The MA-1 Bomber: Through the Decades

The New Modern

Military outerwear embodies the old maxim “form follows function,” and while it’s certainly not a new trend in menswear, it has recently taken shape as one of the key pieces in every man’s wardrobe arsenal.

Rooted in functionality and comfort, the MA-1 bomber jacket retains its relevance from the last few season’s to dominate as the essential outerwear piece for fashion right now. We take a brief look at the defining moments of the versatile piece through the decades.

1950:
Not So Humble Beginnings

The original MA-1 bomber jacket was designed by the United States Air Force as a mid-weight flight jacket for use all year round. Based off the B-15 jacket, which made its debut in the decade before, the MA-1 featured a nylon body for its waterproof properties, an orange liner to promote visibility in the case of a crash and a knit collar that housed a parachute harness.
1950 – 1953:
Turning Green

The original bomber was also a midnight blue – not the sage green that we have come to associate with the item now. This was only introduced during the Korean War for camouflage purposes.
1960’s:
Going Public

After the Korean War and during the Vietnam War, the MA-1 bomber jacket made the leap from the military to the mass public. Particularly popular in Europe, the MA-1 bomber jacket appealed especially to English skinheads and mods who paired it with their signature skinny denims and Doc Martens. The MA-1 also gained popularity in Japan where Americana became a sub-culture that launched a fashion movement that is still seen today.
1980’s:
The Hollywood Effect

After icon Steve McQueen wore the jacket in his classic film The Hunter, the MA-1 bomber jacket was cemented in fashion history. And who can forget Tom Cruise in Top Gun, wearing his bomber with military patches?
2010’s:
Runway to Reality

Today, the MA-1 bomber is everywhere, thanks to the likes of Saint Laurent, OAMC and Givenchy and spotted on everyone from Kanye West to David Beckham. Recent military trends have seen a rise in styles that closer resemble the original while more forward designers have reinterpreted the iconic jacket with new fabrics, prints and detailing. An endless source of fashion inspiration, the MA-1 bomber jacket has truly come to its own.