In the modern men's wardrobe, many pieces are inspired by or inherited from military gear. Shirts, jackets, pants: many former combatants laid down their arms before playing veterans in our wardrobes, together forming the now famous "militaria style".
Today, we pay tribute to an icon of this repertoire by offering a free and intimate interpretation of the very famous aviator jacket.
Fasten your seatbelts, takeoff is imminent.
A Brief History of the Bomber Jacket
Closely linked to that of military aviation, the history of these jackets is rich and tortuous. Designed to equip air force pilots, they obviously had to be warm and insulating, but also robust, comfortable and practical. Between the beginning of the 20th century and the contemporary era, several designs have followed one another , varying the material, the collar, the location of the pockets and the closing system. Not all of them have gone down in history, but a handful of cult models have crossed the decades to reach the civilian wardrobe:
- The A1 jacket. The first “flight jacket” designed by the US Army, it has entered the pantheon of pieces of its kind with its high tricotine collar, its leather body and its two patch pockets with flaps.
- The A2 jacket. A variation of its predecessor, the A2 replaced the A1 in 1930, swapping the high collar for a shirt-style collar and gaining a pair of shoulder tabs.
- The B3 jacket. Developed in 1934 for bombers who flew at (very) high altitudes, this model is distinguished by its sheepskin lining. A guarantee of staying warm, even at several kilometers high.
- The B10 jacket. Descendant of the B3, it was dressed in 1943 in a very dense cotton canvas and an alpaca lining. A lighter alternative than its great-grandfather.
- The MA-1. Better known as the “bomber”, it took off in the 1950s and featured a nylon body, orange lining, a pocket on the left sleeve and a teddy collar.
The bomber jacket according to Hast
Aviator jacket, bomber jacket, fly jacket, bomber, flight jacket: many names coexist to designate fighter pilots' jackets. Over time and with developments, this reference has become essential, including on dry land.
As part of our fall-winter 2025 collection , we wanted to pay tribute to her by publishing a very peaceful interpretation of this queen of the azure.
Echoing the inventory we have just made, you will easily notice that our bomber jacket borrows from some of its predecessors. The short and fitted cut of the first A1s, the zipper of the A2, the sheepskin collar and slightly dropped shoulder of the B3 or the beveled pockets of the MA-1. For their part, the adjusters at the wrists recall the tight ribbing that protected pilots from drafts. So many winks that celebrate the history of this piece while adapting it to contemporary lifestyles.
In particular, it is the work around the material that contrasts with an overly literal interpretation of military references. Turning our backs on leather and nylon, we have chosen to adorn our jackets with a thick wool cloth; a natural material whose elegance is no longer in doubt.
A 320g/m2 water-repellent fabric for the blue model shown here.
A 255g/m2 herringbone pattern fabric for its more textured version.
Both references are lined in cotton and have viscose mignonettes that make it easier to pass the arms through. At the bottom of the sleeves, invisible ribs ensure total insulation, just like in the old days. Finally, each has a removable collar in real sheepskin, black for the first and white for the second. For your information, we have taken these sheep fleeces from dormant stocks (the famous “deadstocks”) to line the collars of our bomber jackets.
Wear the Hast Bomber Jacket
No need to drive a Mirage 2000 to put on this prince of the clouds. Its military heritage may be palpable, but it is nonetheless designed for peaceful use. The ultimate winter jacket, it will keep you warm from the first frosts to the last showers by putting just the right amount of Top Gun in your life (which is to say very little).
With its removable sheepskin collar, it asserts itself as a model of versatility, capable of evolving in very classic looks but also in dressy outfits. If the marriage with chinos (another cult piece of the militaria register) is obvious, the association with jeans , wool pants or even pleated pants can perfectly be considered. With its subtly fitted cut, you will have enough space to put it on over a t-shirt , a shirt , a sweater or all three.
Capitalizing on the richness of the herringbone fabric, we have also planned a matching set, entirely made from this material. In addition to the bomber jacket, you will find the pants, the suit jacket and the gloves worked in the same fabric. Suit or not? Uniform or not? It's up to you to choose and vary the pleasures, by mismatching as you wish or proudly assuming the total look.
A word about maintenance
As it is made of wool, we strongly recommend that you take your bomber jacket to the dry cleaners to have it dry cleaned when necessary. Between May and October, try to place it in a protective cover to store it in the best conditions while it hibernates. In high season, also make sure to keep it on a hanger with wide shoulders when it is not sitting royally on yours. These few precautions will allow you to maximize its life expectancy.
The final word
Born over a century ago with the development of military aviation, the bomber jacket has continued to evolve over the decades, constantly adapting to the needs and requirements of pilots. In 2024, we offer you a peaceful interpretation cooked in Hast sauce, with the ingredients you know: certified natural materials, transparency, European know-how and honesty.
A pair of strong pieces, freely inspired by the great designs of the time and crafted in 100% wool. Enough to send your wardrobe to 7th heaven while keeping your feet on the ground.