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On The Road Jacket

The On The Road Jacket debuted with a lengthy tribute to Jack Kerouac

This jacket really revels in its San Francisco roots. Made in San Francisco by the Golden Bear company (as detailed in the Wild Company memoir) it’s a tribute to the legendary Beat writer and at one point the catalogue copy included a testimonial from poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti whose famed City Lights Bookstore sits along Jack Kerouac alley in the City By The Bay.

From the catalogue: ” When we slipped on this jacket and sat behind the wheel of our typewriter, the ghost of Jack Kerouac hitched a ride. Our American classic takes its name from the rambling, romantic spirit of the ‘50s Beat writers and poets. We looked at a lot of leathers before making our choice for this jacket: Hairsheep leather is lithe and supple, simultaneously soft and firm. With thickly knitted collar, cuffs and waistband, and a lightweight layer of insulating fill, it’s a snug refuge for a roving soul.”

Holiday 1985 with testimonial by Lawrence Ferlinghetti along with a sketchy wardrobing spotlight.

About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn's fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying the clothing and giving her the catalogs. She loved the clothes and as an artist she was drawn to the illustrations. She went on to study illustration at art college in BR's hometown of San Francisco and worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA as a graphic designer and illustrator with Secret Fan Base . She's been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.

2 Comments

  • Todd Barkhymer on March 28, 2021

    Is the jacket for sale?

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