This blog has its roots in promoting the natural feel of comfort of wearing boots and leather garments. For the past several months (years?), I have strayed a bit from the boots-n-leather blogging to share more personal musings about my life, same-sex marriage, travel, motorcycle riding as a guy ages, (lots of “as a guy ages” posts), and other material not related to the roots of this blog.

Having learned of the unfortunate death of CalRider, the founder of the “Gear365” movement, I have discovered more and more of his great work in video, writings, and social media. I decided that I would describe my own feelings and recommendations about wearing leather, in tribute to a man I never met or corresponded with, but who is sort of a younger, more hip, more fit, more articulate, and much more attractive me.

So here goes… why wear leather? … (more after the jump)

I struggle not to plagiarize, but much of what CalRider says in his well-scripted and quite articulate videos about wearing gear has been what I have been saying since he was a kid. (Being 23 years older than him, I can say that with due respect to differences in our ages.)

I choose to use the term “wearing leather.” I differentiate that from “wearing gear” in the sense that “gear” in the fetish community can mean not only leather, but military/police/fire uniforms, rubber, athletic/jock apparel, or other more kinky stuff best left for other places on the ‘net (and not this “G-rated” blog.)

Personally, I have never been “into” rubber or athletic/jock apparel. Just not me. I wear a uniform at my local fire department when I volunteer there, so I have no personal desire to wear that uniform otherwise.

I have owned a CHP uniform in the past that I wore with the patrol boots that fulfilled the fantasy. But that fetish/fantasy has faded in my old-age and steady married life to watching re-runs of CHiPs on TV.

But as CalRider has said in many ways, get out in leather and enjoy; much of the fear of wearing leather is all in your head. Trust me — few people say anything, and those who do give admiring comments.

To me, leather is fulfilling and “freeing” of my inner spirit.

Leather makes me look good. It hides some of my physical defects about which I have been self-conscious for almost my entire adult life. Leather is more good-looking than I am.

One does not have to wear full BLUF leather… in fact, most guys don’t. Simply wearing a leather jacket and boots is often enough. No one thinks a thing about that.

Add a bit more, such as a leather shirt, leather pants, gloves and Muir cap — then you are “full BLUF.” It takes a while to get there for those who are so inclined, but isn’t necessary. It is perfectly alright to wear a leather jacket and boots and you’re in gear. Simple. Easy. Quick.

Some people have said that wearing leather pants gives signals about one’s sexual orientation. I will blog more about that issue in a future post. Suffice it to say, there are lots of other things to worry about rather than what other people jump to (false) conclusions about.

Much of the fear about what other people may think about wearing certain leather garments has to do with your own self-confidence. Oh! Another thought for a future blog post too.

Summarizing: leather garments, especially if made to fit you (custom or made-to-measure), are an investment. I have said many MANY times on this blog that if you’re going to invest in quality leather garments, that you need to wear them often and when you go around and about in your community. The more you wear it, the more you are comfortable, build self-confidence, and overcome self-consciousness.

Life is short: as CalRider and older, more seasoned BHD would say, “wear your leather; enjoy, smile, and you’ll look great!”