Are Fashion & Function Mutually Exclusive in Motorcycling?

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Been thinking about this for a while & I figured I might as well make a thread about it.

Any fashion heads on here? Pulled the trigger after this thread: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?158810-Retrofitting-Jeans

I'm STILL looking for a brand that has actually managed to put fashion and function together perfectly. Spidi's the only truly fashionable one that I've managed to find so far (although their more fashionable lines actually sacrifice safety in some way)... and even then, I still think it could be a lot better. What I said is not to be confused with minimalist gear that looks good (ie dainese, rev'it, etc.).
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Are there any brands that actually do focus on fashion? And I'm not talking about Icon...I'm talking about things that you would actually wear if it didn't have armour and you weren't on a motorcycle.

IMO, the cafe racer crowd are actually well-styled people. But to look that good, they've had to sacrifice things like armour, ce certification, etc.

Just to be clear: this isn't a posing vs atgatt thread
 
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I find a lot of "Speed and Strength" stuff is pretty nice. I would wear those hoodies or jackets if I wasn't riding. A lot of the riding shoes(not boots) are also pretty nice as well.

That said I haven't heard anything about them as far as protection, so idk if I'd wear their gear riding but they claim CE certification.
 
Good thread topic. :)

I don't think they SHOULD be but in reality, they still are for most brands. I think just in the last few years that I've personally been riding, brands and consumers are starting to see the light that fashion & function together is a good and honestly, in my own opinion, a necessary thing to tackle.

I hate people saying just suck it up or put fellow riders/passengers down for caring how they look. It's showing there's obviously a market for it. It's a win-win situation for more brands to put their R&D into this - more people wearing gear, more sales in the door.

I'm not saying a brand has to make everything look like it came from Ed Hardy or Lululemon or whatever's popular these days - some people just want the pared down look - but it would be smart to offer something for the more fashion-conscious sector of the market.

I really like Scorpion for an easily accessible brand - their gear is generally more fitted but muted (black, gray, white). Also really like Rev'it (their gear is very functional and they have details like liner that can be worn separately as a light jacket off the bike), Dianese, Belstaff, Arlen Ness, etc.

I find the Europeans do it better but then again, riding is so much more mainstream there.
 
i thought the power ranger look was the new vogue...
 
I'd love to find a power-rangers outfit that actually looked proper... Just because it would make people do a double take when you're on the highway... Just picture the black ranger on a harley... or the pink ranger on a CBR. Or even the red ranger on Honda's big *** scooter.... Would people finally stop saying "sorry mate I didn't see you"?
 
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The Problem you are facing is that safety is not subjective but fashion is. What you think looks good and is "fashionable" others might think is ugly and would not wear it. I think my Belstaff is very fashionable. It's all a matter of Opinion.
 
If you shop around it is possible to find fashionable bike gear, this guy had no problem...
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If you want stylish armour, e.g. something you would wear off the bike, look at the draggin jeans kevlar long johns.

Motorcycling is dangerous, and doing dangerous things without making a big thing about it is cool. At the end of the day, who really wants their new kidney from a dork? If there was one thing I learned at recess (in which I have an honorary degree) dork cooties are contagious.
 
mikbusa said:
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I'll take the pink one as a passenger

Outlaws Justice said:
The Problem you are facing is that safety is not subjective but fashion is. What you think looks good and is "fashionable" others might think is ugly and would not wear it. I think my Belstaff is very fashionable. It's all a matter of Opinion.
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Nail on the head.
For me, when commuting to work, I just wear my street leather jacket for abrasion protection. On hot days I wear the mesh which has armour. If it's a scorcher I get squiddy.
 
Outlaws Justice said:
The Problem you are facing is that safety is not subjective but fashion is. What you think looks good and is "fashionable" others might think is ugly and would not wear it. I think my Belstaff is very fashionable. It's all a matter of Opinion.
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Belstaff is also very fashionable as well as $$$$
 
There are excellent places in Toronto to get vintage leathers, notably, Docs on queen st., Exile in Kensington Market (both locations). For new, Town Moto has some very cool jackets. Stuff you will pass on to your kids.

An excellent place for Lewis, Vanson and others is in L.A. and it's called Glory. (glorysales.com) Not much on the website, but if you are there, it's the go-to place for functional motorcycle fashion in Hollywood.
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