Battle Jackets have a long and interesting history in general, not limited only to punk. Today we see them as a reflection of the wearer, they are a form of self expression and affiliation.
Battle jackets can trace their origins back to WWII American pilots who would decorate their flight suits and bomber jackets with their squadron's insignia patches. They were jackets that allowed pilots to easily recognize each other and instilled a sense of pride and community in their owners. This is also where the term 'battle jacket' comes from.
After the war was over, pilots returned home and many found joy in the speed and excitement of motorcycles. Biker clubs were formed, and thus, biker culture as well. Pilots often used their bomber jackets while riding because of the protection they offered, though the sleeves were usually removed due to how they restricted movement. Jackets got decorated with club/gang logos to represent their wearer's affiliation, much like the insignia patches. As biker clubs grew, members without a pilot history often used leather or denim jackets to showcase their affiliations. There is a LOT more to biker jacket history, but this is what's really relevant to punk jackets.
In the 60s, two different cultures evolved in the UK. The first is The Mods, known for listening to modern jazz and riding scooters (supposedly their name comes from the modern jazz thing. I would not have been surprised if it was from 'modification' considering the seeming obsession to keep adding mirrors and lights to their scooters). The other group was The Rockers who were known for listening to 50s rock and riding motorcycles. While the groups strongly disliked each other, they both decorated their jackets in ways that influenced punk's jacket scene. The Mods often added pictures, paintings, and patches to theirs, while The Rockers were more likely to be seen sporting spikes and studs. (Not to say that those things were strictly limited to each side - just what was more common)
The following decade (the 70s), the two branches came together as various music subgenres collided and formed. Punk was among the genres formed, and the culture surrounding it was one of the first non-gang or club related groups to decorate their jackets. Taking influence from both The Mods and The Rockers, the characteristic punk look was formed, and intended to be a Fuck You to societal norms. In the earliest days, punk jackets were mostly covered in band patches, much like modern heavy metal jackets. As punk evolved into what we know it as today, with notes of anti-establishment and anarchy, it became more common to see political patches right along side the band ones.
Today's jackets are a personal statement. the bands you like, your interests, political statements. They are a symbol of individuality and rebellion against society. They are a physical representation of YOU and your history with punk culture. This is why it is so important within punk culture to make your own jacket or have someone help who can customize it to you. You are not a generic human off the rack, you have lived a life, had your own battles, have your own personality, and have your own history. A premade, mass produced jacket won't showcase any of that or really truly represent the individuality of 'you'.
I’m not gonna claim there’s a definite line of influence but there is an older parallel tradition: Bamana hunting-shirts from Mali, decorated with hunting trophies, luck charms, power symbols, &c. When I was in art school a cool punk with a serious battle jacket gave an oral report on the incredible similarities. (This particular one is from the 19th Century, but modern ones are apparently still worn on special occasions.)
Oooohhhhhhhhhhh this is *really* interesting and may have just made its way onto my research list…..
Thank you for sharing!!
talking to outdoor cat defenders like
[ID: A four-panel comic showing a cow talking to a nondescript person. The cow shows the person a list, saying, “Here are reasons you should keep your cat indoors.” The list includes the following: shorter lifespan, hit by cars, parasites, FIV and feline leukemia, shot by humans, hunt native wildlife to extinction, killed by predators like coyotes, poison, cat fights, and harsh weather. The person then smugly says, “Ah! My country doesn’t have coyotes! So my cat being outside is okay!” The cow asks, “Uh…what about those other things…?” Indignantly, the person says, “GOD! Not everywhere is America!” End ID.]
is this even funny i dont think its funny im not putting it in the tags
How has this comic made such a groundbreaking cultural impact without getting over 40k notes
the-trash-eating-llama asked:
Have you ever partaken in the flesh of another?
fluffydancer618 answered:
This one shall do nicely.
35 miles, happy 24 hours.
24 miles, 19 hours and ticking.
It's ok, take your time
Hog swill
Might take a minute.
Back on track, 20 miles ~20 hours, might need a medic.
Buddy???
Found the portal, expect my corpse to arrive in 17-20 hours.
What
What the hell
Hey, PSA for my fellow disabled people: UPS workers are trying to negotiate a new contract, and it looks like it's leading to a strike soon. Now, I am absolutely all for this, they need safe working conditions and should strike if need be, but for us?
Please contact your doctors and make sure you're prepared in any way possible. This will affect many of you, whether that's through med deliveries, oxygen tanks, or other one-use supplies. If you live in America, try to get in contact with an insurance case worker for resources and advice if you're able.
Stay safe, and hope that the precaution isn't necessary.
One of my meds has to be delivered overnight UPS premiere gold refrigerated… time to call up the company and get this sorted.
I fully support the strike, because I’ve been following the development and the conditions they work under are truly egregious (I don’t know why OSHA hasn’t cracked down honestly), but I’ve also literally seen the drivers about to collapse in the heat. But it makes me furious how fragile our medical supply system is that one strike like this could literally be putting so many people in grave danger. That’s on the medical supply and shipping companies, not the UPS workers OR the medical providers.
