Lately, as I cruise the digital highway on my virtual hog, I have noticed all this crap popping up about how vests are all the rage again. I realized that this trend has reached a feverish pitch when one of my regular customers caught me getting off my bike.
"I see you are caching in on the vest trend!" she said at an attempt at being funny.
I laughed, because it was the only socially acceptable thing to do at the moment and replied, "Does it look like I pay much attention to fashion trends?"
I thought she was going to die laughing as she waved me off and went into the shop. Hell, I'm still not sure if I am suppose to be insulted by that. I have been graced with the inability to recognize when I am being insulted. (I think this is what has kept me out of prison and has saved many people from serious bodily harm. I also have been told, by many women, including BB, that I absolutely can not tell when I am being flirted with or hit on. Another blessing I suppose.)
So what's up with the biker vest? pffftttt...I have no idea honestly. To some of us it is a functional rag of clothing that serves a purpose. To others it is the soul representation of their belief in a particular brotherhood, one that they would risk great bodily harm to defend.
Hmmm...I started thinking about my own vest and came up with the following;
Although I claim no allegiance to any M/C, my vest says things about me. Bikers are famous for providing less than stimulating conversation. It's sort of a "get to the point" conversation. Cut the fluff and get to the stuff. Maybe the vest is a way to say more without actually having to say it. If you see me on the street and look at my vest you will read the following; "What a long strange trip it's been", "Don't believe everything you think", "Knowledge speaks, wisdom listens", "Sturgis 07, I rode mine", "Enjoy your freedom, thank a veteran", "A nation which forgets it defenders will itself be forgotten" and "In memoriam". There is no guessing where I stand on certain things. Probably why the vest, Denim or Leather, has been so revered by M/C's. It is the mark that speaks without speaking.
Function before fashion? Oh hell yeah! My vest is on me always when I ride. It holds alot of stuff and keeps things out of my pockets of my jeans. I guess you could look at it as tactical gear for a road warrior. You would be amazed at what you would find in the biker vest. (and horrified at the same time!) No moving crap from one pair of jeans to another. Just throw on the biker's tactical garb on. It's always fully loaded. I always know where stuff is no matter what I am wearing. Another reason M/C's love the vest. One vest fits all. (Can you imagine having to go out and have all your t-shirts embroidered with your club's patch? I'll just do the vest, thanks. Truly a modular marvel.)
On hot and cold runs it's always on. In hot weather I have found that it keeps the sweat from evaporating as quickly, keeping me cooler. Cold weather...another barrier against the chill.
If your bronc bucks you off it is a barrier against the dreaded road rash. (at least on the torso) It can assist in keeping vital organs from getting punctured. More patches the better. Just more armored plating between you and whatever comes.
The vest is a warning and invitation at the same time. It all depends on the animal that is approaching. It also sort of acts like a people filter. No need to waste time trying to figure out who is real and who is blowing sunshine up your ass...this wonder vest takes the guess work out of it. Deterring the judgemental and the superficial is the miracle of the biker vest. (Well, up front and in the moment anyway) Come to think of it, I think everyone should be required to wear a vest by law, adorned with patches to warn the rest of us of their true intentions.
Hell, I just think it looks cool. (I have never been known for my fashion sense, I just know what I like.) A vest looks good with just about any shirt. They even look good without a shirt...well, most of the time. A good tan helps that out a bit or a knock out set of boobs.
Brothers and Sisters rejoice! You are now officially trendy! Whoo hooooo!....makes me almost want to take the vest off now when I think about it. Nah! You and I will be wearing the same old, grungy, road weathered vest long after the fashion wave has washed upon the shore. A fashion wave that will recede only to reveal an endless pile of discarded vests on the sands of the beaches "Goodwill" and "Salvation Army". I'll burn my vest before I let it fall into the hands of either one of those places. It is a sacred, personal flag I wave in honor of those who gave me my freedom, fellow bikers and most importantly, my own commitment to stay true to myself.
A LITTLE BREAK
1 hour ago
11 comments:
Staying true to yourself is what it's all about!
My vest tells people "I'm perfect just the way I am" and "Homegrown not silicone". More coming.
I've had my vest for many years, the lining is completely torn out, the pockets hang down inside, I can't find half the shit I put in it and you still ain't gonna get that vest off my back!
PS...I've tried to have it sewn but they tell me that if I do that they will have to sew the inside pockets shut. lol
Love the patches!
Re: the vest. I don't wear one, never have, and likely never will.
I don't mind them, but they never seemed like the thing for me. I guess I always figured it more as a function thing. If it's cold, I got my leather jacket on, and if It's hot, I got a t-shirt on. I figured the vest would make you that much hotter. Your point about actually keeping cooler is a good one. Interesting.
I know you don't wear Harley t-shirts, but I do, and for me the shirt kinda does some of the same things as your vest does as far as making any statments anyway.
I guess I see one reason why you might not wear HD t-shirts. Why pay good money for them if you are going to cover them up with a vest anyway?
Good point Mr.M. I think you have solved the HD T-Shirt mystery as far as this biker is concerned.
Big D, I fear the day my vest starts falling apart. I feel for you brother. They can sew fingers back on but they can't save your beloved vest? pffffttt, something is wrong here brother. Priorities!
Ann - You are living proof of what I just posted about. Thanks for the validation!, lol.
You know how I feel about this subject. That's all. :)
I didn't realize that it was now "in". I never ride anywhere without the vest. It's a statement as well as utilitarian. Fuctional mostly because of the pockets. I carry stuff with me and absolutely hate stuffing it into my pants pockets.
Funny thing you guys mentioned more than once between the two of you about the pockets. I guess, me not having saddle bags or wearing a vest and all is why I like the Grab-it pack.
Vests are so sexy, especially when they are adorned with studs and leather roses... and wearing your chaps with no pants underneath...
Vests chaffe my nipples.
I'm with Mr M on the vests. But I'm down with wearing chaps and no pants!
Dave, this deserves an "Amen."
I'm with you and Dean all the way. I always wear my vest, and you explained most of my reasons why. Having slid across the pavement reinforced the value of H-D Leather versus tarmac, as opposed to Fruit of the Loom or Hanes. I hope you T-shirt guys don't have to learn that lesson the hard way. Remember, they do make lots of biker tees that only say stuff on the front.
I have no room in my T-shirts for my cigars and lighter, my cell phone, my pen, and when I feel the need, my gun. Joker's not a 1%er, but if I'm on a long haul by myself, I exercise my 2nd Amendment rights. I'm not going to end up in the bottom of a dumpster behind a Walmart if I can help it.
The only thing you didn't cover is rockers. I'm very happy and proud to be a member of the Blackstone Valley Chapter, and that rocker across the back of my vest means a great deal to me. I also like my funny patches, the best of which is probably, "GET ON, SHUT-UP, and HOLD ON!"
Like Big D, I'll still wear that vest even when shit starts falling apart on it. Like you, I'll sooner burn it than throw it out or donate it to a thrift store. The vest is as much a part of what I think makes me a biker as the motorcycle itself. I can't have one without the other.
Fantastic post. I'll have to post some pics of my vest in a post so you can check it out. Maybe next week.
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