorcycle gear is motorcycle protective clothing consists of the helmet, motorcycle jacket, leather chaps, gloves and motorcycle boots.

The reason why motorcycle leather jackets are so desired amongst motorcycle riders because they provide the best protection from cold and serves as a wind breaker. Reason leather jackets are worn by motorcycle riders is because of its aesthetics appeal. The most important reason why leather is used is because of its ability to protect the rider from potential injuries in the event of fall or accident.

According to sources leather jacket gained popularity during 1940′s especially in 1946, and it was made popular by Marlon Brando in ‘The Wild One.’ The major protection leather jacket provides is the protection from the damage to the riders torso and arms. Recently motorcycle leather jacket has evolved into very modern and efficient product for a motorcycle rider.

The most modern leather jackets for motorcycle riders are equipped with should protection, back bone protection as well as elbow protection. The protective gear is stitched within the jacket and it is very light.

There are many kinds of motorcycle jacket available in the market. The two main types are leather motorcycle protective outfits, the colorful single-piece ones predominantly seen on the race track, and the traditional jacket and trouser type.

A most common leather jacket used by motorcycle riders is zippered, multi-pocketed and short in length. In the past most leather jackets were made of the cowhide. Cowhide is used for the thickness and durability it provides to the motorcycle riders. On the other hand the sheep skin is used for fashion wear. The more modern leather jackets are waterproof, to protect the rider from rain. Most of the water proof motorcycle leather jackets are also fitted with a liner.

A good motorcycle leather jacket has a usable pocket space, good weather protection, adjust ability and usability. The ideal thickness of the leather used in a motorcycle jacket should be 2-4 millimeter. The thickness of a jacket determines the kind of protection it allows to the motorcycle rider. Some of the other features of a motorcycle leather jacket are the slightly dropped back to keep the wind out when the driver leans ahead, and articulated or curved sleeves.

The most popular motorcycle jacket makers are Harley Davidson, Wilson leather, Leather Vibe, tour master and Alpine star. A large variety of leather jackets are also available on internet at great prices.

Harry Alan has been manufacturing Leather jackets for last 11 years.
Find out more information regarding motorcycle leather jackets at http://www.leathervibe.com

Future Trend For Men’s Fashion

Shouldn’t we all be wearing spacesuits by now? Certainly, that’s what Blakes 7 and Logans Run had us believing!

At the very least by 2007 we should surely all look like we’ve just stepped out of an episode of Doctor Who. Yet for some reason, men’s fashion has never really embraced the whole futuristic look. Brief flirtations yes, but a relationship never really consumated.

Maybe men are just more conservative than women when it comes to fashion, they know what they like and they like what they know, The key trends in men’s fashion over the last decade could hardly have been more retro if they’d involved a suit of armour and a lance!

Lately, fashion for men has revolved around a few key looks, none of which could be considered remotely modernist or futuristic. Those trends such as preppy college boy, sharp suited mod complete with brylcreemed hair and even punk has had something of a revival. Yet they are looks all rooted firmly in the past. In fact, it is arguable that the last time we saw futurism casting a shadow over men’s fashion was as long ago the early nineties.

Then, men’s experiment with futuristic fashions ended in satorial disaster!

Who can forget those global hypercolour t-shirts that changed colour based on your body temperature? Memories of those still smart, especially images of the under-arm area that drew attention to any anti-perspirant failure and that’s before we get started on velcro strapped techno sandals, polar fleeces and combat trousers made out of some sort of space age tent material!

But judging by the spring collections and the key looks emerging from the recent New York and London catwalk shows, for 2007 men’s fashion designers seem brave enough once again to try something a little futuristic.

You can expect metallic suits to be coming soon to an office near you! Maybe it’s time to dig out the old LA Law re-runs! Shirts made from shiny, shiny materials will be everywhere, and even the ultimate in retro footwear brands Converse are getting in on the act with metallic versions of their popular training shoes.

T-Shirts are another area where you will see lots of metallic finishes. Expect to see versions of popular t-shirt staples get a gold and silver reworking. The t-shirt will remain white but we’ll be seeing previously black slogans and images get a golden touch. Frankie may say relax but this year he’ll be saying it resplendent in a silver finish. Already popular are metallic rock band logo’s on tees and this is likely to get more so.

Key advice for those wishing to try out this trend would be to not go overboard..for example Comme des Garcons gold trousers might work on the catwalk but may seem just a little over the top in your local public house!

One look that will work well is a more toned down pearl lustre shirt twinned with a black suit. At the very least, it’s not going to draw attention to your sweat patches, which as far as futuristic fashion goes, shows progress!

Mark Errington is Marketing Director at English fashion design house Queen Of Suburbia, the brain child of t-shirt designer Danielle Tomkinson. http://www.queenofsuburbia.com. Further examples of his commentary on fashion, celebrity and trends can be found on the queen of suburbia blog.

What To Wear On A Spring Evening – The Cardigan Is Back

I have a theory about women. It might not be the most popular or enlightened of theories so I’ll say it quietly, but say it I will, because I see evidence to back up my theory everywhere I look.

My theory is that deep down inside of most women lies the heart of a square.

Before I’m pilloried for my comments, I ought to explain. I don’t mean square in the way that Gwyneth Paltrow appears to be square, instead I mean that in fashion terms, women are masters (or should that be mistresses) at concealing the innate practicality of their purchases. Those expensive jewel-toned note books so popular at the moment? I reckon that they’re really just a cover for the feminine obsession of to-do lists. The “I am not a plastic bag” that prompted women to queue three blocks to buy one? How you seen how much stuff you can get in there? Equally, a good proportion of even the most on-trend fashionista’s wardrobe will have alongside the frivolous Vera Wang dresses, an area dedicated to the cardigan.

The Cardigan in it’s various incarnations has been with us for quite sometime. Generally, the garment is credited to the 7th Earl of Cardigan, he of the famed charge of the light brigade and whilst the word Cardy might conjor up images of old men and slippers, the fact remains, they are the ultimate practical no-nonsense clothing item.

That’s probably where the old-fashioned image comes from. The fashion world is almost the antithesis of practicality. Fashion is usually represented by bold statements, loud confident gestures ala Macqueen or Westwood, not by the apparent compromise of the cardigan.

But look around, there is something of a revolution beginning to happen. Amongst the young and trendy, cardigans are everywhere! There are several reasons for this, not least because they are perfect for women going out to dinner on a spring/summer evening unsure what to wear with a pretty dress. A coat seems a little over the top but bare shoulders risk a lecture from mum! So out comes the cardy.

There are some rules you should follow this season though. Chunky knits are a strict no-no, as are those patterned cardies last seen on the late Princess Diana. Also, and I hope you’re taking notes, 90′s cardigans aren’t going to cut it either. Pretty as they might be, with their beads and their round necks, they are designed to be worn unbuttoned, covering the arms and shoulders but not the dress front.

This season’s cardy is different, it’s a fashion statement in it’s own right, look for a deep V neck, large buttons and patch pockets. Versatility is the key, they should look as good over a silk blouse as they do over a statement t-shirt twinned with jeans.

A great example is the Gap cardigan, at around $40 it’s a damn sight cheaper than a coat and shows off your Queen of Suburbia “Shoes Life” tee much better!

Mark Errington is Marketing Director at English fashion design house Queen Of Suburbia, the brain child of t-shirt designer Danielle Tomkinson. http://www.queenofsuburbia.com. Further examples of his commentary on fashion, celebrity and trends can be found on the queen of suburbia blog.

What To Pack In 2007

The holiday wardrobe is something of a double edged sword. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

It’s a blessing because summer holiday clothes change at a pace that’s slower than the rest of your wardrobe so it shouldn’t be hard to stay on-trend, but the flip side of that is that when a change occurs in what should be in your case, you might miss it.

The thing about holiday clothes is that are different to the clothes you would wear at home but the notable suitcase trends of the last ten years or so have amounted to only two main items. The cropped trouser and the Kaftan. For some reason this year, it’s gone mad! There are not one, not two but three changes to be made to your packing.

The most radical of those changes is the return of the one piece swim suit. It’s also the one trend you need to hop-on quickly! For some reason, retailers stop stocking swimwear before summer even starts so pick your up now before they are all gone. The Kylie range in H&M is particularly fabulous.

One frequently tipped item (including by yours truly) is the maxi dress. With so many fashion commentators singling it out as the look of the season, it’s going to be very hot this summer!

What I mean by maxi-dress is a lightweight dress, fitting and relatively revealing of tan skin from shoulder to rib level, then floaty down to the ankle.

When picking out yours make sure it reaches your ankle, this is important, ankle looks slightly bohemian and extravagant whereas calf length can come across as a little too “sensible”.

The final item this year to fit into your suitcase is the slogan t-shirt. It’s also the one item that seems to have cross-over appeal for both holidays and at home. Big and bold prints are very popular this season, fashion brands like Henry Holland and Katherine Hamnet have got some great tees available that express a bit of personality on the beach! T-Shirts are versatile so you can wear them oversized with your swimwear or more fitted in the evening.

On your feet, the gladiator sandal worked last time around and it’s still working in 2007, also you won’t go far wrong with a gold shoe this summer, it works with just about everything especially black, blue, white, navy and beige. Fashion should never be about functionality but who can’t love a show that works with just about your entire wardrobe?

So plenty of suncream and the right location, you’ll be all set, just don’t forget your passport!

Mark Errington is the Marketing Director at iconic t-shirt fashion brand Queen of Suburbia. Further examples of his work can be found at http://www.queenofsuburbia.com and the fashion blog http://www.queenofsuburbia.blogspot.com

Leopard Print Is On The Prowl

Blame DKNY if you must find someone to pillory, them and their cohorts at American Vogue. But, love it or hate it, we are about to see a major Leopard print revival.

At every Wedding Reception, Christening and family gathering that I’ve ever been to, across several continents and time zones, there is always one. You’ll see her the length and bredth of the globe, decked out in head to toe leopard print (even the shoes) usually dancing round her leopard print handbag, I am of course talking about somebody’s Aunty.

It’s her fault that you don’t feel comfortable donning the big cat..

It’s her fault that your immediate reaction to the thought of wearing leopard print is abject horror.

That’s right it’s all her fault. Well, her and Scary Spice Mel B anyway. Eddie Murphy’s ex was a well known advocate of the leopard print on virtually every one of the Spice Girls videos. And that’s enough to put just about anyone off!

Yet, as I write leopard print is the height of chic fashion. New Yorkers are going mad for it.

You want proof? Check out American Vogue. They recently ran a piece about a long sleeved, knee length brown and white leopard print dress by Donna Karen New York. That piece had a picture accompanying it. It was a picture of four staff writers at American Vogue who had all turned up to work wearing that same dress on the same day. Total coincidence. Not pre-planned in the manner of collegues phoning each other before work to find out what each was wearing and then co-ordinating their outfits. Nope, American Vogue is a competitive environment where staff with a certain imageto uphold work hard to ensure they are at the very cutting edge of a trend.

Take it from somebody who talks to the fashion press every day on behalf of the Queen of Suburbia t-shirt brand. You cannot buy an endorsement like that!

Don’t despair though, whilst it might not look good on your overweight Travolta channeling Aunt, leopard print can look fantastic if you carry it off with the right attitude. Think Patricia Arquette along side Christian Slater in Tarantino’s True Romance rather than Bet Lynch in long running TV Soap Coronation Street and you’re getting there.

The Milanese for example, view Leopard print as a normal everyday part of their wardrobe and think nothing of wearing it. The trick the Italians employ is as usual to insist on immaculate tailoring. The cut of a Milanese leoparad print skirt is a million miles away from Aunt Sylvias boob tube! If they don’t fancy the head to toe look then Italians will use leopard print to dress up an otherwise ordinairy outfit. Bracelets, belts and even shoes in leopard print add immediate impact.

If there is a more maligned item of clothing than the leopard print then I have yet to come across it. But as long you avoid teaming it with a cigarette and chipped nail varnish and instead opt for shiny shiny hair, platform heels and chunky necklaces you’ll put it off with aplomb.

Mark Errington is Marketing Director at English fashion design house http://www.queenofsuburbia.com the brain child of t-shirt designer Danielle Tomkinson. Further examples of his writings on fashion can be found on the fashion blog at http://www.queenofsuburbia.bogspot.com