If you're a resident of Daytona Beach or Sturgis, you are undoubtedly familiar with the different motorcycle groups that come into your cities every year for their annual rallies. You may have also noticed significant differences between the vests of different biker clubs. Some are heavily decorated with patches of all types while others seem to be very scant in the patch department. This isn't by accident; there are good reasons for it.
First of all, it's important to note that the leather vest is known among motorcycle clubs as the "cut." Some of motorcycle clubs provide their members with both their club patches (also known as "colors") and their cuts together. In most cases both are considered club property, so the club that provides them has very strict rules about the patches that can adorn the vest. They typically are limited to the club's colors and special patches that denote rank or various club accomplishments. Rarely will you see a club-provided vest adorned with a bunch of stock patches.
On the other hand, clubs that let members purchase their own vests generally have fewer restrictions on patches. Members of these clubs will have the colors on the back, as normal, along with rank and other club patches on one the breast panels. But then they might also have other stock patches as they see fit. For example, former military members might wear patches reflecting their branch if the service or their unit.
Lastly, if you see a lone wolf or an independent weekend warrior all bets are off regarding the patches on their vests. They simply adorn them with whatever they find appealing. That could include military patches, flags, humorous or vulgar patches, and even custom patches they had made for some specific purpose.
