The $35.99 Bomber Jacket Taking Fashion by Storm
Shhh. The bomber jacket discerning fashionistas can’t get enough of can be bought at any number of army surplus stores.
The street style piece de resistance of the season wasn’t designed by current fashion darlings Demna Gvasalia or Alessandro Michele. Instead, it came from any number of local army surplus stores: the MA-1 bomber jacket, which was first created in the 1950s to shield United States air force pilots from inclement weather.
It’s little wonder that the bomber, identifiable by its bright orange interior, has made a splash, given the resurgence of utilitarian street wear and the precedence placed on style that’s also functional.
“I think it’s due to the rise of street wear that the bomber is having a moment,” said street style photographer Adam Katz Sinding. Vetements, Gucci, even Dries Van Noten have all shown their takes on the bomber. “We see it more than before as it’s disseminated through the big houses.”
But the original bombers, which come in olive green, black, and navy, from authentic military apparel manufacturers have garnered more attention from celebrities and industry insiders than their luxury counterparts.
The nylon jackets, which retail as low as Rothco’s $35.99 to Alpha Industries heavily insulated one at $140, have had an overwhelming front row presence this season, spotted on editors and celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner. The jacket continues to prove its staying power, as evidenced by designers like Kanye West, whose black and orange Yeezus tour jacket is an approximation, and Paris-based collective Vetements, who will re-release their oversized model (constructed from multiple vintage bombers) for fall.
After all, who says utilitarian can’t be chic?
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Photos: The $35.99 Bomber Jacket Taking Fashion by Storm
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in Los Angeles, California, December, 2015. Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
Istanbul Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Emircan Soksan.
Paris Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding.
Outside Hermès at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Getty Images.
Patricia Manfield outside Hermès at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Getty Images.r Fall/Winter 2016/2017 on March 7, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patricia Manfield
Model Peyton Knight outside Gucci at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo by Getty Images.
Chiara Capitani at Milan Men’s Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Getty Images.
Veronica Ferraro outside Costume National at Milan Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Getty Images.
Model Stella Lucia outside Chanel at Paris Fashion Week Fall 2015. Photo by Getty Images.
Tokyo Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Julien Boudet.
London Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding.
New York Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding.
New York Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding.
