Skin on Skin

Photography by Francisco Garcia

Ever since Marlon Brando vroomed onto the screen in 1953's The Wild One, the leather jacket has become visual shorthand for rebel. But even the most roughed-up bruiser wants to shed the outerwear and show some skin when the temperature spikes. Designers offered a solution this season by crafting the sporty T-shirt in a more feral fabric -- swapping downy cotton for rugged leather. In the process, they've stumbled upon a style more akin to post-apocalyptic warriors than retro bad boys -- think The Matrix's Neo instead of the Fonz.

From left: short-sleeve stretch leather T-shirt by Dior Homme, $3,200; gray leather T-shirt by Calvin Klein Collection, $2,500; red lambskin T-shirt by Hermes, $3,825