Aero's Highwayman Jacket: The History of Our Best Seller

First designed in 1983, the Aero Highwayman has been our best-selling jacket every year since.

Often copied but never equalled, this classic 1950s-style leather jacket is one of the most instantly recognisable designs in the Aero range.

When was the Highwayman jacket created?

Way back in the early '80s, we already had a solid reputation amongst vintage clothing connoisseurs thanks to our authentic reproductions of the A-2 flight jackets worn by American pilots during World War II. But it was clear that we were missing a trick by failing to offer a properly-made leather jacket that echoed the vintage styles of the post-war era.

So in 1983, we set out to create a new jacket. Not a direct copy of an existing design, but something that captured the spirit of the 1950s while standing proudly on its own.

The result was the Highwayman.

Where did the name 'Highwayman' come from?

The name 'Highwayman' was inspired by the vintage British motorcycle jacket of the same name made by Rivetts of Leytonstone in the 1950s. That original jacket was a favourite among British riders, and it had exactly the sort of character that appealed to us: practical, unfussy, full of attitude, and unmistakably rooted in the golden age of leather outerwear.

But when we created our own Highwayman, we didn't simply reproduce the Rivetts jacket stitch for stitch. Instead, we reimagined it as though it had been made in America during the same era.

In other words, the Aero Highwayman is an Americanised homage to the quintessential British rocker's jacket. It takes the best ideas from that period and turns them into something that feels both familiar and completely its own.

Designing the Highwayman jacket

Before the Highwayman reached its final form, we worked through around half a dozen prototypes. Each one improved on the last until, at last, we arrived at the design we were looking for.

That final design featured a clean two-piece and three-pocket front, zip closure, a zipped horizontal chest pocket, deep hand-warmer pockets, side-adjusting straps, storm cuffs, and a three-piece back with that distinctive V-shaped yoke. This design has barely changed at all in the past 40+ years.

The fit is a crucial part of this jacket's enduring appeal. The Highwayman was designed with a relaxed 1950s silhouette, offering more room around the body than many modern leather jackets. It has presence without looking over-designed; structure without looking stiff; and attitude without trying too hard.

Why the Highwayman became an Aero icon

When the Highwayman jacket first launched, its understated style struck a chord almost immediately.

It had the look of a vintage leather jacket without feeling like a costume. It was bold but not flashy. It went well with denim, boots, knitwear, flannel...just about anything, in fact. It looked like something that had always existed, even though it was a new creation by the Aero team.

During the 1980s, the Highwayman became especially popular with UK indie bands. From there, its reputation spread to a whole generation of students, musicians, collectors, and vintage clothing enthusiasts. Before long, the appeal of the Highwayman had travelled far beyond Britain, with devoted followings developing in places like Japan and the USA.

Its success inevitably led to imitations. Over the years, many other companies have produced jackets inspired by the Highwayman – but for anyone who wants the real thing, only an original Aero Highwayman will do.

Order a Made-to-Measure Highwayman

Variations on the Highwayman jacket

Such was the success of our original Highwayman design that went on to inspire two other classic Aero styles.

The Premier 1930s Highwayman offers a slimmer, neater fit for those who like the Highwayman look but prefer a trimmer silhouette. The 59'er Highwayman, meanwhile, is a more faithful recreation of the original 1950s Rivetts jacket that inspired our own design back in 1983.

PICTURED: Aero's Premier 1930s Highwayman jacket (left) and 59'er Highwayman jacket (right).

Just like the original Highwayman, both of these styles have proven incredibly popular with our customers around the world.

Order a Premier 1930s Highwayman   Order a 59'er Highwayman

Did you know that we have a selection of pre-made Highwayman jackets available to purchase from our website? These 'ready to buy' jackets cost less than a made-to-measure Highwayman, but they sell quickly so don't wait around!