British Rocker Jackets c.1956-1969

[nightandthecity]

V


WAs greaser ever a term that had currency on this side of the Atlantic? It's not one I've ever seen mentioned much in the UK.

indeed it was, I was a teenager in the UK during the 60s (10 in 1960) and "greaser" was a common term for rockers. But IIRC it was more a term other people applied to rockers rather than a self identification. There was also the term "greebo" which i presume was short for "greaser boy".

 

[Edward]

indeed it was, I was a teenager in the UK during the 60s (10 in 1960) and "greaser" was a common term for rockers. But IIRC it was more a term other people applied to rockers rather than a self identification. There was also the term "greebo" which i presume was short for "greaser boy".

Interesting, I've only ever heard 'Greaser' used in the American context. I guess Rockers self-identifying as such has perpetuated the term as much as anything. That and the press picking up on it with Birghton Beach, likely.

Grebo I've heard used since the 90s, more in the north of England, as a term of abuse for alternative kids, goths in particular, from mainstream kids (townies). Interesting to hear it has earlier roots.

 

[Marc mndt]

Late '60s sheepskin Mascot 'Black Night'.

 

[Edward]

Late '60s sheepskin Mascot 'Black Night'.

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The Black Night is a lovely, and distinctive, design. It would render well in goat also, I think. Pity the revived Mascot didn't managed to establish itself.

 

[Aloysius]

The Black Night is a lovely, and distinctive, design. It would render well in goat also, I think. Pity the revived Mascot didn't managed to establish itself.

I've half-jokingly suggested we send some culturally niche but prized 'in the community' jackets like a Buco or Durable to Five Star in Pakistan to make a reproduction, but some of these British rocker jackets that fell through the cracks would be a genuinely ideal candidate for such a project. What's more, the more 'Commonwealth' sewing techniques they employ–whilst inaccurate for American reproductions (as seen in Aero's firm rules in that respect)–would actually fit.

I've had an eye out for a Black Night for years after you'd mentioned them–shame the revived brand never got off the ground.

 

[Marc mndt]

The Black Night is a lovely, and distinctive, design. It would render well in goat also, I think. Pity the revived Mascot didn't managed to establish itself.

I think they had a good look at Lewis Leathers' Thunderbolt. I wouldn't be surprised if these came from the same factory.

 

[Arnold]

the more 'Commonwealth' sewing techniques they employ

I'm intrigued but uneducated - please elaborate!

The old school short and tapered torso looks like it would be a perfect for me, contrary to most of the recent Schott or LW jackets.

 

[Edward]

I've half-jokingly suggested we send some culturally niche but prized 'in the community' jackets like a Buco or Durable to Five Star in Pakistan to make a reproduction, but some of these British rocker jackets that fell through the cracks would be a genuinely ideal candidate for such a project. What's more, the more 'Commonwealth' sewing techniques they employ–whilst inaccurate for American reproductions (as seen in Aero's firm rules in that respect)–would actually fit.

I've had an eye out for a Black Night for years after you'd mentioned them–shame the revived brand never got off the ground.

It was a pity. I suspect they fell between a few stools. The repros were a perfect recreation of the originals - perhaps too perfect in that they were not up to use as modern bike jackets (Goldtop have since been very clever in incorporating contemporary PPE capability with their revived designs), and on the other hand despite being much more affordable, they didn't seem to get the bites either in the Rocker revival scene, which is now absolutely dominated by Lewis to an extent that is unrepresentative of how things were back in the day.

I think they had a good look at Lewis Leathers' Thunderbolt. I wouldn't be surprised if these came from the same factory.

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OH! Now that is one I've never seen before. Interesting. I don't know which came first. Lewis were of course widely copied, though not averse to the process in reverse themselves: Rivett's Highwayman brand were doing their version of the quintessential Rocket jacket - the straight zip, shirt collar look - at least by 1958, in variants pretty much indistinguishable from the Lewis Corsair & Dominator - both of which debuted in 1962.

Interesting this one is so very similar to the Black Night down to the zips - the only variant being the belt instead of side buckles.

 

[Marc mndt]

I don't know which came first.

I just found the style in these D Lewis catalogs, it's called the 'Whirlwind'.

Found the Thunderbolt as well.

 

[Edward]

I just found the style in these D Lewis catalogs, it's called the 'Whirlwind'.

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Found the Thunderbolt as well.

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What's really interesting about that Whirlwind is - unlike the Thunderbolt - it has sidestraps, and eyelets in its sidestraps. Not seen that on another Lewis.

 

[Imuricecreamman]

I just found the style in these D Lewis catalogs, it's called the 'Whirlwind'.

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Found the Thunderbolt as well.

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Awesome reseach. So cool to see all these styles.

 

[Bonasera]

Belstaff used to make a model similar to Mascot.
Most jacket of this model are made of viynl leather, but this jacket is thick sheepskin.

 

[handymike]

Here is a fringed Belstaff on EBay

 

[Bonasera]

Here is a fringed Belstaff on EBay
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That is cowhide jacket judging from the pictures.
I have a sheepskin Rockers customed one.