120 Years of Style
From instant icons to just plain cool: a glimpse at historic Harley-Davidson® apparel.
In 1912, Harley-Davidson started outfitting riders, and the company has been evolving the look and utility of its apparel ever since. Here we look at nine historic items produced by the Motor Company and preserved at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
1. V-neck jersey (c. 1921)
By the 1920s, Harley-Davidson was offering a full line of clothing and riding accessories available through dealerships.
The H-D Archives doesn’t have the very first apparel items, but this item is one of the earliest pieces in the Museum’s collection.
It was announced in the 1921 accessories collection (part number IX-258B) and initially available in Green Heather only. The marketing literature highlighted the V-neck's ability to show "the shirt collar and tie to advantage."
2. Green and orange racing jersey (c. 1928)
The very first-known item of apparel sold by Harley-Davidson was a racing jersey. The look quickly became iconic as it was seen being worn by celebrating racers in photographs.
Different variations of the text and colors were offered over the years. This green and orange example is one of the earliest-known iterations of the classic racing jersey.
It appears as part number 11030-X in the 1928 Parts & Accessories (P&A) catalog.
3. Earliest “short” leather jacket (1931)
This short brown leather jacket was the very first “short” jacket offered by Harley-Davidson and thus has great historic significance.
This example belonged to Fred Merlow, a Harley-Davidson® dealer in San Jose, California. In stunning condition, it came to the collection, along with other personal artifacts, after a Museum visitor saw mention of Merlow in an exhibit.
Introduced in the 1931 P&A catalog (part number 11067-34), the "nifty leather sport jacket" featured a "dandy new feature" – the zippered front. The jacket was renamed the “Brown Leader Jacket” in 1934.
4. Shop coat (c. 1941)
The shop coat was a practical offering to help staff members look professional while protecting their clothing.
The Harley-Davidson name was chain stitched on the rear of the coat, and the dealership name could be added for an additional 50 cents.
The shop coat was offered to dealers in the 1941 P&A catalog as part number 11761-X. It was touted as an ideal covering for someone who also works on the sales floor because it can be "slipped on or off in a jiffy."
5. Harley-Davidson® T-shirt (c. 1947)
T-shirts are standard items of clothing today, but they only began to be popular after World War II. They quickly became one of the hallmarks of rider gear, usually worn beneath a leather riding jacket.
Part number 11034-XV dates from around 1947. It is the first-known T-shirt sold by Harley-Davidson, making it a historically important piece in the Museum collection.
The shirt was available in white or gray and sold to dealerships by the dozen. Purchasing two dozen or more opened the opportunity to customize the back with special lettering, such as a motorcycle club name.
6. Classic rider jacket (1947)
A pivotal moment in motorcycle fashion was the postwar introduction of the classic black leather jacket – think Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
It was produced in styles for both men and women, reflecting the rise in popularity of motorcycling after WWII.
Appearing in the 1947 P&A catalog, the design of this jacket (part number 11069-46) had motorcyclists specifically in mind: waist length, with pockets and belted at the waist, the jacket afforded ease of movement and protection from the elements.
7. Checkerboard rayon race vest (c. 1968)
This race vest is a wonderful piece evoking the H-D racing scene of the late ’60s. It came to the Museum from Al Muth, an H-D® dealer in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
It features a checkered victory flag design to the left and black-and-orange racing stripes with “Harley-Davidson” text to the right.
This sleeveless racing vest, part number 98250-67V, was made of washable rayon.
8. Snowmobile woolly parka (c. 1972)
Harley-Davidson branched out into snowmobile sales in the early 1970s. The new snowmobiles were launched with a full complement of rider apparel (gloves, mitts, boots).
The dark-brown synthetic fur shines and includes a quilted Dacron® lining, a drawstring hood, two-way zipper, and colored snowflake ribbon trim at waist and wrists.
Part number 98120-73VW also offered two muslin-lined side pockets. It certainly made for a distinctive look!
9. Eagle Soars Alone T-shirt (1982)
Celebrating a significant moment in Harley-Davidson history, this T-shirt is one of the most instantly recognizable designs for Harley-Davidson® enthusiasts.
Commemorating the 1981 independence of Harley-Davidson after being a subsidiary of AMF since 1969, it was only available for a couple years.
It first appeared in the Fall 1981 Fashions catalog in either Gray (part number 98215-82V) or Black (98214-82V).
