October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine the spotlight on the efforts being made to eradicate this disease. The latest statistics indicate that one out of eight American women (12 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. About one in 36 (3 percent) will die from the disease. The good news is that the number of deaths has been declining since 1989, largely due to increased awareness, early detection, and better treatment options.
Harley-Davidson MotorClothes has contributed to the cause by donating a portion of its Pink Label Collection sales to organizations that support breast cancer patients and their families, such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Beyond the Shock program and the Young Survival Coalition. So far $1 million has been raised since the gear was introduced in 2010.
What an ideal time to review some items in Harley-Davidsons Pink Label Collection. We chose to try out the Womens Pink Label 3-in-1 Leather Jacket and matching chaps and gloves. The jacket, which includes a removable hoodie, is so named because it can be worn in three different ways: as a single-layer jacket, as a jacket with the hoodie layered underneath, or as a single-layer hoodie.
Mary OHare, a rider from Bethel, Conn., models the Pink Label 3-in-1 jacket (left) and removable hoodie
(right).
I love the buttery softness of the leather on this jacket. No stiffness or pulling here—this material moves with you. Stretch panels on the front and rear, accented with vertical pink stitching, allow the jacket to “give” a bit depending on how many layers youre wearing underneath.
Harley-Davidson is known for making its jackets with pre-curved sleeves, and the 3-in-1 is no exception. The jackets arms are already conformed to the bent arms of a motorcycle rider, making the jacket all the more comfortable to wear. Pockets for armor are sewn into the elbows and shoulders, but the actual armor is not included—you have to buy that separately.
Two shoulder vents and two vertical rear vents can be opened to allow air to flow through on warm days.
A two-way YKK zipper (that’s the brand name of these durable zippers) allows you to unzip the jacket from the bottom and the top. Sometimes its nice to unzip from the bottom to smooth out the “belly bunch” that appears when sitting on a motorcycle. Also, if you need to adjust your chaps, you can do so easily by unzipping the jacket from the bottom to quickly access the buckle on the chaps. A snap tab at the bottom of the zipper keeps the metal on the zippers bottom secure, ensuring it wont scratch your bike’s tank.
ThePink Label Full Finger Glovesare midlength, and on me they extend beyond my wrists by about 1 inch. I found that length to be kind of funky, as they weren’t long enough to be tucked inside my sleeve or go over my sleeve cuff. These are warm-weather gloves, indeed.
All of these Pink Label garments display the Harley-Davidson logo in several tasteful places. The jacket’s left breast panel and the chaps rear waist show the company name in a script font embroidered with pink thread. The hoodie’s left breast panel, the chaps’ right hip, and the back of each glove all use black and pink embroidery thread to subtly suggest the Bar amp; Shield logo. Pink stitching throughout these garments is used sparingly, subtly highlighting the color rather than shouting it. And, yes, the labels inside are all pink. Visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer to find these items.
The Cost of Harley-Davidson Pink!
Women’s Pink Label 3-in-1 Leather Jacket: $450
Women’s Pink Label Leather Chaps: $295
Women’s Pink Label Full Finger Gloves: $55
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Cancer has become an industry. Sadly, a cure would put too many out of a job. My mom died of cancer and I get it but I won’t buy the “Pink” stuff unless I really want the item.I would really like to buy a jacket and pants that protect me but at size 16, there is really not much to fit this grandma. I like the style of the above, but I choose safety over looking good.Harley gear is made for teenagers and younger women. Short of sewing it myself, I just make do with what I already have. Maybe one day.
The HD jacket I purchase has the built in sections to add armor, but it unfortunately did not come with any.I also am very anti-pink, but I think this was done very well. It is just enough pink that it is not in your face.
I ride a Harley Sportster and I agree with Gail, there should be some armor happening in this jacket for the price. I get tired of all the over branding and high price tags of anything Harley.
Where’s the armor? Who needs stupid thumb holes? Seems like a pretty pricey jacket without armor. Possibly to fund the cancer awareness. Which, by the way, after years and years and years of “study,” and billions of dollars spent on “research”‘ we are no better off. No thanks.
With a jacket at $450, H-D can well afford to put in protective armor. Shame on them.And a big, fat no to anything pink.