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  3 0 The term doesn't have any strong association for me. If it were used in some sort of written document as a description of something, I would consider it bad writing, because it isn't even somewhat clear. A "rocker jacket" can easily be either denim or leather, or even a wool blazer. Using a supposed term of art that could refer to such a wide range of things seems sloppy. On the other hand, articles of apparel such as "combat boots," "bomber jacket," "cargo pants," and "granny panties" are all pretty clear. They don't give an exact picture, but they give us enough idea of the material and design and possible range of colors that they work as descriptions. Lee answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report 1 comment by Lee… 0 0 To clarify: the term might be useful as a caption that labels a visual representation of an item, or as a marketing term. As a verbal description it's pretty sucky. Lee commented over 2 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  3 0 Every fashion trend needs a name, and "rocker jacket" is probably the most identifiable name for "leather jackets that are highly customized and often worn by persons who are currently or are soon to be engaged in activities pertaining to rock and/or roll". They are defined as "rocker jackets" to keep them separate from "biker jackets", which are protective gear that is meant to be disposed of when they get worn-out and thin; rocker jackets are treasured long after they cease to keep a body warm, dry and free of road-rash. Is the term ambiguous? Certainly. Is it being abused by clothes manufacturers looking to make a quick buck? Absolutely. Brammimonde answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  3 1 Back in the mid-nineties in high school, l had one of these. Wiki is correct in that the reason they were considered "rocker jackets" is because even though they were originally worn by bikers back in the day, once they hit the mainstream, they became a popular musical accoutrement. The punks, the buttrockers, and the grunge guys all adopted them as some sort of statement of manliness, and made them their own. At that point, the bikers still wore them (and still do), but they pretty much rejected the musical influence that was associated with them. The term 'rocker jacket' was definitely used, but only for a few years in the nineties when they hit popular fashion. After they faded out (which only took two or three years), the term died. lt was never an official term, but when l saw the title of this thread, l knew exactly what you were talking about. l worked Biketoberfest in Daytona back when l was 25, and this came up in conversation with my boss, who cursed the day they hit the mainstream, claiming "those fucking pussies decorate their jackets with badges, while ours are decorated with blood." l'm pretty sure that wherever he is, he still picks fights with anyone wearing one that doesn't ride a Harley. freikja answered in Whatever over 2 years ago | Report 5 comments by Lee, elenchos, and freikja… 0 0 Popular with various rock subcultures, sure, but did people at your school actually call them rocker jackets? I've just never heard them called that. And the "statement of manliness" would seem to be better served by saying that you wear a biker jacket rather than calling yourself a "rocker." I dunno. Full disclosure: I do, in fact, own a motorcycle jacket, but do not own a motorcycle. Lee commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 So if I wanted to find proof that the term 'rocker jacket' was used, any idea where to dig? Back issues of Maximumrocknroll? A documentary maybe? So far, I think all you can say is that while 'rocker jacket' is a slang term, it is not a term that ever rose to the level of being mentioned in any known medium. Which is where Wikipedia draws the line. elenchos commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 Lee: Yeah, they did call them that. "And the "statement of manliness" would seem to be better served by saying that you wear a biker jacket rather than calling yourself a "rocker." I dunno." l would agree. What l meant by 'statement of manliness' is that they were "tough" because bikers wore them, then all the types of musicians who were known for their aggressiveness and/or high testosterone style started wearing them, so many considered them to still be tough. Once they hit mainstream music scenes, people who lived under rocks and were unaware that the bikers wore them first gave them the 'rocker jacket' label because that's where they were seeing them popularized. Elenchos: No, you're right, l'm pretty sure it existed only as a slang term. l don't recall it ever being official, and l'd guess probably because the bikers would've thrown fits, and nobody wanted to piss that particular group off. freikja commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 I've checked in 6 or 7 different dictionaries of slang, and none of them list "rocker jacket" either. I think the term hovers just below the radar, never quite having caught on. Having done a fair amount of research on outlaw bikers, let me assure you that pissing them off is no worse than pissing off any other gaggle of middle-aged, overweight men with a serious drinking problem. *Some* outlaw bikers are deeply involved in organized crime, but like any successful criminal syndicate, they don't go around getting themselves arrested because some 'civilian' made a comment about a jacket. Pretty much the only ones to be afraid of are wannabes and rejects, what with them having something to prove and all. elenchos commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 Yeah, as l said, it seemed to only be a term for as long as it was cool to wear biker jackets, which was only a couple of years max. As for bikers, l don't know any outlaw bikers, per se (other than those l might have met here and there at Biketoberfest, but l was only there for two weeks, so my experience was limited) so l wasn't really referring to them. l was just referring to the Harley boys l've known - like you said, drinking problems, definitely, don't take shit, and are tightknit and resent people who try to fake their way into the community or appropriate something that typically resides within the biker community alone. This means they occasionally get in fights. My guess as to why it was never official was pretty much just that, a guess. Maybe it just never made it past radar and that's all there is to it. freikja commented over 2 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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