# MC jackets **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 20, 2017, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834 "2017-04-20T12:40:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/1 "2017-04-20T12:40:03Z")
What is with all the MC jackets I am seeing on people who just can’t pull it off? Is it all a consequence of Negan and walking dead? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/2 "2017-04-20T12:49:34Z")
Motorcycle jackets have become [quite trendy](http://www.whowhatwear.com/photo-galleries/moto-jacket). When models and celebrities start wearing something it doesn’t take too long before others follow their lead. It’s become a fashion trend of sorts. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/3 "2017-04-20T13:02:43Z")
I think what the OP is referring is **M** otorcycle **C** lub jackets. Not just leather jackets. The popularity trend started with _Sons of Anarchy_. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/4 "2017-04-20T13:11:40Z")
As long as walking around with a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat doesn’t become a trend I’m not concerned. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/5 "2017-04-20T14:46:25Z")
M/Cs usually fly their colors on vests, not jackets. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/6 "2017-04-20T15:26:27Z")
The whole \*poseur on a Harley \*thing is now quite popular in the warmer parts of the country. May well be in the cold parts too, for at least part of the year. Related trends reinforce one another and now soccer moms are seen wearing motorcycle-ish jackets with something vaguely resembling club colors on the back. Just like 5-10 years ago short pilot- or tanker-style jackets covered with quasi-military lookalike patches were all the rage. I’ve read that the real outlaw biker subculture is very protective of their “logos” and even legit motocycling groups who accidentally end up looking too much like the real thing can get hassled on the road or in cafes. I’m waiting for the first clueless Chinese clothing manufacturer to make something too outlaw-ish and some soccer Moms & Dads to get thrashed over obliviously wearing them. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/7 "2017-04-20T15:30:04Z")
If I ever saw a jacket with _ **Transmaniacon MC** _ patches I’d buy it in a second. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/8 "2017-04-21T17:33:43Z")
FWIW, if you choose to wear a motorcycle jacket/vest with some sort of logo: 1. Do not cut the sleeves and collar off your denim garment. Some outlaw clubs refer to their colors as “Cuts” since they have done just that. For a “citizen” to so so is asking for trouble. 2. Do not put the letters M.C. on the back of your “colors”. This is also asking for trouble. You are in a “Riding Club” NOT a “Motorcycle Club” . So say the outlaws. 3. Do not put a geographic location on your bottom rocker. If there is an outlaw presence in that area _they_ control it, not you. 4. As mentioned above, make sure your logo isn’t too similar to an outlaw club or one of their support clubs. 5. And, for god’s sake, don’t out a 1% patch anywhere unless you actually are one. Guaranteed ass-beating or worse. For the life of me, I don’t know why people emulate the outlaw look/structure. If you really want to be one, go for it. Otherwise its like wearing a military uniform because you think it looks cool. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/9 "2017-04-21T17:56:27Z")
“1% patch”? Please explain. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/10 "2017-04-21T18:11:48Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > “1% patch”? Please explain. Here you go - [brief explanation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw_motorcycle_club#One_percenter) and [a patch](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1coFHKVXXXXX2XXXXq6xXFXXXX/-font-b-1-b-font-font-b-er-b-font-MC-Vest-font-b-Patch.jpg). > [@](#): > > Some outlaw motorcycle clubs can be distinguished by a “1%” patch worn on the colors. This is said to refer to a comment by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, implying the last one percent were outlaws. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/11 "2017-04-21T18:43:57Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The whole \*poseur on a Harley \*thing is now quite popular in the warmer parts of the country. May well be in the cold parts too, for at least part of the year. Accountants of Doom, I believe. See them everywhere in their super-badass rags and $40k bikes and designer sunglasses. You can always spot them by the immaculate grooming just under the two-day growth. > [@](#): > > I’m waiting for the first clueless Chinese clothing manufacturer to make something too outlaw-ish and some soccer Moms & Dads to get thrashed over obliviously wearing them. When Sonny Barger’s book came out, some pink-shirted marketing ween thought printing up bandannas with the Hells Angels logo on it would make a nice giveaway. Barger supposedly leaned in very close to the ween and whispered (for Sonny) “We beat the shit out of people for that.” Even wearing the associate “81” gear can be a dicey thing. You’d better know a club member’s name, preferably someone with a rank, if you wear it. > [@MikeF](#): > > 1. Do not cut the sleeves and collar off your denim garment. Some outlaw clubs refer to their colors as “Cuts” since they have done just that. For a “citizen” to so so is asking for trouble. Old argument, but it’s more often “kutte” - from German for a short coat. “Cuts because they’re cut off” is a retro-etymology by most accounts. And you can wear a denim vest all you like, as long as it’s not even remotely patched like an MC club. > [@](#): > > 1. Do not put the letters M.C. on the back of your “colors”. This is also asking for trouble. You are in a “Riding Club” NOT a “Motorcycle Club” . So say the outlaws. This, and all your other points. If you’re going to join Accountants of Doom, you’d be wise to find a genuine MC and politely ask for some pointers/permission on your jacket and vest designs. Take a case of beer. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/12 "2017-04-21T18:46:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > “1% patch”? Please explain. Not to be confused with a gold “1%” lapel pin on a Brioni suit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/13 "2017-04-21T21:12:57Z")
I read about all these dangers of risking life and limb by putting the wrong thing on your jacket, putting on 1% stickers, etc. But I only read about them anecdotally and mainly on this forum. I’ve never seen any news report of people getting beat up for what they were wearing. I definitely read about different MC members getting shot and beat up by rival MC’s. So, it seems it’s more dangerous to be in the MC and wear the genuine article than be a “poseur”. FYI - I’ve ridden a lot. Gone to a few large rallies like Sturgis that have a lot of MC attendance. There are a couple active MC’s in my area (well, one is basically all in prison right now). Never seen anything happen to anyone. I think it’s all a bunch of hype. There is my anecdote. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mc-jackets/784834/14 "2017-04-21T23:39:31Z")
As long as they’re not wearing Harrington jackets and pretending to be in a scooter club I don’t care.