A leather jacket is a saviour for all those times you are in a fix. From late-night clubbing plans to Indo-western cocktail parties, there’s no fashion event a good leather jacket cannot turn around. A wardrobe staple in the West, the leather jacket found popularity in India, especially after Shah Rukh Khan’s character Raj in the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) slipped it on and spread his arms wide for his beloved in the middle of a mustard field. In a conversation with Karan Johar for Manyavar, digital creator Komal Pandey asked the filmmaker to spill the beans on the story behind the iconic black leather jacket.
“I have seen this in one of your videos. Aap, Adi (Aditya Chopra) aur Uday (Uday Chopra) saath meing gaye thhe (You’d gone with Adi and Uday),” she started the story, and Johar picked up from where she left off, “Aur humne saare paise uss jacket mein daal diye (And we had spent all our money on this jacket).”
It was a Harley Davidson jacket worth 350 pounds back in 1994. “1994 mein 350 pounds matlab aap andaza laga sakte ho ki aajke daur mein woh kya hoga (You can imagine how much 350 pounds in 1994 must be equivalent to now),” Johar added.
When Pandey asked if Yash Chopra, the producer of the film, scolded them for making such an expensive purchase, Johar said, “Daant kisi ko nahi padhi kyunki humne kaha ki 50 pound ka tha, and hum sabne contribute kiya (No one got scolded because we had told that the jacket was worth 50 pounds, and we had all contributed the rest). Look at the impact of the jacket. It is iconic now.”
DDLJ’s mustard field scene reimagined by an artist. (Source: Instagram/@mixedartpasta)
How to style a leather jacket?
Harkirat Singh, Managing Director at Woodland Worldwide, shared some tips with indianexpress.com on how to style this universally flattering fashion accessory:
- Dressing in just one colour from head to toe does not appear very flattering. Break the monotony by pairing blue jeans with a black leather jacket. A white T-shirt peeking out from beneath the shirt and a thick woollen scarf will ramp up the sophistication.
- To soften the look of the sturdy leather jackets, pair them with light-coloured cotton shirts. Team them with a pair of grey trousers and tan shoes for a smart formal look.
- Don’t shy away from experimenting with the colours of your jacket. As long as you get the right colour and cut, feel free to experiment with different masculine hues such as tan or grey. If you want to go for a brighter shade, make sure that you carry it confidently.
- For a weekend lunch with friends, wear a black leather biker jacket with a grey T-shirt and black jeans to look cool and casual.
- If your style preference is a little more preppy, reach for a plain jacket with leather sleeves. It will add an edge to your look. Add some slim blue jeans and fingerless gloves to complete the look.
- Try teaming a black leather jacket with distressed grey jeans for a polished yet off-duty look. Uplift this ensemble with brown leather brogues.
- For a laid-back yet stylish look, pair a leather bomber with camel jeans.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
