Patches are those eye-catching pieces of cloth, generally embroidered, that shows an image, text or sign for ironing or sewn over any piece of garment with the objective of express our own identity, communicate a message or simply for a matter of style.
Do exist dress styles that give the chance to easily customize your attire by using these eye-catching embroidered patches. For years, these patches seemed to be hard rock and heavy metal culture heritage, but the true is that iron on patches are also very popular among other movements as the biker culture, rockabilly style or even to complete your country dance attire.
A brief history about embroidered patches
At present, we assume the role of the embroidered patch as another option for our attire. But the truth is that its origin dates back to the 19th century military units. It was at the end of that century when the first embroidery machines appeared and for the nineteenth-century troops the patch had a simple identificatory function.
During First World War, when in 1918 the US Army 81st Division was dispatched to France, by soldiers initiative, at their uniforms a green patch with black edges was placed, which at the center had a lynx. After a debate inside the Army, general John Pershing not only permitted the 81st Division to keep using the emblem but suggested its standardization and encouraged the rest of units to design their own. This way, the Wildcat Patch became the world’s first embroidered patch for official use.
At the Second World War, using of military patches was very common in all fronts. Many of them were hand designed and produced by the same units that adopted them. Once the World War was over, in 1945, it was usual that many veterans kept their friendship with the companions as they didn’t get used to their civil lifes after years of combat. For that reason many enrolled to recent created biker clubs. Following the habits adopted in the front, to demonstrate their membership to the club, logos were printed on clothing’s back and chest. Biker patches were born.
With the time, the habit spreaded out. During 80’s decade, at hard rock’s peak, the heavy metal and punk, the youth rescued the the image of a life without rules reflected in the attitude of the american bikers and copied part of their style. Instead of using club patches, they started wearing patches of their favourite bands.
The embroidered patch started to popularize among the general public and, nowadays it even stands out from fashion industry big names, that in the last years, turn it into a trend.
Biker patches to hit the road
Are you a biker that want to forge your own style? Or are you a group of bike-aficionado and want to dress the same to be identified on the road? At Corbeto’s we have the best collection of embroidered patches. From the small ones to the big back patches. With a large design variety: motorcycle brands (Norton, Indian, Bultaco, Triumph, Montesa, etc.), Route 66 motifs, pirate flags, Chopper cross, Confederate flags, “Live Free, Ride Free” mottos, skulls and many more…
Patches for the most stylish Rockabilly
Stand out on the dance floor with our impressive collection of rockabilly patches, with a wide range of designs to choose: diverse motifs from the unforgettable Elvis, patches for the indispensable Stray Cats or the incomparable Loquillo, “Rocker” or “Rock’n Roll” motive patches, black rocker swallow, red rockabilly swallow, poker playing cards, 8 ball on flames, psychobilly patches, etc.
For the most daring we do also have a nice collection of sugar skull patches , inspired in the traditional mexican icon.
Country and western patches to complement your attire
If you are western culture aficionado, country music fan or line dancer, at Corbeto’s we also have an interesting collection of country and western patches to complete your look. With designs inspired in all about that passionates you: far west motifs, confederate flags, country music, line dance, the catalan style, etc.
Come by our store in Barcelona’s Las Ramblas or the online shop and will have the chance to see our collection of more than 100 different embroidered patches for clothing. If you are a biker with personality, a rockabilly that look for its own style or a western lifestyle, country music and line dance passionated, sure that will find a patch that will inspire you.
Image’s font: Mashable
Yellow & red rocker style Elvis embroidered clothing patch
Lady Rider biker style clothing patch with rose and white wings
Cowboy brown boot with spur embroidered patch
Mexican sugar skull clothing patch with yellow and red flowers
