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Question Of The Day

Do You Think Leather Jackets Are Cool?

We asked New Yorkers if leather jackets are still awesome.

It's so hot, the only reason you should be wearing a leather jacket right now is if you're the Fonz, your lover is a "cub," or you refer to your motorcycle as a hog without getting laughed at or punched in the nose. Now that tween pop idols have stolen tricked-out leather jackets from the punks, are they signifiers of "cool" anymore?

VICE: Do you think leather jackets are cool?
Zoey (left): Yes, totally. Especially with studs because they're kind of gangster, but it's still…
Sophia (right): Fashionable?
Zoey: Yes, fashionable. I think in high fashion, leather jackets look cool because it's high quality. The leather is edgy.

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Where are all you from?
Zoey and Sophia: Berlin.

Ellis: Uh, yes. 
Nathan: Quoi? 
Ellis: Vestes en cuir. Sont-ils a la mode?
Nathan: Oui. 
Ellis: Yes, oui.

Why are they fashionable?
Ellis: Because I think it's a little bit vintage, but also a little chic, but also a little rough-looking.
Nathan: Oui, j'ai une veste. 
Ellis: He has one.

I met some girls on the other side of the park from Berlin, and they also like leather jackets for similar reasons. Are they popular in Europe? 
Ellis: Popular? Yes. We all like them. 
Nathan: Oui.

J'ai compris. 

Josh (left): On certain people, sure.

What kind of people?
Not me.

Especially not today, it's too hot.
Correct.

You could wear a light one.
Marshall (right): I don't think they're good at all for the summer. I think they're definitely designated to fall, winter, and spring. And, I mean, the close fit is always going to be in style, but the baggy look… yuck!

What are the best colors for a leather jacket?
Black jackets in general are going out of style and fading away. Brown is coming back. Josh: And I just remembered that I have a very motorcycle-style leather jacket that I sometimes wear, so… Oops.It's brown.

Emily: I do. I have one. I like it. 
Jeff: Yes, absolutely. Not today, but…
Emily: He has a really cool one.

Why do you guys think they're still in style?
Emily: I think they'll always be in style. It's a look, you know. It's tough, it's New York.

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Chris: Yeah, I love leather jackets. Black ones are usually my favorite—with studs. Especially biker jackets. I like when they're more loose and not so tight and fit. I like a good studded leather jacket on some people, usually not on me, though. I try to make it more subtle when I wear one.

John: Yeah.

Do you have any?
No, I don't.

You just think they're cool?
Yeah. I'm from Miami, we don't really ever need them there. But I just moved here. I should get one, right?

Right. 

Michelle (left): It depends, not now.  Kathleen (center): I like sweater jackets more.  Caroline (right): I think people can work them. Michelle: I like leather jackets.

Is there a certain style of leather jacket that's better than another?
Michelle: I personally like leather jackets that are form-fitting, so no bagginess for me. Caroline: I like the short ones. Kathleen: Definitely. Michelle: Kind of short, but fit. You know? Not like they're from the 80s, like a big motorcycle driving leather daddy.

Previously - What Kind of Dinosaur Would You Be?