The Leather Motorcycle Jacket History

Made in the USA, each Schott NYC jacket comes with a story that has been written over the course of 90 years, four generations of Schotts, two world wars, 22 presidents, one King, and an American love affair with hitting the open road with the wind in your face and your troubles behind you.

The Mode T was rolling out in 1913 and the streets becoming crowded in New York City. At this time two Russian immigrants, brothers, came up with an idea and went after their piece of the big dream. Jack and Irving Schott began making raincoats and sold them door to door all over New York City.

By the mid-twenties, while Babe Ruth and Al Capone were making headlines for breaking records and breaking laws, Schott NYC was making headlines of its own by revolutionizing the way we dress for the outdoors when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket.

Innovation being the modus operandi of the times the Schott brothers targeted the motorcycle market and the leather jacket. In 1928 Irving Schott produced the first leather motorcycle jacket from his own design. At $5.50 each and named the "Perfecto" it was an instant success. This rugged and durable leather motorcycle jacket became the symbol of the American fascination with motorcycles and the symbol of freedom and the biker image.

Soon the country would be thrust into a World War and the Schott brother would be commissioned by the US Air Force to produce what became the "bomber jacket" out of leather. The leather was an asset to keep the wind away from our soldiers bodies, and kept them warm at the high altitudes they flew at. Below, on the decks of the ships, servicemen utilized the Schott leather pea coats, and wool pea coats, to keep the chill of the open sea from reaching down to their bones.

By 1954 the war was over, Korea was the focus, and America was back in full swing. "The Wild One" premiered and became a cult classic. Fast cars, rock 'n roll and the new America combined with leaders such as Marlon Brando and James Dean. The "Schott Perfecto" leather jacket was at the core of fashion for the "hood" and the motorcycle centered segment of society. Although the jackets became banned in school systems across the country they inevitably won out and are still a mainstay in motorcycle garb to this day.

In the past 50 years, Schott NYC has continued to grow under the leadership of new generations of our family. Product lines and styles have expanded, nylons and wools have grown in popularity, accessories from bags to sunglasses can be found worldwide. But at the core of our business still lies the 100 year old factory right of outside of NYC.

In an old brick building we design and produce the styles that have - and will continue to - connect with the American spirit. More importantly, we are still dedicated to the ideals of quality, innovation, and individuality that were so important to Irving Schott - and that remain important to every person who buys one of our jackets.

For four generations the Schott family has produced quality leather products. We thank you for helping us keep a bit of American history alive and well.