Johnny Strabler - The Wild One (1953) Marlon Brando

[JonnyT]

I know this movie is very old by modern cosplayer’s standards, but I’m going to go to Goodwood Revival in the UK in September and getting dressed up for it is half the fun.

I wanted to cosplay as Johnny Strabler, played by Marlon Brando in the 1953 movie The Wild One, and was wondering if the wonderful people of the RPF could help me cobble together the outfit. I’m pretty sure it’s mostly “off the peg” stuff. But off the peg in the 1950’s, so I’m not sure how easy it will be to find what I’m looking for.

So far I know that the jacket is a Schott Perfecto leather jacket (it’s a classic and they’re still made today). And I’m sure the jeans are probably Levi’s.

If anyone could help with the hat, t-shirt and the boots, that would be great.

As well as suggestions for getting the right look with a jacket that isn’t necessarily a genuine Schott Perfecto, as those things are eye-wateringly expensive, even second hand.

 

[Doh2]

Not an exact match, but this might do for the hat:

Rebel Wax Cotton Blend Motorcycle Cap

Jaxon Hats' new Rebel Wax Cotton Blend Motorcycle Cap is a stylish and modern take on a retro motorcycle cap, inspired by Marlon Brando in the "The Wild One." A cotton canvas body with a waxed finish contrasts beautifully with the faux leather bill and hat band. The interior is fully lined with...

www.villagehatshop.com

I've had a couple of Jaxon hats over the years. Not fancy, but well made.

Good luck!

 

[smithjohnj]

Just some observations. The jacket buckle and the boot buckles all seem to be (edited) rectangular not square, clipped corner buckles. Also the jacket buckle appears to be "decorated" or engraved.

 

[smithjohnj]

The style of boot can be found under "black engineer boots". This was a popular work boot style in the 1950s, and was adopted by motorcycle riders. I found several online listings with the traditional vamp over the arch. Also you might watch the movie to see if the bracelet on his left wrist is an ID bracelet. Elvis Presley worn one with a similar heavy links like the one shown in the image.

 

[smithjohnj]

The t-shirt is white but it has a black neckband. It may also have black bands on the short sleeves. However that specific style with a solid color shirt and alternate colored bands was called a "ringer shirt" and did not come out until the 1960s.

 

[Nosfer4tu]

Hello there! I've made a registration on RPF just for this thread. Ever since I was a kid, I had an interest in the Greaser subculture. Truth is, though: we can't talk about the Greaser movement without mentioning Johnny Strabler from The Wild One!
That movie, which I would honestly give a 6.8 rating, was very influential culture-wise, even if many don't know about it.

Now, on Johnny's outfit, I'd like to make an observation in regard to the jacket: all signs point to it NOT being a Schott Perfecto. The real brand of the jacket has been a subject of debate for years! It is said that Marlon used his own wardrobe in that movie, which, unfornately, made all too hard to determine from which company the jacket came.

The good news is that, after much discussion, some folks in the Fedora Lounge have found a perfect match for it: a now-defunct company named Durable did a jacket that matched exactly to Johnny's. All the details were there: Stars on the eppaulete, taller kidney panel, snaps on the upper collar, the front-side long wrist zippers. All characteristics that the Schotts of that era didn't have!

Sadly, not much is known about Durable, the vague name doesn't help either to narrow down records of it. Rumor has it that Schott bought them at some point, but Gail (a spokeperson for Schott NYC) has confirmed that they don't have any records of absorbing any company named ''Durable''. The only thing we have about this company are their surviving jackets and, within it, their labels. Why Schott says they were the ones who did it? I don't know! Durable certainly isn't around to rebuke them. Regardless, that marketing strategy seems to be working to this day.

There are companies that do replicas of the One Star Durable jacket such as the japanese Toys McCoys and the european Bill Kelso, but keep in mind that they're quite pricey, perhaps even overpriced. Perhaps a good compromise would be getting a Double Rider and adjust it to make it look like a Durable.

If you want to know more, these are good sources of information about the jacket.

The Wild One: Brando's Motorcycle Jacket » BAMF Style

Vitals Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler, outlaw motorcycle club leader Central California, Summer 1953 Film: The Wild One Release Date: December 30, 1953 Director: László Benedek Background “Hey, Johnny, what are you rebelling against?” “Whaddaya got?” This famous exchange originated among the...

bamfstyle.com

Leather Jacket Jawn (This guy has videos showcasing 40-50s Perfectos and Durables)