A Biker’s Wardrobe

I grab a short vintage motorcycle jacket. The black leather is supple from years of wear and smells like weather and roads. It zips sideways to keep the wind out and sports the essential zippers on the wrist and sides to allow for circulation and movement. It is a good and functional design, but what makes it sing is the turquoise piping that swirls along the seams, up the wrists and around the neck like icing on a wedding cake.

A transformation happens as you gather your gear to ride. Motorcycle clothing can turn the most ordinary woman into a road diva. A goddess in leather or a cowgirl in denim, dressing to ride takes on dramatic importance as well as a bit of theater. Where else can you wear leather chaps without looking ridiculous or sexually dangerous? It is positively wardrobe ecstasy.

Weather is the first consideration. Summers are hot in southern California and riding over an engine and on top of steaming asphalt just raised the temperature. Lightweight denim is a perfect choice as well as sturdy rip-stop cargo pants. I prefer the cargo pants that bulge with snapping pockets and synch at the ankles. Top it with a shelf bra t-shirt or something a bit more sexy for a smooth fit under a denim jacket. I’m sorry, but I always wear a jacket to protect my skin from the possible road kiss one never hopes to romance.

Denim jackets can be an addiction. Whether holes, embroidery, stretch, dark, faded, black, military design or western, the search is intoxicating. My favorite is a ripped and faded Ralph Lauren design that is timeless and looks beautiful with a scarf rolled and tucked around the neck and nestled into the jacket. This will also keep the bees out.

No one should ride without boots on. Ask any orthopedic surgeon. Unless you are at a party or in the office, skip the ones with heels. Frye makes excellent short engineer boots that are perfect for riding in the summer and taller ones for winter. If you like cowboy boots, Frye harness boots are a great fit, have the right heel and a patina straight from Montana. Harley Davidson boots are lighter weight, but the zippers often work open.

Obviously sunglasses and night glasses are essential. The current trend of wraparounds will usually suffice. If you tear a lot, consider sunglasses that allow air to flow through. This is also true if you do a lot of street riding around cars due to the exhaust fumes. When riding at night, yellow lenses allow for more light and less headlight glare.

Jewelry and belts look fantastic, but choose carefully lest your accessory flies off to embed itself in the windshield of the car behind you. I prefer scarves. Short bandanas can be woven into braided hair or tied like a gypsy around your head. Vintage scarves that are longer and wider create a positively romantic look and no one will ever know of the helmet hair that lurks beneath.