The 2010s were a legendary time in fashion. From color blocking and chunky sneakers to the boom of designer collaborations in retail, it was a time when the burgeoning popularity of street style blogs and the birth of Instagram brought about serious change in the fashion world. But one trend that stands out from the maximalism of this era as a protagonist of the counterculture is Indie Sleaze, the party-heavy aesthetic whose main ingredients included bold black eyeliner, American Apparel jerseys and Lana del Rey’s Born to Die.
However, the biggest fashion feature of this aesthetic was something that could actually be called a classic: the moto jacket. Images of indie sleaze icons like Alexa Chung continue to be a fashion destination for millennials and Generation Z alike. And with the return of the indie-sleaze aesthetic, the moto jacket is thankfully making a comeback. But not just as we remember it: Over the past two years, the moto jacket has become increasingly literal thanks to the rise of the biker-core aesthetic (Rosalía’s Motomami might have a lot to do with that) and the booming popularity of racing. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Charli XCX have all worn the trendy moto jacket, from cropped, biker-ready styles to retro-look versions.
To get inspired by the fast-growing trend, here are 10 celebrity moto jacket looks that are easy to copy.
1 . Charli XCX
Bikecore, but with Brat please! The singer wore a monochrome leather jacket with gray, washed-out jeans with wide legs. The accessories were kept minimalist to show off the denim and leather textures.
2 . Emily Ratajkowski
With today’s Y2K craze, it’s easy to create a flashback outfit with a moto jacket. Like Emily Ratajkowski, who paired the short black jacket with cargo pants, gas station sunglasses and Timberland boots. Someone should get her a Motorola Razr!
3 . Demi Moore
Who says a moto jacket isn’t suitable for the red carpet? Demi Moore wore a black cropped moto jacket over a black dress at the San Francisco Film Festival.
4 . Pharrell Williams
With the country aesthetic booming, it’s only logical that moto jackets are coming west. Louis Vuitton’s Pharrell Williams wore a fringed moto jacket with a pair of light blue jeans, which you can easily wear on your next road trip through the West.
5 . Paris Hilton
Sure, racing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but dressing for it can be. A retro striped moto jacket is just what Paris Hilton needed to perfect this simple outfit of black top and pants.
6 . Kendall Jenner
The moto jacket trend only seems to be for the flashiest of guys. But Kendall Jenner shows that a white T-shirt and blue jeans are all you need to pull off the biker look.
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7 . Kim Kardashian
Vroom-vroom! Kim Kardashian’s interpretation of the moto jacket is quite literal. The mogul paired hers with black leather leggings, but this type of jacket would also work well with wide-leg jeans or a midi skirt.
8 . Jennifer Lopez
While moto jackets are usually made of leather, a denim jacket can be just as fashionable. Jennifer Lopez’s all-denim look is made even more edgy with a super tailored denim moto jacket. Imagine this jacket over a simple T-shirt and jeans – great.
9 . Zendaya
The fitted moto jacket is certainly the most popular style. But Zendaya’s version shows that a maxi leather jacket can also be worn for an indie sleaze look. Just add a lace slip and sheer tights to perfect Tumblr-era styling.
10 . Rachel Zegler
To make the moto jacket trend glamorous, you only need a few classic elements. Rachel Zegler’s look, for example, combines two edgy pieces – a denim dress and a moto jacket – with more ladylike elements such as a handle bag and black pumps.
